September 15, 2013

Today’s Gospel reading is truly good news. It reminds us of the endlessness of God’s love for us and the whole creation.  For too long, these two parables have been seen as merely setting the table for the one which follows--the Prodigal Son.  Yet to read and truly hear what Jesus is seeking to teach in these parables will likely be life-changing to those bold enough to do so. 

          In the opening verses, we see once again the Pharisees approaching Jesus as he sits among the many who loved to see and hear him.  As Jesus shares table fellowship with tax collectors and others shunned by proper society at that time, the Pharisees are shocked and angered by his acceptance of “those people.”  “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” In our mind’s eye, we can see the sneers on their faces and hear that tone of voice we have all heard before.

          And how does Jesus respond to their condemnation of these sinners.  By telling stories of the lost being found.

          In counseling, there is a skill called reframing and good counselors learn how to use this skill with ease.  Today we see the clinical skill of Jesus at work, some 1800 plus years before the birth of Sigmund Freud, for these are parables of reframing.

          Reframing is a technique wherein the counselor helps their client or clients to see things, in particular, their problem or their worldview in a different light.  A couple may speak of their ongoing arguments about finances, yet after discussion it becomes clear their conflicts are really about decision-making, independence or control.  One parent’s over-protectiveness of their children may really not be so deeply a concern for the children as it is a lack of confidence in their partner’s parenting.  The individual who seems confused about her career may actually be asking very important religious questions about the meaning of life.  Effective reframing can be very powerful and revealing, leading to profound insight, and ideally change.  For the objective counselor many times can see with clear unbiased eyes the world we live in, a world full of our interests, prejudices, passions and emotions, qualities that color and impact our way of seeing things.

          By the telling of these parables, it is clear.  Those who the Pharisees saw as sinners, Jesus sees as the lost in life.  Those who the Pharisees would write off and condemn forever are seen by Jesus as overlooked, out of sight, neglected and written off.

          Several years ago, I had my world changed by a person’s reframing.  And it came from one of the most highly esteemed, deeply gifted and unlicensed psychologists of our day—Oprah Winfrey.   It took place during a Barbara Walters interview with Oprah.  In it, Walters highlighted the many accomplishments of Oprah Winfrey, rising from her childhood as an abused child to become one of the most successful and richest television personalities in the world.  She asked Oprah about a television show called Brewster Place which she had produced, created and promoted several years ago, but which did not receive much viewing support and which had been cancelled.  “Oprah, how do you deal with your failures?” she asked. 

          “By not seeing them as failures, but as lessons.” Oprah sincerely answered.  She went on to explain that she learns from mistakes like that and betters herself in the process.

          This was not spin-doctoring the facts, seeing them in a way in which redemption was not possible.  Oprah was not trying to pass off skunk cabbage as a rose.  She learned to see as “lessons” what so many others declare to be “failures.”   Those locked into the label “failure” can easily stay stuck and wallow in disappointment or more.  Those who see their experiences as lessons grow as a result.

          And for those by Jesus’ side that day, the good news came in the reminder they did not have a life-long sentence as unredeemed sinners. They were in fact, lost and seeking to find their way home.  And Jesus had good news as to what lay before them.

          These parables are not just examples of reframing, seeing things in a different light; they are also parables of re-appraisal.  You are important in the eyes of God.  Your life, hurts, hopes, successes, and “lessons” are all important in the eyes of God.

          One of the benefits of being a commuting pastor is that I get to see a lot of bumper stickers.   There is a bumper sticker I have seen from time to time, and one I can actually quote in today’s sermon, which reads, “I love humanity, it’s people I can’t stand!!”  Today’s parables stand in marked contrast to that kind of thinking.  For here, the message is not that God does not love humanity in general, there are plenty of references to that throughout Scripture.  Here, it is clear, God loves individuals, people, in particular. 

          Life could be cheap in Jesus’ day.  Religious differences, a caste system of sorts, and other factors of life in that time and place left many feeling hopeless and discouraged.  One could be a victim of gender, role, race, creed, structure and other defining and at times, condemning qualities in ways much harder to overcome than they are even now for some. 

          It was probably harder back  then than it is for us today to believe our lives would make a difference, make an impact, be a success.  Yet Jesus makes it clear here. When one of the lost turns back towards God, the heavens rejoice.  It does matter to God.  You and I matter to God. 

          Realistically, if you had 100 sheep and one wandered away, you would chalk it up to acceptable losses. If I were to set up a card table on the lawn, place on it 100 $1 bills and the wind blew one of them into Whitney Avenue on a busy traffic day, I dare say most of us would seek to secure the other $99.  But this lesson declares today that here are no acceptable losses to God.   These parables touch our hearts and force us to re-appraise our lives and our overwhelming value to God.  Reframe and reappraise.

          These lessons are especially timely for us in these opening days of a new year of Sunday School.  Two wonderful stories involving children certainly help to broaden the message of this parable in special ways for me. 

          A writer named Kathleen Chesto tells the story of her five year old daughter coming to her one day with the mysterious question, “Is God a grown-up or a parent?”  Kathleen was curious as to why her daughter would ask such a question and being wise enough not to ask too deep of a theological question instead said to her, “I’m not sure what you mean.  Is there a difference between a grown-up and a parent?” 

          Her young daughter said, “Oh yes, grown-ups love you when you’re good and parents love you all the time.” (Kathleen Chesto)

          In these early days of a new program year, in many ways, we re-covenant with God and with one another.  We get ready to start again as a new program year begins.

          Covenant is a Biblical word, increasingly embraced in the legal and real estate worlds now.  Covenants are unwritten contracts, here between God and humanity.  And the covenants between us and God are quite distinct from those we may make with one another.

          Couples enter into covenants every time they marry.  We make covenants, formally and informally, with others all the time.  Our covenants with each other have a certain quid pro quo. “You do this and I will do that.”  In marriage, we commit to each other, “I take you to be mine and promise this”.....To which the other responds, “I take you to be mine and promise this”.........  You scratch my back, well, you get the point.

          The gist of it, by and large, is Do this and I will love you. 

          But our covenants with God are different.  Our covenants with God begin with God always taking the first step, reaching out to us and proclaiming, “I love you.  Do this.”

          UCC pastor Martin Copenhaver notes, in making this point in one of his books, using language which will cause flashbacks to those of us who dreaded English grammar class.......imperative and indicative, this wisdom. “The familiar pattern starts with the imperative and moves to the indicative.  “You will do this and I will love you.  But when we speak of the covenant with God, the order is reversed.  “I love you, do this.  First comes the indicative, a statement of fact, and only then the imperative, the command.”  (To Begin at the Beginning,  p. 9)

          It is the nature of God’s grace, that God’s love comes first and foremost.  We choose how to respond to this.  This is what makes the grace of God so unique, so overwhelming.  It is the love of one for whome there are no acceptable losses, who chases after the one stray, leaving the ninety-nine behind in safe hands; the love of the one who rejoices over finding one lost coin.  It is also a love that is hard for us to duplicate in our daily lives.  Try as we might, we are likely not able to love quite as generously or as unconditionally as God is.  But that does not mean we should stop trying to do so.

          The second story about the wonderful good news of this lesson as heard and experienced thorough a child is told by a pastor from North Carolina.  One day, when this was the lesson for the day, during her children’s sermon, she divided the children into two groups-the Lost Sheep and the Good Shepherds.  She had the shepherds cover their eyes and told the sheep to find a place to hide in the sanctuary.  After they were hidden, she sent the shepherds out to find them   All went well and the children then left for their Sunday school classes.  But a bit later, as she began her sermon that day, suddenly everyone heard a soft frightened voice cry out, “I’m still lost.”  Some poor child had not been found by a good shepherd and her heart was just beginning to break.  (Anna Murdock)

          From the mouths of children.  Who among us hasn’t had that experience of sitting in church, sitting among those who rest in the arms of a shepherd, and yet still felt in our hearts, “I’m still lost.”  God bless you.  Some among us gathered here today may well hear that echo in their hearts this morning.  To you, I say, in the name of Jesus Christ, “welcome home.” 

          These parables tell us such incredible good news, that if you are risky enough to let it penetrate and sink in to your heart, let me warn you, it will change you.  You cannot stay the same when you realize and believe that your life matters to God.  That God loves you, has loved you, and will love you.

          This is news so overwhelming that the only healthy response is one of thanksgiving and renewed dedication.  I cannot imagine a healthy and mature person responding to that kind of news in any other way.

          We hear today what Will Willimon, one of the gifted pastors of our day, calls “the relentless grace of God.”  A grace and love which seeks us out when we think we cannot be found.  When we have given up, assumed we are lost for good, God’s love tracks us down and calls us home.  Home to this place, this sanctuary, this center of this faith community’s life. 

          This is a time of special challenge and opportunity for us here at Spring Glen Church, as we seek to build and re-build both our church family and the realm of God.  This is a time when we purpose anew to respond to God’s call and our deepest hopes.  Hear this good news and let this be a special time in your faith journey, a time when you know anew how special you are in the eyes of God.  A time when we each begin again to respond with grateful, generous, and eager hearts.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.