5 Epiphany Year A - Feb 9, 2020
Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 112: 1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5: 13-20
Do you ever wonder why you are here? I mean, really pausing to ask yourself that question… Why am I here?
Not only here, as in you’re sitting here in the church today…But, I’m asking you to think for a moment on the times in your life, in past years and presently…when you’ve caught yourself wondering aloud to God: Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing? What’s my purpose?
And, oftentimes, those big questions, lead us to cry out with other tough questions – why is there so much suffering? Why is there so much hatred and division among people? What can I possibly do to change any of this?
I can remember one vivid and life-changing moment for me, when I felt like I received an answer to one of my big questions about the why, why, why…there is so much suffering, and what could I possibly do that would ever help change the suffering of these young children I cried for…
As a child, I was always particularly drawn to the tv ads, and the magazine articles that showed the faces of hungry and suffering children…and people, of all ages who were suffering from diseases in other countries…When I was old enough to read, I devoured the articles about the people and the agencies and the churches on the front lines who were reaching out to help these suffering children….and asking others to join them in helping…
It felt overwhelming to see and hear about the enormity of this world-wide issue of poverty and disease…and these were only the stories that I read about and saw…realizing that there were many others suffering, behind the scenes, in places that would I never hear about or see with my own eyes..
My heart would break, at times…with tears streaming down my face, as I lay in bed, late at night, wondering and crying out to God…. Why? Why are they suffering so much? Why can’t you help them, God?
It wasn’t until many years later, as an adult, that a priest and mentor said something to me that shed light, on these questions that have had weighed so heavily on my heart for so many years…and still do, at times…
When I shared my story, that I just shared with you about the suffering children, he said something like this to me, “The children are suffering because WE, all of us, aren’t helping them. WE, all of us, are the ones called to love and care for each other. WE, all of us, are the ones God uses now to end the suffering.”
I realize now, as I look back...at how easy it was, to convince myself that I could never make a difference in the suffering of these children. And I realize that at the same time, it was overwhelming, and it seemed impossible to imagine that I could ever make a dent in the suffering of the world. I was only a drop in the bucket. So, all I felt like I could do was to just stand-by and watch and cry and hope that “those” people could help them.
This was the turning point for me. “Those” people…I came to understand, included ALL OF US. All of us, who are blessed by God, and are beloved children of God’s one world-wide human family…All of us, who are named and called by God…to go out into the world to love and care for one another, as Christ has shown us…
All of us, called to work together, using the gifts that have been given to each one of us, inspired and strengthened through the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed upon us by God…to be used to love and care for one another…by walking in the light and love of God, as made known to us, through Jesus Christ.
Now, more than ever…Our world, God’s world… needs ALL of us, to stand up and proclaim this love and light, through our words and actions, to a divided and suffering world.
Our communities, local and afar, need ALL of us, who believe that God is light…that God is Love…to share that we believe, that Jesus has come into this dark world to show us what this love looks like, and to help others see, why this matters and how this love has the power to change lives and transform people’s lives.
ALL of us, need to make some time to be with God, in silence and in prayer, and in community with one another, to discern the ways we are being called in this time and in this place to proclaim God’s light and love… to promote healing, reconciliation, justice and peace…for all God’s children…
As someone who professes that I believe this, the Gospel compels me to not only hear what the scriptures are saying to me, but to act on them…
I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as children are being separated from their families. What about you?
I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as children of all ages, are being killed by violence in all its forms. What about you?
I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as children of all ages, are suffering at the hands of those who are stripping away their freedoms and human dignity. What about you?
I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as children of all ages, are being bullied and oppressed to be silent, when their voices are crying out with a truth to be heard. What about you?
I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as our creation, is being destroyed by those who turn a blind eye and deaf ear to listen to what science and wisdom are teaching us. What about you?
I can no longer stand by idly, watching and crying because of what “those” people are doing or not doing. What about you?
The Motto of The Order of the Daughters of the King says it best (for me):
For His Sake…
I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?
Lord…what will you have me do? Lord, why am I here?
Here’s Jesus’ answer to that life-long question, as found in the Gospel of Matthew today, according to the Message translation:
Matthew 5:13-16 The Message (MSG)
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives.
By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Why are you here, you wonder?
You are here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth…to use your God-given gifts and seasoning to share the love of God with others…as only you can do…
You are here to be Light, bringing out the God-colors of the world…shining light on the belovedness of all God’s children…
And we are all here, today… to be a living response to God’s invitation to join in the long line of saints and those who have gone on before us, who have answered God’s call in the night, who have answered God’s call in dark times, to be light-bearers…to shine… to proclaim the love and light of God, with all that we are…and with all that we have been given…
God speaks to us and asks us this:
I who made the stars of night, I will make their (the people’s) darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me, I will hold your people in my heart.
(Wonder Love and Praise - #812 I the Lord of Sea and Sky)
Rev. Julie Platson, Rector
St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church
Sitka, Alaska
