Are you ready?

When I was a student at Sam Houston University, a friend of mine named Nancy had a date with an Aggie.  Well, Nancy and her date came in early and so we found a fourth and played a game of Hearts.  Contrary to my normal performance at Hearts, I actually won that night.  Several days later, I got the card from A & M from this guy.  It said, "Someday your ship will come in."  You open it up and it continues, "And you'll be at the train station."  

Now most of you know that my name is Nan.   It's not Nancy, it's not Nanette, or any of the other possible variations.  Now, the problem was, this card was addressed to "Nancy Lewis."  So we never figured out if it was intended for me or for Nancy, but we both decided that he was the one who missed the boat.  He just didn’t pay attention – not unlike the five foolish bridesmaids in our gospel lesson today.  They just didn’t pay attention either.

You know, today’s gospel lesson could be compared to when a hurricane comes through.  Let’s say there were ten guys who bought new generators, but when the hurricane came along half of them realized too late that they forgot to buy extra gasoline to run them.”  So by the time they finally figure out that they need more gas than what’s left from when they tried it out, and they go to the station, the power’s already out and the pumps don’t work, and regardless of how sorry they are, or how much they are willing to pay, they can’t get the gasoline. 

Our five foolish maids came with that same mindset where they believed that all they needed was the lamp because this occasion would be just like all the other weddings they had been a part of.  It just never even crossed their mind that this time it might be different.  But it was different and they didn’t adapt to the change – they were unprepared for change.  And even when they began to get an inkling that this time might be different, they did nothing.  They could see that the others had brought extra oil – and now, with the groom’s delay, they had time to go get oil, but they still didn’t use this time for that purpose.  They waited until the end when the reality of the situation was unavoidable and then it was too late.

These were young women from the groom’s household who wait at some distance from the house to escort the groom and his new bride back to the house when he comes from collecting her from her father’s house – and according to one source, they not only light the way, but they also perform a welcome dance to honor the new bride who will be living among them.  

While these maids wait for the groom they grow drowsy and fall asleep.  Someone likened the five foolish maids to everyone’s worst nightmare…  Well, maybe not nightmare – but that common dream so many of us have – each our own versions – about not being prepared at the appropriate time.  My particular dream usually has to do with going to class to take a test – in my dream, not only have I not studied for the test, but I’ve never even attended the class and I’m not sure where it is.

These young ladies have participated in other weddings and they don’t expected this to be any different.  Like the foolish maids, we, too, may be resistant to change.  We often expect everything to stay the same – like there’s some kind of status quo that’s never going to change.  We do this in our personal life, in our professional life and even in our church life.  Maybe we have a good thing going, and we expect it to stay the same.  Then it doesn’t and like the five foolish maids, by the time we recognize that there is a problem, it’s too late to reverse the situation.  It’s like a wife (or husband) who doesn’t realize there’s a problem with their marriage until their spouse asks for a divorce.  Or like parents who overlook the signs of alcohol or drug abuse by their child until they are called by the police.  There could be any number of scenarios that we could imagine or name.  

Churches can be just as blasé about what is going on in their parish.  They can be just as resistant to change as individuals.  They like to see new people come in – but that causes discomfort if the new people are different.  One of the churches in our diocese decided that they needed some way to incorporate new people into their church family.  And sometimes it’s just too long to wait for the bishop to come, so they’ve come up with a service of “inclusion” – they call it the “Liturgy of Belonging.”  We have actually used this here in the past.  There is a little service after The Peace when a family has expressed a desire to become a part of the parish family.  Patterned somewhat after the Baptism service near the end, the priest turns to the congregation and asks:  

Will you welcome (name/s) into this family, embrace their gifts, their needs, and their dreams?  Will you recognize that their presence and participation will change the shape of the body and help it grow in new ways?  Will you support them in their journeys, and assist them in their ministries?

And the answer is:   Yes! Yes! Yes!

This is very intentional in the realization that when new people are added to a congregation, there will be change.  And it is very intentional in recognizing the need for new blood in the church and the change that will occur and the intention to accept that change.  I guess that you could consider it to be something like a marriage ceremony.

Like the maids in our story, maybe we’re waiting for something to happen in our lives.  The five wise maids anticipate a future that involves them and they want to be prepared.  We may be anticipating a change in our lives also.  We may be waiting for the birth of a child, or for a phone call that offers us a job…  maybe for our child to graduate from high school and leave for college...   news from the doctor’s office…  that special person to pledge to share our life with…  All these circumstances are going to create change in our lives.  We have to be prepared to face that change regardless of what it brings.  If we are not willing to grow and change, then we will stagnate and die.  

It reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: “all you have to do is suit up and show up and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.”  Well, maybe sometimes that doesn’t quite get it.  You have to be accepting of whatever is going on, and willing to fulfill your part, whatever that might be.  But it’s about being prepared and ready to do your part.    

Notice that this is a wedding feast – not a funeral.  It is a joyous occasion – an occasion for celebration.  And also notice that the participants are not alone – even in the waiting.  When things go slow, when nothing appears to be happening – when you wait for the future to reveal itself to you – you are not alone.  There is always someone there with you – with similar questions or doubts or struggles – but ready to sit with you and share what is happening.  It is not unlike what is happening here at Grace.  We know that a new rector is long in coming, but knowing that the vestry is now receiving names and preparing to go out, even this month to visit and interview, we have to be prepared.  We also know that a new rector is going to change the dynamic of Grace, and we each have to be prepared for that change. 

This whole story is considered to be somewhat allegorical.  Scholars are very careful to point out that we are not to consider it a complete allegory.  The difference between the two groups of bridesmaids is said to be their faith preparation.  It takes faith to wait – faith to sustain us during the long night watches.  It takes faith and courage to change when that is needed.  It takes knowing and believing that when the Lord calls us to wait or to make changes in our life, that he will give us the strength and the tools to accomplish what needs to be done, or to survive the changes that are made.  We prepare our lives, our hearts and our minds so that when the Lord comes, we may go in with him, rejoicing and may feast at the table that he has set for us.  Are you ready for the changes that are coming?

Come to my wedding feast.

Listen to the sermon.    

There are some scripture passages that I take exception to and this is one of them.  I’m never quite sure what to do with it.  I wrestle with it – and maybe I want to judge it.  Somehow I have trouble reconciling the teller of this story with the Jesus I see portrayed in scripture – who tells us to turn the other cheek - who welcomes all to come in, who turns away none.  Jesus accepts tax collectors and sinners and heals the lame and the ill.  Even in the one incidence where someone (beside the Pharisees and other officials) turns away – it is still the free choice of the person who was invite in.  

Only two gospel writers tell this story, Matthew and Luke.  Luke ends the story with the people coming in and there is still room so he sends the servant out again to bring in more people.  Luke makes no mention of any killing or mis-treating- either by the invited guests or by the banquet giver.

In reading Matthew’s version of this story, he appears to be angry, and I don’t know what to do with his anger.  Luke was a gentile – Matthew a Jew.  I think Matthew is quite angry that his community is not welcome in the synagogue because they follow Jesus.  I think Matthew is like the author of Psalm 137 who wants to smash babies against the rock because Jerusalem was destroyed.

Most of the commentaries report that this parable tells of a king (God) who invited the people (the Israelites) to his banquet – to feast at his table.  But they turned away and even when he sent his servants (the prophets), they were ignored and mistreated and some even killed.  So he dis-invites his guests and reaches out to a new group – blood lines don’t matter – position, power and wealth don’t matter.  Anyone who will listen and come in is welcome.  

Now Luke stops his story right there and we get the wonderful picture of a God who is willing to fellowship with anyone – with everyone – everyone who accepts his invitation - no exceptions.  But Matthew – wants to exclude someone – Matthew, who was raised as a Jew - with the concept of a God who picks and chooses – a God who blesses and curses.  Matthew, as a Jew, wants to exclude certain people. He wants people punished when they don’t do things the way he wants.

Jesus himself invites the rich young man to come follow – he does set a condition – and the young man decides to walk away.  Jesus does not exclude him.

For me it’s the same way.  This lesson ends with “Many are called, but few are chosen.”  Boy, did that ever do a number on me!  For far too long I believed that I was one of those who would never be chosen.  And that was a mantra for me, “Oh yes, I’ve been called, but I’ll never be chosen.”  

What I had to finally understand was that we are all called – each and every one of us.  God is not willing for any of us to perish and he gives us every opportunity to come in.  But we are the ones doing the choosing.  Do we choose to follow or like the rich young man, do we choose to turn away?  

I guess the part I have trouble with is the weeping and gnashing of teeth – the being bound and the cast out.  I think the older I get, the more trouble I have with this.  I suppose I get my vision of heaven and hell from C. S. Lewis.  In his book, “The Great Divorce,” hell is depicted as a dank, dark and dismal place – a place that is continually dusk and where it is always raining – where people wander aimlessly and no one speaks kindly to another.  Lewis posits a place in the midst of this darkness where people are given a last chance to visit bright heaven and to cast off the darkness that keeps them separated from the presence of God.

The other vision of heaven/hell that he gives is from the Narnia series in “The Last Battle.”  As the battle is raging the world begins to crumble and the sky begins to fall in.  Aslan encourages and ushers everyone who will come to enter the ‘hut’ on the hill which is the gateway to the new kingdom.  It is a bright and bold and happy place but the dwarves who had been thrown into the hut earlier sit around the fire with their eyes closed refusing to see the glory that has appeared around them.  They remain in that self-made hell because they have convinced themselves that that was all there is.

So we are back to the man who is cast out.  And why?  Because he wasn’t wearing the proper clothes.  There are places here on earth that there is a ‘dress code’ and if you are not wearing the proper attire, you are asked to leave.  But here we have a guy (Jesus) who is advocating radical hospitality and he tells a story where he invites everyone in and then kicks out one person because he didn’t wear the right clothes.  

What is being said here is that there is a cost - a price - for following Jesus.  We have to be willing to accept him, not only as savior, but also as Lord.  And we have to allow him to come into our life and begin to change us - to mold us into his own image.  We are to put on Jesus Christ and his righteousness.

This is an easy parable, I guess, if you are certain that you have the proper garment, but for those who struggle with faith or what they see of Christianity, it’s not so easy.  The point is that Jesus accepts us right where we are, but he doesn’t leave us there.  All through the gospels we see him healing people and driving out the demons that hold them captive.  He will do that for us also - we simply have to allow him to work within us.  

I remember a young man (college student) in Huntsville who showed up at church one Sunday morning in dirty running shorts, a muscle shirt, with his tattoos and various body jewelry standing out.  He said he only came to borrow a prayerbook and he obviously didn’t meet the dress code for church attendance, but he was encouraged to come in and once there he was treated like everyone else.  The following Sunday he showed up in clean cutoffs and a regular t-shirt.  Once again he was accepted just as he was.  Eventually his dress improved as he came back Sunday after Sunday.  He was looking to be accepted – and he was met where he was, in the condition he was in, and he was accepted.  

Radical hospitality accepts people where they are – and allow them the time and space to grow into the grace that has been extended to them.  And in the process, the rags they wear will eventually become garments of praise.   

And the invitation still goes out even today:

Come, won’t you come, for the banquet is laid.

Won’t you come, for the feast is prepared.

Won’t you come, won’t you come.  

Amen.

The Kingdom of God is like...

Listen to the sermon.     

Our collect today starts out, “Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things…”  That’s not always easy to do – to not be anxious about the things that swirl around us – especially when those things include things like hurricanes and flooded houses or wildfires or earthquakes or diving economies – and we tend to fear for our futures and for our very lives.  

I have seen a number of people this week who have been negatively affected by Harvey.  People who lost a week of work and can’t meet their bills, people who are being housed at motels in Galveston and have to bring their kids to school here in Alvin and then spend the day working on their house; people who have had to drop out of school to try to deal with everything that goes along with losing everything.  

And I want to thank all of you who have donated so generously to my discretionary account.  I have had more than the usual number of people needing extra help.  It is very hard for those people who live from paycheck to paycheck, who have to fight for every penny they get.  When something like this happens, it is very hard for them to recover.  If they lose a week of work, that is a large chunk of their rent, or food for the table that week.

Not unlike those I have been helping this week, in our Old Testament lesson from Exodus, the people are grumbling against Moses and Aaron because they don’t have enough to eat or drink.   Seems like every time these lessons come around there has been some major event that effects people.  I remember when these lessons came up a week after Ike.  Now here we are with Harvey and I know there are people around here who could commiserate with the Israelites.  In Texas and Florida, and the Caribbean Islands, in the rubbles in Mexico following the earthquakes, (there was another one this morning), in the fire torn areas of the west coast, people are hurting, and they understand the pain of the Israelites. 

For the people of Israel, they were without jobs, without homes and without resources, but the Lord heard their cry and provided for them food enough – water from the rock, quail (meat) in the evening and manna (bread) in the morning.  I love the story about the manna – the people go out and see the residue on the ground after the dew lifted and they said, “What is it?”  Well, it’s the bread that God gave you – so they called it “manna” which means “what is it.”

You know that the tendency has been to explain away the miracles – well the quail were migrating and were blown off course into the camp and the manna is a residue from insects that was collected and used sort of like flour to make bread.

Well, those things may be, but the miracle is that they happened when the people needed them – and that the amount of residue was enough to make bread for all the people.  And everyone had enough.  It is important that people have enough to eat – it makes a difference in their attitude if their belly is full.  

Our gospel lesson talks about day laborers.  These are the people who live day to day - not knowing if they will work that day.  They hang out at a convenient spot where people can find them.  In Alvin, day laborers hang out at the convenience store on the corner of 2^nd and Sealy streets.  Those men who are waiting for work, hoping to get hired so that they can feed their families, are no different from the ones in our gospel lesson.  In fact they are not much different from the ones in our Exodus lesson – they just want to survive.

Whether it’s fire or flood or running from a tyrant, many people – especially day laborers, hourly wage people, find themselves, not only without a home, but also without a job, or food, or resources.  Before getting into the meat of the lesson for today, I just want to make sure that you understand that people in Jesus’ day and in Moses’ day are not so much different from people today.

For some people it’s a matter of having enough food to feed their families.  That’s actually the same thing that’s going on in our gospel lesson.  The day laborers just want to provide for their families – the denarius – a day’s wage to buy a day’s worth of food.  And those who get picked early in the morning are the fortunate ones because they are going to be able to go home with food – enough for their families.  And the ones who get picked later in the day, or not at all, will go home short or with nothing at all.  

So our landowner goes out and hires people to work in his vineyard.  And they agree on a reasonable wage – the daily standard (let’s say $50).  And as the day goes on he hires more and more people – each time telling them that he will pay them what is fair – until you get to the last group.

The last group, he goes out and asks, ‘why are you standing here idle – why are you not working?”  And their answer is because no one has hired them.  And he tells them to go into the vineyard and work.  He does not even say that he is going to pay them – just “go work.”

And when it’s time to pay the workers – they all get the same amount.  Now if that were to happen today….  One of the mantras that has appeared in recent years is ‘equal pay for equal work.’  That’s mostly about women’s issues - but how does that line up with this story?  This story makes no kind of economic sense – not now, not then.  The parables of Jesus – especially the kingdom parables – although they are all drawn from nature, or family, or other familiar circumstances, make no sense.  

If you are the person that worked all day, you expect to make more than the person who only worked an hour.  And if you are the owner of the company – you are going to pay for the worth of the work – you don’t pay the person who worked one hour the same as the one who worked 8 hours, and you don’t pay the ditch digger the same wage you paid the engineer who designed the system.  (Can you imagine a business owner getting people to work all day when he’s going to pay a day’s wage for only one hour’s work?)  From a worldly point of view – this story makes absolutely no sense.  

William Willimon, a Methodist Minister – dean of the Duke seminary chapel preached on this lesson one day.  One of the ushers came up after and asked, “Where do you get these stories you tell?”  Confused he replied, “Stories?  I guess from South Carolina.”  She went on to say, “well, I’m really bothered by the one you told today.  I just don’t think that’s anyway to treat people.  I mean, if you work longer, you should get paid more.”  Willimon replied that that story was not his, it was from Matthew, and she didn’t have a clue who or what Matthew was.  She was the girlfriend of one of the ushers that day, and they were short handed so he asked her to fill in.  Willimon told her that she was probably the only person there that actually got that story – the outrageousness of it.  

And the point is that the kingdom of heaven is not like earth – and Jesus’ parables are intended to make that abundantly clear.  In heaven everyone gets treated the same – Everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior gets into the heaven, regardless of who they are, or how long they were a Christian, or how intense their faith might be.  When we join that heavenly chorus – in that heavenly realm – there is no hierarchy – we all enjoy the same benefit - life eternal.  

Amen