Year B, Proper 27
Brent Was
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Ps 127; Heb 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
I really despise money. The whole notion of it. The earning of it, saving of it, thinking about it. Spending it, ehhh, I am not a shopper, though I do like buying farm equipment with the Monk's money. It takes a lot of privilege to not want to deal with money. I've never had a lot of it, but I've never had none, nor, God willing, will I. Money is important, but it takes on a lot more meaning that it has in actual value.
It is getting close to commitment Sunday, it is next week, actually. This is the Sunday when the Church, that is US, commit to God in this place. Specifically it means we ante up financially, and give our pledge, our promise of monetary support to keep this place running, to keep God?s house open here in Haverhill.
It takes a lot to run this place, a lot of money. Full time clergy, a lot of staff, a large, older building. But money is the least of what is needed. A whole lot more Love is needed than cash. We need more care, attention, attention to detail, concern, thoughtfulness. We need honest effort. Money is the least of these. The money that mostly runs this Church is dead money, endowments from the past. It is like fossil fuels, another dead energy, ancient sunlight stored in the fossil remains of life. The sun shining now is living energy. It is life, the brilliant sun shining down from on high That sun, that life that makes a Church. And that life is us, you, right here, right now. Your energy here makes this place alive when you share it. Commit to sharing your life in this place.
Our readings today are all about sharing. Ruth shares her body with Boaz. David, through their grandson Jesse, through their son Obed is the result. And 28 generations after David is Christ.
Paul's letter to the Hebrews explains Christ's sharing of his life that we all may be saved, not incrementally, year after year as when the priest enters to Holy of Holies in the Temple, but dramatically, once and for all, a sharing of cosmic proportions.
And then there is Mark's Gospel. The story of the old woman sharing all she had in her poverty is held up by Jesus as vastly superior to the larger gifts from rich people's abundance. Give what you have to give, share all you have to share,? is his message, clearly.
His previous warning about the scribes in their long robes, this is an admonition about sharing, too. They share their long prayers, they share their appearance in long robes in prominent places. Those are not bad things to share, I like long prayers, I love long robes (I am counting on loving long stoles and chausables and a big seat of honor at the front of a church), but these are things shared out of abundance. They are not sharing out of their souls. They are not sharing themselves, their light, their life. They are picking and choosing what to give and what to hold on to tightly. They will receive the greater condemnation.?
When you were little, or if you are little now, did you ever get those notes from the teacher that said ?lots of potential but needs to try harder.? Needs to give more effort.? Anyone else ever wilt over those words? That is the story of most of my exceeding long educational career. What I could have learned had I tried harder?
It does not matter in the least to God in Christ what we give, what we share. Twenty dollars or twenty million. It is a dust mote to God. Inconsequential. How we give, however, is of ultimate concern to the Foundation of the Universe. Give what you have to give. Share all you have to share. How many of us have ever really done that? If you gave birth to a child, you've done it. Stayed up all night with a screaming baby and held them softly when you feel like leaving her on the couch and running down the street? You've done it. Traveled far to be with someone who is sick, or having a really hard time, or dying? Not going to save some one but just going to be with them? You've done it. That is what being a Christian means. Giving what you have to give. Sharing what you have to share.
Have you done that here? At Trinity? I do not mean signing up for another committee, or staying late to help clean something up, or writing a larger check, though those things are important. What I mean is have you conceded that someone else's needs may be greater than yours? That changes may be uncomfortable but it is good for the whole? Not argued over a minor point when what is needed is peace? Actually invited someone to join you here at church because you find it a wholesome place of rest, enlightenment and empowerment in the worship of God? What have you given to make this a place like that?
We are doing it here, look around you, WE are HERE, now, together, in Christ. But have we given what we have to give? Have we shared all we have to share? Let?s try. That is all God is asking for. AMEN
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