Sermon by the rev'd. Pamela Snare

Sermon
January 29, 2006
The Reverend Pamela Snare

“They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22)

Today’s gospel recounts the beginning of the first day of Jesus’ public ministry. He starts in the synagogue – read “church” – for Sabbath worship. The synagogue service consisted of prayers, scripture readings and teaching, much as the first part of our Eucharist. But unlike our preaching, which requires ordination, any male Jew of adequate learning could be invited to teach – to comment upon – the scripture readings on the Sabbath. Apparently, Jesus was thought to have adequate learning to do so. Apparently also, Jesus’ style of teaching was different from what the people were accustomed to hearing from the scribes.

The scribes had been trained in the Jewish law, the Torah, and in the long history of oral interpretation of the Torah. The scribes taught by citing precedents. They would quote what previous teachers had said about a passage of scripture. Perhaps our closest analogy would be common law, and the citing of precedent cases and judicial opinions to support and lend authority to the position or interpretation of the law by which a lawyer presents his or her case.

But this is not the method of Jesus. He speaks directly to the meaning of the scriptures without appealing to the opinions or interpretations of previous teachers. He speaks as one who knows, not only whereof he speaks, but of whom he speaks. He speaks from a stance of personal relationship, intimate knowledge. He speaks not on the basis of what others have said about God, or what he has learned about God, but he speaks as one who knows God. And not only knows, but loves God, lives in God, lives with God as a constant companion, lives in the presence of God. Therefore, he can speak directly of God, as if God is present – because he is. God is with and in and present and for Jesus. Thus, he speaks with authority, that is to say, with personal knowledge and with love. He does not have to rely on what others have thought or have said about God.

Perhaps, in your life, you have known someone who has spoken to you of God in a manner similar to that of Jesus. They spoke directly of God, as if he were a personal presence, a companion, someone they loved and knew. They spoke without guile, without manipulation, no pressure tactics to bring you into their church, or into their way of thinking, but they spoke simply, unpretentiously, unselfconsciously out of a living relationship with God. They were authentic and you knew they were authentic.

I think of two of the Caritas Ministers, Eunice and Barbara. They live in a house in Abita Springs whose property and outbuildings were given to them for them to carry out their ministry to the poor in our community. Their house and outbuildings were badly damaged by Katrina and they had no insurance. Christ Church has provided funds and equipment and work teams both local and from out of town to repair their buildings. Several weeks ago, a staff member told us she was present when the FEMA representative came to make his on-site visit. After a tour of the property and a description of the damage, he asked, “And whose property is this?” Barbara answered without reserve or duplicity, “Why, it is God’s property.” The FEMA representative reportedly rolled his eyes, shook his head, sighed, and wrote them a check for the damages (at least part of them). Score one for God.

I think also of a mother in our congregation who e-mailed me several months ago about a conversation initiated by her 3 year old daughter. Out of the blue her daughter said, “Mother, I have lots of toys and I know that there are children who don’t have any toys. I would like to give some of my toys to a child who doesn’t have any. I think that would please Jesus.” The mother was astounded; much, I imagine, as the FEMA representative was astounded; much, I imagine, as the people in the synagogue at Capernaum were astounded. That someone should speak directly of God out of a living, breathing, intimate, loving relationship with him; without guile, without duplicity, without manipulation, without ulterior motives, simply, honestly, authentically, is an astounding thing. And the authenticity of their words is confirmed by who they are and how they live. Much as the authenticity of Jesus’ words were confirmed by his healing of a demon possessed man. Because when there is a living, breathing, intimate, loving relationship with God, God’s power is released, his presence is made palpable, his peace and joy and love flow freely into the life of others and the world. The one who has this kind of relationship with God becomes a conduit of salvation – God’s saving presence – to others.

You know, Episcopalians are known for their reserve, their sense of propriety and decency and order in things religious. And I am as much a fan of reserve and propriety and decency and order as the next person. Especially in our kitchen. Just ask my husband, Jerry.

But when our reserve in things religious comes not out of a sense of awe and reverence for God, but it comes from fear – fear of being thought a religious fanatic, fear of knowing and being known by God, fear of knowing and being known by others, fear of sharing our relationship with God, then it is unhealthy. Because our living, breathing, intimate, loving relationship with God is intended to be a conduit of God’s power and presence, his joy, peace and love. It is not our private possession; it is not intended simply to make us feel good about ourselves. What we receive from God in our relationship with him is the bread he gives us to cast upon his waters that it may bear fruit for him.

Certainly, there are graces and gifts he gives us from time to time that are intended only for us – because he loves each one of us personally. And we must discern which gifts and graces are meant to be shared and which would only be cheapened in the sharing of them. But if we are unwilling to speak and to live out of our living, breathing, intimate relationship with him, how is his power and presence, his joy, peace and love to be released? How is the good news of his salvation to be known?

“Why, this is God’s property.”

“Mother, I want to share some of my toys with a child who has none. I think that would please Jesus.”

In those two moments, my friends, God’s kingdom came on earth with power, and with authority because an older woman and a three year old child were not afraid or ashamed to speak and to act directly out of their living, breathing, intimate relationship with God. Do you remember the children’s song, “This Little Light of Mine”? We sing it at the 9:00 eucharist:

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
“Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
“Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine.”

Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

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