18 Jun SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023

In the first reading from the Book of Exodus, people offer a pledge of allegiance to God by saying, “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.” To recap what the Lord spoke was this, “If you obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my treasured possession, a priestly kingdom, and holy nation.” In other words, God said, “Do this.” Then people agreed and promised to obey.

In the psalm, we were reminded, “Yes, it’s to the Lord our God, our maker to whom we belong. We are God’s people.” Are we God’s people because we obey and keep God’s covenant? Are we God’s people because we are good, faithful, or keep our promises? Nope. We are God’s people because the Lord is good, because the Lord is faithful and keeps his promises.

In the psalm, people serve the Lord with gladness and come into God’s presence with song precisely because they know to whom they belong: their maker, God. Hearing those words was meant to affirm a person’s identity and status, much like statements mentioned in an Instagram post entitled, “ 7 Things Adult Children May Need to Hear.” 

The post was inspired to reach generations raised in a less affirming culture when there wasn’t much geared toward children and youth, when the market wasn’t loaded with options for parents and the world didn’t revolve around kids. So, for everyone who grew up never hearing, “I’m proud of you,” or never heard a parent apologize or were never invited to talk about how they felt, today’s readings are for you.   

Everyone needs to know they are incredibly precious, an asset to the family, and personally valuable regardless of their ability to perform or earn approval.

For affirmations to work, they must be based in reality. Praise can’t be contrived or conditional. That’s why I don’t believe it’s true that God will only claim us if we obey. Though many Bible passages do more than hint about proving our worth and giving God what’s asked in order to become his precious possession, Jesus himself makes this claim, “Everyone needs to know they are incredibly precious, an asset to the family, and personally valuable regardless of their ability to perform or earn approval.” 

How is it possible for us or God to honestly say such things when people mess up, time and time again, when people don’t deserve credit, or when life does not seem better because we exist? Here’s where the second reading applies. 

Whatever our experience amounts to as a child or parent, we are to make peace with it. God’s grace is sufficient to cover all sins committed and all good things omitted. We are to realize that any suffering equates to a share of God’s glory, that without suffering, we would never have learned endurance or built character. Without deprivation, we’d have never hoped. Without knowing disappointment, we’d never have sought change or God. We’d have grown up self-satisfied and self-sufficient, impoverished in the worst way. 

God pours love into our hearts, so we begin to understand. As we mature and have the opportunity to nourish other lives, we realize what has been done for us or given to us. When we realize our own shortcomings, we become humbled and appreciate how God’s love is proven time and time again.

Our failure makes it clear that it is Christ who takes responsibility to do everything the Lord spoke of, not us. This Father’s Day, God acknowledges that life is better because we’re in it, that we are loved no matter what, that our worth is not determined by obedience, productivity, job title, or relationship status. 

In today’s gospel, Jesus also makes a strong case for access to healthcare and making sure that everyone thrives by modeling the ideal: curing every disease and sickness. There’s no uncertainty in his aim. He cares for all people, not only those of a certain heritage or capacity. And before he leaves the earth, he gives authority for disciples to keep up the good work and have the exact same aim. 

This aim includes casting out unclean spirits which in Jesus’ time would have included every condition that contributed to antisocial, destructive, or harmful behavior. So my question is, how can we doubt what our priorities should be when Jesus makes his own so clear? 

He focused on the lost, not those most easily accessed or familiar. His idea of proclaiming the kingdom involved no less than cure, resurrection, total cleansing, restoration to community, and the casting out of demons. Does what we’re about accomplish anything like that? 

What purpose does who we vote for serve? Are we seeking God or to act like God? Is our aim to have power that decides whom to disown: those who disobey, those who don’t follow rules, or do what has been spoken. Granted, the Bible is confusing. On the one hand, grace is given to sinners. On the other hand, peace is denied to those who are not worthy. To those who will not welcome or listen to words spoken by apostles, the curse of judgment, intolerable suffering, and doom awaits. What’s really the message or good news here? 

Are we seeking God or to act like God?

I think the message is plain. Human beings vacillate between the motives of sheep and wolves. They can act wise as serpents or innocent as doves. They can be noble and kind, or cruel and judgmental. They will even use the legal system to get what they want and cover some sin of their own. They will rise up and betray each other. Yes, even siblings, parents, and children. 

Happy Father’s Day, lol. Listen, our only hope of salvation comes from Jesus Christ. We are not to worry. God will defend and speak through the Holy Spirit who we have received so that suffering produces character. Today is a great day for the Lord to speak and for us to hear that hate is rampant and endurance necessary. There’s no use to dominate or attempt to flee in order to avoid suffering; it’s part of what must come so that in the end we may be saved. 

God is the archetypal good father. He teaches and chides, which means he sometimes raises his voice or speaks harshly to gain attention. His behavior may seem unpredictable, but he always claims, loves, and wishes to be with us. As creator of all, he always wants to hear more about what matters to us because we matter to him. 

The characteristics of God were demonstrated most clearly by Jesus Christ himself: a wise shepherd, compassionate healer, and empowering sovereign who was not one to claim glory for himself, but to share glory with others and to place it within all that God created. 

Consider this fact, disciples are defined as simply followers devoted to learning, apostles are those sent to spread the gospel. Which are we? Student learners or sent messengers? Aren’t we called to become apostles? Isn’t the church meant to continue the mission of Jesus by curing disease, healing every ill, and casting out demons? 

There was a homeless woman I frequently saw but avoided. She tried to be too cute, I thought: waving at everyone, smiling sweetly, showing up on median strips or sidewalks wherever I go. It only occurred to me recently that I hadn’t seen her in a while. Perhaps she moved away. Oftentimes she would seem to be falling asleep standing up and didn’t appear to have teeth. Probably from using drugs. 

I began to feel concerned about her whereabouts and prayed for her safety. So recently, the Lord placed her again along my path. This time I greeted her with joy, rolled down my window and asked, “Where have you been? I was worried about you.” She replied, “I got a job at Giant, but then I messed up.” 

I replied, “We all have our ups and downs.” She said, “But I won’t give up. I’ll keep trying. I’ll get a job in a warehouse or something.” I asked her name and told her mine. I was truly glad she was safe. 

In less than 2 minutes, she gave her elevator speech: provided a glimpse into her past, presently demonstrated sorrow for her sin, and expressed hope for her future. My thoughts of her were transformed. 

An early lost gospel manuscript says, “As often as you fall, rise up…” None of us can unless we receive what God delivers as byproducts of suffering: revelation, strength, endurance, character, and hope. The woman who previously got on my nerves showed me a type of hope that does not disappoint. Even though she may not find an opportunity for employment again soon, she demonstrated something worth sharing that revealed the glory of God.  

“As often as you fall, rise up…”

One last story. My son’s girlfriend gifted me a small box of cards wrapped in cellophane approximately two inches square. Each card held a unique sealed message hidden behind a perforated section. 

The unopened box remained tucked away for months. They were meant to be given away, but I don’t pack anyone’s lunch these days. Who could I give them to? I couldn’t envision guaranteeing that anyone would open and read them. How could I utilize such a gift meant to be happily discovered in private? 

So, I decided to try and grab the attention of the homeless. I thought of giving a five dollar bill rather than a few singles with each of the thirty cards. On second thought, I said, “ Do I really want to conduct a $150 experiment?” My third thought was, “Okay, Lord. I will. And five dollars better register, ‘cause it certainly will with me.” 

It’ll make them see that I’m not just handing out money but adding the gift of a personal message. To make it sound fun, I’ll say, “It’s like a Crackerjack prize,” so they’d know the card needs opening. What I discovered while watching them in my rear view mirror was that many  immediately pocketed the money and couldn’t wait to read the message. 

I asked one gentleman to read his while I sat at the red light, realizing I had never sampled their contents. The message said, “We acquire the strength of that which we overcome.” He read the words slowly with a bit of struggle. 

I intentionally did not want them to think the cards were religious tracts in case such a thing would discourage their participation in my “experiment”. Recently while informing a bearded fella on Cameron Street of what accompanied the money being offered, he replied with a smile. “I know. I got one before and liked it.” How I wished to know what that message said. 

Father’s Day is a great day for us all to realize, receive and accept what Jesus did: to understand that what people need in general and perhaps want most of all is to be recognized as having worth or at least, potential. What people need in general and perhaps want most of all is to receive an encouraging message, to become empowered, be given agency, or afforded choice. This is proven to me every week through the people I encounter.

Jesus knew that through frequent, brief encounters, strangers become less strange. If they don’t, then we must realize that what they really need is to be healed from some illness, disease, or demon. Let us pray. 

Lord, we don’t always know the exact message you wish to deliver, but we know it should benefit others and be chosen with love. Help us be generous and brave while interacting with those who are lost, unfamiliar, or stricken by societal ills. Through your grace and love, empower us to continue your mission as apostles. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.