This week's sermon

 

GOD and H2O

          What is it about God and water?

          First God parts the Red Sea and then the River Jordan to let the Hebrews walk on dry land.

          At least no one died when the Jordan started flowing again, unlike what happened to the Egyptian Army when the Red Sea flowed back and all were drowned, even their horses.

          Then years later Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm that had threatened his disciples.

          He also washed his disciples’ feet and was baptized by John in the Jordan River.

          And how are we welcomed into the Christian Church? By the water of baptism.

          And if you watch carefully, you’ll notice I add a little water to the wine which God will turn into Christ’s blood.

          Finally, you’ll see me wash my fingers before celebrating the Eucharist.

          God and water have a thing going.

                                                ****

          Today’s Gospel has nothing to do with water, but Matthew does pour some ‘hot water’ on the Scribes and Pharisees!

          He points out that people should ‘follow’ their teachings but points out that they don’t ‘do as they say’!

          The scribes and Pharisees just want to be the center of attention and be given deference. They don’t live up to their teachings, even though Jesus thinks they are teaching the ‘right’ things.

          So, sometimes we can get ‘wisdom’ from those who don’t live up to their calling.

          Ponder that for a moment….

 

          Then Jesus tells us something equally discombobulating—

“The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who are humble themselves will be exalted.”

          That’s not how we traditionally view the world.

          For us, there are the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’.

          But Jesus turns that upside down and inside out.

          The ‘haves’ will become the ‘have nots’ and the ‘have nots will become the ones who ‘have’.

          Something else to spend time pondering….

 

          Last Wednesday we celebrated All Saints Day in the parish house with half-a-dozen folks. We shared bread and wine and gave thanks for those who are saints of God.

          The Saints were the greatest among us who became our servants.

          The Saints were the folks who humbled themselves to become exalted.

          And that is what we are called to do.

          To be servants.

          To humble ourselves.

          What would doing that mean to you?

          Let us take a few moments to consider how to be humble and how to serve….

 

Shalom and Amen.