[Propertalk] Fwd: Galatians 6:1-16 -- Pentecost 6c

[Joe Parrish]

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From: LKraft <LKraft at ecunet.org>
To: SERMONSHOP_SERMONS.topic <SERMONSHOP_SERMONS.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jul 10, 2010 12:15 pm
Subject: Galatians 6:1-16 -- Pentecost 6c



PENTECOST 6c                                          July 4, 2010
Galatians 6:1-16                                           Holy Trinity ELCA
                                                                        Trumbull, CT
                        You are a New Creation!
            Mildred and Bob were a typical couple in America following World War II.  Both were veterans, he in the Air Force and she in the WAVES.  They had contributed their time to a worthy cause, freeing the world from tyranny, and their efforts were celebrated upon their return to civilian life.  Bob had been wounded and his injuries left him permanently disabled, or so said the employment office evaluation made upon his return.  So, Mildred was the breadwinner for their family.
            Their efforts were always first rate.  Bob ignored the state’s evaluation of his ability and put himself to work in whatever task he could handle from home.  He was an at-home Dad in an age when that role was pretty much unheard of.  Mildred went to work in the aerospace industry and earned a salary well above most women in that era, enabling her hubby to excel in his own efforts on the homefront.
            Their unorthodox life drew criticism, you can be sure.  The people at the AmVets Club soon learned, though, that these two were hardworking individuals, patriotic and caring, who could be called upon to give more than they were asked.  They raise their three sons to respect the flag, respect their neighbor and respect the church.
            The church is the one area of their lives where you’d think these people would be pillars of the community.  But that wasn’t the case.  You see, Millie & Bob’s income level wasn’t up to par with the people who felt themselves important in the church.  And then there was their role-reversed marriage thing.  In addition, their middle son had learning disabilities, and that made many people uncomfortable when the family worshiped at St. John Lutheran Church.  Still, nothing the others thought, said or did dampened the faith of these two and their entire family.  
            Bob & Mildred let none of this stop them.  They faithfully attended worship, made sure all three boys were in Sunday School and confirmation classes, and they tithed their meager earnings.  They took to heart Paul’s admonition to work for the good of all and seek no glory for themselves. 
            
            Why is it that the Church often seems to be a place of judgment?  People whose lives are in crisis many times stay away from worship rather than seeking their church community’s help in healing their wounds?
 
            Jim and Sarah were like many young couples these days.  They’d met at college and married right after graduation.  His job took them away from their families and friends and plopped them down half a continent away from the support system they might have had.  As they settled into their new community, Sarah found fulfilling work and Jim’s career took off.  They saved their money and bought a home.  They began planning for the day they would start a family.
            But then there was the car crash that brought their whole world tumbling down around them.  As they were driving to the shore one weekend, a drunk driver hurtled through a red light and slammed into their subcompact money-saving car.  Their ride spun around and smashed up against a tree.   Not only was the passenger side caved in from the other car’s impact, but the driver’s side was the one against the tree.  No air bags in this car they’d had since college.  The two were very seriously injured.
            The EMT’s were quickly on the scene and able to rescue both Jim and Sarah.  The other driver had minor wounds and went home after the accident.  The young couple was facing weeks of hospitalization, months of rehab and fears of losing all they’d been dreaming of.
            As it turned out, all three were members of the same congregation.  Their pastor made home visits to the driver of the assaulting car.  He also visited with Jim and Sarah throughout their hospitalization and recovery.  The people at Resurrection Lutheran Church added Jim and Sarah to their congregation’s prayer list.  No one asked the secretary to add the name of the other driver.
            There it is again.  A judgment was made.  Did no one think Justin needed their prayers just as much as Jim and Sarah did?  That was his name: Justin.  People didn’t think of him by name, though.  They just judged him as that drunk who hurt others.  No one gave any thought to Justin’s pain.
            Justin knew what he had done was wrong.  He knew he shouldn’t have been behind the wheel that day when he’d been out partying with friends.  He was grateful that he was alone in his car, but heartbroken that he had caused so much pain to his friends from church.  He didn’t want to go to church any more.  It hurt too much.  People there glared at him, at least that’s how it seemed to Justin.
            And his perception was probably right.  We church people tend to be pretty harsh on each other when we think someone has transgressed in a way that we would never want to do.  Look at how many times people going through a divorce stop coming to church.  Sure it’s uncomfortable to sit apart from each other in the same worship space where they used to sit together, but you and I tend to take sides and try to figure out who wronged whom.
            Why do we do that?  
            Guess what?  It’s nothing new.  That’s exactly what was happening in Galatia when Paul was writing to his church friends there.  They were so busy trying to figure out who was worthy to come to worship that they forgot their Lord’s command to love one another as he had love them all.  
            Paul set down some instructions for his friends in Galatia, some guidelines that still work well today.  First off, he says, don’t consider yourselves as any better than anyone else who is part of this community.  Each one of us has our own temptations and shortcomings.  Not a one of us is perfect.  
            Second, remembering that first part, be gentle with each other.  You have received the Spirit of Christ in your life and THAT is what you should be sharing with one another.  Christ was about healing, not judging.  You should be about including everyone, even those who are hurting – especially those who are hurting because they are just like you.  They feel vulnerable, sensitive, tender and afraid.  If you, as Christ’s people on earth, reject them, then to whom can they go?
            On the other hand, Paul reminds us that we’re not to feel so superior to one another that we look down upon the poor, pitiful sinner and offer our care in a condescending way.  “Too often [people] experiencing crisis in their lives avoid the church for fear of judgment or being smothered by condescending care-givers. The person or family in crisis grows more isolated, and the community of faith is not the place of healing and restoration it is intended to be.”
            You and I, Paul reminds us, are to take responsibility for each other, bear one another’s burdens.  And we are to do it out of mutual concern for each others well-being, “recognizing our own vulnerability and sharing in the guilt and pain of the transgression as well as the responsibility for healing and restoration.
            Bearing one another's burdens in this way is a tall order, a fine line to walk. The temptations of excessive meddling, self-deception, and judging the neighbor are ever present. Yet we are called to be an alternative community of God's grace, mercy, healing, and restoration in an unforgiving world. This is possible only by the power of the Spirit, only by God remaking us a new creation in Christ. (1)
 
            Today, as you look around at who is in worship, take note of who is missing.  Is there something you or I have said or done that may have made that one feel un-cared for, pushed out, unwelcome?  Is there more we can do as a community to let others know they are not only welcome but WANTED here?  When we keep our focus where it belongs, on the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Paul reminds us, everything (and every ONE) is a new creation.  
            Let us always walk in the newness of God.  Thanks be to God.  Amen
 
 
 
(1)   Commentary on Second Reading by Elisabeth Johnson; “Freedom in Community” (6:1-10) from workingpreacher.com 28 June 2010.
 
 
Rev. Linda J. Kraft
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Trumbull  CT   06611
office p/f 203-372-8844
home 203-881-5997
 

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