Can We See?
Easter 6c, May 9, 2010 (also Mother's Day)
Acts 16:9-15 with Revelation 21:10, 20-22:5 in the b.g.
Have you ever been 'in the dark'? What are we able to see in the darkness? I am not speaking here of the ways that cats may see in the dark. Rather in terms of "seeing" I am referring to being open to new possibilities, of being caught up by something and someone greater than ourselves, of being able to act boldly, with hope.
I remember as a young boy being afraid of the "dark". As the sun went down in the western sky and the houselights were turned off, I could easily imagine the presence of so many things or beings that would harm me. So, I intensely disliked the darkness. When my parents left the house at night I would turn all the lights on to try to dispel, escape from the darkness.
But with God good things can happen even in the darkness. Babies grow with new life in the darkness of their mother's wombs. Through Christ's presence in the Spirit, God beams light into the midst of darkness – even in places of war and violence, abuse and hunger. As that light enters, darkness is dispelled. As the light enters love and mercy, change and reconciliation, mutual concern can begin to bloom.
The book of Acts never tires of telling us this. Today's lesson is set at night. During this particular night Paul is given a vision from God. We don't know if this vision comes in the form of a dream or whether it comes in the form of some kind of experience Paul has while awake. Either way Paul's vision calls for him to move from where he presently is, to a new place. He is to make this move as an act of obedience to God in Jesus Christ. He and Timothy do so immediately.
At first glance Paul's obedience doesn't look like a very big deal. Going from one place to another seems simple. Paul and Timothy get into a boat. They go to the district of Macedonia, part of modern day Europe. They proceed to a particular city, Philippi. Once they have arrived they employ the gifts God gives them. They go to worship on the Sabbath, just as they did every other Sabbath. They speak to some of the women there. Such speaking is also part of Paul's vision. He is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
But amazing things begin to happen in the wake of their obedience. More people are moved to trust God in the living out of their lives. One of these people is Lydia. She and her family are baptized. Following her baptism she extends hospitality to Paul and Timothy, not only on that day, but through much of the rest of Paul's life. As she is moved to trust God she is also moved to great generosity.
For many people ours is a dark time. Age old hatreds, violence, hunger and the power of death spring up around us. It is impossible for us to turn on our televisions or computers and not be encountered by such reality. We may try to insulate ourselves from all this. So, we may install security systems, attempt to "escape" on holidays, spend significant amounts of money on things – but such "darkness" doesn't dissipate. Fear runs rampant, if not also within us.
In such circumstances we may begin to look only to ourselves or to others like us for direction and help. But such choices limit our sight, our very vision. Then we live as if we are out on a very dark night with no moonlight or even human channeled light around us. Then we are literally unable to see.
The language that we often use underlines our blindness. We speak of the survival of the fittest. This is a strange way to speak for followers of Christ who at least say on other occasions that no one could ever earn or deserve God's love and acceptance. Indeed God's love and acceptance is a gift of grace not of merit. Or, so we claim on Sundays.
At other times our governments allow our level of care to be limited by what the market will bear. We may even buy (don't you just love puns?) into such thinking. After all we think, "There are only so many resources to go around". But then those in greatest need: the homeless, the handicapped, the addicted, the sick, the elderly, the abused, all of which may include many children, are left out in the cold, hungry, despairing, trying to fend for themselves. Food banks and shelters across this land testify to this reality.
At other times we say or catch ourselves thinking that there are only 2 certainties in life, death and taxes. Really? But what about the promise of God in Jesus Christ that God loves us with a love that dares to die for us? In Jesus' resurrection we can see that God has the power to overcome death never mind taxes! Don't we believe, that is trust in God?
I am not denying the power of darkness with its self-serving vision and resultant despair. Many people experiencing the various powers of darkness and death are tempted to try to escape. They are in so much pain. We may turn on our televisions just to see others who may be hurting or struggling even more than we are. Or we may attempt to fantasize some other situation imagining that if we just had certain things everything would be OK. But is any of that living?
To be sure, we need to recognize the depth of reality. Reality is often filled with wonder. People of differing ages are moved to help provide food for others who are hungry, without any strings being attached. Those who are hungry can often usher others who are open to them into a larger reality – a reality that has us wrestle with our priorities.
Many people are working to change the realities, the attitudes, that dictate why so many are hungry, without educational opportunities or even a place to lay their heads. Some of our young people gather together to go hungry for a brief period of time so that others may eat. All such realities are filled with wonder!
At other times our reality is marked by horror and pain. Prisoners of war are tortured without any recognition of their humanity or availability to a fair trial. The so-called justification of this is "to get information". Can the end ever justify the means while people's lives and souls are being lost?
In the midst of all reality what are we as the Church, the body of Christ, called to be? Do we have a vision from the Lord?
The book of Revelation shares John of Patmos' vision. He sees that God once again will come to live among mortals, with people, with you and me. As powerful as the darkness: death, hatred and violence are, they will not prevail. John sees that God will prevail.
Now John's vision holds before us many things. One of them is that faith is personal, but not private! God in Christ through the Holy Spirit is at work and living among not only us, not just the Church, but all people. Like Paul, we are called to get up, to move, to speak, to act as God directs us-for and with others.
Paul was to go over to Macedonia and help the people there. He does so. We need to know that obeying God in Christ involves discipline. We are commanded to worship regularly, to sing, to pray daily, to gather around the Scriptures, to take part in the Sacraments, to give witness to the love of God in what we say, do and think. Such love is not so much a feeling as it is acts of obedience.
Miraculous things can and do happen. God has been working in Macedonia even before Paul shows up. Lydia was already a worshiper of God. But now as Paul and Timothy speak Lydia is being opened to God in new ways. Her faith is deepened. Her life is being stretched. She and her entire family are baptized. Her generous response is immediate. Lydia begs Paul and Timothy, "Come to my house. Stay with me!" Faith and the vision that God brings transforms our attitudes and our actions.
So I ask again, "do we have a vision from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, a vision that exceeds just ourselves, a vision for this time and this place?" Do we see God/Jesus working among us, calling us to be part of that?
If the ground or source of our action is only ourselves, our wants or our fear about self preservation or even the preservation of this congregation, then our actions will necessarily be sporadic, sometimes selfish and to be sure short-sighted. We might be busy, even exhausted, but we may find ourselves opposing God. When I am limited by fear I can hardly envision anything but the status quo.
But if the ground and source of our vision, our action, is the love of God in Jesus, then everything changes. We may not always see this vision clearly. After all we are mortals, and yes, also sinners. But God does not give up on us regardless of the time. God has the power and ability to open our eyes, ears, hearts and minds to a vision beyond ourselves, a vision that exceeds even the wonder of human possibility, a vision that is for the good of all people and all creation. Not only does God give God's people such vision, but God wills to equip those who will attend to this vision.
Did you notice what happens through Paul and Timothy going to Macedonia? Today billions of people who aren't Jewish are worshiping as Christians. Many are seeking to follow Jesus. That's a vision that continues to bear fruit, to expand, to positively impact this world!
Who knows what might happen if we are open to a vision from God in Christ Jesus? With Lydia our fears and stereotypes may be overcome. Our hearts and homes may also be opened in new ways! And who knows what fruit that might bear?
More people and different parts of the earth may come to know and experience that they have both a father and a mother who loves them and cares for them, who works for their well being. Their father and mother is the same One who is our Father and Mother, God the Creator of the universe, the One who becomes fully human in Jesus of Nazareth and who right now is attempting to speak to us through the Holy Spirit.