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| The conversion of Paul by Nicolas-Bernard Lepicie, circa 1767. |
I know: that's a VERY long title for this sermon, but it sums up nicely what I was endeavoring to say in this message. This is one of the longer sermons I've preached at St. Barnabas. It also didn't fully exhaust all the thoughts that I was having on the Gospel. That's what happens when your First Reading and your Gospel are both compelling and important stories.
Honestly, given the rampant conspiracy theories in this country and the Russian shelling and destruction of Ukraine, today's lectionary points the way toward a better reality.
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In our Collect for the Day this morning…we remembered how Jesus
became known to the disciples in the breaking of the bread. This is an allusion
to a Gospel story in Luke about the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus…and
their “A-ha” post-resurrection moment with Jesus.
That’s NOT the story we heard today from our Gospel.
Instead, we have a couple of other important moments with Jesus
where his revelation serves to not only make himself known, but to start
the ball rolling for Peter and Paul to become key leaders in the church.
Now there’s a lot to say about our Gospel lesson…tons and tons to
say and notice and think about…and I hope some wheels are spinning in your
heads.
I’ll get to Peter in a moment.
The story I really want us to focus on is from our reading out of
the Acts of the Apostles… and the conversion of Saul…a-k-a…Paul.
To me…this story says a lot that is helpful for us in the times in
which we are living today.
Saul is on the move. He’s a regular hothead.
As a little background… he was in the crowd when they were stoning
death poor Stephen…the first official deacon of the church. Saul was the one
holding the coats of the rock throwers. He took delight in seeing this young
Stephen lynched for having confessed believing in Jesus as the Messiah. Now...he
was on his way to Damascus looking to round up more followers of the Way…men
and women…to be tried and pummeled to death.
Suddenly—BAM—the brightest light sends him stumbling to the
ground…and he hears Jesus:
“Saul, Saul. Why do you persecute me?”
Now…at first…he doesn’t know this is Jesus.
Think back to the Book of Exodus: bright light…and not knowing the
voice…this all sounds a little bit like what happened to Moses with the burning
bush.
This is holy ground we’re treading on here with Saul.
After Jesus asks “why are you persecuting me”…Jesus says “But get
up and go into the city and you will be told what you are to do.”
Jesus has a plan.
Saul doesn’t know what’s coming…and now he’s blind…literally…and
must rely upon the kindness of his fellow travelers to get him into Damascus.
In the meantime…Jesus visits Ananias…a follower of the Way…in a
vision.
He tells Ananias to go looking for Saul who will be anticipating
this appointment with the good follower of Jesus.
Ananias is no dummy.
He’s heard all about Saul.
He knows that Saul is bad news, and everyone is on edge hearing
that this persecutor of the church is coming after them in Damascus. So when
Jesus asks Ananias to go toward this dangerous man, he’s like…
”What?!”
Jesus: “Just do it. Trust me.”
Again…remember…this is holy ground.
I’ve just spent a week learning about the ways in which conflict
arises…and how to find equilibrium when it feels as if the earth is shifting
beneath our feet. And while the word “conflict” conjures up negative feelings
in most of us…it’s also the opening to new things…and healthier ways.
In fact…the Chinese word for conflict consists of two characters:
the first is the character for “Danger” and the second is the one which means,
“Change Point.”
In this scene…two mortal enemies are being brought together. The stronger
has become weak and dependent; the weaker is now the one who can help restore the
stronger.
Jesus stands in the middle…an equal partner with both.
Ananias prays and heals Saul.
Saul having regained his sight…looks into the face of his healer.
He can see the Jesus in Ananias and becomes a convert to the risen
Christ.
What an amazing message in this day and age in which we have become
so polarized that we can’t even see the same facts.
What a powerful vision of God’s love for both the “us’es” and the
“them’s” in the midst of conflict…threat…and division.
Two who were once enemies are now joined through Jesus and
compelled to work together for the building up…rather than the tearing down of
people.
At a time of war in Europe and feuding over just about anything
“the other side” says or does in this country…this is the scripture for those
who need to cling to the hope promised by God that God is with us in our
struggles.
This is the scripture that can lead the psalmist to proclaim:
How good and pleasant it is when brethren live together in unity!
(Ps.133:1)
This is the start of Saul…soon to be Paul’s ministry to the
Gentiles.
But spreading the Gospel was not Paul’s work alone.
Back now to our Gospel and our dear brother Peter.
Peter…having received the Holy Spirit in that locked room when
Thomas was off some place else last week…announces that he’s gonna go fishing.
OK…wait a minute.
Peter gets the Holy Spirit and decides he’s going to go BACK to
what he was doing before?
Huh??
That’s not how that’s supposed to work. Once the Spirit gets into
your body…there’s no going back to how things used to be. Right??
Fortunately…scholars have said this last chapter of John’s Gospel
we heard today is a much later addition…an epilogue…and was written by someone
other than John.
Still…there’s a lot for us here…and it gives us another moment of
redemption and reconciliation.
You might recall that Peter was the guy who was standing by a
charcoal fire in the courtyard of the high priest on the night of Jesus’
arrest. People pick up on his Galilean accent.
They know he “isn’t from around here.”
They question him about his association with Jesus three times.
And all three times…Peter says, “I don’t know this guy?” Then the
rooster crows…and Peter…remembering Jesus’ prediction that Peter would deny him
three times…becomes mortified and ashamed.
He failed his friend. Big time.
So…here they are. Another
charcoal fire. This time on the beach…by the water. Water often plays a role in
transformations in scripture. In my field of bodywork…water is associated with
emotions. And we can imagine that with everything that has transpired…emotions
are running pretty high for the disciples…especially Peter.
After they’ve feasted on fish at breakfast…Jesus takes Peter aside.
“Do you love me?”
“Yes, I love you.”
“Feed my sheep.”
Do you love me?”
“Yes, I love you.”
“Tend my flock.”
“Do you love me?”
“Oh, c’mon, man. Haven’t you heard me? Yes, I love you.”
“Feed my sheep.”
Peter’s denial is undone.
Jesus has once more laid the trust upon this imperfect disciple to be
that rock of the church…and to become the leader Jesus needs him to be for the
sake of seeking out the lost, the lonely, and the disinherited ones.
Just as with Saul…Jesus is telling Peter what he will do: feed my
sheep.
That’s only half the mission.
The other half involves Peter going where he does not want to go.
We can hear the danger…and the change point in Jesus’ words. Having
tested the depth of Peter’s love…the warning is that love does not equal
security.
This is where we meet Jesus today.
This is holy ground. We are in the post-resurrection celebratory
days of Easter.
And Jesus is calling us to feed the sheep and go into the city…including
the places where we may not want to go.
This may mean we have to face a person who does not agree with us
or even like us very much.
And…just like Peter…we go into those places with that love of Jesus
in our heart.
Living and moving out of that place of love makes a big
difference in how people experience Jesus…and perceive the .church of today.
It’s
now on us to make known the risen and compassionate Lord…the one we celebrate
at this table… as we head back out into our communities this week. Go forth…and
do good.
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