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October 22 2006
The Rev. Canon Lynell Walker
Proper 24 - Year B
Today's gospel lesson begins abruptly with two of the disciples, James and John, asking Jesus a question in private. They have isolated Jesus from the rest of the disciples, and with all this talk of "kingdom living" want to know if they could be allowed to sit at Jesus' right and left hands. Those chairs are obviously understood to be places of honor and power, the right being the most exalted. (And I have no doubt that the brother's were already arguing amongst themselves as to which deserved to sit where!)
Chopping up the scriptures into Sunday lectionary "snapshots" fails us in not allowing stories to be seen in their broader context. Only a few moments before today's story begins, Jesus tells the rich young man what he must do to inherit eternal life. He must separate himself from places of unhealthy attachments. Love told Jesus that the man's possessions were getting in the way of his living the life God intended for him. Jesus ends the story by saying that the first in the kingdom will be last, and the last will be first.
Jesus and the disciples then get up and begin walking towards Jerusalem. While on the way Jesus explains for the third time that when they arrive at their destination he will soon be handed over to the chief priests, judged guilty, and condemned to death. But they are not to fear for in three days he will rise again. Jesus is beginning to establish a memory trail that will be as a "global positioning system" for the disciples to understand and eventually claim the triumph of the Easter to come.
Jesus has just finished his explanation of the "first shall be last" and his upcoming sacrifice of love when James and John seek to stake out their claim for leadership, power, recognition, and authority in Jesus' new kingdom. James and John want "first dibs" and pride themselves in being clever enough to ask before anyone else gets a chance. Jesus then looks them square in the eye and asks them two things:
First, are you willing to enter into my baptism which requires self rule to drown and be reborn into a life of obedience and grace? Are you willing to let go of those places where your are attached at points of pain, story by story, relationship by relationship as they unfold throughout your life?
Second, are you willing to drink from my cup and participate by entering into human suffering and commit to healing this broken world? Will you be tireless in working towards reconciliation in yourself, your family, and your community? Will you seek justice for the downtrodden whose voice has been silenced by oppression?
Then James and John look Jesus in the face and say "yes" we are willing and able. If this is what gets us chairs of distinction let the waters flood and let the chalice pour. It's then somewhat amusing that Jesus applauds their answer by saying, "Yes indeed, you will enter into my baptism and drink from my cup. Good answer! And, oh by the way, seat assignments are not mine to give!"
James and John's ambition may have bemused Jesus but it did nothing for their co-workers! Soon Jesus has to calm down the whole lot of them by saying again, "If you want to be first, you must serve each other." By now Jericho is in sight and Jesus is soon to model again what servant ministry is all about. But that's next week, so stay tuned.
Where are places for hope in this story?
First, I am glad Mark and Matthew include this tale in the gospel narrative because it says that Jesus is out to change the world through ordinary people whose lives are full of scars and warts. I am glad that the gospel writers didn't "clean up" the disciples when they put to press the final draft of the Good News.
One of my favorite movies is called the Apostle. The film begins when the lead character, a wild-eyed self absorbed evangelist played by Robert Duvall, preaches the gospel of repentance to a young couple near death in a horrific car accident. At the end of the film the same gospel of repentance saves a young mechanic who crosses Duvall's path. And Duvall's character in between proves to be a tragic mess. Nonetheless, he is hounded by God. The message from the film is that God can use us all, regardless of our state of perfection. Transformation happens in spite of the vessel because the redemptive work belongs to the Holy Spirit. That's what gives us confidence to say "yes" when called. Today's gospel says that God can use us as God's disciples in this time and in this place in spite of ourselves. Our history and shortcomings are not an invitation to abandon our baptismal vows.
Next, Jesus tells us that to be and feel truly what it is to be human, we must serve those around us. To contain life, to control others, to be numb to human suffering will only rob us of joy. In other words, we're hardwired to give. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. The main thing that keeps us from giving to others is a loss of memory around our own brokenness. We forget too quickly that the person who crosses our path that needs our help, is us. We see too quickly in them the shadow side of ourselves. For who among us has not feared scarcity of resources, loss of dignity, or been anxious about disease or death of a loved one? Jesus offers us healing and strengthens us by allowing our own stories of pain to become energy for healing others. It's all part of God's strange sense of divine economy. You want the love and commitment of a life long marriage? Let each other go. You want to possess eternal life? Give away what possesses you. You want to follow me? Step back and serve others.
Today is a big day in the life of Trinity Cathedral. For our Newcomers it is saying yes to being responsive members of Christian ministry in this community. For others it is supporting our mission of making disciples by committing financially to the work of this parish. For yet others it is trusting that God is in the details of their lives and praying for those who need God's strength and healing embrace. We are all here today for a reason, we are not here by accident. May we remember that whatever our story, God can use us warts and all. And may we remember that we will only find our true selves in serving others.
In the end James and John were right in knowing that there would be two on either side of Jesus when he entered into his kingdom. Both thieves, one who said yes, and one still in process. And therein lies our hope.
Amen
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