Ruth 1:(1-7)8-19a
2 Timothy 2:(3-7)8-15
Luke 17:11-19
Psalm 113
Today's Gospel offers salvation to everyone - even lepers and Samaritans. Luke is very clear on this point.
In this past month, thousands of Americans have focused on the question of "where was God?"
In the words of the Rev. Sandye Wilson, Rector of Gethsemane Episcopal Church in Minneapolis, "there is no explanation for the randomness of life but it is in that place of not knowing that we are called as faithful people. Sometimes we try to make a rational discourse out of our religion and faith just slaps that right down." You can be a true Christian without having the answers to questions that can't be answered.
This tragedy has resulted in a fundamental shift in our country. People are looking for community. They are starving for comfort, consolation and hope.
U.S.A. Today's Friday, October 12th issue carried a story about Teddy Bears - Warm and fuzzy hugs are being handed out to children and grown-ups touched by the tragedies in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
We've heard and seen ads from companies and other organizations offering condolences to the families of the victims and monetary support for the victims' families.
Have we heard enough from our churches and from us as Christians?
We need to remember that we are the disciples of the one who has given all for us, even his own life, and received all from the Father who has resurrected and glorified him. "Remember that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead." Our hope and our joy rest on the faithfulness of God, our Rock. He cannot deceive us. His promises will be fulfilled "at the chosen time." There is no discrimination from God - all who have faith receive His gifts. Even a Samaritan in today's Gospel has recognized Jesus as the Lord, and has been able "to give thanks," to share in the "Eucharist." The gift that we have received must constantly be awakened in ourselves and transmitted faithfully to others." Have we reminded ourselves of this gift and told others about it?
Don't you think the Episcopal Churches of the Spirit of the Heartland are in a unique position to reach out to the depressed, the fearful and the confused in our midst and offer them a place of refuge and sanctuary? God is at the center of our lives and we need to be strong.
Don't you think that Central Minnesota needs to hear from us?
I'd like to propose that we consider opening our churches to anyone who wishes to come on a Wednesday or Thursday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for one hour of meditation and reflection and that we do this for the remainder of October and all of November? Only one of you would need to be here and you could do a very simple Evening Prayer or Compline service with time for discussion. Perhaps this might be an agenda item for your next Vestry meeting.
Don't you think that we are really called to bear witness and step forward with a message of hope and forgiveness as expressed in the scriptures and a belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior?
If opening our church is not possible, I'd like to suggest you prayerfully consider inviting one person to come to church with you in the next month.
I know what you're thinking - I don't have anyone to ask!!
Ask a neighbor or a friend - invite a person who left St. Stephen's (Good Samaritan) a while back for one reason or another - invite a family member - invite a relative - or a person you know in town or see at the Senior Citizen Center.
Write it down - decide in your own mind you're going to do it -
This will be our way of giving "reliable teddy bears" to the immediate world around us. We need to bring back the "other 9" and let them see and be thankful for Christ's healing and the power of his grace and in the words of Timothy from this morning's Epistle:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David-- that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure:If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful--
for he cannot deny himself.Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
Now we wouldn't want to do anything less; now would we? Amen.