October
3, 2021
19th Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis
2:18-24
Psalm
8
Hebrews
1:1-4, 2:5-12
Mark
10:2-16
Please
pray with me,
May
the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable
and suitable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our
redeemer. Amen.
Well
friends, here we are with another challenging gospel reading today. Let me tell you, it’s a text I’ve heard many
times before…and will probably hear many times again…and truth be told, it hits
me differently every time.
And
part of me doesn’t even want to touch upon the topic of divorce, because
really, all these times when the Pharisees ask Jesus a question, especially in
public…it’s usually a trap! Usually
there is no right answer…and they pose a question to trick him into one answer
or another.
But,
this passage is in our reading for today, so it is good for us to think about
how it may impact each of us…individually and communally.
When
I first heard this this text as a pastor, I was serving a congregation in
Indiana…and while I was the one freshly divorced, it was something we lived in
and through together.
The
congregation loved me through that hard time.
The most overwhelming feeling I felt from the congregation was one of
love and support, nurture, care and healing.
Although,
alongside that care or subtly placed underneath it were the comments of
disappointment and the words, “Back in my day, you didn’t get divorced, you
worked through it.”
That
Sunday, in Indiana, we had visitors in worship…a couple new to our area. As I talked about divorce and my experience
with it, especially as a pastor, I couldn’t help but wonder what might be going
through their minds.
They
introduced themselves on the way out and as they came back and we got to know
each other better, they – both divorced themselves – knew they were in the
right place because it was a hard topic that was being talked about in
church.
Between
then and now, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in two faith building parts of
ministry: confirmation and weddings.
They’re
connected, trust me.
As
part of the many weddings I’ve been honored to be the officiant at, I am
thankful for the pre-marital counseling with the couple.
It’s
time for the three of us to be together and dig deeper into God’s relationship
with us, their relationship with one another and how that relationship will
change when they are married.
I
also love the part of the wedding ceremony itself after the couple share their
intent to be married, when I get to invite everyone in attendance to be part of
the ceremony, too.
The
wedding guests are asked, Will all of you, by God’s grace, uphold and care for
_______ and _______ in their life together?
And those gathered say, WE DO!
I
know that the vows of the marriage are made only by the couple, but those
gathered to celebrate the day with them, they too, are part of the community
that will uphold and care for them in their life together.
I
wonder if people would respond differently to wedding invitations, knowing the
responsibility they individually held in the life of the married couple…? Just curious, but I digress.
Because
it’s a serious commitment, right? This
community of faith, when we are part of a wedding celebration are tasked to
uphold and care for this newly married couple not just on their wedding day –
when they’ve shared a lavish feast and fun dance party. We promise to love them through thick and
thin into their future together.
Good
stuff. God stuff. Yet not always easy stuff.
But
it’s something we know that we must do, because we ourselves have been taught
this. That God loves each and every one
of us and calls us to be in relationship with God and with one another.
That’s
why when it comes to confirmation and talking about the 6th
commandment – thou shall not commit adultery…we talk about it in all aspect of
our relationships….and even more so…we frame that commandment in the words to
‘live faithfully’.
Live
faithfully…in your family, in your friendships, in your places of work, and in
your dating, romantic relationships and in marriage.
We
are all called to live faithfully with one another.
Lifting
one another up.
Nurturing
one another.
Caring
for one another in sickness and in health.
Protecting
one another.
Building
a relationship and community that promotes honest conversations, treating one
another with respect, not harming one another with violent words or actions,
and supporting others in their relationships as well.
That’s
not new. We know this is God’s call for
each and every one of us.
So,
when we hear about Jesus being asked about divorce….no doubt our individual –
or perhaps communal – hearts and minds think about someone we know, either in
our own family units, or in this community of faith or our greater community –
whose lives have been impacted by divorce.
So,
we all know the repercussions of divorce on some level. Which is why it’s so important that we,
especially as a community of faith, are faithful in our love and care of one
another and the relationships we are all in.
Yes,
it means celebrating weddings (I’ll see you on the dance floor.)
It
may mean sending anniversary cards.
It
may mean more in person interactions…like helping with child or pet care, or
bringing meals when someone in the couple is sick, or getting together with
other couples and families to build relationships so that when tough times
happen (which they will) there is a safety net, and a reminder that
couples/families are not alone when it comes to tough times.
You
all know how you nurture one another and care for each other’s families. It’s holy and it’s God’s work and you’re
doing it.
But
it may mean other things, too…like how we are also called to step up and step
in when things are not right.
We
are called to be an additional set of eyes and ears to help guide hard
conversations.
If
we see that something is, you know, off….with a couple, we should check
in. We should, because we promised to be
there for them, remember?
It’s
hard to enter into the tough stuff…not knowing what the outcome will be, but we
are called to help one another to live faithfully, and if others are struggling
we are called to help them. To listen, to love, to help find additional
resources to help with counseling, finances, or addictions. To not judge, gossip or question…but to be
present, to listen and to offer support in ways that are most needed.
You
all, are amazing people who are committed to loving and caring for one
another…what would it look like for this community of faith to live that out as
we care for those in our community who are struggling in their
relationships.
What
if folks knew this was a place that wouldn’t judge, but would listen and love
and care?
Holy
stuff, right?
I
think that’s what Jesus is trying to get back to at the end of our reading
today. After this talk of adultery and
divorce, Jesus picks up a child – or many of the ones coming to him to be
blessed…for it is such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
Here’s
Jesus AGAIN, redirecting his disciples AND us to the most vulnerable, the least
among us, the ones that need all the love and support.
Jesus
continually redirects us…from ourselves…and what we think is right or wrong,
especially today when it comes to divorce, and turns us to see the kingdom of
God here and now.
You,
my dear siblings in Christ, are part of an amazing community in this place and
together we do hard and holy work.
And
so, I ask you, Will all of you, by God’s grace, uphold and care for the couples
and families here - in their life together?
If so, say we do!
And
now may the peace, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus, and let all God’s people say, amen.
