Something I've never done before

I was off today and did something I've never done before--I wrote my sermon a week early!

Want to see it?

Here it is.

Jan. 22.’23 Sitting and waiting

        Okay, do me a favor.

        Close your eyes.

        Imagine you are in a totally dark place.

        Let the darkness fill your soul.

        Then notice, in the distance, like the Sun rising, a light begins to move away the darkness until you are sitting in a Great Light.

        Be present to the Light.

        Keep your eyes closed.

        Imagine you are on a hillside and three men are being crucified in front of you.

        It is a gruesome scene, but imagine as you look at the middle cross that every weight is lifted from you and you are looking into the eyes of God Almighty.

        Eyes still close, last request.

        Imagine you are by the seaside, waiting for what comes next, when a strange but magnetic man comes to you and tells you to follow him.

        Imagine walking down the beach, following his footsteps, calling others to join you in following him.

        Alright, thank you. Open your eyes if you wish.

        Those three experiments I asked you to imagine is what today is about.

        “Those who sat in darkness have seen a great light,” as Isaiah tells us twice today.

        “…the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,” first Corinthians tells us today,

“but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

        And finally, in Matthew, Jesus calls his first disciples on the seashore, telling them, ‘follow me and I will make you fish for people.”

        And today’s collect really sums it all up: listen again.

        “Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works.”

        Jesus’ call to Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow him comes to each of us as well.

        I don’t mean we have to evangelize—though inviting friends and neighbors to come to church with you is something you should consider.

        What I mean is that each of us is called to do the work Jesus did—to heal the sick and clothe the naked and feed those who hunger.

        I’m always impressed by how Trinity folks bring food and clothing to the back of the church and how you work in soup kitchens and reach out to those in need.

        That is doing the work of Jesus.

        That is following in his footsteps.

        The Psalm today tells us to seek his Face.

        Jesus’ face is the face of those in need.

        Let us take a few moments in silence to seek the Face of Jesus.

 

 

Amen and amen.