Witness to the Cross - Mark 8

Witness to the Cross

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Mark 8: 31-38, Psalm 22, Romans 4: 13-25

Good morning and Happy Winter! We might as well enjoy it while we have it because before long, we will look back and wonder where the time went!

I do pray and hope that you have been using this season of Lent to the fullest. Lent is truly an opportunity to reflect and bring yourself closer to God in our lifelong journeys. If you have taken a task for Lent, I pray for success in your effort and that effort brings you get closer to God.

This is the second Sunday of Lent (only a few more left), and today, our Gospel turns our attention to Mark 8 with Jesus explaining this grueling task ahead.  Many want to call this a prediction but really what Jesus is doing in this is teaching. As you might suspect, that is among my favorite types of sermon because I like to teach and to dive into the text.  In this teaching, Jesus challenges us because the task is not just for the Promised One but reminder to all of us that follow the Way of Jesus and how we witness God’s wonders.

Look at this again with me. Jesus tells potential followers to “deny themselves and take up the cross… For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and sake of the gospel, will save it.”

Think about this, deny yourself and “take up the cross.” “Deny yourself” means to let go of your ego and your expectation. Drop the pretense and draw open the curtains so that you see. See what is real and true. Allow yourself to really witness God’s beautiful wonders whether a beautiful starry sky in northern Minnesota, seeing gardens begin to bloom, learning something new, or homeless people around us. See all people that you agree and disagree, and the tricky part, see God in all of them.  

Then Jesus says “take up the cross.” I have to ask, when we see a cross, what comes to mind?  Why are these perpendicular angled pieces meaningful to us?   Are they just cute ornaments on a wall, or something else?  

When we look at the cross, we might consider everything that happened, what it cost and what that cost means for us.  A colleague professed that she weeps at the sight of the cross, and then those tears change to joyous smiles when she thinks of what Jesus did.  I confess that I have come to understand this and just how emotional this cross really is - from intense grief to liberating joy. 

I submit when you think about these aspects, the cross is full of emotion. I submit to you to witness that cross press upon your heart. I submit when you think of that with prayer and loving heart, you will witness God in your heart. 

Through Christ, we are justified by our faith, and here, Jesus is telling us to match language with deeds.  It is more than just saying I have “God in my heart” but considering what we do to express God’s love and compassion in our world.  We, as a Church should ask as well, what do we do to express that love so that anyone peering into this church - or virtual service - see the full expression of God working in us and through us. Do they see God so evident here, they are drawn into our community?

In order to make that connection, we must realize that discipleship is costly and be willing to “walk the walk.”

People might twist these a bit to think that suffering of all sorts is permissible, however injustice, abuse or taking things on the chin, so to say, these are not acceptable. Seriously, no one ever invites pain and misery, and we don’t go around saying “hey will you hit me”, “will you make fun of me” and “make me feel like crap for being me.” 

The cross does not give credence to violence but is instead bare reminder that violence is not an end or a proper means. In fact, Jesus calls us to task. Especially if you witness (or you are suffering) abuse today, that is not the what the cross represents.  Have courage and speak up. Speak up when things are wrong, and profess God’s justice and love for all.  Speak truth of this love and justice to manipulators, and then, see God’s presence overcome obstacles. That may not happen by a snap of fingers, overnight or for years, but faith in the cross, what it means and what Jesus did will help us get there. 

Further, through our faithful actions, we pick up our cross. The confirmation group read James 2:17 “faith, by itself if it has no works, is dead” meaning that our faith is powerful, but faith wants help from what we do. Thus, we must reveal God’s presence in what we do as well as what we profess.  

You reveal that by helping your sick neighbors get food and medicine. You reveal that when helping homeless people get food and blankets, or listen to veterans tell their story of trauma. You reveal that by sharing the parent’s cry for her child’s justice and remembering those that walk the tension of protecting us on the front lines. You reveal that presence in your prayerful calls to friends, family, and beloved to let them know you care. Then, you might feel God’s presence transform your heart and giving you immeasurable joy. 

I submit to you that when you reveal God’s justice through you, then your faith really flourishes and grows (not just for yourselves but in others around you - including our Church).

That is why the cross is powerful because Jesus did all of that suffering for us to have salvation - for you and for me. Thus, How humble is your witness? How thankful? How joyful? 

Lent is a time to remember the sacrifice and the victory while recognize we have drifted away from God’s promise and gifts.  Turn back, see the cross, fill your heart with witness of the wonders- witness of our God. Let your mind be blown with possibilities. Let your life be saved in the warmth and comfort of God’s Truth and be lifted!

My role as a preacher is to invite you into the stories, the passion and wisdom of Christ.  I want to let that that message of hope and empowerment manifest in you here, this Sunday morning, but also to take that into our world. 

Witness it in daily life, not just Sunday morning in a sanctuary. Witness beyond the four walls of the church or our homes and beyond social media. As Barbara Brown Taylor says, “there is an altar in the world,” which means many places are great for expressing the emotions of the cross and witnessing God among us.  

Thus, I ask, “How do we witness the cross outside these walls? How do we witness God’s love and justice? Even more importantly, Why?” 

We don’t do pick up the cross because it is fun, easy or to get accolades from peers or anyone? Remember our Ash Wednesday lesson that those who do have already received their rewards.  If you are doing this for praises from those around you, we might want to reconsider why because many time praises don’t come - rather taunts and jeers because you have to take sometimes unpopular stances. We do this because they are right things to do. We do this in remembrance, because Jesus called us to this mission, and because we love Jesus. 

When I think about this and the cross, there is powerful motivation to get up and speak up, not just when it’s convenient and easy because life happens at remarkable times and discipleship isn’t meant to be easy.  

Thus, I join friends at Urban Bicycle Food Ministry, march for equal justice or simply listen to those who are hurting.  Then, you too might experience an aura of joy overcome you with God’s presence surrounding us. 

The cross is even more emotional to me as I think more and more about it and maybe for you too. When you think about the cross, when you let the cross (and what Jesus did) press upon your heart, you may be moved to tears. You may, like me, be moved to sorrowful tears when you think of what Jesus endured and how countless followers have met this fate as well. Yet people died, willing to be martyred, with the promise and strength of Jesus in their hearts. You may be moved to confess your unworthiness of that sacrifice, but dear and sir, that sacrifice was meant especially for you!

Let sorrowful tears change to tears of joy because we can acknowledge the anguish and sacrifice that happened to give way to salvation for you and me – in all of our brokenness and yes you are worthy! The cross brought us salvation as liberation from earthly chains through witness of the kingdom among all of us. Witness these wonderful gifts, turn your heart towards God, and pick up the “alluring cross” full of hope. Then, you cannot help but be moved to courage and joy. Let that carry you and free you.

Let our lives, our journey through Lent, be filled with prayer, love and God’s justice as remembrance of this sacrifice so that we truly witness the power of the cross, the victory in our lives and the awesome freeing gifts given to us. 

Thanks be to God.

Wilderness in Our Lives - Mark 1

Wilderness in Our Lives

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Mark 1:12-13, Psalm 25, 1 Peter 3:18-22

Today, we are reminded that even Jesus experienced wilderness – with wild beasts and temptations/tests. Mark’s short description of this experience, this wilderness, seems to indicate a hostile environment full of threats. 

For us here in this day, I think we can relate with our experience in this pandemic as something of a wilderness as well.  Since early last year, we have had to change the way we do things, how we do things, and even how we meet each other with threat of virus.  That has been even more challenging because some did not make it through this.  

Our wilderness continues, and I sense fatigue rising. I hear it in the stories.  For years, we will be telling them.  

For one particular story, Bret and I, with another couple (that we knew were following good health practices), decided to get away where we could be socially distant (and hopefully do something fun).  So, we went north into Minnesota to yet another wilderness to observe the northern lights. 

I really had no idea what to expect. So when we got to about the Twin Cities, we started seeing weather reports about incoming snow – oh great. Let’s keep going! We kept going to our ultimate destination of a rural, remote cabin near Lutsen, MN. As we drove and got closer, we came upon the giant Lake Superior, low mountains and tall birch trees. I thought in my head, “I have seen movies that started like this.”  These wood spires were guarding each side of the two lane road with the occasional cabin and path dotting the area.  I was sure we should see a sasquatch, bears, mountain lions, or even something creepy soon!

We finally arrive at the cabin and were getting settled. I had to go around and just look at all of the area around us. There was Lake Superior in front of us and mountain and forest all around us with this bubbling creek rolling along the backside of the property. (You have seen some pictures from that space in the slides.)  We got settled and eventually evening arrived.  

We decided that despite the cool weather we would try to sit out by the firepit out back.  So we sat, talked and fussed about how to build a camp fire   At some point, some light snow started, and we looked up to see the sky splitting with shrinking clouds revealing a beautiful and dazzling array of stars set against a beautiful black sky. The kind of stars you could almost reach out and grab – more beautiful and sparkling than precious diamonds. 

For myself, I resisted the desire to take pictures but instead to just be in the moment – and prayed a moment of thanks for this beautiful display. We all just sat in utter awe for few more hours and relished the moment in front of us – regardless of snow and cold. 

Whether we experience wilderness at a cabin, a tent, a desert, a pandemic, an exam, a test or wrestle with the many challenges that we face in our lives, we simply cannot avoid them as much as we might like. 

Sometimes, things happen for which we have no control, and they may come to us, like pandemics. 

In fact, when we think of wilderness and the point of the story, we should not immediately jump to conclusion this is always a hostile place or even a physical place. These are moments when we are tested, when we struggle, and when we discover.  The question is what do we do in these moments - do we shy away or meet the struggle? Do we accept that God made us perfectly the way we are? 

Just like Jesus being tested in the wilderness, for us, they can be tests to help us focus or opportunities to learn about ourselves and how beautiful the world can be. Wilderness gives us a place to focus and discover who we are and our relationships – find our roots in our Creator. 

First, remember we are not alone. Angels waited for Jesus, and they wait for us. 

In the midst of pandemic and cold wilderness, I remembered meditation and prayer and maybe an angel pulled the clouds aside so we could see the gorgeous sky. I think that together, our little group discovered new beauty, peace and possibilities in that moment. What about you and your wilderness?

One might say, our whole life is a wilderness because our world has all kinds of threats and destruction around us. From the moment we are waken to the moment we are taken, we are tested and we struggle. 

Where are the possibilities and how do we get closer to God? Remember the rainbow covenant that God gave to Noah - that God’s love is bigger and more than anything.  We read in 1 Peter 3:18, “Christ also suffered for sins for all, the righteous and the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. Jesus was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.”  

Jesus did this for us. Do we have faith in Jesus in this offering? Do we invite God into our wilderness with us or do we think we can do this alone?  Consider, Jesus went into the wilderness where there were hostile threats – “wild beasts” and evils. I love one observation noted here as the Lamb being with the Lion and angels came. 

Despite threats and destruction, Jesus is still there – remaking creation for you and I individually, but also for us communally and as a Church. We are reminded that the Scriptures (especially the Psalms) offers us mutual experiences (whether praise, joy, sadness, regret to grief in loss). Jesus gives a path in the midst of hostile, cold wildernesses or daily struggle. Jesus shows us beautiful stars at night, helps one find composure on the golf course, gives us calm when fishing on the lake, strength to finish a school exam, and gives us peace to persevere

In these moments, we discover who we are and who we are meant to be – we discover where our heart is - where our treasure is. In these moments, we learn how much God is helping us when we listen to the still speaking Spirit.  In these moments, we acknowledge where we have been and build our potential by leaning into the One. 

For our traveling cadre, we never got to see the aurora borealis, but we did get the experience of seeing quiet majesty and feeling warmth of peace in that moment. Consider also that we have been tested and struggled together – together (as I not alone) - in this pandemic wilderness and we will rise from its wake, hopefully taking with us the lessons we have learned working God's justice in this world. For each of us here at St John this Lent, let us experience the majesty of Jesus in your wilderness as we get closer to God. In your wilderness wherever you are on life’s journey, be not afraid, pray from your heart, look up and find Jesus, the Lamb, sitting with you - quieting the “beasts.”

Thanks be to God.

Where Is Your Heart - Matthew 6

Where Is Your Heart

Tony E Dillon Hansen

A sermon based upon Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 and Psalm 51.

Let us today consider verse 21. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

As a whole, this passage from Matthew 6 asks us how we practice piety and challenges us to ensure our devotion to God in our worship and prayer rather than our own attitudes. In Lent, thus, we pause to turn our attention to God. In this season, we ponder questions of our faith and prayer. Then, we remember the sacrifice and death of Jesus before finally, we celebrate the great victory of Jesus for us. 

In this sermon (Sermon on the Mount continued from Matthew 5), Jesus challenges us that prayer, alms giving, or fasting ought to be from our hearts rather than worrying about the perfect words, what we wear, who we impress, or even who we tear down. The only one on display is you and Jesus! So have honest conversations with Jesus, especially in this pandemic. When asking for forgiveness, atonement should be of own issues and broken hearts rather than others (e.g. remember the log in your own eyes.)  

That isn’t to say you cannot express your faith or have concern for others, but be sure faith & prayer are rooted in heart and love.  For the different ways we pray (whether in thanks, adoration, reconciliation, or petition, or supplication) - all of these must be rooted in humble hearts. You can be joyful, contrite, or hopeful, but remember these roots.

That is why I love verse 21. That when we pray with a loving and true heart, or when we read Psalm 51 that way, God will know. There, we find true riches of pure love and compassion. That is treasure we need. That is warmth for our souls.

As we journey the season of Lent, take time to pause, self-reflect and give God a chance to work you.  If you want, augment personal reflections in the next 40 days (+ Sundays).  

People often give up something or do some fasting – chocolate, alcohol, or reducing social media and Internet.  This is noble and humble path many take, and I would ask those who do, how much subtraction brings us closer to God?  

People, like me, may find new ways to connect to God because we find neglected spaces. (I am hoping that I find space by reducing some extra pounds!) Hopefully, you find extra time and space to bring more of God - more love of God and more love of neighbor. As Matthew suggests, remember that your goal is not one of blowing horns but finding and growing our hearts. 

Of course instead of subtracting, we might add something to our lives. We might add prayerful love to our daily lives for the next few weeks.  After a few weeks of this, you may have new and happy hobbies! 

One of my colleagues describes Lent as her favorite season of the church year for this reason, and I can understand her reasoning. Advent, we are waiting in hopeful anticipation. Christmas we celebrate the gift of Jesus. Epiphany, we see the revelation of Christ, and Lent, we re-orient, refocus from what has been missing, and explore our relationship with God.

Lent offers opportunities in our reflections because we can try things that help us increase our love and prayerful expressions of God. Perhaps, reading books, engaging scripture passages, creating art, trying new recipes or learning a music instrument.

So why not try?  Why not use this time to pause those unnecessary things and add something simple, good and positive. So go ahead, say daily joyful prayers in thanks for our many gifts. Perhaps, write letters to people stationed abroad. Stay in contact with our neighbors like "Love Sunday." The possibilities are around us and waiting for you and me. 

Above all, Be present, listen and let the good Spirit work. That has true value far more than money. People will notice your heart and they will come back for more. 

Let us discover together and walk together in our mutual journey through Lent.  For us at St John, I submit to you that our journey through Lent will study these aspects: 

pondering wildernesses in our lives, 

reflecting how we witness God’s wonders, 

examining our faithfulness, 

acknowledging our bountiful gifts, 

living our discipleship,

and walking with Jesus.  

Let us prayerfully and lovingly walk with Jesus this season. Let us pray and do the work that is truly from our hearts. Let us reconcile our fears and guilts so that we might let God be in those spaces that we have neglected and warm us.  Let us be with all God’s Beloved people - so that we witness, together, hearts full of God’s treasure.  

Lent is a time for us and can be a great experience when we let go of unnecessary and let God.

Thanks Be to God.

Gathering - Mark 1

Gathering

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Mark 1:29-39, Psalm 147, and Isaiah 40:21-31

Opening Prayer.

“Have you not heard? Have you not known?” from Isaiah is a great expression that helps to set the tone for what we see in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus cures and raises Simon's mother-in-law. The town gathers and why?

An observation of Mark’s gospel is that the descriptions are simpler than in the other Gospels.  That isn’t to say this is less, but it gives the opportunity for us to dress the text with how we respond to it.  

As we mentioned last week about the “unclean spirit,” we have to consider our own ideas of cleanliness and how we might use that to keep us from doing God’s work.  In this moment, Jesus goes to the woman with a fever to be with her, and Jesus lifts her. Think of all the health workers today.

Jesus restores her and raises her. Jesus restores her vision of discipleship.  Incidentally, we talked about that in confirmation.  Discipleship has three principal elements: joy, commitment and cost. For the woman, she exhibits the forms of discipleship in that she serves – joyful thanks, commitment to Jesus and cost to serve.  Jesus, later in Mark, will say I “did not come not to be served but to serve.”  She serves not just because people were hungry but because it is what Jesus did. Jesus served, and thus, she serves. Jesus shows us that proper ministry is about service that gives life from misery and death!  

Ah! And you wonder why crowds appeared?

As Professor Joy J Moore says, ministry and church is “not about what I get but my response because I have received.” This Christian restoration to life and service calls to us as followers to call to others because we don’t need to hoard that love – just for ourselves. Share it and let God reveal to us – through us. This is perhaps a reason why the scriptures specifies to us not to make images of God because God wants to reveal in God’s own terms, own image and own ways – in us. 

Thus if we respond by revealing the dramatic blessing that has been received in us, people will know and may even question why our hearts are glowing so much because we let God reveal.  When they question, you will be able to tell them “Have you not heard? Have you not known” the good news and the wonderful work that God has done.

Then the word gets out, and people want to be a part of that. Then the whole town gathers and brings people to Jesus.  This speaks to the magnetism of Jesus; that not only what he says but what he does.  The question for us how do we speak in a way that draws people in and makes them feel a part of this community.  How do we lift people so that they feel whole, free and valued?  

We mentioned before of the need to be a church that expresses God’s love and God’s will so evidentially that others cannot mistake God is here. When we express that revelation in ourselves and then together as a Church community, amazing things happen. People want to come and be a part of it.

That is part of gathering and receiving the sacrament in that we share and lift each other in the presence of the One with us.  When we do that, great things happen to us and for us.  There is something deeper than us and bigger than us. There is One who lifts us and is ready to offer a hand.  

Finally, Jesus reminds us to take time for oneself in “deserted places” because we need time collect and to re-energize. I don’t have to do all the things and be everywhere.  I can be in peace and rest.  That is one of the greatest lessons we can hear in a world that moves at break-neck speed and busies our minds with all sorts of things. Time for ourselves (away from all the hustle and bustle, away from busy minds) - Time is needed so that we collect ourselves and restore ourselves. 

So the next time you take time off, unplug and quiet your mind. Make it a practice for the whole family. We make a point in our home that Sundays are empty of things to do (or places to be) so that we can recharge and reset. 

Jesus restored the woman and the divine within her.  Jesus gave her peace and purpose. Jesus gave her peace; she gave back. Jesus took time for himself. In the same way, Jesus calls followers -  calling upon us. Calling us to task and calling us to recharge.

Are we listening? Are we ready to take the hand of Jesus and be lifted?

When you do, you might be asking those around you, “Have you not heard? Have you not known?”

“Praise the Lord!”

Recognizing - Mark 1

Recognizing 

Tony E Dillon-Hansen

Sermon based upon Mark 1:21-28; Psalm 111, and Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Opening prayer from Psalm 19.

There are several themes that we can work out in this week’s lectionary as I noted in the midweek message.  Let us start with Deuteronomy 18.

¹⁹ Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. 

²⁰ But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.” 

If we reword Deuteronomy 18:20, we read that words of a “false” prophet will be rewarded with death. Ouch!  Further, Deuteronomy tells us we will recognize this when the words are untrue and not of God.  Passages like this make people like me take considerable care with the words we use to ensure the message that we lift up from the scripture as the Word of God.

St John, on your quest for pastoral leadership, this ought to be part of your test. Do those people who fill the pulpit (including me) faithfully and prayerfully lift the Word of God and the sacrifice of Jesus as expressions of God’s love?  Do those help us realize this in our community?

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 reminds us that this is not just for preachers, but all people because “we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge’ …but love builds up.” Paul reminds us as Christians to be wary of leading people astray and that our actions and words are examples to others. That is not to say we have censor ourselves, but rather that we have to be considerate in what we do, say and what we offer. We do this so that others have no mistake in recognizing the wonderful love of God is in us.  

Do we build up people with our love or just fancy them? Do we recognize and share the love of God that is truly in each other or something else? Do we acknowledge the legitimate need for justice for all?

If we pivot then and look at our journey through Mark, Jesus is at a worship service where a person with an “unclean spirit” is present.  Jesus commands “with authority” and the unclean spirit leaves.  Let us examine this.

There is a bit of irony in this because through baptism, we believe that the spirit of God falls upon us and is invited to be in us. Jesus was baptized. Then, Jesus recognizes and calls out an unclean spirit. Jesus performs an exorcism.

There are some among us that won’t believe this story. Yet, there is something that we can see in every one of us and around us all.  We have talked about this before and the question is begged here. 

What possesses us or what distracts us from doing God’s loving work? The person was possessed by something. When we think of possession, it is not just unclean spirits, but those things in our lives that control us or have power over us -- things we don’t have control or can’t do anything about it.  It is the also false prophets in our lives. 

Addicts will tell you exactly what this feels like, and it does not have to be substances or beverage that holds us.  We can be possessed by what we think others think or what they think about us. It can be honest grief of loved ones or loss of something in our lives. It is falsehoods like racism, sexism, homophobia, social status, materialism or other idols that distract us away from love and justice for our neighbors. 

We see another kind of possession in Mark as well that is all over our society today.  Even before we entered this pandemic, cleanliness is a social obsession.  There are aisles and aisles of soaps, perfumes and cleaners to help us clean every part of our lives and our bodies. What is it that makes us so unclean, and does cleanliness divert us from doing God’s work?

Ultimately, each of these are letting others (or things) define our happiness and our love rather than God. Yes we want to be clean, but do we let this distract us from say helping a homeless person get food or be with the hurting veteran? 

We can’t buy love. We can’t buy happiness. We cannot control what others think or do. We may not be able to control what others think, but we can control what we think, what we say and how we react. This is in line with what Paul writes to Corinth. Even more, we don’t do this alone, as our Sioux quote suggests as well. 

Our great “undertaking” is done with God when we lean into this liberating love of Jesus- when we let the Holy Spirit be in us. I submit to you, beloved, that what we have in Jesus – is a different kind of clean! I submit to you Jesus is the liberation, love and justice we need! -- from those earthly things! Through God, we have true happiness, true love, and then our actions and words will be unmistakable. Let this love possess you and be you!

As we say over and over, it is never too late for God. Turn towards God’s love, and let God reveal to you. Witness love and justice in your hearts. Let the kingdom break forth into your life. We do that through love of God and love of neighbor - lifting us, especially when people are down.  When we do that, people will see the unmistakable Spirit of God, the Spirit of Love in our actions and words.

Thanks Be to God

Time to Repent - Mark 1

Time to Repent

Tony E Dillon-Hansen

A sermon based upon Jonah 3: 1-5,10; Psalm 62 and Mark 1:14-20

Opening prayer…

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord. You are our Rock and our Redeemer.

We read Mark’s account of Jesus calling upon the first disciples and is similar to what we read in John’s Gospel last week.  Yet let us focus upon verses 14 and 15.  

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.” 

There are some juicy bits in these verses. First, this talks about how John was arrested, this is a point in the life of Jesus. A time that cannot be undone and perhaps a defining moment. This is the time for Jesus. 

I can think of times in my life when something happened that made me change the way I was thinking and doing.  When we go through life knowing things aren’t the way we would like, or things just aren’t right.  Then there is that moment when something happens when we can no longer ignore or kick the can down the road.  It is a moment when we have to stop, recognize and really consider our next step.  

I thought I would tell you about how I became coordinator for Pride in Iowa City when everyone else seemed to take a collective step backwards (going from relative obscure backbench to visible leadership), but then I felt that 

I should tell you about the time when I read about a Wyoming young man beaten to death for being queer, maybe that was the time.

Or, I should tell you about meeting homeless veterans underneath an overpass and in the park, of how they struggled to find jobs or to find help.

Maybe, I should tell you about how Dakota people would describe how the government would conveniently forget treaties and use school to wash the “tribe” culture out of the children. 

Maybe, I should tell you about friend getting fired because she did not submit to advances or provide favors. 

Or I should tell you how about seeing offices that proclaimed zero tolerance for racism but did nothing to dissuade hurting language or bigoted practices.

These might be those moments - like seeing your cousin, John, being hauled away for doing nothing more than speaking the truth.

It is times like these that define us. Times where we can go back, remain stale or remain relatively obscure; or we can recognize, change direction, and take the step forward. 

Addicts might relate to this as “moments of clarity” because in moments of test and darkness, we see a light, a revelation, - a truth where we see what has been and can no longer be. Time to change, time to turn, time to repent. 

I think that is measure of what happens in these lines because Jesus’s cousin, John has just been arrested for speaking truth to power (against Herod). Jesus knows this is the time - the time to fulfill. Jesus tells us the kingdom of God is near, to “repent and believe in the good news.” 

This is a reckoning – “enough is enough” moment (as Prof Skinner says) – but it is more than just enough of what has been – but recognizing what can be and my part in it.  This is the time - the time to repent – to change. 

Repent is often used negatively with connotations of personal punishment, confessions of sin, admittance of guilt, but also in that is a recognition – a recognition of our sin that separates us from the divine and from our sacred duty to neighbors. There is a recognition that we have let materials and complacency distract us. This is a recognition of a better way and to turn towards the light, turn towards the promise of God.

We have been preparing for this time for a long time - for this time all of our lives. This is the time. This is the time to fish for something greater than ourselves. 

This is the time we recognize God is calling us to get busy, to turn away from complacency, to turn away from material weights, to turn way from the accustomed distractions, and to say “enough.” Time we don’t sit on the backbench.

This is time to turn towards God, to turn towards Truth, and to turn towards God’s way and justice. We don’t have to wait for another time because we have right now- right here- when God’s kingdom is among us.  

Thus we are called not only personally but also as a community into loving, prayerful and courageous action. For the world needs us; our community needs us; and our church needs us! We need us, in this moment, with no more ignoring or neglect.  This is our time!

So repent isn’t just about my personal failings and building anew but also revelation - what we can do together recognizing were we have collectively failed; were we ought to improve; and what we do.

The next question is begged: what do we do next or how do we start? You start by taking a step and you will figure this out. Great thing is that you don't have to do this alone.

The time is fulfilled when we take that personal step and that collective step because we recognize that kingdom we seek is among us.  We ought to change our hearts and lives so that we might truly hear the good news.

Turn around, step forward, take hold of something better in your life, in our lives. Let’s do this.  The moment is here, that is part of the power of Epiphany and revelation. The moment is here whether you grieve and hurt or success and joy.  There is something for you in this moment.

Through repentance, our perspective changes from being frail, broken or tired into seeing the possible, the opportunity, and the promise of God. It is our time to roll up sleeves; it is time to get to work. Lean into the good news today and let it open your hearts into the possible – into the presence of God. 

We know people that don’t see and won’t change destructive words or ways. We can do our best to influence them and (honestly) pray for them.  Ultimately, that is not up to us, but them and their relationship with God. For ourselves, we won’t ever get it perfectly, but be not discouraged, for God is here among us. God’s peace is accessible right here. When we recognize God is among us, we have taken the first steps away from obscurity, hard times, dark places, and misery. When we recognize God is among us , when you open your mind to this possibility, your mind will be blown with God’s reality and God’s peace is available to you. 

So believe in the good news, let your mind be blown and let the kingdom break forth into our midst to overcome hate, grief and injustice. Let the good news set you free.  

Then in our community, we collectively reveal that presence so apparent there is no mistake that God’s promise is here – the peace, the liberation, and love is here – even in the midst of chaos. Bigotry and prejudice don't stand a chance here.

So turn today towards God’s presence together! See your neighbors, see God’s Beloved, see all God’s children!  See the truth and possibility in each of us!  

We have been in this past year of continuous waiting for something: vaccine, justice, and calmer living.  We can have that calm today. “Trust in God, trust all times, O people. Pour out your heart” for God is our refuge. “That Power belongs to God” and God’s steadfast love is for you.

Maybe that is why Amanda Gorman’s poem is so powerful,

“When day come, we step out of the shade,

Aflame and afraid.

The new dawn blooms as we free it

For there is always light

If only we’re brave enough to see it

If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

The time is fulfilled, the time to change is now, the good news is here.

Are you brave enough to see it, 

Are you brave enough to be it?

Thanks be to God. 

Come and See John 1

Come and See

Tony E Dillon-Hansen

17 Jan 2021

Sermon based upon John 1:35-51, Psalm 139 and 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Friends, Neighbors, Beloved,

This week in Epiphany picks up right after the baptism where the Spirit descending upon Jesus in full splendor. We talked a bit last week about how baptism gives us birth into the new life with Christ. Let our hearts be guided by the Spirit. 

When I was young, our family didn’t have a lot of money. If I wanted something, I had to earn it, or had to find ways to make a few bucks (mowing lawns, shoveling snow, walking beans, bailing hay). Yet, there is always this temptation to ask for more than what we could afford. 

People like to look around - compare ourselves to each other. We like shiny things, and that can get us into trouble. Why do we do this and who are we trying to impress? What do we trade for all of those shiny things, and are these shiny things really all that exciting? When we let this attitude guide us, we let society define our wealth, our worth, and what is good without recognizing the honest and good person inside. What does that say about us?

Yes we want to improve ourselves, but we also need to recognize the true beauty in uniqueness. There is real value and worth in that.

Starting in John 1: 35 where John tells his son Andrew about Jesus. Andrew then asks Jesus “where are you going?” which Jesus replies, “Come and See.” Jesus didn’t ask for credit application, creeds, or political leanings; Jesus takes Andrew “as-is.”  Andrew gets this encounter with Jesus. After this, Andrew wants to introduce Jesus to Simon Peter.  Then, Jesus continues and finds Philip “as-is.” Philip in turn tells Nathanael, “Come and See.”  Just like that, Jesus has followers.  

What just happened here?  In this season of Epiphany, it is about the revelation and manifestation of Christ and the Spirit working. Thus, Jesus finds Andrew and Andrew calls upon Simon (whose name changes to Peter). Jesus finds Philip to “follow me” who in turn calls upon Nathanael. 

Nathanael even questions the possibility that anything coming out of Nazareth being good. We have heard people say that before all around us. Yet, Nathanael takes the call from Philip to “come and see.” They decided to come and see. Why did Andrew and Philip do this?  

Jesus sees people “as-is” – beautiful and broken. Again, Jesus didn’t stop these at the door and ask for creeds, qualifications or skills. Jesus said “come and see.”  That is an invitation, but it is a multi-way invitation. When we invite Jesus in turn, we get that welcoming encounter.

In the Season of Epiphany, we are invited into the presence of the One and invited to share that presence with the wider community. We are reminded of our own encounter with Jesus through our baptismal call. Through that baptism, we are tasked to call upon others to “Come and see” – to have their own encounter.

I doubt many people would honestly drop everything when a random person comes up to us and says “follow me,” but there is something unique and captivating about Jesus. We know people like this that do not judge us but invite us “as-is.” We want others to meet them. That is true value.

We know well that following Jesus is not simple because this tasks us to be honest about our expectations. When we do, we let Jesus encounter us and work us.

Again… Following Jesus is not just a simple one way transaction. It is more than just saying “Here I am” as Samuel said. Samuel embraced, and let the Spirit become him. Though our baptism, we are called to be fishers of people, and like Andrew and Philip, we are to invite others into the encounter so that they might experience that presence too. 

Thing is that when you let that encounter happen, you don’t have to put up your guard or force Jesus into some expectation because as we said last week, the Truth is the Truth, and Truth will set you free. Part of the revelation is that Jesus does not always fit into our expectations but rather gives us so much more than we can imagine. 

That Spirit helps us to seek beyond divides and into the hearts of our neighbors. There is no hiding or mischief here.  There is no deception but there is that invitation – not just for you and me but for us to share.  

Just think of those times when you prayed and when you felt the hope, you felt your heart being tickled by the Spirit.  Those times when you look at the world and realize just how beautiful our world is whether glistening snow, calm flowing creek, colorful flowers, happy puppy, or embracing love of family and friends. 

Not having a lot of money was difficult, but we learned to appreciate the truly valuable – like family, Church and humility. I believe that Jesus was there for us.

With the new year, you might be thinking about resolutions (or what’s left of them), but it is never too late to start again – to renew. You can look in the mirror, say “here I am” and know that you are wonderfully made – as-is!

When that happens, when you really want it, when you let the Spirit happen to you, you cannot help it - then you want to share that feeling - that joy.  You get excited about what happened to you and how Jesus makes you feel. That is why Andrew finds Peter and Philip tells Nathanael “come and see.” Because they experienced the full presence and they want to share that great feeling.

There is no trickery and no peer pressure, just the pure grace that invited you into the Church, the community with the Spirit among and within each of us. Take that cue from Jesus!

So leave your worry, your struggle, your expectations, let us experience the possibility, the grace. Remember that you may feel broken at times and yes there are many shiny things around us to distract us, but you are “wonderfully made,” the Lord knows you and the Lord is there for you!

So together, let us come and see. 

Thanks Be to God