Chris Yaw

Are you suffering because you sinned?

It's possible - you may be in jail because you were drunk driving, or have a broken leg because you tripped over a fence while stealing a TV.

But is God raining down awful things on you because you did wrong?

This question comes to mind as we contemplate our Gospel for Sunday, which deals with the eternal questions of bad things happening to good people. Does God torture to teach? Has God purposely created punishment to keep us in line?

No. Never.

God's default setting is not condemnation and punishment, it's forgiveness and grace -

And when we refuse that, choosing to move away from the source of light and life, guess what's left?

Darkness and death.

So when we do bad, as hard as it is to work through the shame and embarrassment, move toward the light, make things right, don't keep moving towards the darkness.

That wonderful, pure heart of yours was made to bring God's light, keep it burning by embracing humility, getting over your mistakes, not burying them.

When you take up the cause of the weak and the marginalized, expect to be commended to a point.

"You're opening a food pantry, holding a clothing drive, that's so nice!"

But watch what happens when you go from asking for donations for poor people - to asking why the richest country in the world has poor people?

When you take a stand for justice, liberation, and disruption of an injurious status quo, don't think, for a minute, there won't be pushback.

This is what we will find in Sunday's gospel when Pharisees come to Jesus warning him that King Herod is out to kill him.

"Oh, that Fox," is Jesus' reply, as he goes on with his business as usual.

His example is our example; Don't be swayed by the threats of the powerful and the intimidation of entrenched forces that seek to silence you.

Standing for Jesus means standing with Jesus who is always on the side of the weak, poor, persecuted, and marginalized.

Rise up, then, and take the outstretched hand of Jesus to that higher plane, where persecution and oppression are vanquished by truth and liberty.

Jesus' way is never the easy way, but it's always the right way.

Fellow pilgrims on the dark and difficult road of faithfulness and charity.

We gather on Ash Wednesday to be marked with the ashes of our mortality, to claim our humanity as touched by divinity, on this uniquely holy day of reflection, repentance, and possibility.

And we are so blessed to have our parish family!

Not just to gather as friends and kindred in the nurturing fellowship of the saints -

But to mark the day - to set aside this hour - to call upon this moment - as a touchstone to the great reforming, redeeming, and restorative work God has embarked upon in the world - as we renew our calling and determination to follow that Carpenter from Nazareth - to continue the greatest rehab project the world has ever known!

For the Christian religion is one of universal scope and unfailing hope.

We are a people of purpose of possibility, that humanity can overcome its primitive urges and selfish persuasions, and work side by side with our better angels, co-laboring to bring to Earth that heavenly vision of the prophets, martyrs, and Saints, that 'thy kingdom come, they will be done - on Earth as it is in heaven.'

This grand and glorious vision of God that originated in the heavens, comes to pass through earthly means - something, of which, you, in your selflessness and generosity, are very familiar.

It calls each one of us to task - in the intimacy of our hearts - in the still, small, place of conviction and commitment - to make the way, clear the path, pave the road, and set the scene - to play our parts in this oh-so-serious task of ushering in this blessed Kingdom.

And so we come to hear the clarion call of Mother Church - to observe a Holy Lent - on this day of reflection, repentance, and possibility.

Who is your king?

Why? Because these days Christianity is being tested: from where comes our salvation? Governments or political offices?

Do we fuse the sacred cross with a temporal flag, creating a dangerous, unholy alliance

Is God a Democrat, or Republican, or an American? Would God, then, be on the side of a particular Nation, and a particular interpretation of scripture, all the while, demonizing all others?

We must be very careful these days, O Saints of God, that we try not to capture and control God, to make the Lord a servant of our own political agenda.

In Sunday's Gospel we hear the story of the Transfiguration, and a bold declaration of Jesus' kingship, heard in a voice from a cloud, 'This is my son, my chosen, listen to him!'

And what might he say to us today?

You know what Christian nationalism is, and how it's on the rise, but let's be clear, this ideology is nationalist, but it's not Christian.

We must not limit the boundless love of God to a political ideology.

We have one God, one Lord, one savior, who makes himself known high up, upon that transfiguration Mount, and deep down in the depths of our hearts. Let us listen to none other than him.

Has someone betrayed you?

Have they talked behind your back, stolen your girlfriend, or trampled all over you just to get that promotion?

Learn a lesson from Joseph whose jealous brothers sold him into slavery.

Joseph was not spiteful or vengeful, he didn't look back, but looked forward:

What was God doing? God was still with him! What good might come of this?

Joseph's decision to get through, not get even, led to the very survival of the Jewish race!

Because God can use your betrayal.

Jesus takes this a step farther when he tells us not just to ignore our enemies, but to actively wish them well - to love them.

We'll hear both stories this weekend, and will be reminded that God uses the harm that comes our way.

It may awaken you. It may make you more aware. It may spur you to new levels of growth and understanding.

Sure, it hurts, but don't take the bait and react, calm down and reflect!

Your betrayal may just be God's beginning of something big and better.

When Jesus said '“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." What if he was talking to the person who had been so stricken with the plight of the downtrodden that he had given all his money away to help?

Ya, that newly poor person he would be blessed.

When Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled." What if he was talking to the man who had emptied his pantry to give to those who were starving?

When Jesus said, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." What if he was talking to the person who was so taken with empathy for the needs of his hurting neighbor, that he was reduced to tears?

When Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man." What if he was talking to the man who had stood up for a righteous, yet unpopular cause, like the human rights of the immigrant, the poor, the suffering, the transgender person, and was being barraged with hate?

And when Jesus said, "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." What if he was talking to people who were holding onto too much of their money and possessions and had turned a blind eye to the suffering?

When Jesus said, "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry." What if he was talking to people who had refused to share their food?

When Jesus said, "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep." What if he was talking about people who refused to pay attention and be moved by the plight of the less fortunate?

And when Jesus said, "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets." What if he was talking about people who chosen popularity over purpose - not to get involved in anything outside their comfort zone, do anything controversial, or potentially upsetting to their charmed life?

Jesus is convinced that the best life a human being can live, is the one they give away - that we are truly blessed when we help the poor, hungry, and hurting -

And that our souls really suffer when we hoard, ignore suffering people, and refuse to get involved in anything that might be dangerous, inconvenient, or unpopular.

May God grant us courage and wisdom and strength to be blessed.

I love you so much I can't stand by.

When the suffering turns deadly, the danger too great, the pain too strong - it's time to heed our better angels: who won't sit still or stand by in the face of pain, injustice, and suffering.

Because love can't stand by.

You know it well - it's why you open your wallet for the needy, volunteer at your charity. and support your house of worship whose ostensible mission is to help those who are not its members.

This is why God sent Jesus: after watching his harried and suffering children tie themselves in knots of greed, violence, and selfishness.

God could not stand by - so God sent love in the flesh.

Love drops the nets, heeds the call, and follows - which is at the heart of the calling of the fishermen-disciples that we will hear this weekend.

What is so big, so pressing, so heart-piercing that's nudging you to drop the nets?

How are you coming face to face with the world's need that you are being drawn, interested, and persuaded that something more needs doing?

Don't stand by. Don't sit still. That's not what love does.

See you Sunday.

When the suffering turns deadly, the danger too great, the pain too strong - it's time to heed our better angels: who won't sit still or stand by in the face of pain, injustice, and suffering.

Because love can't stand by.

You know it well - it's why you open your wallet for the needy, volunteer at your charity. and support your house of worship whose ostensible mission is to help those who are not its members.

This is why God sent Jesus: after watching his harried and suffering children tie themselves in knots of greed, violence, and selfishness.

God could not stand by - so God sent love in the flesh.

Love drops the nets, heeds the call, and follows - which is at the heart of the calling of the fishermen-disciples that we will hear this weekend.

What is so big, so pressing, so heart-piercing that's nudging you to drop the nets?

How are you coming face to face with the world's need that you are being drawn, interested, and persuaded that something more needs doing?

Don't stand by. Don't sit still. That's not what love does.

The common Christian dream is to one day, be presented before the holy presence of God as a commendable and worthy servant

What do we yearn to present, other than a life of kindness, generosity, selflessness, forgiveness, and love!?

We want to be truth-tellers, merciful, helpers for the poor, impediments for the bullies! And walk in humility in all that we do!

And shape the contours of that day of presentation by what we do on this day which is unfolding before us.

How are we living honest, charitable, gracious, merciful, and caring lives? As we seek to love and serve God in and around us?

This weekend, we will hear this story of Mary presenting Jesus at the temple .

Here is our example, of a life fully yielded to God, to love, In dedication to the highest cause of goodness, humanity knows!

It brought awe and wonder to those who witnessed it! May our deeds of love and caring that we do today, bring similar adoration.

This week a cherished, prayerful friend and Episcopal colleague gave an Inauguration Week sermon at the Washington National Cathedral that made headlines.

Bishop Mariann Budde asked President Trump to put his feet into the shoes of LGBTQ Americans and law-abiding, but illegal U-S immigrants, and to lead with mercy.

These words fell on uncomfortable ears. Certainly it would have been easier to preach on the unlimited love of God or the grace of being an American.

But Bishop Budde, who had been planning her address for the last year regardless of who was president - saw her work as a serious endeavor that demanded serious words.

So she outlined three attributes of Christian leadership, honesty, humility, and dignity, then challenged the president, administration, and you and me.

This Sunday our Gospel tells us how Jesus began his ministry by speaking uncomfortable words to powerful people on behalf of the vulnerable.

It's an example to us who follow him.
How are we doing that?
How are we being called to do that?

Before long, if not right now, you will hear those voices: your finances are insufficient, your job is on thin ice, your relationship with your person is getting rocky...

...and it may seem like something big is about to go down the tubes.

Never forget that God knows this, and God is there to, at the very least, go down the tube with you - and even on occasion, turn the whole thing around.

That's what happened at a wedding reception in Cana of Galilee when the bar ran out of drinks, threatening to shame the hosts, disappoint the guests, and totally embarrass the newlyweds.

But then Jesus steps in, turns water into wine, saves the day, and says something much bigger:

Something really compelling about the groom, (God) the bride, (God's people), and what this relationship is all about.

You and I are not the only ones present at this celebration we call "life."

And when things go south, there's a spouse who walks with us who has the power to bring redemption out of ruin.

What happened at Cana happens all the time.

Don't think you're in this alone.

There's One very close to us who is ready to comfort and even save.

When Isaiah 43 says:

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you!," who is God talking about?

How about where Isaiah says: "When you pass through the deep and treacherous waters, I will be with you?"

Or: "When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned?"

Or: "You are precious and honored in my sight and I love you?"

Today you may be tempted to believe God doesn't care about you, has other things to do, or has forgotten about you!

Don't entertain those thoughts for a second!

You are invaluable, irreplaceable, and a pearl of great price! Let us never forget that our spirits are like radios that need to be tuned in to the right channel, Isaiah 43 is God's broadcast, let's listen to that.

Was it the first time you held a baby?

Was it getting that dream job?

Was it getting that all clear from the doctor?

Your moment of elation, unbridled and unadulterated joy - and what did you do?

When that moment, that feeling, that fulfillment came to the pregnant mother Mary in the Bible, she let loose with a song that remains with us 2,000 years later.

It's called Mary's Magnificat, Latin for magnify.

It's because that's what we want to do on those rare moments, those lifetime milestones, when we've won, we've hit it, we've scored.

The Magnificat is a calculated response, an intentional expression that invites participation.

What's your magnificat?

How would you articulate that joy, that wondrous elation, as a way to remember God's Good gifts, form us into a more thankful people, and testify to the world of God's goodness?

I'm curious - and would love to hear your Magnificat!

Chris Yaw

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Chris Yaw

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Chris Yaw

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St. David's

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Are you suffering because you sinned?

Rising Above

Reflect, Repent, and Transform

Who Is Your King?

Beyond Betrayal

Here's What It Means to Be Blessed.

I love you so much I can't stand by

Presentation Is Everything

Uncomfortable Words, Courageous Faith

Never Alone

Hey Pearl!

O, Magnify!

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