St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Woodstock

Sunday 4 October, 2009, Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev’d Georgene Conner

UNADULTERATED LIFE

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

Last Wednesday night, at the evening prayer service, those of us who gathered discussed the gospel lesson for today. This passage from Mark is a tricky one because Jesus is asked about divorce. On Wednesday night we used the translation/paraphrase of the Bible by Eugene Peterson. In that version, when Jesus is talking to the disciples about divorce he says: “A man who divorces his wife so he can marry someone else commits adultery against her. And a woman who divorces her husband so she can marry someone else commits adultery." Following the reading we had a very interesting discussion.

One person said she thought the word adultery – like adulterated - had to do with diluting something – contaminating – polluting – and poisoning. Therefore unadulterated was being whole and pure. So, we talked about adultery as a way of diluting – poisoning - contaminating –devaluing the power and sacredness of a commitment to a loving relationship. Another person pointed out that the man or woman had committed adultery because they already had someone else lined up to marry. Again, this has to do with poisoning and devaluing the sacredness of the commitment to a loving relationship.

There is much to be commended for reading and discussing scripture with other people. Other voices always bring new insights, new ways of hearing and seeing –and we are enriched by such conversation and it always helps us to know and understand each other on a deeper level.

For me the passage brings up the issue of why the Pharisees were asking those particular questions. The scripture says they were testing Jesus – trying to trap him into saying something that could be used against him. Remember that John the Baptizer was arrested and ultimately killed for criticizing King Herod’s marriage to his own brother’s wife.

The Pharisees, in a sense, were committing adultery by trying to discredit Jesus which would lead to his followers becoming disenchanted with him or cause them to disband. They were trying to poison, contaminate and dilute his power with the people.

We the Church sometimes get stuck on issues – like the Pharisees were stuck in their conversation with Jesus. We like to argue about who can or cannot be saved, who can or can be ordained, who can or can be married or who should or should not be in relationship. Articles are written. Emails exchanged. Interviews held. People lob comments back and forth about who is right and who is wrong. And when that is going on, what happens to the ongoing mission of the church? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Because getting stuck on ‘issues’ can adulterate – dilute – dissolve – the energy and focus of the congregation or the denomination. The mission of the church – to bring people into in whole and healthy relationships with God in Christ and with each other – gets derailed.

We would probably do better to discuss and discover the ways in which we can support people – couples – children – families – who are struggling to live together in loving relationships… provide space for people who want to ask questions about God, who yearn to learn more about this person Jesus…and invite in those who have felt betrayed, discarded or abandoned by the church.

Loving another person – be they an adult or a child – is not easy. It takes commitment and perseverance – and patience. How can we, the church, be there for people when relationships go bad: When one person becomes ill and the caretaker is worn out? When the parent is single and needs respite? When angry words have turned into physical abuse? When a child has special needs? These questions might be more important than who can be married or divorced.

Jesus doesn’t stay stuck in that conversation. He moves the disciples forward to what he considers needs the most attention. People were bringing children to Jesus and the disciples tried to keep them away. “Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." And he blessed the children.

What attributes do children have that Jesus lifts them up as role models for getting into the realm of God?

Besides the fact that they are brutally honest – they have, in the beginning, innocence. They – we are all born without prejudice against anyone. Children have enormous energy – a zest for knowledge – a curiosity – imagination – hope – a willingness to believe – a desire to be helpful ( I was once told that when a child is three – they really want to help out and that is the time to teach them how to pick up –unfortunately I wasn’t told this until my girls were 12). And children notice even the smallest details – about people, about creation.

In the church in Washington we started an afternoon children’s program of Bible stories, crafts, and music. After the music part we all had dinner together. The parents would join us for dinner. In the spirit of liberation theology – when the children formed a choir – I told them to name themselves…thinking of course of St. Paul’s Rock Creek Choir or St. Paul’s singers. But they named themselves “the gifts sent from heaven.” We often laughed about that name but the truth is they knew who they were – God’s gifts – made in the image of God and when they sang I could feel the whole congregation holding them up.

This is what I think Jesus kept calling the disciples to notice. Pay attention to those who are open and in need of your love, God’s love. Stay focused on how you can help people realize that they are valued, they are made in God’s image. This is where you should be putting your focus and your energy. Jesus was always calling the disciples and any who would follow him to become a new community of love – where people watch out for each other, love each other, preach the unconditional love of God and welcome whoever is in need.

On our website at St. Gregory’s we say that we are a radically, welcoming community. Living out that statement is not easy. I was told this past week that in Woodstock it is easy to talk about religion if one is into Zen or Buddhist or Quaker…but not so easy to speak of being Christian. A woman told me that last week when she came to church she saw a friend of hers here. They looked at each other and exclaimed, “You go to church!” Christians seem to have a questionable reputation…one that has been adulterated – poisoned. What does it mean for us to say we are a radically, welcoming Christian community?

My ethics professor said that conservatives want things to stay the way they are. Liberals want everyone to be on board – therefore it is hard to get things done because liberals are always waiting for everyone to get it. Radicals, she said, move ahead. Here is who we are – we’re moving on – catch up when you can.

At a Mid-Hudson regional gathering yesterday, the conversation was about mission and ministry. How can we stay focused on our mission in these hard times? It occurred to a couple of us that at St. Gregory’s we do not have a mission statement. Over the next weeks together we’ll begin to develop one.

Who are we? How do we describe ourselves? What is our story? And what is God calling us to do with our resources? What is our mission right here on route 212 in Woodstock, New York?

Jesus stayed focused on his mission and ministry. Regardless of how many times people tried to stop him. Even in the face of death, Jesus remained authentic and true to his mission. Let us be authentic to who we are – and be unadulterated – in proclaiming God’s unconditional love through our words, actions, and our very lives. Let us be that radical place – singing in that new community of love - where all people are welcome and can proclaim …I am a Christian.