Salt of the Earth - Matthew 5 - Epiphany 5A

Salt of the Earth

Tony E Hansen

Reflection based upon Matthew 5:13-20, Psalm 112, Isaiah 58:1-12

Opening prayer

I have had countless containers of salt and Lowry’s in my kitchen. I however don’t use them near enough. After a while, salt does, in fact, become like throwing dust onto good food if you don’t be careful.

We continue in Matthew the sermon on the mount and Jesus, after bestowing blessings upon us, is now calling us salt of the earth. As well, Jesus calls us the light of the earth.

This was the theme of General Synod when we were in Baltimore: to let your light shine. 

Jesus isn’t calling us to be egoists, but instead Jesus is calling us to let the blessings we have show through us. Don’t let you and I turn into dust onto good food, but rather be salt that is vibrant and tasty - even those of us who are a few more years into life.

Why? Just because you age doesn’t mean you lose the gifts God has given you. Just because you question or wonder, doesn’t mean you lose those gifts. In fact, your gifts carry on with you your whole life.

What does it mean to be the salt of the earth though? The light of the world.

These are additives and more. We are what makes life great and we are the necessary ingredient. Ways in which we enhance. Instead of stale food, we have something that delicious. 

Salt is also a preservative and curing - long before we had this thing called refrigeration. Sailors going on long journeys would have salted meat in the stores on their boats.

Jesus tells us that we are more than just spices for your next recipe or a preservative, but also, we are a light for people to see.

After telling us that we are blessed, we are to use those gifts - to be those gifts. To be the light in times of darkness. To be the light that is the follower of Christ.

That is more than simply declaring I am Christian or I love Jesus - we all do. It is more than declarations but a way of living as in the beatitudes. 

It is understanding that we don’t gain by putting people down, hurting them or casting judgments.  We gain by being humble and walking with love in our hearts and with the grace of God that has made us.

We gain by being peacemakers and advocating justice for you and for those around us. We are the mercy and forgiveness that people need. We don’t need heralds to raise us because we are the light. We are light that shines regardless and because God calls us.

We are light that does not hide under tables but as a path and as possible. 

In a world that tells us so much to not and to don’t, we are possible and we light the way for those who are lost or those who might be a bit misguided.

That isnt to say we have all of the answers or even the only answer. 

We can help people find the their answers by being the illumination they need. We can help them taste food in ways they have never thought possible.

We will screw up for sure, but we have God with us to hep pick us up and put us back on our feet. That is when our faith helps us the most. 

We live in a world that denies, restricts, takes away, and kills. We know there is plenty oof evil around us and to be the light in that feels somewhat odd.

Why me? Why does God call me to do work in this world that doesn’t care about me? Why does God call me to be a light that might get ignored?

Ask yourself, when someone turns on a light in a dark room, how many people are running away?

There is relief . There is  “I can see.” There is possible.

Thus we are to light a path for ourselves and for those around us. 

For without faith, we wander aimlessly and without answers or purpose. Without the light of God in us, we don’t really know the universe or what is possible. Without us and our spice, the salad is just a salad, but with us using our divine gifts, it is more than just sustenance. It is a conversation. It is a purpose. It is living.

Be the light, be the salt. Make life here more than just broken dreary. Spice up the recipe with you.

Fulfill your purpose and fulfill the blessings that God has given to you. 

Be the possible.

Amen

Blessed Are You - Matthew 5 - Epiphany 4A

Blessed are You

Tony E Hansen

Sermon Based upon Matthew 5: 1-12, Psalm 15, Micah 6:1-8

Opening Prayer

When you walk into the halls of Chicago Theological Seminary, along the floor is imprinted the words from Micah 6:8, “ …to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God…” That is to remind us of what is good and what we are called to do as followers of Christ and our Creator.

To do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly…

Think about that. You have often heard me refer to doing church; To be the church. 

We can not just say we have faith and have Christ in our hearts, when we don’t match our actions and words. They work together.  You don’t have to be called to preach or to ministry, but you are called to love, you are called to walk with God (not against).  

That Beloved is not easy. We know because that requires of us to be mindful of not only ourselves but those around us - and even those we don’t agree.

That is however, as the psalmist describes, to “…do what is right and speak the truth from heart…” not slander, not throwing shade or being mean to people.  No exceptions.

Yes just because they wear a particular cap or have a brand of clothing or even if they have clothing, we are to treat people with dignity and respect.

Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount shares similar blessings that we read in Luke from the sermon on the leveling place/plain. 

It is interesting that the lectionary puts Micah next to this sermon. When I think about it perhaps, Jesus may have had some inspiration from Micah for his teachings.

This is one of my favorite texts in the whole Judeo-Christian scripture.

Why?

It is the pinnacle teaching of Jesus that tells us that we are blessed. He does not condemn and does not point fingers even.

Blessed are you who are merciful, who are peacemakers, who morn, who are lost and hurting. Who among us isn’t in that list? That means that Jesus tells us “Blessed are you.”

Yes. Blessed are you. What does that mean ? “Blessed.”

Something is bestowed upon you: a feel, a wonder, a grace. Jesus calls you holy. Jesus calls you sacred.

Wow! You are holy and sacred. 

Why? That isn’t to prop up egos or that you suddenly have some mystery solved. Jesus reminds the blessing is because we persevere. We walk with mercy and forgiveness. We walk humbly with our Creator and do justice with love for kindness.

There are plenty of bad anything we could focus our attention, but that is a rather pessimistic view. That kind of focus also distracts us from what is possible. Perhaps, that is part of our problem; focusing upon the wrong things. 

We know the world is broken and there are plenty of bad actors around us. Yet even then, we show kindness; we show mercy; we show love. Hold your horses folks, they too are children of God.

Maybe our mercy and love might reveal some cracks in the bad. For too long, good people get put down, shoved aside, or simply forgotten. Good people arent just the wealthy and connected. Good people with gifts are regular people who go about life in our various ways. Jesus says that you are blessed. Jesus sees you and gives you a path.

These beatitudes (blessings) aren’t just cute little precepts but a way of living. We will morn loss. We may worry about homeless and hungry people, and we want peace. More importantly, we do something to help. We can help via organizations like UBFM or Joppa. We can help the food pantries.  We can help by being the peace that our world so desperately needs. 

And when people slander and bemoan us for doing those things; being merciful, kind and peaceful, there is a sacred place for us and we don’t have to wait for death to find it.  For it is right here and now. 

When we do justice, walk with humility, show love, we find that the "kingdom of heaven" is already here. It has always been here. And you, Beloved, who are blessed, this place is waiting for you to call home.

The kingdom of heaven is not some far off abstract place. It is very tangible; it is quite reachable because it is here. God is here and now.

How can you say that Tony with all of the violence, the shouting, the guns, the threats, the mischief? 

I cannot deny those exist. I can say that I can take care of my part in this world and how I work with people. That is the path Jesus lays out for us here. 

When we do this path, we find there is opportunity and our anxious worries reduce. Our fears may subside because we have the Spirit as our guide.

 

We have grace bestowed upon us; we have been blessed with gifts. With those gifts, we can and we should walk humbly and with love in our hearts.

Blessed are you who are poor, who morn, who are meek, who hunger for righteousness, who are merciful, who are pure love, and who are peaceful. 

Blessed are you who wander, and who wonder. Blessed are you who ask questions and admit we don’t have all the answers. Blessed are you who listen and allow room for God to work. Blessed are you who have faith and lean into that faith during good times and bad. That is to truly lean into our faith, not as a transaction, but as faith that we will be lifted while acknowledging that we have truly been blessed.

You are children of God,\; you have been given gifts; and the kingdom is waiting for you to discover. 

For that we say thanks be to God.

Amen

Walking in Darkness - Matthew 4 - Epiphany 3A

Walking in Darkness

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27, Matthew 4: 12-23

Opening prayer

Lately, I have been trying to think of ways that I can help folks that are definitely in the crosshairs of an administration that is bent on injustice and revenge.

I could sit idly by and watch things unfold because they don’t yet affect me personally. Still, what happens when they do?

Jesus learns of John getting arrested, and then turns to proclaim the same verse that John uses from Isaiah. Jesus didn’t just cry and turn away, but instead begins his own ministry that is going to make plenty of anxious people nervous as well as plenty of people healed.  Jesus became the light and carried the torch that John held. 

Throughout our lives, we see all kinds of people walk in darkness. They may have met Jesus; may have prayed to Jesus; may have offered souls to Jesus. Yet, the darkness persists; many walk in darkness despite seeing a great light. 

People often choose to walk in darkness because it is familiar and mistakenly safe. What is safe about walking in darkness? Safety is not the point of following Christ even. Familiar is not the point of following Christ. 

Many have given their lives following Christ, and we cannot underestimate that cost. We cannot sweep that under the rug or be like a lonely penny that was forgotten between the couch cushions. We cannot follow Christ and think that all is going to be well. For Christ tells us to reach out and to speak up against injustice, tyranny and falsehoods. For Christ knows what kind of suffering there can be for speaking out against injustice and speaking for a God that forgives. Look at the cross!

That means we cannot just sit on the sidelines or watch from the cheap seats of the stadium.  The game, if you will, involves our neighbors, our friends, and our family. That means we cannot just watch as bystanders to do nothing about the injustices that are taking place. 

We cannot just simply wish it away. Even more, soon enough, it will come knocking on our doors.

We, therefore, have to reach into our faith for strength and help those who are fighting for us and with us. 

As one commentator mentions, we don’t have to be the face of the fight, but we can help those who are there - delivering hot chocolate and coffee. We can be ones who provide assistance so those who choose to be the face have our actual support - beyond just hopes and prayers.

Otherwise, we sit on the sidelines - in darkness waiting for a light - waiting for “deliverance” that has already been offered.  

Yet, God has delivered us and given us light along with a mission, a call. A call to be something more than nothing, to be more than empty, to be more than slaves to material and computer systems.

“Repent for the kingdom has come near… Follow me and I will make you fisher of people.”  What is your answer?

Sit on the sidelines or in the stadium, heckle and do nothing? That isn’t what Christians are called to do.  This isn’t a football match, a sports ball moment, where people might go home a little disappointed because their team didn’t win.

Brene Brown says that “if you are not in the arena getting [butt] kicked on occasion, I am not interested in or open to your feedback. There are a million cheap seats in the world today filled with people who will never be brave with their own lives but will spend every ounce of energy they have hurling advice and judgement at those of us trying to dare greatly.”  

She goes on to lament people with criticism and cynicisms that have the effect of doing nothing to help those who are trying. Hecklers are not brave or daring nor are they helpful.

This is life, and we as Christians, this calling from God reveals to us our purpose. A purpose that is not silent in the face of injustices, murders and over-reaching government. Our purpose is to get in the arena and yes your butt might get kicked a bit. When we are not silent, we are doing the work Jesus laid out for us. 

Then is when you see the light. Not just as a metaphor but reality that brings God into your being and your way of thinking - because God reveals to us and for us.

We need to see the light made for us and through that light have courage in our faith to speak up. 

We then have courage to say we are truly followers of Christ.  

If the Lord is your light and salvation, why do you fear? Because this world has people and many don’t reveal God’s promise to us. 

Why should you be different?

Safety? How safe will you be when you are the last one left? 

The Lord will deliver and the Psalms tell this.  If you are looking for encouragement, look in these many verses because people have questions, whined, and even got mad at God for what is happening in their life journeys. Yet, when we talk to God, when we make space for God to work, they and we can find refuge and salvation in our faith that God does, in deed, help us and guide us.

Let us not continue to walk in darkness, not be on the sidelines, not in the cheap seats hurling vicious nothings. Let us be the work of God in our community and in our lives so that people witness the good of God and justice of God before an insatiable government and destructive ego.

Be the face of justice, empathy, and love that God wants you to be. Repent and See the light!

Thanks Be to God