Chris Yaw

One of the Bible's most consistent messages is to persevere, It's to carry-on, to keep on, even when things look bleak.

And For too many people, things have never looked more bleak; relentless suffering in the Middle East, assaults on funding for the poor and vulnerable in the U.S., persistent anxiety over the direction of democracy at home and abroad.

And amidst this all comes the hopeful message of the Jesus, one that we will hear echoed this weekend,

And that is to stay with it, remain calm, it will all be worth it in the end.

That famous theologian Woody Allen said that 80% of success is just showing up, as if showing up consistently is easy.

But God gives us strength to do just that, you have it inside of you because you have God inside of you, that touch of the Divine, that holy Spirit powered hopefulness to That reminds us that we can do it.

So throw all those other voices out. Stay with it. You've got this, you can do it!

Handling our critics with fairness is a fundamental Christian conviction.

When Jesus was in this situation, like one we'll hear about this Sunday, he didn't waver - he spoke harshly to the religious elites, he argued, debated, at one point he even turned over their tables in the temple.

But he did not ban his critics, he did not limit their ability to minister: he wisely debated and questioned them in civil discussion - letting the best idea win the day.

There are biblical principles at stake that tell us how to treat those who think differently.

Tightening the rules at the Pentagon, that leave only those with a strong bias, to inform the rest of us about the world's largest military - is not a biblical way to handle the critics.

Jesus stood for truth, even referring to himself as such, and the truth usually emerges from respectful, though sometimes difficult, conversations between people of different viewpoints.

Jesus showed us how to disagree, argue, and debate by taking on his critics, listening and responding,: let's do it that way

"Knowing yourself," wrote Socrates, "is the beginning of all wisdom."

This is because we don't see things as they are, but as we are, so to get the most authentic view of what's going on calls us to bring the truest lens we can to the party.

And we know who we are: We are God's beloved, infused with the divine spark of love, created to be loved, and to radiate that love out into the world.

But we get confused and think that we can't possibly be loved unless we earn love.

We confuse being with doing...

Which causes problems when we do bad things, because then we think we're bad people,

This will be on display on Sunday, when we get that well-known parable about two men, a religious person and a tax collector, who go to a temple and pray. This story is all about self-knowledge: are you defined by what you do, or who you are?

And the good news is that you are golden! You don't have to do anything to be loved by God, you don't have to achieve, obtain, fulfill, or complete to be adored and accepted.

We don't do good things to be loved, we do good things because we are loved!

Maybe that's worth a deep breath, a smile, and a spring in your step, and may that adoration find joyful expression in the day ahead.

Have we figured out that our proudest accomplishments don't happen overnight - but only after a long slog against long odds?

If you've ever lost significant weight, built a reputation, or made a million dollars? You know it takes a lot of time - a lot of effort!

Forget about the lottery winners and the weight-loss 'biggest losers' - life doesn't work that way!

Your big goal - of living out eternal life right here and now - it's work!

On Sunday Jesus tells us about a bothersome woman - who wouldn't let go until a lazy judge grants her justice - to remind us that that long slog against long odds - pays off!

So keep on, keeping on - with those regular habits and practices that realign us - away from the dark side and toward the light -

You are love embodied - and you can let that big, beautiful light inside of you shine like a diamond - even in a world that's going crazy - because you don't stop, don't give in, don't give up - you're not on that long slog against long odds all alone - we are in it together, for the long run - and we will not lose.

10 lepers come to Jesus. 10 lepers get cleaned, and one gets saved!

That one leper who bothers to say thank you, is made whole, is made well, is saved, depending on the translation you read.

In other words, this is the guy Who gets singled out by Jesus because he gets it,

He is aware, he is introspective, he's thinking about life!

He's the one who is most deeply connected to his spiritual self, his conscience, his deepest voice,

It doesn't matter if he's a Samaritan, a Jew or a gentile, we all have that voice.

It's the voice that invites us to go back and say thank you, to be gracious, appreciate everything that happens to us.

Chances are there's something happening to you today that's begging your appreciation, your gratitude, how will you say thanks today?

The government's shut down.

Wars in Gaza and Ukraine continue.

The threat of mass shootings keep us in fright .

So Pastor, how can you tell me that it's all going to be ok?

Hey, I'm not the one telling you this - stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and ask what your faith, what your God, and what your heart, are telling you!

That part of us that is connected to God knows that the worries of this age are like fashion styles: in one season, out the next - and that our origin, destiny, yes, and even our current reality - are IN God - therefore, in love and in peace.

My problem is remembering this.

And this Sunday I find out I'm not alone - as we read about Jesus' disciples who were challenged by circumstances to lose their faith, and they cried out 'Increase our faith!'

In other words - "Help us trust in you Jesus - that all this crazy and terrifying stuff happening around us is not going to win the day!"

And Jesus says 'Believe. Trust. Place your faith in me, not in the outward circumstances, but in those inward promises.'

Faith means trusting what your Spirit-connected heart says over what this crazy world tells us.

And we increase it by putting more attention on that inner voice, casting aside those other voices, and giving precedent to what your soul - our conscience is telling us.

As long as we're here, the problems will persist - but so will our faith - and our ability to lean into that part of us where God is telling us, "Relax, you've got this."

Did you ever hear the story about those marijuana dealers out on the East Coast?

These guys had a weed business, but there was a lot of competition, so they decided not just sell the marijuana, but deliver it, there's nobody doing that!

The reason there was is because it was illegal deliver it.

But these guys didn't give up, they got creative.

They opened up a cannabis detective agency.

Call them up, tell them where you lost your weed, what kind it was, and how much you lost, and the detectives would go out, find it, bring it to you, and charge you a finder's fee.

When the cops came to arrest them, they first had to admit this was pretty freaking clever.

We get an old-timey version of this in Sunday's gospel about a dishonest manager who acts just as shrewdly.

These are stories about getting stuck, and finding a way out - when there are seemingly intractable situations, like the war in Gaza, and the split between right and left in American politics today.

Jesus is trying to teach us that we need to get creative, we need to have faith, there is a way out.

I don't care about the apathy and the hopelessness out there, if those weed sellers and a dishonest manager did not give up and throw in the towel and found a way to break through the log jam, I think we can use our imagination, intelligence, and creativity to find a way out of ours too.

See you Sunday

Have you ever noticed that unlike the death of a parent, the last day as president of a beloved politician, or the retirement of a favorite celebrity or sports star, the Ascension of Jesus into heaven prompted an entirely different reaction.

We look at the beloved disciples who were present, and we see none of this bittersweet feelings of celebration of the past amidst the morning of the loss!

No!

The gospel of Luke tells us that as Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples worshiped him, then returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

There is excitement and anticipation for what's happening! Why? Three reasons.

First, the disciples knew exactly what to do. During 3 years of ministry with them, Jesus had shown them everything they needed to do and they were confident they could do it.

Second, Jesus did not leave his disciples alone. Time and time again he told of the Holy Spirit's arrival, and the disciples knew it would happen soon, which it did.

And finally, Jesus promised he would return. Just as he had miraculously fed, healed, and risen from the dead, his promise to one day reunite, gave them confidence to live and die for the faith.

It is now the eve of my departure from St. David's for a 3-month sabbatical. I will be gone from June 1 to September 1. No, it's not like Jesus is leaving you. But I would like to challenge us to take this time of leave as a way to draw closer to Christ. God has a lot planned for St. David's - there is much work to do.

First, let this be a time to trust in Jesus' guidance. We find this in his Word, the lives of the Saints, and our church community. Your wardens are well-equipped for what's ahead. Let's thank God for their devotion and care. We will be well cared-for.

Second, let us make time for the Holy Spirit, God is not going on sabbatical. God is present to help us grow during this time. Let us invite the Spirit in through prayer and meditation. The Spirit is the one who is with us to comfort, guide, and empower us. We are not alone, but have that little light of direction shining in our souls.

Finally, let us trust in Jesus' return. Just as he has been present for us, to provide, protect, and give purpose, having faith that we will be reunited can bring us through more difficulties than we may know. This is not all there is, We have eternity with God and our loved ones awaiting. I look forward to being with you come fall and know that we will be kept in God's loving hands.

So let us consider not only how reunions bring great joy, but the ways that departures can as well.

It is like the moment you let go of the bike and see your little one cycling on their own, witnessing a whole new world of mobility opening an even bigger window into exploration and possibility!

In the Christian story this did not happen at Creation, the Incarnation, or even the Resurrection as profoundly as it does on Thursday, Ascension Thursday - 40 days after the Resurrection, when Christ ascends to heaven, essentially taking his hands off the bike, and giving us new mobility that opens up bigger windows for exploration and possibility.

Ascension Day is a day of responsibility and ownership. No longer can we call upon our leader in the same way and for the same things.

Now it's up to us.

Our partnership with God in the ongoing repair of the world takes on a new dimension as Christ ascends to the Father's right hand, not a geographical place but an authoritative one.

And that authority, which will come to us writ large in 10 days time with the drama of Pentecost, is what we need now more than ever to face the problematic landscape before us.

For we have been given moral authority for clarity and power to stand against injustice and oppression. We need to speak up for the immigrant, impoverished, and marginalized.

Ascension Day means that we no longer have for the excuse that it's God's problem, that thoughts and prayers are enough, no!

We have been given all we need to do what Christ calls us to do.

Let's get on the bike, embrace the journey, confident that the one who taught us how to ride knew what he was doing.

Once I was waiting in a grocery store line, chatting with the elderly woman in front of me who had a walker.

The line got long, and another clerk opened another cash register.

But instead of inviting the elderly woman in front of me to be next, she allowed the fastest, more able, and certainly less deserving people behind her to go.

I felt badly for the woman, who not only had been waiting a while, but whose frailty and advanced years surely should have put her first.

So, yes, the Episcopal church is making headlines because its immigrant resettlement organization is refusing to resettle white Afrikaners.

It's not because they haven't been in line, it's because others have been there first who have demonstrated much greater need.

What about the Afghan allies, persecuted religious minorities, and other populations facing extreme, life-threatening poverty, famine, and persecution, who have already been fully vetted and in line for years?

This Sunday our church will baptize a little baby and together we will recite our baptismal covenant, which reminds us to respect the dignity of every human being.

Of course it's difficult to determine which refugee is more needy than another, but it can, should, and is done,

So that the needs of those deemed most deserving should, in fact, go first.

And we should not be shy about making the case and taking action.

Following the election of President Biden in 2020, someone came up with the theory that the election had been rigged and President Trump had actually won.

People who believed these things refused to change their minds even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The problem was not the evidence - it was that people did not want to believe it.

This was at play 2,000 years ago when those whom Jesus came to redeem refused to believe him.

Not because the evidence was lacking, but because they just did not want to change their minds.

In a world filled with hoaxes, scams, and disinformation, how are we to make sense of things and make sure we're driving in the 'truth' lane?

We have to consider three things - 1) We're biased. Can we admit that when we look at anything, by definition, we look through a particular lens that is not all-encompassing? 2) Humility. Can we be open to the possibility we may be wrong? How willing are we to change our minds? 3) Community. Can we be in real relationship with a variety of people whom we respect and who have varied opinions, and not just hang around the safety of our own silos?

Being open to the vastness of God's possibilities means doing the difficult work of humility, respect for those who believe differently, and open-mindedness. When we refuse, the stakes are high - and we may find ourselves face to face with Jesus and not recognizing him.

When the risen Christ told Peter in the boat to cast the nets on the other side of the boat, guess what happened?

You know the story.

That's where the fish were, Peter struck it rich - so many fish, the nets were breaking!

And what did Peter do?

Abandoned the boat, he even left his clothes behind and he swam to shore, leaving it all, to be by Christ's side.

He choose what was more valuable.

He choose the giver of those riches, over those riches.

Don't take the bait and think that God's end game is making you rich,

No, God's end game is getting you closer to God.

Your stuff is pointing you to heaven, so jump out of the boat, and run as fast as you can toward what really matters.

Chris Yaw

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Handling Critics

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If Weed Dealers Find a Way...

Why Was Jesus' Ascension into Heaven so Joyful?

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