Wealth and Status

Proper23 St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, October 13, 2024 by Sr. Annette Fricke The gospel of Mark begins with the words, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” In Mark’s style, he gets to the point quickly, or as many English translations put it, immediately. That is the word that ties Mark’s stories about Jesus together, the words and immediately or immediately. Mark does not care about genealogy, angels at Jesus’ birth, Jesus’ circumcision, the flight to Egypt to escape the grip of Herod, or even Jesus in the temple. Mark continues after this first sentence with, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Not exaggerated much to say that Mark reads like this: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, prepare his way, and John the Baptist appears preaching a baptism of repentance. This is what Mark says is important, important to the extent that these themes continue to pop up in Chapter 10. Last Sunday’s gospel lessons were about marriage and divorce and Jesus’ correction of the practice of men could just write off his wife and stating clearly that should not have been allowed. Jesus tells us that we should be at peace with each another. Again, those words ring out, “Prepare the way of the Lord. Repent. Be reconciled. Be in the right relationship with each other. Mark seems to understand that we need those words to remind us that repentance is the way of the Lord. The gospel of John actually claims Jesus saying, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” because they really are related terms. Today, Jesus brings up the topic of money (pause) again. In fact, Jesus brings up money in all four gospels 29 times. 29 times. Why? Because it is a huge obstacle to living the way of Jesus. Jesus talks about the lack of status of women and children and wealthy men having status. Look at that story again. What happened when Jesus told him to get rid of his possessions? To give money to the poor? Jesus wasn’t putting him down; he was simply giving an answer to the man’s question. What must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus loved him and told him the truth. Money and possessions can keep us from relationships with people. They can be an obstacle. Being an important person in society can separate us from those who do not have status. When I was on my internship, the pastor had me take food to a struggling family about the time the Chrysler Corporation was failing in the early 1980s. The couple thanked me and the church. I did as I was told and invited them to church. They said that they did not feel they had the proper clothes to wear to church. So, they stayed away. Another, who was an active member of the church was laid off. I went to visit him as well. He was not concerned as much as our pastor. Status still matters in some circles. My supervising pastor also told me to not go into the black neighborhood. He considered it to be dangerous. I drove through anyway. A guy from another class who worked with me at the mental health center in Columbus, Ohio complained about the segregated congregations, blacks in one church, whites in another, wondering if ever the two could unite in one church. Those of us who saw clearly the chasm between those who had and those who had not, those who were black and those who were white and because we fought the status quo were not chosen to lead congregations but offered teaching degrees. We were taught to be quiet. Be quiet and don’t ruffle any feathers. We had no status. Later in Mark 12, Jesus is complimented that he teaches the way of God in accordance with the truth. It is also accurate to say that the way of Jesus is the way of the cross. Jesus is on the way when he asks his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” It was on the way that the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. They are on the way to Jerusalem when Jesus gives the 3rd prediction that he will be crucified. We see the contrast between Jesus on the way to the cross and the rich man who is unable to part with his possessions. We see where Jesus is singled out as the one who is not like the rest. In the end, at the cross, he is very alone. What would he say to us today as a congregation? What would he say to us as individuals? How faithful are we to Jesus, or are we simply lukewarm? These are questions we should be asking ourselves daily. Are we following Jesus on the way and in the way of the cross where we learn to love others as God has loved us in Jesus. Not moaning or complaining but doing what we are able. Loving our neighbors.

Balancing priorities and Reconciliation

Proper 22B, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Moses Lake, WA, October 6, 2024 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus the Christ. Amen. Reconciliation is a six-syllable word and one of the most difficult things we are to do as Christians. What does reconciliation mean? Here is a list. 1. Cause to be friendly again, 2. Adjust or settle, 3. Bring to acceptance. Also, establishment of harmony. Synonyms are “harmonizing, rapprochement; reconcilement.” The definition of rapprochement is the “state of having or establishment of cordial relations.” In the first definition, “cause to be friendly again,” we realize that it implies something other than a previous friendly state. Prior to reconciliation, people often feel offended, incensed, angered, miffed, frustrated, disappointed, and a whole host of other feelings. In the second definition, “adjust or settle” we may think of settling an argument or a disagreement by our adjusting our thinking, our feelings, and our behavior. Sometimes our hearts are in the wrong place and our hearts do not match our feelings and behavior. Sometimes we simply have conflicting values. We tell ourselves that we should give to the ministry of the church, but we hesitate. We hesitate with our money, we hesitate with our behavior, we allow our non-humble, non-sacrificing self to take over. We say we agree to our vows made at baptism and marriage and then break them. We agree to accept the children of the world, the vulnerable, the weak, those who have different values from us; the people that society considers to be somehow “less than.” But our actions betray us. Sometimes it is a matter of balancing our priorities and taking the initiative, having faith that God will bless our way. God has blessed us with many gifted people here at St. Martin’s. Whether or not you are aware of it, you and I are gifts not only to the community, but to this congregation. Although October 4 honors St. Francis who was known as a lover of animals, today is Sunday. In a congregation I was with in 2006, this day was Mental Health Sunday. If you look at the lessons for today, you can see why. Take a quick look at all three lessons and what do you find mentioned? Animals, men, women, children, another lesson about the Pharisees. Right? He says about the Pharisaical law that marriage was to be a life-long commitment, not allowing a writ of divorce where men could divorce their wives. But because they were hard-hearted, Moses allowed it. The heart was the seat of emotions. We talk about people who have a good heart or wearing your heart on your sleeve. When we talk about someone having a soft heart, we see that person as someone who is vulnerable to manipulation. We are to protect and teach our children about the ways of the world and how to be in the world, so they learn to act in ways that are both humble and assertive, being able to be their own selves and encouraged to grow into functioning adults. Talking about things openly and making a connection with our children and grandchildren, in my case my siblings’ children and grandchildren is necessary. Each subject is necessary at every level of maturity. We need to talk about everything, not just abuse, drugs and alcohol although those subjects are in the forefront. Children see us as a role model. If we want our children to be involved in the ministry of the church, we need to take ownership and be involved ourselves. God values children, as demonstrated to us when Jesus blesses the children. We should value them as much as God does. We need to advocate for them because they are vulnerable and need our guidance. Families are important. They make up communities and are intergenerational. Some adults are in that place where they take care of parents as well as children. Sometimes the grandparents are the ones who raise the children while the parents work or in place of a marriage gone bad.