Unexpected Findings

“Unexpected Findings”

Homily for MCC New Haven

July 27, 2014

Rev. Brian Hutchison, M.Div.

Romans 8:26-39

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-46

This past week, I had the great opportunity of co-leading the MCC Young Adult Gathering in St. Louis, Missouri. A group of young adults (ages 18 to 35) from around the world gathered for a time of creative worship, inspiring discussion, learning, bonding, doing a service project together, and dreaming for the future. We did a powerful exercise together where we looked into ourselves to discern our current “spiritual location” as well as how God is calling each of us to serve. We received the gift of centering our lives in our common call that we have as the present and future of our denomination.

At times we wonder about our relevance in a world where the meaning of religious experience is constantly changing and where LGBT culture often dismisses anything called “church.” What I experienced at the young adult gathering reminded me of the bright future that we hold. We are not a large denomination. Our churches do not fill stadiums. But like the mustard seed, what comes from our presence and ministry in the world is larger than we can imagine. The smallest seed turns into a large mustard herb.

Jesus spoke often in the Gospels about the Kingdom (Commonwealth, Realm, Dominion) of God. He was not talking about a far-off place where we would someday go if we were good (like parents telling kids they can go to Disney World if they’re good enough). Yes, Jesus did talk about eternal life after death. As Christians, we believe that our loved ones have gone on to live in the fullness of God’s presence. The whole company of heaven watches over us day and night. But the Commonwealth of God is not the afterlife. Rather, it is heaven on earth. Jesus was concerned about spreading the Good News that it is indeed possible to (in the words of Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins) “have peace without going to pieces”. For Jesus, despair was not an option. After all, a life of despair is not really a life at all.

Do you or those you know ever have times when you feel like there is nothing left for you to do or be in this life? I know I have my times of doubt when I feel “stuck.” Sometimes I can only see what’s right in front of my face. I lose imagination on what wonderful things lay ahead on the path. Jesus gives us reason to keep moving forward. He says that the Commonwealth of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. Upon finding the treasure, a man sells all that he has and buys the field. Upon finding the purpose of God in your life, all else falls to the wayside. Nothing else matters because this reason for living has been found. Jesus also spoke about a merchant who found one pearl of great value. He sold everything he had to buy it. Again, for this one gift of being able to live the Gospel, everything else loses importance.

The problem we face with this image is that some choose to be so hyper-religious that they forget that the Gospel is about loving and compassionate community. We too often forget that the Gospel (like the Sabbath) is for the people and is in fact the people. We are the living Gospel, each a priceless pearl. The irony of the search for truth is that the treasure of truth was within us all along. We look high and low outside of ourselves for some meaning when God is always right where we are.

The Apostle Paul preached the same message. The Christ-followers of Rome were discouraged because the Empire was trying to eliminate them. Perhaps they fell into despair, wondering what they were even fighting for anymore. So Paul sends them some encouraging words. The eighth chapter of Romans is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible. Paul writes that the Spirit of God helps us to center in the Divine Presence when we feel weak. God’s breath sneaks through the cracks of the closed doors of our hearts and blows out the stale air. Sometimes the only prayer we can muster is a groan or a sigh. That wordless expression is God’s Spirit moving within us to foster connection again. The result, Paul says, is that things will start working together for us. We are called for God’s purpose of love, and it is in remembering that truth that we begin to live again.

And when we lift our heads again and see the troubles of the world, we do not need to fear or worry. Because if God is for us, who can be against us? Some take this passage to mean that Christians are supposed to be spiritual soldiers, fighting for so-called “morality” and fighting against people of other faiths. Quite to the contrary, if God is for those of us struggling on the margins of society to live out lives of God’s love, then oppression cannot take us down. Paul says, “I am convinced…” Not “I think… probably… um… that…” No- Paul is convinced that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. If there’s anything that I would encourage you to be absolutely convinced of, it is that right where you are, God is, and God loves you unconditionally.

Can racism or sexism separate us from the love of God? NO! Can heterosupremacy or homophobia or transphobia separate us from the love of God? NO! Can poverty and violence? NO! Can being hurt or deserted by loved ones? NO! No Matter what happens to us in this life, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God. Even your own mistakes and loveless acts cannot separate you from God’s permeating love. God never withdraws love from us. If we don’t feel it, it’s because of the barriers our egos have put up in order to feel in control.

The question we are left with is what we are willing to give up in order to allow God to lead us into our individual callings and into our calling together as Beloved Community. Can you give up worry about your life and about the church? Can you give up resentment toward people? Can you give up the story you have always told yourself about how life should be?

It is time to break down the barriers to the future. We have the tools, we have the hope, and we have the passion. We no longer affirm the presence of negativity, stress, or worry in our lives. They are not treasures to be valued. The true treasures are a strong love for God and yourself, which is lived out in community. We think we are just a small mustard seed of a community, but trust God that God is extending our branches out as a home for sojourners. And so it is. Amen.