The Rev. Michael Shaffer, Deacon
November 3, 2002 (Proper 26, All Saints)
Ecclesiasticus
44:1-10, 13-14
Psalm 149
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17
Matthew 5:1-12
I don’t know if it is the result of daylight savings time and the extended darkness of our days, my weariness from travel these past two weeks or all of the sad news I received this week about untimely deaths of close friends family members, but I’ve been struggling the past few days. Now I know that struggling from time to time is not unique to my particular circumstance, as I know each of you struggle occasionally with what life throws your way. Try as we might to avoid pain and conflict, it simply is part of the human condition.
I’ve known for some time I was scheduled to preach today, and had looked forward to doing so, particularly in light of the gospel reading assigned for today, ‘The Beatitudes’, and the fact that we are remembering All Saints and Souls who have passed before us, while at the same service welcoming new members by their Baptism into the community of faith. There certainly would be no difficulty this week, I thought, in finding a text on which to preach. Rather the struggle would be to decide on which one of the many, would be most appropriate. Surely it would be one of the Beatitudes, but which one?
Well, that all changed since this past Friday night, as the result of something that happened at a small dinner party Sally and I attended at a friend’s home. It was the first time we had been asked by this friend to come to his home for dinner, and even though I had been struggling throughout the week, I looked forward to the opportunity to visit with him and others he referred to on the invitation as ‘special friends’. After and hour of so of socializing, we were seated for dinner, and then quite unexpectedly our host asked me to say the blessing. Now you might think that a member of the clergy should ordinarily expect such a request at gatherings like this, but I honestly was caught quite off guard. It was not a request that I either expected or anticipated. Of course, I said a prayer, and during it, apparently gave thanks for all God’s gifts in life, especially the gift of choice. Guests were seated at different tables, and I really spent little time with Sally throughout the evening as she was seated in another room. When we were driving home however, she asked if during the prayer I had indeed given thanks for the gift of choice, as apparently that particular thanksgiving struck a cord with many at her table. Hearing that, for what ever reason, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the wonderful gift of choice God gives us, and how we as Christians are called to use this gift, for the past thirty some hours.
I believe ‘The Beatitudes’ are the road map of Christian life; directives to be followed on our journey with God and guideposts to our exercise of choice. As we read each of them we should examine our hearts and reflect upon the choices we make in the activities of our daily living.
It’s really rather simple, as is I hope, the point of this brief homily. The ‘choice’ on how you do your life is always yours! Whether you believe it or not, God has chosen you as one of his beloved children. Though we may struggle and sin, all has been made right in our relationship with God, through the life, death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ. Like every parent, he longs for a closer and more personal relationship with each of us. We only need choose to have that relationship with Him. What is separating you from Him? Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God? Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior? Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love? He has given you the gift and power of choice. What do you choose to do with it?
Today, at the baptismal font we witness the exercise of choice for God. Dying to the old way of life, to live in the resurrected love of God, which is Jesus Christ. No matter how much your struggling, God has deemed you worthy. No need for a ‘special friends’ invitation, you are welcome at His table. The choice is yours.