A Frustrated God
65
Proper 15C
Delivered to St. Helena’s, Lenox, and Grace Church, Dalton Aug 15th, 2010
bddonovan@verizon.net
Jeremiah 23:23-29
Psalm 82
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56
A Frustrated God
by
Bill Donovan
O Lord, we pray, speak in this place, in the calming of our minds and in the longing of our hearts, by the words of my lips and in the thoughts that we form. Speak, O Lord, for your servants listen.
Have you ever been frustrated? Especially with your kids or co-workers or subordinates? You tell them something time and time again and they don’t seem to listen. They don’t get it! They just plod along doing the same old thing and getting the same old results. For years you’ve told them and still they don’t get it. We all have heard it, most of us have said it: “I’ve told you a thousand times and still….”
I went on my personal retreat to the Weston Priory a couple of weeks ago. It is a Benedictine Priory, in Weston Vermont, that among other things has a great music ministry. The Friday Eucharist reading was from Jeremiah, a little earlier in the narrative than todays. One of the good brothers spoke of it as a great introduction for a fire and brimstone sermon but on second reading heard instead the voice of a frustrated God. For thousands of years we did not get it. God had sent prophet after prophet and some of them lied and put their own spin on the message. Most of the prophets told the truth as hard as it was to hear. Jeremiah did not preach the good news. God was frustrated and tied of telling them again and again. He was ready to put His foot down. – A BIG time out was going to be given and punishment was going to be exacted.
In today’s reading he expresses his frustration by telling us he sees everything we are doing or thinking. He knows how we are being lead astray by the fear and hate mongers. False prophets, especially in the media, constantly assault us and He says “let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully”.
In Hebrews we hear of those who got His word. We heard of the great things they performed in their smallness. Listing all of them would take us until our grandchildren’s grandchildren grew old. Names like Mother Teresa, Tutu, Sister Caritas and Brother Larkin. Perhaps you don’t know the last two names, they were teachers, one elementary school and one High School, who had a great influence on my spiritual life and that of many others. I can think of many others who have faithfully spread the word of God as He gave it. Names like Cushing, Lincoln, Powell, Mason, and Scruton, I am sure you can think of many in your lives that faithfully passed the word of God on to you.
The word of God is not always easy. It sometimes means calling someone to task. In the Hebrews reading we heard some of the less pleasant consequences of being faithful. Flogged, chained, imprisoned, stoned to death, sawn in two, killed by the sword, all because God had provided something better.
Jesus said He came to bring fire to the earth. Fire is cleansing and purifying. It is renewing. The National Parks and Forest services have a policy that any naturally started fires, those started by lighting for example, would be allowed to burn themselves out because of the renewing value of the fire. Some types of seeds will not sprout unless exposed to fire. It is this renewing and empowering fire that Jesus speaks of. It is the fire of conviction and faithfulness to God’s word. Being faithful to God’s word may bring division to your families and friends. It might even cost you your job in this dangerous economy. Jesus is warning us that this is what will happen. It is not what he wants. He wants for us to live out the two great commandments, to be happy and at peace. His frustration is that He doesn’t see that happening and he cries out in anger.
So, haven’t we learned anything since the days of Jeremiah? Is there no hope for us? I think the answers are yes and yes! As I look at the Mother Teresa(s) and Desmond Tutu(s) of the world, the Larkins, Powells and Lincolns of our communities, and the faithful ones in our families I see hope. Just as Lucille Mason gently guided and Jean Torres constantly praised and encouraged Donna and I in our Christian walk at Grace Church, we also must keep faithful to the word of God
Let me also point out that the author of Hebrews says: that we are to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us”. This race is a cross-country marathon, full of hurdles, and broad jumps, up and down steep hills and sometimes through mucky swamps. Just as we have our Lucilles and Jeans to encourage us, hopefully someone someday will say that it was our faithfulness that inspired them. May we run the race before us looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God where we too will sit someday.
Now in closing and just as an aside I was just finishing writing this at the priory, sitting in the visitor’s center, when a stranger came up and asked if I was part of the community there, one of the brothers. We exchanged our stories, how he was from the west coast and it was his first time at the priory and I shared my walk over the 30 odd years we have been coming up and explaining what I was doing and my new ministry. He ended our conversation by thanking me for all that I do for God and said he would pray for my sermon and me. I got to add another faithful person to my list of faithful followers of the word of God.
Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, who is ever faithful to us, ever willing to be there to guide and direct us. Give us open ears so we may listen to your quiet word in our hearts, give us the conviction to follow that word and speak it faithfully no matter the consequences and lead us to that better reward. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen
