Homily for July 7, 2013

I'm back from vacation, visited NYC and had a great time.  Here is Sunday's Sermon. . .

Homily for Proper 9 C

God passionately loves each one of us.  The question is will you live your life in that love. 

In our reading from Galatians, Paul calls them back to the gospel he taught them.  Moreover, he speaks against those who want the Galatians to embrace Jewish ways, e.g., circumcision.  Paul reminds us that we are called to freedom, but not licentiousness or any other kind of self-indulgence.  He calls on the Galatians and us to live in the Holy Spirit.  In particular, he gives the example that Christians who have received the Spirit should gently help those who stray into sin.  The “law of Christ” is the norm of mutual love. 

In our Gospel reading, we see Jesus sending of the 70 disciples out to preach the Kingdom.  They are to go out as classical poor and humble prophets.  The response to their preaching is very positive.  There amazed that even the demons respond to their authority.  We have to remind ourselves, when we hear stories like these, that in Jesus day people believe most illness was caused by some minor demon messing with the person.  In essence, we are hearing stories about how people's lives were transformed by Jesus’ disciples.

Our first reading today, is a poem of celebration.  God is restoring his people to their homeland.  They will be joyful and carefree as a child in its mother’s lap.  The poem shifts its symbolism in a very quick but profound way: first, the imagery is of Jerusalem being a loving mother nursing her children and playing with them on her lap.  However, in the middle, it shifts and God becomes the comforting mother!  “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” 

We do not often get to see or talk about this imagery even though it is relatively common in the Old Testament.  This imagery is important because it reminds us that God is bigger than anything we can imagine.  It is also important for our spiritual lives because God as an ideal father is not an image that works for every person universally.  The author of Isaiah tells us that God loves us as an ideal mother loves her children.  Nursing them and holding them in her lap. 

Can we believe that we are so loved by God?  Alternatively, can you believe that you are precious to God?  So precious that God will respect the freedom you were created with even when you abuse it.  So precious, in God’s eyes, that God will take you back every time you repent of your sins and foolishness. 

God indeed, passionately loves each one of us.  Our response to that love is the question and challenge.  Will you embrace that gift and love God in return?  Will you keep returning to God every time you screw up and embarrass yourself in that spiritual relationship?  Will you invite and welcome others to share this immense love of God?