"Wake up, Jesus!" homily

I have not posted anything to my blog recently, and recently had the opportunity for "pulpit supply," filling in at a local church while the pastor was on vacation. This was a nice change of pace, providing an opportunity for preaching, which is a small part of my current vocation in healthcare chaplaincy.  Today, I have decided to post the text of the homily as a blog post as well.

“Wake up, Jesus!”

Mark 4:35-41

Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Many people were reluctant to work for him- they dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer searched for help, he received a steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer.

"Are you a good farmhand?" the farmer asked him.

"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.

Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer was desperate for help, and hired him.

The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters.

He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by this response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot.

Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarps. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were closed and barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down safely.

Nothing would blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

The lesson is clear: when you're prepared spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?

Mark 4:37-38: "And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushio; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

In each of our lives, we can take certain steps to make sure that we have taken care of ourselves and those around us. Financial security and provision for our families, steps to improve and maintain our physical health, and support networks in our families, workplaces and faith communities can help us prepare for the inevitable storms that come into every life.  Nevertheless, the storms are real, and each of us will face various storms in our lifetimes.

Some storms we invite into our lives. Perhaps we have treated family or friends with harshness, or made choices that hurt them.  What some folks call “karma,” I think is often just me getting back what I’ve given to those around me, and this can be good or bad. We have to use wisdom each day as we build a life and character. Other choices also impact our physical, emotional and spiritual lives. Diet, exercise, prayer, working hard but also taking time to recharge, and many other choices and habits will usually have a predictable return over the course of a lifetime.  However, some storms blow up with no warning. How do we respond when a lifelong nonsmoker gets lung cancer, a hardworking employee loses their job and suddenly faces economic hardship, a faithful spouse is left behind unexpectedly, or a traffic accident claims the life of a child? Many other examples could be given. These kind of situations can challenge our faith.  God, where are you? Why did you let this happen to me?  Jesus, wake up- my boat is sinking! Where are you?

In this congregation, I’m sure most of you could tell me a thing or two about storms.  You’ve probably weathered a few.  Some of you may be looking for shelter today, as the wind blows around you, and the water rises from your ankles past your knees.

The storms are real, but thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. Jesus is present.

Mark 4:39: "And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm."

 I am convinced that we can call upon God, and he will respond.  I am convinced of this truth because I read about it in numerous Scriptures, I have seen it in the lives of those around me, and because I have seen it in my own life. Prayers are answered. When we find ourselves in the storm, the best response is to lift our voice and heart to God.  He knows the questions, the uncertainty, the fear, and one of the most frequent answers that I believe I have heard is “don’t be afraid” but trust in God.  This answer is repeated over and over throughout Scripture as well.  Sometimes we see the winds die down and the waves become calmer. At other times, the storm continues to blow, but Jesus carries us through.  This was certainly the case for the disciples who were in the boat at this time. We read accounts of God meeting their needs, and using them in amazing ways to help others. We also know that they suffered persecution, watched their teacher suffer and die cruelly, (and also witnessed the resurrected Christ!) and most of them suffered martyrdom for the faith. Jesus carried them through every storm, and offered peace to them in every circumstance.  When facing storms I frequently reflect on the words of another apostle, Paul, who suffered persecution as well.  In Philippians 4:7, he promises that “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I’m not a Greek scholar by any means, but I sometimes often offer my simple translation of this verse as God’s promise of “peace that doesn’t make sense.” When I look at circumstances, or feel the wind blow and see the waves washing over the side of the boat- God give peace and assurance despite what my physical senses tell me about the storm.  Jesus is present. When I truly understand this reality- Jesus is here, I’m trying to stay in His will and follow the direction of the Spirit of Christ, and He loves and watches over me- that’s enough. If Jesus is present, what else do we need?

Jesus is with the disciples in the boat, and in this story we read of Him calming the storm.  However, he also challenged them with a pointed question: Disciples, where is your faith? Mark 4:40: "And He said to them, 'Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?' "

 When we experience storms, whether God calms the storm or brings us through them, we can trust that faith will carry us through.

The Gospel of Mark is a very action-oriented account of the life and ministry of Jesus. Throughout this writing, we find crowds following Jesus, and him responding to needs in dramatic ways- Healing a man’s hand in chapter 3 as the Pharisees look on to accuse him for doing such a thing on the Sabbath, forgiving and healing a man whose friends carried him onto a rooftop and lowered him before Jesus in chapter 2, and the provocative ministry of John the Baptist which gives the introduction to this Gospel. This storm follows these events in Mark’s writing, and the disciples have seen much of this happen. Earlier in Mark chapter 4, Jesus teaches by means of the parable of the sower and describes how people respond to the Gospel by referring to different types of soil.  He describes faith as a “mustard seed,” very small, but with the potential to grow into large plant. He taught the crowds by means of parables, and took the time to explain His truth personally to the disciples.  Just before our passage today, Mark 4:34 informs us that "He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples." 

Think about the picture Mark is giving us leading up to this incident- Jesus performs miraculous deeds. He teaches eternal truths, and puts extra effort into making sure those guys in the boat get the point by teaching them personally. Then, during the boat ride, it’s naptime for Jesus. Some of the disciples are experienced fishermen- they can handle the ship. Down in the stern, as the ship leaves shore, Jesus gets comfortable as the ship rocks back and forth.  He should be able to get some sleep before they arrive at the other shore.

But then, the storm blows up. It’s a big one, but Jesus can sleep through it. The disciples are scared, though, and wake Him up- Don’t you know the wind is blowing? Don’t you love us, and want to make sure we’re safe? Where are you, Lord?

Jesus gets up, calms the wind and the waves- “Peace, be still.” But he’s not done.

Disciples, “Do you still have no faith?”

I have to confess, I’ve been there.  Maybe you have as well. I grew up in church, had a family that was generally pretty active in our congregation, and they took care of me as well. I’ve been blessed in many ways. I’ve seen a few storms in my life as well, as I’m sure you’ve also experienced. We will have storms until the time we enter God’s presence, to experience peace and joy forever. Some of the storms I handle well, and there are times I have faith and trust that God is near. Sometimes, though, I’m sure the Spirit of Christ is asking me “Do you still have no faith?”

I want to leave you with a final illustration about getting through the storms of life.

An old sea captain was quizzing a young naval student. "What steps would you take if a sudden storm came up on the starboard?"

He replied, "I would throw out an anchor, Sir."

"What would you do if another storm sprang up aft?" asked the captain. "I'd throw out another anchor, Sir."

"But what if a third storm sprang up forward?"

"I'd throw out another anchor, Captain."

"Wait a minute, son," said the Captain. "Where in the world are you getting all those anchors?"

The young man replied, "From the same place you're getting all those storms."

Do you have faith as the anchor for your soul today?

(Benediction- II Thessalonians 3:16) "Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!"

The Process of Forgiveness

One common expectation in Christian communities is the need to offer and receive forgiveness.  In probably the most frequently recited prayer, we repeat "forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." Less frequently, however, do we pause to consider how to forgive, especially when hurt goes deep within our hearts.

A book I read several months ago, and which has remained on my mind until I reread it this week, is by Trappist monk William Meninger.  In this contemplative work, he gently but firmly challenges the reader to honestly face the reality of pain and the grace of God, which is to be reflected in our own lives. He outlines a process (modeled on 5 "stages") of moving toward healing. In this post, I will list these stages and reflect on their application to our experiences as we seek to model a Christ-like lifestyle of authentic forgiveness.

Meninger refers to his first stage as "Claiming the Hurt," and it can also be referred to as "moving beyond denial." Living a "lifestyle of Christian forgiveness" can too often lead us to gloss over real pain, moving to "I forgive you, of course!" before we have even allowed the reality of hurt to be fully realized within our mind and spirit.  This shallow expression of "grace" is, in my opinion, as ineffective as treating a laceration to deep tissue with sutures only on the surface of the skin.  Any foreign material, infection etc. remains deep within. "Healing" hasn't happened, but the damage continues and grows beyond what it would have if the wound was honestly appraised and effectively addressed.  In the same way, denial of pain and insincerely expressed "forgiveness" can actually be more detrimental to long-term emotional and spiritual health than would the conflict we often shy away from.  Hurt which is denied is frequently unable to heal.

Denial of hurts we may have received can be dangerous.  Dwelling on hurt for a prolonged period is also harmful to our own emotional and spiritual health, and toxic to relationships. Moving through a process of forgiveness naturally leads to a realization that we are also part of most hurtful circumstances. Self-blame is also a common coping mechanism: My parent, pastor, spouse or other "caring" figure should love me and want to care for me: if they inflict pain, it must be "something I did." A healthy perspective on guilt acknowledges our own culpability without accepting blame for other's actions. We must acknowledge what has been done, and by whom, to move toward healing.

After claiming the hurt, and honestly appraising guilt and culpability, acknowledgment of "victim" status can occur.  As Meninger states, "It was done, it hurt, you did not do it, someone else did. It was beyond your control (59)." This stage can plunge self-esteem, and functions as a cry for help. Support groups, close friends and family can serve as helpful resources to work through this step.

Unfortunately, too many of us remain "victims" and allow hurt to mark our attitudes and behavior for months and years.  We may always be the manager passed over for the promotion, the spouse who was betrayed, or the abused child and fail ourselves by permitting this to become our primary identity.  Do you know "victims" in your circle? Do you want to remain in relationship with them indefinitely, if they continue to sap energy from every interaction without apparent movement toward wholeness? We have all given and received hurt. Personal growth involves accepting, and then moving beyond victimized status.

The fourth stage Meninger details is "anger." Many folks are reluctanct to express anger.  Perhaps we have had loved ones lash out in anger, and inflict wounds on our psyche which remain raw today.  This experience can lead to hypersensitivity to giving or receiving angry reactions.  Or, sincere religious convictions may lead us to desire offering "patience," "charity," and other desirable traits.  Isn't a harsh word or angry outburst "sinful" and wrong?

Anger is an emotion I have personally struggled with for as long as I can remember.  I did see anger expressed (sometimes in unhealthy patterns) in my family of origin, and know the shame of overreacting and unleashing a torrent of hurtful words and actions on several occasions. Nevertheless, anger is an emotion which is common to humanity.  One passage of scripture I often reflect on, and which speaks directly to this reflection, is Ephesians 4:25-26:

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor,

for we are members of one another.

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.

"Be angry, and sin not" clearly delineates the emotion of anger from volitional acts of sin. Feeling angry is not wrong. Expressing anger is also acceptable- if the expression is aligned with honesty, self-discipline and love for those around us.  In fact, anger is an emotion which can propel us and those around us to change behaviors and attitudes. Anger functions as an emotional signal; just as nerve cells transmit pain signals to the brain, indicating injury or illness, emotions can also signal "pay attention! something is wrong, and must be addressed." Meninger insightfully notes that "anger has its place. But if we do not rule it, it will rule us."

The final stage of the process of forgiveness is "Wholeness." After claiming the hurt, understanding guilt, recognizing victimhood, and expressing anger, the wound is healing and we are prepared to live forgiveness from the heart. As we forgive others, we recognize that we also receive forgiveness and grace: from God, and frequently from others in our world as well.

The most dramatic example of forgiveness I have seen in recent decades is the encounter between Pope John Paul II and his would-be assassin, Mehmet Agca. ( http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,952295,00.html )

While any forgiveness each of us may receive or offer is founded in the grace of God, my prayer is that we will reflect similar grace to all those around us.  Living a life of forgiveness cannot fail to change our world.