St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Woodstock

Sunday 13 September, 2009, Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev’d Georgene Conner

LIVING WORDS

For today’s reading go to:http://bible.oremus.org

‘The Message’ by Eugene Peterson offers a very modern, and sometimes blunt, translation of the Bible.

For instance, today’s passage from James is worded this way: “It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A carelessly or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it. This is scary: you can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue – it’s never been done.”

Words are so important aren’t they? We can lift people up or we can tear people down. We can wound or we can heal. Ancient people thought words were so powerful that if someone hurled an insult at them they would duck…so as not to be struck by the words

The talk of words reminds me of a story about a notorious woman who gossiped all the time. Finally she realized that maybe this behavior was wrong so she wanted to make it ‘right’ with everyone about whom she had ever gossiped

She went to see the wise old man who lived on the outskirts of town. She told him about her dilemma – and how she wanted to make amends for words she had spoken about others

The wise man told her to get a chicken. She was astonished at this directive but after all he was supposed to be the wisest man in town, so she got the chicken. “Now what?” she asked. “Now you pluck all the feathers off.” Again, baffled as she was, she plucked all the feathers off the chicken. “Now what?” she asked again. “Now put the feathers in a bag and go up to the highest point around Woodstock – and let all the feathers go.” She did and the wind immediately swept them away.

She hurried back to the wise man’s house. “Now have I made everything OK?” she asked. “No,” the wise one replied – “now go back and collect all those feathers.” “But that’s impossible,” she blurted out. “The wind has taken them and I know not where they have gone.” “And so it is words,” replied the wise man. “Once they leave our mouths we do not know where they go or how they will be heard.”

Maybe in a way that was at the root of the question Jesus asked his disciples, “What words are people saying to describe who I am? And on a personal level, what words do you use to describe me…who do you say I am?

Even though there was no internet and the word blog had never been heard of, his disciples reported back the gossip they had heard– “people say you could be the next Moses or Elijah, or you’re like John the Baptist – the one who is going to bring an end to Roman rule or get rid of taxes.”

Then Jesus asks, (and I think in a wistful way) “Well you all, (I know he was really southern) who do you say I am?”

They kinda stare at him a bit – maybe thinking to themselves – well you’re Jesus –then Peter blurts out, “you are the Messiah!”

The word “Messiah”, in Hebrew, means “the Anointed One” and was usually used to describe the kings of Israel and Judah…just as Egyptian kings were called Pharaoh and Roman rulers were called Caesar.

A king Messiah meant that person held political and economic power over the people. A ruling king could coerce and intimidate people into following orders. That person was viewed as being divinely appointed to build up Israel and to keep all those political, religious and economic systems so that one day Israel could become as powerful as Rome.

I wonder when Peter blurted out “You’re the Messiah” if Jesus thinking about how Messiah was used at that time…to be the anointed one – the king – the political ruler. The scripture tells us that the people wanted to make Jesus king and he said no way…because he knew from family history how kings tend to abuse their power.

Jesus never bullied – he never ruled over – he never said, “just stay here and worship me.” He invited people to follow him. But in so doing he said, “there is a cost.”

What does it cost to be a disciple of Christ – a follower of the Way? He tried to tell them. Bad things are going to happen to me – could happen to you. It won’t be easy, this following me, but if you do so, you can change the ways things are. Believe it, you can help to change the world, bring wholeness, well-being.

These are the words we want to use today – words that speak of how we can be a part of that changing, transforming power of Jesus so we make a difference in our world, today.

St. Gregory’s….Who do we say we are? Let me tell you of the words that attracted me to St. Gregory’s: Open and inclusive, artistic, creative, caring, wider community, hospitality. St. Gregory’s offers its best to whoever walks through the door.

We are setting out on a great adventure...you and I …and we will try out some new words, new music, new liturgies and programs together. But one word which could strike fear into the hearts of some is CHANGE! So in the changes, if you’re unsettled- don’t be like the woman who gossiped, but come talk to me - speaking truth in love. But here are some words we won’t use: We’ve never done it that way. We’ve always done it that way. We tried it before and it didn’t work. So no using those words!

There has to be an atmosphere where it is OK to try something different. Sometimes what we try might fizzle and we’ll laugh and say ‘well, let’s not try that again!’ and sometimes it just might be too glorious for words.

Whatever happens it will be OK because we are doing it for the glory of God to be sure but mostly we are doing it – trying new things – learning new music – welcoming new people because you – we - are a parish that walks the talk. How we treat others, minister to those in need, listen to each other, use words of support and encouragement - show in a very public manner that we practice what we preach.

In the coming weeks we’ll explore ways in which we can be more child-friendly – meaning even a non-reader will feel welcome in the worship service. November 1 is All Saints Day – and provides a great day for anyone who wants to be baptized. The bishop is coming in December – so we’ll have classes for anyone who wants to be received or confirmed in the Episcopal Church.

We will be cheerleaders for each other – offering a vocabulary that speaks of support – willingness – generosity – gentleness – and love – all expressions of belonging to each other in community.

Last week I suggested to someone that we get some nametags – it will be helpful to me. Another person replied – “It would be helpful for me too…I’ve been coming here for years but I still don’t know everyone’s name.” An expression of love is knowing another’s name.

If it is true that tongues can’t be tamed – then let our tongues continually be at work, finding ways to speak and use the language of God’s unconditional love and to offer blessings to all.