Sermon for the Third Sunday after Trinity 25th June 2023:EREMIAH 20:7-13, MATTHEW 10:24-39, ROMANS 61b-11

Deacon Chris Saccali – St Paul’s Athens

 

I speak in the name of the Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This Sunday, coming at the end of Refugee week is called Sanctuary Sunday, when we consider how we as churches can offer welcome, hospitality and compassion to those seeking sanctuary, The operative word this year is Compassion – literally suffering alongside. Last week this all came back to the surface here in Greece as countless lives were lost in the sea off Pylos in the Peloponnese.  Who is to blame?  This issue cannot be made into a political one and others made scapegoats as occurred in Kalamata. It is a worldwide phenomenon not just a European or Western one. As Christians what are we going to do about it? UN says 100,000,000 people are displaced.

Our readings today seem to dovetail into this theme of pain and difficulty in the lives of prophets and disciples and steer away from our blame game culture that we have gotten used to, sometimes unconsciously. We learn that God’s Kingdom is not compatible with the same set of values. We as disciples of Christ are called to live counter culturally but to bear in mind that we each look through the lens of our own culture and upbringing.

Our readings show this was ever so. Jeremiah and the prophets advocate this way of life putting God first in obedience to their calling. They do not blame God for this but are not always eager to follow their vocation.

The prophet Jeremiah lived through times of enormous political upheaval. His long career, lasting about 40 years, saw a good king, a weak king and the forced deportation of all but the dregs of the population. Most of this Jeremiah warned his people about in advance, but his foresight won him no friends at all, as is so often the case. He was increasingly isolated from the people he was born to serve, and at times his life was threatened by those who could not bear to hear the truth that was so different from what they wanted.

It is not as though Jeremiah had any choice about his calling. At the beginning of the book we hear God telling him that even while he was a foetus, he was being prepared for the role of God’s prophet. He may have been able to pass up on his vocation – it is not unknown after all- but in today’s lament, Jeremiah cries out that not to speak is as painful as the fear and loneliness that follows after he has spoken out. And he has no choice about the words he is given – they are from God. Some of us know what that dilemma is like- keep quiet and you are uncomfortable and complicit – speak out and you are shunned. We each have to answer to God.

The words we have here are of despair and depression. They are not of blame but Jeremiah almost hates God. However, he is at least honest enough to admit that. They are such strong words that it is almost as though Jeremiah is accusing God of rape by forcing his words on him. All around him, there are whispers, and shadows, any one of which could mean his death except the God who assaults him is also the God of his protection. There are two sides to the story but God is not a God of condemnation and blame but of constancy in the face of the fickle and disloyal people of Judah.

Christian disciples have always faced this tension of knowing when to speak out in the name of the Lord and our gospel passage refers to Jesus telling his hearers how this plays out in their lives.  This chapter of Matthew is referred to as the sending or Mission Discourse and Jesus is instructing his disciples on how they are to be received as prophets. Here we learn God knows us through and through and counts all the hairs on our head.

It is very similar to how we accept or deny Christ. Sometimes we are called to live out difficult situations and speak into them and we may find ourselves going against the flow and members of our family and friends, even other Christians and church members, forfeiting the popular life in order to serve Christ.

The church is called to welcome prophets and in this Refugee week to show compassion to the displaced and offer them hospitality. Actually, we are always called to do this and to see the face of Christ in all our encounters with others.

Let us pray:

Amid the sheer beauty of life around us,

we want to hold in our hearts and before you

the pain filled places of the world

where divisions and injustice scar your image.

 

Amid the companionship of those around us,

We want to hold in our hearts and before you

the ones who are displaced, isolated and fearful

and who long for connection.

Amid the laughter and celebration of life,

we want to hold in our hearts and before you

The ones who are hurting in mind or body

and who have no song to sing.

Amid all that baffles us, confuses us

and causes us to lose our bearings,

We cherish in our hearts and before you

those who love and believe in us.

Christ our companion,

For all the delights that life holds for us,

For all the wonders that are ours to enjoy

 

We thank you.

During this season of holidays and relaxation

We pray especially for those who struggle to celebrate life- those who shoulder too much suffering,

Those who have lost faith

and who fear the future.

Be there for all who need your reassuring presence,

This day and every day. AMEN