Prodigal Son

Feb 12 2017  Prodigal Son  Jer 3:12b-15,19-22, 1 Jn3:7-20, Lk 15:11-32

As Preached by Sister Cecelia

The reading from Jeremiah this morning exemplified the gospel of the loving father and the errant son. Perhaps the son was aware of the verses in Jeremiah that encouraged wayward ones to acknowledge their guilt and return to their merciful God. He was certainly aware that he had not earned the forgiveness of his father but would ask for it anyway, having seen the largess of his father in his youth.  This son compared his life with those least in his father’s house and employment and found himself to be far less worthy.  He did not exalt himself or blame others for his predicament.

The Pharisee last week and the elder son this week compared themselves to others and exalted their own lives above others. Their behavior had been what it should be. The problem was the motivations for their behavior. Their problem was comparing themselves to the other. Had the love of God been their motivation they would not have despised or looked down on the other.

As we prepare for this coming Lenten season, what are our own motivations for what we do? When another’s actions seem better than our own, examine what our feeling and attitude is regarding both the action and the person. Are we bitter or resentful?

Let the good that we perceive in the other be an incentive to be better ourselves. If we find that we dislike the other because of their goodness, we are in trouble, but all is not lost. Turn to God and ask forgiveness and the ability to do better ourselves even in only small ways. If you find yourself comparing yourself to others, Stop! Consider your motivation for doing the comparing, either their good or bad example. We do not need to do big, courageous, outstanding deeds. If the day comes that something really big is asked of us we will be ready if we have been faithful in little things.

If we do notice other’s actions seem less than good, remember that we do not know why they do what they do, nor can we be so sure we would not do the same or even worse if we were in their shoes. If and when we resent or are angry at another, direct the mind and heart to pray for them to have the openness to change their ways.

 We are no better than the Pharisee or the elder son if we get angry because we perceive good things going to those we consider unworthy. What is the cause or motivation for our anger? Do not wish evil to another but wish only that they acquire better understanding and good will, in other words, wisdom and compassion.

There are two directions we can go, neither being particularly beneficial: one is thinking ourselves better than we are and being contemptuous of others. Two is thinking we are much worse than we would like to be. That sometimes leads to becoming despondent or feeling guilty. It is easy to think or be afraid that we don’t love others as we should.

Christianity is a religion of the whole person; outward compliance alone is not enough. Real love is an action, not a feeling. The greatest act of love is to give of oneself for others. Be aware of other’s needs. It is easy to feel guilty that we are not doing enough. We are directed to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Being good stewards of our own lives in order to care for and give ourselves for others is the rule of thumb to love our neighbor as ourselves. What is the motivation for our actions?

  Remember that God knows what is in our hearts as well as our actions. Live always with the knowledge that we are in Christ and Christ has given himself to us. Our actions will follow as a result.Christ is in our midst!

Publican and Pharisee

Sermon 143 Feb 5, 2017 Zeph3:9-13;2Tim2:11-19;Lk19:1-10 Zacchaeus and Lk18:9-14 

Preached by Brother Luke

Holy Wisdom Church

        I love a parade! When I was growing up in LA, one of the most anticipated annual events was the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. Of course, you could watch it on TV, but the real thrill was to be there in person. However, if you did not have a ticket for a reserved seat in the viewing stands, you would need to find a place on the street along the parade route. To really see anything, you would want to be in front on the curb! To do this meant coming out the night before, staking a claim for a curb side location and then bedding down in your sleeping bag over night. One year a group of our neighborhood kids and some parents decided to embark on this adventure. Once installed in our place at the Pasadena parade site, it was possible to wander around the parade holding areas to see the floats and watch some of the last-minute preparations for the parade. And the next day, what an advantage to have a front row view.

        So, Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus and when he learned that Jesus was traveling in his town of Jericho he went out to see this special man. But the crowds were big and he was small. Undeterred, he figured out a way to at least get a glimpse of Jesus when he passed by. He climbed up a tree. His efforts paid off. He got more than a glimpse. He got a chance to host Jesus in his home! And how his life was changed!

        Do we really want to meet Jesus as much as Zacchaeus did?  The Rule of Benedict, the monastic guidebook of the Christian West, provides that guests are to be received as if they were Jesus. This informs the way monastic hospitality is to be practiced: being gracious and showing guests honor and respect. But meeting guests and treating guests as if they were Jesus does not turn them into Jesus. Wanting to meet Jesus takes us to a different level. That was Zacchaeus’ goal.

        What kind of encounter do we imagine this would be for us? I see Zacchaeus in a similar light as the woman at the well, who said “he told me everything I ever did.” All the facades and pretenses fall away. When Jesus visited Zacchaeus in his home, fear evaporated, defenses broke down and the inner true self anxious to be known burst forth. He blurted out: “I will give half my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone I will pay him back four times as much.” 

        If, on our spiritual journey, we are, figuratively speaking, going to head into town, stake out our perfect spot, and prepare to meet Jesus, then we need to be prepared for an experience beyond one even as exciting as the Rose Parade. We need to be ready to come into the presence of one who knows everything about us. EVERYTHING! The effect of this encounter with Jesus will open us to experience the freedom that comes when we can be vulnerable and transparent before the transcendent God without reserve. Then salvation will enter our home, that is, our heart, and we will be in a place where fear disappears and love and grace take its place.

        This Sunday we also remember the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. This is the beginning of the pre-Lenten period, so might we craft a link between that story and the Zacchaeus gospel? Stretching the lectio divina method a bit, imagine the nameless publican as Zacchaeus. Both figures are tax collectors. Now imagine Zacchaeus going to the temple to pray as did the publican, then heading off home to Jericho where Jesus happens to pass by. Now the publican, or Zacchaeus in our meditation, has his chance to meet the source of divine mercy. Whether we speak of the publican in the temple or of Zacchaeus in Jericho, they each are experiencing the same transfiguration: their heart is softened so that the love of God might enter. Great Lent gives us once more an opportunity to embark on that path of transformation.