A Note From Pastor Laura
March 15 2020 Sermon
I am here, actually Troy and I are here this morning and you are…there…because we are practicing social distancing. Social distancing are actions taken to stop or slow down the spread of a highly contagious disease.[1] These actions might include having children stay out of school, closing workplaces, postponing meetings, shutting down mass transit, and avoiding large sporting events and social gatherings. While social distancing may appear to be something new, it really isn’t. Social distancing is what we practice when we keep our children home from school when they have the chicken pox or when we stay home from work due to the flu!
The practice of social distancing is also found in the Bible. The earliest example I could identify is in the 13th chapter of Leviticus, which speaks to those who have a contagious skin disease. It reads, “As long as the leper has the infection, he remains unclean and he must live alone in a place outside the camp.”
Social distancing is one of the most effective means of stopping or slowing down the spread of a disease. But let’s be honest, social distancing by means of canceling a worship service seems counterintuitive in a time when people are anxious and facing economic uncertainty and need support; when people are fearful and need the comfort of prayer and connection. It goes against every impulse that we have as God’s people – those who proclaim to trust and have faith in a God - who is bigger than our fear. But sometimes, painful as it is, social distancing and cancelling is the responsible, compassionate and loving thing to do.
In an article titled “Five Ways to Be the Church When Church is Canceled”, the Rev. Erin Wathen, an ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ Church invites us to think of canceling worship [and social distancing] as black ice liability. For example, “if there is a blizzard, you might be able to get to church. But if you can’t clear the sidewalks and the parking lots, do you really want to invite people into a hazardous situation – that invisible threat that is just under the surface? This situation [with COVID-19 or coronavirus] is just like that. Folks who are not sick are going to feel like they should still come to church. But they could be carrying something they don’t know they have yet and pass it right on to their elderly or immune-compromised neighbor. There are still many unknowns here.” [2]
So, to unnecessarily expose the most vulnerable among us is not only irresponsible, it just isn’t loving. And Jesus calls us to love one another - sacrificially. And so, as God’s people, in this uncharted territory, we have chosen to love our neighbors – by sacrificing a week or several weeks, if necessary, of being together physically for worship.
Sadly, nobody can say for certain, how long we will be traveling through this unprecedented territory. Along the way, we know that will be challenged physically, emotionally and spiritually. Be that as it may, we will still come together for worship, but in this – a virtual manner. And together we will listen for a word of hope and challenge, remembering that no matter how long this journey takes and no matter how turbulent the is becomes – Christ is with us! Jesus is along for the ride. We know this is true, because… (3 min)
in the Gospel of Mark, we hear of other disciples, who like us, journeyed into uncharted territory – who also experienced uncertainty, felt threatened by the unknown, who were frenzied and even hysterically afraid. The author, Mark, recorded their story, their experience with Christ, so that future generations of God’s people might remember and find their faith strengthened and their hope renewed in times such as these. Mark’s Gospel, chapter 4, verses 35 through 41 says it happened this way:
35 Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to the disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” 36 They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along.
37 Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”
39 Jesus got up and rebuked the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” With that the wind settled down and there was a great calm. 40 Jesus asked them, “Why are you afraid? Don’t you have faith yet?”
41 Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”
Naturally, there was fear in the hearts of the disciples when they experienced that storm. It was a chaotic scene – the sea raged their boat groaned and moaned under the weight of the flood waters, the gale-strength winds were deafening and threatened to hurl the disciples overboard. They were disoriented and confused. Perhaps some were crying, others were screaming, some were grabbing on to whatever they could find for security, and some just couldn’t believe what was happening. They looked around and what they saw was Jesus sleeping! (3 min)
When storms of life threaten to drown US and we feel disoriented and confused; when we are whipped around and deafened by the noise of so many “experts” that drown out God’s voice; when we can’t seem to find sure footing in our faith - don’t we too, cry, scream, and deny? Don’t we grab anything and everything we can as well, in order to make ourselves feel more secure – even if it’s things like a case of hand sanitizer, a cart full of Lysol disinfecting spray, a ginormous amount of Clorox wipes, and 50 rolls of toilet paper?
When we are afraid, we look around and might wonder, “Where is God in THIS?” In our fear we might wrongly assume that “Jesus has fallen asleep on the job!” We might wrongly assume that Jesus has distanced himself from our need andFear, distrust, grasping for security, ranting and raving, and even questioning God’s awareness and love for humanity in turbulent times are common – even for people of deep faith. Scripture bears this out many times over – for example in the narratives of Job, Moses Zechariah, Abraham and Sara, Thomas, Peter, and in the songs and poems of our Psalm writers. And even Jesus himself, sweat blood in fear and questioned God’s Presence on the cross when he said, “My God. My God. Why have you forsaken me?” So if Jesus can go there, how much more will we?
Times like these, can feel like “God forsaken times.” We might hear ourselves in the voice of the disciples, demanding that God reveal God’s self – that God reveal God’s Presence. To wake up and do something! In times like these, we might hear ourselves in the voice of the disciples - questioning God’s love for us, “Don't you care if we drown?" These are the words of the desperate and the angry. These are the words of the fearful: "Free us from this storm! Prove your love! Show us you care - save us from death and destruction.”
This story reminds us that that even disciples of Jesus’ experience storms in life. The gospel reminds us that even when we are faithful to follow Jesus, we will experience periods of uncertainty. This story reminds us that Jesus’ disciples are not immune from fear.
And there’s much these days that can incite fear in our hearts and minds. Even so, there is Good News in the midst of our fear. And the Good News is this: We are not alone! Jesus is present with us in the midst of the storm. Even when we can’t discern his presence. Jesus IS as near as the breath of our cries. We can cry out to Jesus in prayer –and know that he hears. We can trust that God, through Jesus Christ, is in control.
In Mark’s story, Jesus hears the cries of his followers, and rises to the occasion. Mark says, “Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still’” I love that. Jesus commands those things, that threaten to capsize us and “put us over the edge” be “Silenced and still!”
I wonder, if like me, when storms in your life are raging – it is difficult to know peace – peace of mind and body? My mind races day and night, thoughts are constantly screaming at me – demanding that I do something to regain control. I find it almost impossible to sleep. Both my mind and body are restless. In the storms of life, I long for peace; for silence; for stillness – in my spirit, in my soul. I yearn for Jesus to rise up and to rebuke that which torments me and to give my soul, my spirit, peace.
In Jesus’ rebuke of the storm – the original Greek word that is used here is the same that is used when Jesus rebukes demons– or a spiritual enemy.
Fear is a spiritual enemy. I’m not talking about fear that moves us to a Fight and Flight response for survival. I’m talking about the spiritual fear that moves us to question God’s goodness, God’s faithfulness. Fear is a spiritual enemy that paralyzes and torments us and can lead us to a place of distrust – to question God’s Presence in the midst of humanity’s trials and tribulations. Fear is a spiritual enemy, that can move us to grasp for security in all the wrong places and move us to self-harm or the disregard for the health and well-being of others. Even so, there is Good News – and that is through the word and work of Jesus Christ, God is at work to conquer it and replace our fear, with peace for our souls.
The disciples in this story are moved from fear to awe and reverence at the power of Jesus to address and silence that which causes them to be afraid. With Jesus, the disciples face their fear, persevere, and eventually find themselves on the other side. They are victors and conquerors. Their eyes are opened to the power and the LOVE of Jesus and it transforms their fear into peace – but it was a process. For a while they were tossed about – but in time, their re-found their footing and their faith renewed. In time, they found peace their tormented spirits.
Peace is what Jesus offers us. Peace is what Jesus desires for us. More than any other phrase, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” I couldn’t confirm the exact number, but several scholars claim that there are 365 references in scripture to “not being afraid”. That’s one reminder for every day of the year. Yet, even if it isn’t 365 citations, there are still a lot! Surely God understands that human beings, experience fear. Jesus made this promise to his fearful disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.”
For the last several days, we have found it necessary to be socially distanced, but we are still connected in Christ. We are still connected to Christ. For the last several days, you’ve shared your fears about illness, death, job security, the stock market, the political arena, global relations, food insecurity, childcare, insurance, medication costs, adequate testing and treatment availability, the ramifications for your college education, and the list goes on and on. And I thank you for sharing your fears with me and allowing me to carry them with you to Christ in prayer.
Over the past several days, I too have come face to face with fears of my own and have found comfort in the challenging Good News of Mark’s story. I have also found comfort and a challenge in the words of British theologian, C.S. Lewis – you know him, even if you don’t think you do. Lewis is the one who wrote the “The Screwtape Letters”, “Space Trilogy” and “The Chronicles of Narnia”.
72 years ago, C. S. Lewis wrote these words, which still ring with relevance for us – TODAY in this current storm. As I read his words, I invite you to replace his references to “atomic bomb” with “coronavirus.” Lewis wrote:
In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb (i.e. coronavirus). “How are we to live in an atomic age?” I am tempted to reply: “Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.”
In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors—anesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) (and I would add that fear may threaten to break our spirits)…Lewis continues… but they need not dominate our minds (and souls).[3]
The storms of life are raging. It is true. But, bet us pull ourselves together in unity. Nobody can say for certain, how long we will be traveling through this unprecedented territory. We will continue to be challenged physically, emotionally and spiritually. But the coronavirus does NOT get the power to control our minds and spirits. Fear does not get to have full dominion in our lives. We are God’s people and we are about life and living, even as we are all certain to die. We are about living in the midst of the storm. Let us find our footing and certainty – not in the hoarding of toilet paper and hand sanitizer but in the One who really saves.
As time marches on, may Christ be found in our midst and “seen’ not sleeping in us - but alive and well in our words and work in the world. May Christ be found in and through us – as we rebuke fear and renew hope! And we can do this by being the uniting, prayerful, creative, loving, compassionate, kind, joyful, and peaceful people of God. May it be so! Amen.
[1] www.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/public/php/185/185_factsheet_social_distancing.pdf
[2] Wathen, Erin. “Five Ways to Be the Church When Church is Canceled.” 2020 March 13
< https://www.patheos.com/blogs/irreverin/>
[3] “On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948) in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays
I am here, actually Troy and I are here this morning and you are…there…because we are practicing social distancing. Social distancing are actions taken to stop or slow down the spread of a highly contagious disease.[1] These actions might include having children stay out of school, closing workplaces, postponing meetings, shutting down mass transit, and avoiding large sporting events and social gatherings. While social distancing may appear to be something new, it really isn’t. Social distancing is what we practice when we keep our children home from school when they have the chicken pox or when we stay home from work due to the flu!
The practice of social distancing is also found in the Bible. The earliest example I could identify is in the 13th chapter of Leviticus, which speaks to those who have a contagious skin disease. It reads, “As long as the leper has the infection, he remains unclean and he must live alone in a place outside the camp.”
Social distancing is one of the most effective means of stopping or slowing down the spread of a disease. But let’s be honest, social distancing by means of canceling a worship service seems counterintuitive in a time when people are anxious and facing economic uncertainty and need support; when people are fearful and need the comfort of prayer and connection. It goes against every impulse that we have as God’s people – those who proclaim to trust and have faith in a God - who is bigger than our fear. But sometimes, painful as it is, social distancing and cancelling is the responsible, compassionate and loving thing to do.
In an article titled “Five Ways to Be the Church When Church is Canceled”, the Rev. Erin Wathen, an ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ Church invites us to think of canceling worship [and social distancing] as black ice liability. For example, “if there is a blizzard, you might be able to get to church. But if you can’t clear the sidewalks and the parking lots, do you really want to invite people into a hazardous situation – that invisible threat that is just under the surface? This situation [with COVID-19 or coronavirus] is just like that. Folks who are not sick are going to feel like they should still come to church. But they could be carrying something they don’t know they have yet and pass it right on to their elderly or immune-compromised neighbor. There are still many unknowns here.” [2]
So, to unnecessarily expose the most vulnerable among us is not only irresponsible, it just isn’t loving. And Jesus calls us to love one another - sacrificially. And so, as God’s people, in this uncharted territory, we have chosen to love our neighbors – by sacrificing a week or several weeks, if necessary, of being together physically for worship.
Sadly, nobody can say for certain, how long we will be traveling through this unprecedented territory. Along the way, we know that will be challenged physically, emotionally and spiritually. Be that as it may, we will still come together for worship, but in this – a virtual manner. And together we will listen for a word of hope and challenge, remembering that no matter how long this journey takes and no matter how turbulent the is becomes – Christ is with us! Jesus is along for the ride. We know this is true, because… (3 min)
in the Gospel of Mark, we hear of other disciples, who like us, journeyed into uncharted territory – who also experienced uncertainty, felt threatened by the unknown, who were frenzied and even hysterically afraid. The author, Mark, recorded their story, their experience with Christ, so that future generations of God’s people might remember and find their faith strengthened and their hope renewed in times such as these. Mark’s Gospel, chapter 4, verses 35 through 41 says it happened this way:
35 Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to the disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” 36 They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along.
37 Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”
39 Jesus got up and rebuked the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” With that the wind settled down and there was a great calm. 40 Jesus asked them, “Why are you afraid? Don’t you have faith yet?”
41 Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”
Naturally, there was fear in the hearts of the disciples when they experienced that storm. It was a chaotic scene – the sea raged their boat groaned and moaned under the weight of the flood waters, the gale-strength winds were deafening and threatened to hurl the disciples overboard. They were disoriented and confused. Perhaps some were crying, others were screaming, some were grabbing on to whatever they could find for security, and some just couldn’t believe what was happening. They looked around and what they saw was Jesus sleeping! (3 min)
When storms of life threaten to drown US and we feel disoriented and confused; when we are whipped around and deafened by the noise of so many “experts” that drown out God’s voice; when we can’t seem to find sure footing in our faith - don’t we too, cry, scream, and deny? Don’t we grab anything and everything we can as well, in order to make ourselves feel more secure – even if it’s things like a case of hand sanitizer, a cart full of Lysol disinfecting spray, a ginormous amount of Clorox wipes, and 50 rolls of toilet paper?
When we are afraid, we look around and might wonder, “Where is God in THIS?” In our fear we might wrongly assume that “Jesus has fallen asleep on the job!” We might wrongly assume that Jesus has distanced himself from our need andFear, distrust, grasping for security, ranting and raving, and even questioning God’s awareness and love for humanity in turbulent times are common – even for people of deep faith. Scripture bears this out many times over – for example in the narratives of Job, Moses Zechariah, Abraham and Sara, Thomas, Peter, and in the songs and poems of our Psalm writers. And even Jesus himself, sweat blood in fear and questioned God’s Presence on the cross when he said, “My God. My God. Why have you forsaken me?” So if Jesus can go there, how much more will we?
Times like these, can feel like “God forsaken times.” We might hear ourselves in the voice of the disciples, demanding that God reveal God’s self – that God reveal God’s Presence. To wake up and do something! In times like these, we might hear ourselves in the voice of the disciples - questioning God’s love for us, “Don't you care if we drown?" These are the words of the desperate and the angry. These are the words of the fearful: "Free us from this storm! Prove your love! Show us you care - save us from death and destruction.”
This story reminds us that that even disciples of Jesus’ experience storms in life. The gospel reminds us that even when we are faithful to follow Jesus, we will experience periods of uncertainty. This story reminds us that Jesus’ disciples are not immune from fear.
And there’s much these days that can incite fear in our hearts and minds. Even so, there is Good News in the midst of our fear. And the Good News is this: We are not alone! Jesus is present with us in the midst of the storm. Even when we can’t discern his presence. Jesus IS as near as the breath of our cries. We can cry out to Jesus in prayer –and know that he hears. We can trust that God, through Jesus Christ, is in control.
In Mark’s story, Jesus hears the cries of his followers, and rises to the occasion. Mark says, “Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still’” I love that. Jesus commands those things, that threaten to capsize us and “put us over the edge” be “Silenced and still!”
I wonder, if like me, when storms in your life are raging – it is difficult to know peace – peace of mind and body? My mind races day and night, thoughts are constantly screaming at me – demanding that I do something to regain control. I find it almost impossible to sleep. Both my mind and body are restless. In the storms of life, I long for peace; for silence; for stillness – in my spirit, in my soul. I yearn for Jesus to rise up and to rebuke that which torments me and to give my soul, my spirit, peace.
In Jesus’ rebuke of the storm – the original Greek word that is used here is the same that is used when Jesus rebukes demons– or a spiritual enemy.
Fear is a spiritual enemy. I’m not talking about fear that moves us to a Fight and Flight response for survival. I’m talking about the spiritual fear that moves us to question God’s goodness, God’s faithfulness. Fear is a spiritual enemy that paralyzes and torments us and can lead us to a place of distrust – to question God’s Presence in the midst of humanity’s trials and tribulations. Fear is a spiritual enemy, that can move us to grasp for security in all the wrong places and move us to self-harm or the disregard for the health and well-being of others. Even so, there is Good News – and that is through the word and work of Jesus Christ, God is at work to conquer it and replace our fear, with peace for our souls.
The disciples in this story are moved from fear to awe and reverence at the power of Jesus to address and silence that which causes them to be afraid. With Jesus, the disciples face their fear, persevere, and eventually find themselves on the other side. They are victors and conquerors. Their eyes are opened to the power and the LOVE of Jesus and it transforms their fear into peace – but it was a process. For a while they were tossed about – but in time, their re-found their footing and their faith renewed. In time, they found peace their tormented spirits.
Peace is what Jesus offers us. Peace is what Jesus desires for us. More than any other phrase, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” I couldn’t confirm the exact number, but several scholars claim that there are 365 references in scripture to “not being afraid”. That’s one reminder for every day of the year. Yet, even if it isn’t 365 citations, there are still a lot! Surely God understands that human beings, experience fear. Jesus made this promise to his fearful disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.”
For the last several days, we have found it necessary to be socially distanced, but we are still connected in Christ. We are still connected to Christ. For the last several days, you’ve shared your fears about illness, death, job security, the stock market, the political arena, global relations, food insecurity, childcare, insurance, medication costs, adequate testing and treatment availability, the ramifications for your college education, and the list goes on and on. And I thank you for sharing your fears with me and allowing me to carry them with you to Christ in prayer.
Over the past several days, I too have come face to face with fears of my own and have found comfort in the challenging Good News of Mark’s story. I have also found comfort and a challenge in the words of British theologian, C.S. Lewis – you know him, even if you don’t think you do. Lewis is the one who wrote the “The Screwtape Letters”, “Space Trilogy” and “The Chronicles of Narnia”.
72 years ago, C. S. Lewis wrote these words, which still ring with relevance for us – TODAY in this current storm. As I read his words, I invite you to replace his references to “atomic bomb” with “coronavirus.” Lewis wrote:
In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb (i.e. coronavirus). “How are we to live in an atomic age?” I am tempted to reply: “Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.”
In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors—anesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) (and I would add that fear may threaten to break our spirits)…Lewis continues… but they need not dominate our minds (and souls).[3]
The storms of life are raging. It is true. But, bet us pull ourselves together in unity. Nobody can say for certain, how long we will be traveling through this unprecedented territory. We will continue to be challenged physically, emotionally and spiritually. But the coronavirus does NOT get the power to control our minds and spirits. Fear does not get to have full dominion in our lives. We are God’s people and we are about life and living, even as we are all certain to die. We are about living in the midst of the storm. Let us find our footing and certainty – not in the hoarding of toilet paper and hand sanitizer but in the One who really saves.
As time marches on, may Christ be found in our midst and “seen’ not sleeping in us - but alive and well in our words and work in the world. May Christ be found in and through us – as we rebuke fear and renew hope! And we can do this by being the uniting, prayerful, creative, loving, compassionate, kind, joyful, and peaceful people of God. May it be so! Amen.
[1] www.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/public/php/185/185_factsheet_social_distancing.pdf
[2] Wathen, Erin. “Five Ways to Be the Church When Church is Canceled.” 2020 March 13
< https://www.patheos.com/blogs/irreverin/>
[3] “On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948) in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays
