+“Family hold back,” was a familiar refrain in my family. My parents entertained a lot and always, before the guests arrived, Mom would say, “I don’t think we made enough potatoes, so family, hold back.” To Mom, there was nothing as horrifying as running out of food so no matter what, “family, hold back!” Of course, I never remember a time when there wasn’t enough food for everyone around the table. Never. Yet, up until Mom stopped cooking a few months ago, she would still warn “hold back, there might not be enough.” My mother like so many of us, is afraid that there simply won’t be enough.
Mom would have fit right in with Philip in today’s gospel who, when asked by Jesus to provide food for the gathered 5,000, immediately looks at the whole situation from a stance of scarcity—there’s no way! It will cost too much!! It’s impossible!
Even when Andrew notices the boy with the barley loaves and two fish…Philip is still catastrophizing—"what good will that meager amount be with ALL THESE PEOPLE?” Philip wasn’t wrong…in normal circumstances the boy’s meager groceries wouldn’t have made a dent, but when is anything with Jesus normal? One might expect that Philip would have figured this out by now…
but no one ever said the disciples were quick…
now the boy is another story….as far as we know he knew nothing about Jesus…when Andrew approached him about the food the boy had to wonder what difference his little bit of food would make… I can imagine him thinking…“There are so many and I have so little. All that will happen is I’ll have to go hungry along with everyone else. Better to keep what’s mine and let the other people take care of themselves.”
It’s easy to think, “What difference will it make? I barely have enough for myself, how could I possibly give to others? “There isn’t enough” is a familiar refrain isn’t it? It certainly was with Philip, and my mom and so many of us sitting here today.
But that boy didn’t flinch. He offered what he had, not worrying about whether his gift was enough.
Instead of “never enough,” our readings today talk about always enough…and more! They call us to have enough faith in God to share what we have and enough trust in God to fill in the rest.
In 2nd Kings, because of a famine, the traditional offering of first fruits is paltry-- 20 barley loaves and a handful of other fresh grain--- “a family hold back” offering meal if there ever was one! But Elisha doesn’t bat an eye. “Give it to the people.” he says, “The Lord has promised, ‘Eat and there shall be leftovers! ”
Right there--in the midst of scarcity-- faith and abundance!
And again, in today’s Gospel, the boy hands over his meager groceries to Jesus. And, once again, somehow, someway, God provides.
There’s plenty, more than enough for everyone. Jesus makes a rich feast out of a peasant’s dinner, no one holds back and everyone is filled. PLUS there’s leftovers!
We often think we don’t have much to offer God or the world, either personally or as a congregation. We see ourselves as poor, small, weak, unworthy or otherwise inadequate. We hold back, thinking no one will want what we have, for it’s simply NOT ENOUGH. You know what God says to that?
“Hogwash.”
Ours is a God who takes our little and turns it into a lot. We often try to hang on to what we have because we don’t really trust God’s promise that if we turn everything over to God we’ll be all right, we really will. Deep down, most of us don’t believe that God will take what we grudgingly, almost reluctantly, hand over and turn it into more than we ever imagined possible.
But God has done and will do just that. You see,
God doesn’t really want our treasure, God wants our trust.
God doesn’t really want our finances, God wants our faith.
God doesn’t really want our things, God wants us.
God wants us to let go of everything else and truly believe that we can rely on the fact that the divine and holy love that made our universe also made us and that this immense love, a love “that is beyond all knowledge,” (Ephesians 3:19) will provide for us and will use us to provide for others.
7 years ago there were 17 people attending the Church of the Ascension in the city of Buffalo…instead of giving up, four of those parishioners---FOUR---under the direction and inspiration of Deacon Pete Dempesy Sims began a pet food pantry. In the past seven years that little pet food pantry has distributed over 15 TONS of pet food. And that pet food pantry has spawned four other pet food pantries in this diocese and more in other dioceses. All because a handful of people in a struggling congregation decided that they could make a difference in this world. And they did. And they do.
I’m sure to many folks, all the work that goes into the Children of the Book reading camp doesn’t seem worth it…after all, I can hear them say, what difference will it make in the pervasive system of poverty in this region…. but ask anyone who is involved in it and they’ll regale you with stories of how it has made a difference and how it will continue to do so.
How does this happen? How do we find ourselves doing more than we could ever imagine possible?
Through Trust. Through Faith, and through Love. That’s how. My friends, when we trust in God, when we have faith in God, when we love God enough to give all that we are and all that we have, “family hold back” is turned inside out and upside down and suddenly, from our meager and simple offering, God’s makes an amazing, abundant and outlandish feast. Amen.
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Monday, July 16, 2018
Ward Hamlin Funeral Homily 7.16.18
+Ward Hamlin loved beauty. The beauty of a well-done liturgy is how I will always remember him. Perfect choral music, well recited prayers, graceful movement throughout the chancel, a well-crafted and delivered sermon and at the end a meal fit for kings and peasants alike, the Holy Eucharist. This is how several of us who had the honor of serving as priests at this Cathedral, remember him.
He appreciated all that went into liturgy including, but no limited to, the choral music. Former Dean Liza Spangler, former Canon Paul Lillie and I all agree---having Ward Hamlin as a member of the congregation was a tremendous gift. His dedication to the church went beyond the choir stalls. As Liza told me, Ward was the finest Warden she had ever worked with in her career. I remember his support of me as I worked with the youth in this place, understanding that we needed to provide services for children who weren’t part of the choral program. He served God in a wide array of ways and he did it all with classic Ward Hamlin precision and dedication.
Ward pursued excellence in all things not just because that’s what he expected of himself and those around him, but because it is in excellence where the beauty of God is so often found. And for Ward, beauty is what it was all about.
For Ward beauty could be found in many places and in many forms... first and foremost he found beauty in his family---nothing made his face light up more than his family. Your joy was his joy. He loved discussing choir music with Emma and Grace, especially enjoying a friendly competition about who got to sing what piece of music first! He and Steven engaged in lengthy conversations about Yankees baseball and fast cars. And then there was Lynn. On a number of occasions Ward told me of his deep and abiding love for his wife. A love he felt unworthy to receive, but a love he was bound and determined to honor.
Ward Hamlin is the only person I know who could regale one with details about a well-crafted legal debate, the sweet swing of Derek Jeter, riding his tractor along the death defying hill at the house in Colden, and drinking in some obscure 800 year old pub in the English countryside...all in one conversation! There was beauty in all of it, and Ward relished it.
You see, to appreciate beauty, to see beauty, to notice beauty, one must understand beauty.
Ward Hamlin understood beauty. He appreciated it. He sought it.
Today, in paradise, Ward is experiencing a beauty unlike any other, a beauty beyond all understanding. Yes Ward, a beauty and a peace you can’t even describe with your exquisite wordsmithing skills.
Today, Ward is perfect. Today he is fully who it is God created him to be. Today, Ward understands it all.
This is the wonder of eternal life, it’s the culmination of our Christian journey to find ourselves, at the last, in the full presence of beauty, in the full presence of the Holy, in the full presence of Love.
I have no doubt that on this day, Ward is exhaling with sighs too deep for words, basking in the glory and beauty of all that was and is and is to come. Today, Ward’s existence alongside his Lord and God is sublime.
Any of us who heard Ward sing had a glimpse of this glory he now fully inhabits.
Now I know I’m surrounded by musicians of great skill and amazing talent here, which made me question whether or not I should delve into his choral career in this homily. But then I remembered why we sing, and why we listen to others sing-- to glorify God. To praise God. To pray.
I’ll never forget what it felt like to be seated in this glorious building on Good Friday while Ward chanted the Passion Gospel.
Ward understood.
He understood that singing is praying and that singing beautifully is to pray exquisitely.
Ward Hamlin sang beautifully, prayed exquisitely and loved his God with all his heart, all his mind and all his strength.
Ward was no passive follower of Jesus…he was passionate. And God loves nothing more than a passionate believer.
When Ward become weaker and weaker he needed to sit during rehearsals of Vocalis- but to stop singing? That was a pain too great for him to bear. Which is why it gives us all such joy to know that today Ward has set up residence in the choir room of God’s house, singing with the angels, forever.
As word of Ward’s death spread across the choral music community, tributes to Ward were posted on his Facebook page.
Jaimie Burritt shared a recording of the Vocalis performance of Jake Runestad’s “Let My Love Be Heard,” based on this text:
"Angels, where you soar
Up to God's own light,
Take my own lost bird
On your hearts tonight;
And as grief once more
Mounts to heaven and sings,
Let my love be heard
Whispering in your wings."
(From "A Prayer" by Alfred Noyes)
On the afternoon of June 30, 2018, the angels sang Ward Hamlin home.
To his family and friends: may we be comforted in knowing that from this day forward, whenever we experience the beauty of a well performed choral anthem, a perfectly executed double play or a stellar legal case marvelously argued, take a close listen and hear Ward’s love, now one with God’s, whispering within the angels’ wings.
Rest in peace, good and faithful servant, job well done. Amen.
He appreciated all that went into liturgy including, but no limited to, the choral music. Former Dean Liza Spangler, former Canon Paul Lillie and I all agree---having Ward Hamlin as a member of the congregation was a tremendous gift. His dedication to the church went beyond the choir stalls. As Liza told me, Ward was the finest Warden she had ever worked with in her career. I remember his support of me as I worked with the youth in this place, understanding that we needed to provide services for children who weren’t part of the choral program. He served God in a wide array of ways and he did it all with classic Ward Hamlin precision and dedication.
Ward pursued excellence in all things not just because that’s what he expected of himself and those around him, but because it is in excellence where the beauty of God is so often found. And for Ward, beauty is what it was all about.
For Ward beauty could be found in many places and in many forms... first and foremost he found beauty in his family---nothing made his face light up more than his family. Your joy was his joy. He loved discussing choir music with Emma and Grace, especially enjoying a friendly competition about who got to sing what piece of music first! He and Steven engaged in lengthy conversations about Yankees baseball and fast cars. And then there was Lynn. On a number of occasions Ward told me of his deep and abiding love for his wife. A love he felt unworthy to receive, but a love he was bound and determined to honor.
Ward Hamlin is the only person I know who could regale one with details about a well-crafted legal debate, the sweet swing of Derek Jeter, riding his tractor along the death defying hill at the house in Colden, and drinking in some obscure 800 year old pub in the English countryside...all in one conversation! There was beauty in all of it, and Ward relished it.
You see, to appreciate beauty, to see beauty, to notice beauty, one must understand beauty.
Ward Hamlin understood beauty. He appreciated it. He sought it.
Today, in paradise, Ward is experiencing a beauty unlike any other, a beauty beyond all understanding. Yes Ward, a beauty and a peace you can’t even describe with your exquisite wordsmithing skills.
Today, Ward is perfect. Today he is fully who it is God created him to be. Today, Ward understands it all.
This is the wonder of eternal life, it’s the culmination of our Christian journey to find ourselves, at the last, in the full presence of beauty, in the full presence of the Holy, in the full presence of Love.
I have no doubt that on this day, Ward is exhaling with sighs too deep for words, basking in the glory and beauty of all that was and is and is to come. Today, Ward’s existence alongside his Lord and God is sublime.
Any of us who heard Ward sing had a glimpse of this glory he now fully inhabits.
Now I know I’m surrounded by musicians of great skill and amazing talent here, which made me question whether or not I should delve into his choral career in this homily. But then I remembered why we sing, and why we listen to others sing-- to glorify God. To praise God. To pray.
I’ll never forget what it felt like to be seated in this glorious building on Good Friday while Ward chanted the Passion Gospel.
Ward understood.
He understood that singing is praying and that singing beautifully is to pray exquisitely.
Ward Hamlin sang beautifully, prayed exquisitely and loved his God with all his heart, all his mind and all his strength.
Ward was no passive follower of Jesus…he was passionate. And God loves nothing more than a passionate believer.
When Ward become weaker and weaker he needed to sit during rehearsals of Vocalis- but to stop singing? That was a pain too great for him to bear. Which is why it gives us all such joy to know that today Ward has set up residence in the choir room of God’s house, singing with the angels, forever.
As word of Ward’s death spread across the choral music community, tributes to Ward were posted on his Facebook page.
Jaimie Burritt shared a recording of the Vocalis performance of Jake Runestad’s “Let My Love Be Heard,” based on this text:
"Angels, where you soar
Up to God's own light,
Take my own lost bird
On your hearts tonight;
And as grief once more
Mounts to heaven and sings,
Let my love be heard
Whispering in your wings."
(From "A Prayer" by Alfred Noyes)
On the afternoon of June 30, 2018, the angels sang Ward Hamlin home.
To his family and friends: may we be comforted in knowing that from this day forward, whenever we experience the beauty of a well performed choral anthem, a perfectly executed double play or a stellar legal case marvelously argued, take a close listen and hear Ward’s love, now one with God’s, whispering within the angels’ wings.
Rest in peace, good and faithful servant, job well done. Amen.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
The Church of the Faithful and the Home of the Brave Proper 8B Trinity Hamburg July 1, 2018
+Today’s Gospel reading is all about profound, courageous, and audacious faith. And I think it teaches us a lot.
We have one of the leaders of the synagogue, Jairus (JAIRUS)—-a member of the establishment, someone whose whole career could be ruined if seen engaging with Jesus—asking…pleading…begging Jesus for help. “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”
With that sentence Jairus has made it clear: he believes that Jesus has the ability to heal his daughter.
Jairus shows an amazing faith.
As does the “Woman with a Hemorrhage.”
Now just a little bit about names here—-the man in the story—is named —Jairus—- but the woman, she doesn’t get a name, she gets a label—the “Woman with the Hemorrhage.” Sometimes the Bible frustrates me.
Regardless, “the Woman” is another hero of this Gospel…she broke so many traditions with her actions it’s easy to lose track. First, she was bleeding—she’d had an out of control period for 12 years—and in the Jewish faith, a bleeding woman was considered “unclean,” therefore she couldn’t be out in the crowd. She needed to be sheltered, separated, secluded. But…this Woman, this woman? She was desperate.
And she was faithful... “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.”
She had enough faith to risk being stoned to death for violating a number of Jewish laws about purity and propriety.
Her faith was so strong that when she touched the hem of Jesus’ robe, Jesus actually felt power go out from him. It gives me chills every time I read it—how much faith must one have for it to deplete Jesus of his energy?!?
This woman was also brave…in response to the question, “who touched my robe,” ‘[she] knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth.”
As an unaccompanied woman, she could have disappeared into the crowd, no one would pay her any mind…and yet…she spoke up. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that she was brave. After all, true, deep faith requires a huge amount of bravery.
That’s what I always think when we recite the baptismal covenant—how much Christianity expects of us, how risky it can be….
“Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers”—in other words, go out and spread the gospel, telling people the truth they may not want to hear, and then come back and be in fellowship with one another at church. (It’s possible that some days being in fellowship with folks at church may be the toughest part!)
“Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?”
This is really tough…we have to admit our mistakes, make amendment of life and return to God. This isn’t just saying you’re sorry, this is making it right...there are so many ways this is difficult and risky because when we’ve hurt others, when we’ve done wrong, trying to make it right may be met with hostility. Our corrective action may not be accepted.
“Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”
We have to speak the word and we have to live it. Out in public, in front of people who may not agree with us!
And then the final two promises, by far the toughest—
“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?”
Now remember Jesus’ answer to—-“who is my neighbor?” Everybody, even those with whom we disagree, those we don’t like, those who cause us fear…these are our neighbors.
“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Striving for justice means speaking out against injustice, about demanding that justice is served always and forever.
Peace. This means where there is strife, where there is intolerance, where there is violence we must stand up, we must speak out and we may never ever rest until this work is complete.
Finally, when we know a human being isn’t being treated with dignity—you know when someone is dismissed, abused, hated because of the country of their origin, the color of their skin, the name of their God, the gender of their beloved, the actions of their immigrant parents——we must DO SOMETHING, DO ANYTHING to make sure that dignity—-a God-given right for all of God’s beloved children—is afforded to everyone. Everywhere. Always.
Whenever we recite these promises, as I stand in front of a congregation I wonder, “do they really know what they’re promising ? The risk they’re taking?”
Jairus and the Woman with the Hemorrhage risked everything because they were desperate beyond all measure and they BELIEVED beyond all measure that Jesus could help them, heal them, restore them.
So the question for today, the question for everyday is this—-
Are we desperate enough to live this faith?
Are we brave enough to live this faith?
Are we willing to risk everything for this faith?
Are we willing to be Jairus? Are we willing to be the Woman?
In this week of celebrating our democracy, can we be the Church of the Faithful and the Home of the Brave?
I sure hope so. Amen.
We have one of the leaders of the synagogue, Jairus (JAIRUS)—-a member of the establishment, someone whose whole career could be ruined if seen engaging with Jesus—asking…pleading…begging Jesus for help. “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”
With that sentence Jairus has made it clear: he believes that Jesus has the ability to heal his daughter.
Jairus shows an amazing faith.
As does the “Woman with a Hemorrhage.”
Now just a little bit about names here—-the man in the story—is named —Jairus—- but the woman, she doesn’t get a name, she gets a label—the “Woman with the Hemorrhage.” Sometimes the Bible frustrates me.
Regardless, “the Woman” is another hero of this Gospel…she broke so many traditions with her actions it’s easy to lose track. First, she was bleeding—she’d had an out of control period for 12 years—and in the Jewish faith, a bleeding woman was considered “unclean,” therefore she couldn’t be out in the crowd. She needed to be sheltered, separated, secluded. But…this Woman, this woman? She was desperate.
And she was faithful... “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.”
She had enough faith to risk being stoned to death for violating a number of Jewish laws about purity and propriety.
Her faith was so strong that when she touched the hem of Jesus’ robe, Jesus actually felt power go out from him. It gives me chills every time I read it—how much faith must one have for it to deplete Jesus of his energy?!?
This woman was also brave…in response to the question, “who touched my robe,” ‘[she] knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth.”
As an unaccompanied woman, she could have disappeared into the crowd, no one would pay her any mind…and yet…she spoke up. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that she was brave. After all, true, deep faith requires a huge amount of bravery.
That’s what I always think when we recite the baptismal covenant—how much Christianity expects of us, how risky it can be….
“Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers”—in other words, go out and spread the gospel, telling people the truth they may not want to hear, and then come back and be in fellowship with one another at church. (It’s possible that some days being in fellowship with folks at church may be the toughest part!)
“Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?”
This is really tough…we have to admit our mistakes, make amendment of life and return to God. This isn’t just saying you’re sorry, this is making it right...there are so many ways this is difficult and risky because when we’ve hurt others, when we’ve done wrong, trying to make it right may be met with hostility. Our corrective action may not be accepted.
“Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”
We have to speak the word and we have to live it. Out in public, in front of people who may not agree with us!
And then the final two promises, by far the toughest—
“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?”
Now remember Jesus’ answer to—-“who is my neighbor?” Everybody, even those with whom we disagree, those we don’t like, those who cause us fear…these are our neighbors.
“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Striving for justice means speaking out against injustice, about demanding that justice is served always and forever.
Peace. This means where there is strife, where there is intolerance, where there is violence we must stand up, we must speak out and we may never ever rest until this work is complete.
Finally, when we know a human being isn’t being treated with dignity—you know when someone is dismissed, abused, hated because of the country of their origin, the color of their skin, the name of their God, the gender of their beloved, the actions of their immigrant parents——we must DO SOMETHING, DO ANYTHING to make sure that dignity—-a God-given right for all of God’s beloved children—is afforded to everyone. Everywhere. Always.
Whenever we recite these promises, as I stand in front of a congregation I wonder, “do they really know what they’re promising ? The risk they’re taking?”
Jairus and the Woman with the Hemorrhage risked everything because they were desperate beyond all measure and they BELIEVED beyond all measure that Jesus could help them, heal them, restore them.
So the question for today, the question for everyday is this—-
Are we desperate enough to live this faith?
Are we brave enough to live this faith?
Are we willing to risk everything for this faith?
Are we willing to be Jairus? Are we willing to be the Woman?
In this week of celebrating our democracy, can we be the Church of the Faithful and the Home of the Brave?
I sure hope so. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)