Some sermons from the Anglican Church I attended in Toronto:

**SageTree** · 12-05-2011, 12:10 AM

They new Priest at the Church I attended in Toronto really had a way with words, imo. I knew she was different when she said one of her favourite books was 'Living Buddha, Living Christ', which is a favourite of mine, and also I knew when she had a book called 'Why Christianity Must Change or Die'....

So here are some words from the website that are her sermons.

Just sharing, not trying to belabour and tell anyone what to think.

In Lovingkindness,
SageTree

Quote:

All Saints and All Souls – November 6, 2011

How Blessed You Are When….

I was talking to the children earlier this morning about the great crowd of saints and sinners who are part of God’s community, the church. I showed them the hanging in the chapel, made by the artist Doris McCarthy, depicting all the different people streaming down towards the church, from St Aidan himself to a bishop, an old lady, a pair of wrestling boys, an Inuit child, and so on.

At the celebration of All Saints and All Souls we recall them all: the saints, the sinners, the ordinary people; those we’ve known personally and loved, and those we’ve only heard of. They’re all included in today’s parade and celebration.

And we too are invited to be part of the parade. St Paul called the Christians in the early church communities “the saints.”

I remember when I was a teenager my parish priest said to me, “Lucy, you’re called to be a saint.” And I was flattered, thinking he was complimenting me on my piety. But he wasn’t: he was telling me what we all need to hear – that we’re each meant to be God’s saints, God’s dedicated, imperfect, open-hearted people, letting the light of Christ shine out of our lives.

When Jesus sat down and taught the crowds what we now called the Beatitudes, he was describing the characteristics of those who live in God’s way, as God’s people. He didn’t describe perfect, impossible-to-follow, pious goody-goodies, he talked about the poor in spirit, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, the persecuted.

At first glance it reads like a list of the down-trodden and most insignificant. And that was part of his upside-down gospel: that the kingdom of heaven doesn’t belong to the rich and powerful and confident, but to those who have enough space in their hearts and minds to let God in. If you’re full of yourself, there’s no space for God. Whereas, as one translation says, “How blessed are those who know their need of God,” because then they can let God in.

So each Beatitude is also describing a way of being for each one of us, not just a type of person.

One author who has worked on understanding the Beatitudes in this light is Neil Douglas Klotz. In his book, Prayers of the Cosmos he studies the original Aramaic form, and offers these insights:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you get out of the way and empty yourself and make space for God. You will find yourself already living in the kingdom of heaven.” Or, as The Message version of the Bible paraphrases it, “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you let yourself be vulnerable enough to feel sorrow and empathy. You will discover the strength of God’s embrace.”

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you let go of pride and ego and just take your place in the universe.” Or, as The Message puts it, “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you long for justice and work for it, for you will see the fruits of your labours.”

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy, “ can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you act compassionately and learn how to forgive. As you sow, you will also reap.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God, “ can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when your heart is wide and open, for you will see God in everything and everyone.” Or, as The Message puts it, “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how in tune with the way of God, when you are committed to planting seeds of peace at all times, for then you’re reflecting the very nature of God.”

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how in tune with the way of God, when you are attacked for seeking justice. You will find your true home in God.” In The Message: “The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.” And it goes on to say, “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like [what you’re doing] I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.”

We live our lives in the company of a great cloud of witnesses – all the saints, known and anonymous, and all those we’ve loved but see no longer, who’ve walked the way of death to new life before us. They’re cheering us on! They’re applauding, as we learn more and more how to be in tune with the way of God.

Our greatest role model is Christ, and it’s through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we can become like him.

So ponder the Beatitudes today. Which blessing do you need most? The ability to get out of the way and make room for God? Vulnerability? Passion for justice? The willingness to forgive? Ask God for that blessing, and you will receive. Then practise! One way or another, all the Beatitudes are about opening our hearts wider to God, like a flower opens to the sun – without anxiety or pride or any motive other than to live more fully in the light of God’s grace. Then we’ll be saints. Not perfect, but softened, more spacious, with less of us and more of God.

Amen.

Quote:

Pentecost 16, 2011, Law and Love

David and I adopted a puppy from the Humane Society 2 weeks ago. She’s three and a half months old, and we were told she’s a German shepherd / Huskie cross. We think there are probably some other breeds in there, too, including beagle. It’s been fun seeing the different breeds jockeying for position as she grows up.

Having a puppy again after about 14 years with adult dogs certainly makes you think about obedience and rules. Nikita’s doing very well, but I’ve been pondering how best we should train her. And I’ve been deeply thankful that this is a dog-friendly parish, with a rectory that has a huge yard and fencing all round it. It makes life with a puppy much easier! And the fence got me thinking about the readings today.

The ten commandments that God gave Moses for the children of Israel are like a strong fence. They were meant to keep the Israelites from wandering into sin and away from God. They were not meant to be harsh or impossible, but rules to live by in such a way that God would be respected, people would treat each other decently and honestly, and the worst human behaviour would be curbed. Like that black railing fence that keeps Nikita from running out onto the street and getting hurt or lost.

The problem is, rules alone don’t work. Just giving the people ten commandments to live by didn’t stop them from behaving badly, being unfaithful to God, murdering, stealing, and all the rest. So more laws were established – and more, and more. It still happens today, in many religions and cultures, including in Christianity: in an effort to control people, laws become more numerous and more harsh. It would be like is putting Nikita into more and more restrictive surroundings, from a fenced yard to a crate to a short leash. But would that make her obey us? Would that make her behave the way we want her to?

In today’s epistle reading St Paul says that approach is no use. He says that according to the law of his religion he was righteous – and more than righteous, impeccable! It even made him persecute and kill Christians, because they were deemed to have broken the blasphemy laws of Judaism. Legalistically speaking he might have been righteous, but he says that kind of righteousness is rubbish. It’s useless. It didn’t stop him from sinning. It couldn’t stop him from a sort of inner death.

What gave him life – a whole new life – was not a law but a relationship, a love. A love of Christ and a life in relationship with him. Knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection became the most important and life-giving thing in Paul’s life.

Back to the dog metaphor. I want Nikita to come when I call because she loves and trusts me, not because she’s on the end of a leash that I’m yanking on. I want her to run to me when I whistle for her on the beach not because she’s afraid of a beating if she doesn’t come, or because I’m luring her with the promise of a treat – although that can help in the early stages! – but because she’s learned that she can trust my whistle.

Isn’t that a great image for our life of discipleship? I want to trust God enough to respond faithfully whenever I hear the Holy Spirit calling. I want to walk closely beside Christ like a dog that’s learned to walk to heel. It’s not about being on a short leash and trying to obey 100s of rules out of fear of hell; it’s about love and trust. Without a loving relationship we only have the rules. And rules will never make us good, any more than a short leash and lots of tugging on it by us will make Nikita walk calmly and closely beside us.

It always comes back to love and relationship. That’s why, when Jesus was asked which of the commandments was the most important, he replied with what we now call the Summary of the Law: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength. And love your neighbour as yourself.” All the rest flows from there. Laws alone are like fences: they’re useful, they’re meant to safeguard us, but without love they can’t bring us into a life-giving relationship with God.

I don’t want to belabour the dog metaphor, but I do honestly think that if Jesus had been preaching in the Beach in our day, he’d have told parables about dogs and their owners rather than sheep and shepherds. So let me spell it out a bit more.

As a dog wants nothing more than to be with its beloved humans, so may we long to be close to God.

What would that mean for you? When have you felt that longing for God?

How could you nourish your closeness to God?

As a dog bounds up to its beloved human when it hears the familiar whistle, so may we be attentive to the call of God and respond when we hear it.

When do you hear God’s voice or the Spirit’s call? Are you quiet enough to hear it? Do you trust enough to respond? If not, can you practise?

As a dog knows that beloved voice and follows closely on those beloved heels, so may we follow closely in the footsteps of Christ.

Who is Christ for you? The healer? The friend of outcasts and sinners? The Lamb of God? The liberator of the oppressed? Whatever face of his you know, follow where he leads you.

It’s said that dogs look at their beloved human and think, “He takes care of me, he feeds me, he even picks up after me. He must be God!” Whereas cats think to themselves, “She takes care of me, she feeds me, she even picks up after me. I must be God!” Sometimes we’re more cat-like than dog-like in our walk of faith. We put ourselves in the place of God and forget that our lives are in the palm of God’s hands. But it’s a relief, isn’t it, to stop struggling to be in control and simply trust? Trust that you are beloved. Trust that God is calling you by name. Trust that your home is with God. And then live from that calm place of trust.

Amen!

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