May 25, 2014
Easter 6
John 14:15-21
Acts 17:22-31
(prayer)
There is a
story in chapter 13 of the gospel of Mark where Jesus and his disciples are in
Jerusalem. Remember that (for the most
part) Jesus gathered his followers from the towns and villages around Lake
Capernaum. These were rural peasants
from Galilee; being in the southern capital was a big deal. Forgive the subtle pun, but Peter, James and
John were like fish out of water.
story in chapter 13 of the gospel of Mark where Jesus and his disciples are in
Jerusalem. Remember that (for the most
part) Jesus gathered his followers from the towns and villages around Lake
Capernaum. These were rural peasants
from Galilee; being in the southern capital was a big deal. Forgive the subtle pun, but Peter, James and
John were like fish out of water.
Mark 13:1 As Jesus came out of the temple,
one of his disciples said to him, 'Look, Teacher, what large stones and what
large buildings!'
one of his disciples said to him, 'Look, Teacher, what large stones and what
large buildings!'
Try to think
back to one of your first experiences being in the downtown core of a big
city. Your own definition of a 'big
city' may vary depending on where you grew up.
Even those of you who grew up in a city must know what it is like to
gawk at the 'big buildings'. It can make
you feel small - physically, for sure; but also in relation to the monumental
skill it requires to engineer and build and maintain those towers of human
achievement.
back to one of your first experiences being in the downtown core of a big
city. Your own definition of a 'big
city' may vary depending on where you grew up.
Even those of you who grew up in a city must know what it is like to
gawk at the 'big buildings'. It can make
you feel small - physically, for sure; but also in relation to the monumental
skill it requires to engineer and build and maintain those towers of human
achievement.
We can read in
Mark 13 that Jesus' disciples had that kind of reaction as they wandered the
city streets of Jerusalem.
Mark 13 that Jesus' disciples had that kind of reaction as they wandered the
city streets of Jerusalem.
The context is
very similar for the Apostle Paul and his companions as they visit Athens, as
we heard from Acts 17 this morning.
very similar for the Apostle Paul and his companions as they visit Athens, as
we heard from Acts 17 this morning.
//
Paul was from
the outlying Roman city of Tarsus: it was capital of the province of Cilicia
(si-li'-see-a). On a modern map it would
be in south central Turkey, a few kilometres inland from the Mediterranean
Sea. Although its historical claims to
fame are that it is the birthplace of the Apostle Paul and where Mark Antony
and Cleopatra first met, it wasn't a very important or exciting place. As a minister friend said to me the other day
it was the 'back-water' 'armpit' of the Empire.
the outlying Roman city of Tarsus: it was capital of the province of Cilicia
(si-li'-see-a). On a modern map it would
be in south central Turkey, a few kilometres inland from the Mediterranean
Sea. Although its historical claims to
fame are that it is the birthplace of the Apostle Paul and where Mark Antony
and Cleopatra first met, it wasn't a very important or exciting place. As a minister friend said to me the other day
it was the 'back-water' 'armpit' of the Empire.
//
So, here is
this kid from Tarsus in the great city of Athens: perhaps the greatest of the
Greek city states; the birthplace of philosophy and higher learning -
eventhough the Roman Empire was the dominant military and political power of
the day - greek language and culture was still very prominent.
this kid from Tarsus in the great city of Athens: perhaps the greatest of the
Greek city states; the birthplace of philosophy and higher learning -
eventhough the Roman Empire was the dominant military and political power of
the day - greek language and culture was still very prominent.
Athens was a
centre for culture, philosophy, education and spirituality. We heard this morning that when Paul arrived
in Athens, he spent time walking around the city: whether it was his intention
or not, he familiarized himself with his surroundings. At the very least, he did some sightseeing.
centre for culture, philosophy, education and spirituality. We heard this morning that when Paul arrived
in Athens, he spent time walking around the city: whether it was his intention
or not, he familiarized himself with his surroundings. At the very least, he did some sightseeing.
//
In the passage
we heard from Acts 17, Paul says that as he went through the city, he looked carefully at the objects of the
Athenian's worship. No doubt, this
included alters and temples to the various Greek gods and lesser deities.
we heard from Acts 17, Paul says that as he went through the city, he looked carefully at the objects of the
Athenian's worship. No doubt, this
included alters and temples to the various Greek gods and lesser deities.
And because Athens
was very much a world city, we can assume that there may even have been sites
that were holy to some non-Athenians, particularly Roman gods.
was very much a world city, we can assume that there may even have been sites
that were holy to some non-Athenians, particularly Roman gods.
We can imagine
that Paul may have been a little bit overwhelmed by the variety and
diversity. He must have wondered if his
own spiritual message had any chance to be heard in amidst all of the
ecclesiastical chatter.
that Paul may have been a little bit overwhelmed by the variety and
diversity. He must have wondered if his
own spiritual message had any chance to be heard in amidst all of the
ecclesiastical chatter.
He may have
wondered whether his proclamation was too small for a place like Athens.
wondered whether his proclamation was too small for a place like Athens.
//
Then Paul came
across a rather curious holy site. The inscription
may have been similar to one discovered by archaeologists in 1820 on Palatine
Hill in Rome that read: "whether to a god or goddess".
across a rather curious holy site. The inscription
may have been similar to one discovered by archaeologists in 1820 on Palatine
Hill in Rome that read: "whether to a god or goddess".
There are
several historical references throughout the greco-roman world to 'alters to an
unknown god'. It seems that Paul found
one such alter on his tour of Athenian objects of worship.
several historical references throughout the greco-roman world to 'alters to an
unknown god'. It seems that Paul found
one such alter on his tour of Athenian objects of worship.
//
And with that,
Paul had discovered an idea for how to start his sermon.
Paul had discovered an idea for how to start his sermon.
//
//
I recently
attended a play that took a vary sarcastic (and certainly irreverent) view of a
traditional approach to church missionary work - you know, the kind where
people of faith travel to a foreign land that is viewed as 'lacking religion'
(or at least lacking the right religion). Once there, the missionaries try to
transplant their faith into that new context.
Let's just say that the missionaries (in the play I saw) were in for
several humourously-presented culture shocks.
attended a play that took a vary sarcastic (and certainly irreverent) view of a
traditional approach to church missionary work - you know, the kind where
people of faith travel to a foreign land that is viewed as 'lacking religion'
(or at least lacking the right religion). Once there, the missionaries try to
transplant their faith into that new context.
Let's just say that the missionaries (in the play I saw) were in for
several humourously-presented culture shocks.
Christianity has
discovered over the centuries that this 'superioristic, imperialist' approach
to mission too often has disastrous impacts on indigenous cultures and
traditions, including spiritual traditions that were cast aside as 'wrong',
without ever even trying to appreciate whatever beauty and truth they might be
able to reveal.
discovered over the centuries that this 'superioristic, imperialist' approach
to mission too often has disastrous impacts on indigenous cultures and
traditions, including spiritual traditions that were cast aside as 'wrong',
without ever even trying to appreciate whatever beauty and truth they might be
able to reveal.
//
In our day,
many parts of Christianity are increasingly open to re-tracing our steps and
appreciating what other cultures and traditions can teach us about our own
spiritual journey.
many parts of Christianity are increasingly open to re-tracing our steps and
appreciating what other cultures and traditions can teach us about our own
spiritual journey.
//
A careful
reading of Acts shows us that Paul did not chastise the Athenians for being
'pagans' or creating 'heathen idols' or worshiping 'false gods' (as far too
many Christians in the centuries that followed were prone to do on their
mission trips).
reading of Acts shows us that Paul did not chastise the Athenians for being
'pagans' or creating 'heathen idols' or worshiping 'false gods' (as far too
many Christians in the centuries that followed were prone to do on their
mission trips).
No, Paul
appreciates the obvious spiritual nature of Athenian culture. He meets them where they are. And, in that context, he introduces who he
is.
appreciates the obvious spiritual nature of Athenian culture. He meets them where they are. And, in that context, he introduces who he
is.
The
conversation starts with a recognition of holy mystery. He appreciates that the Athenians are open to
new (or as yet unknown) expressions of spirit.
Into that willing void, Paul shares what he knows about God. He tells the about the good news he has found
in Jesus. And Paul continues to respect
his audience... he quotes the words of the greek poets, Epimenides (in him we live and move and have our being)
and Aratus (for we too are his offspring).
conversation starts with a recognition of holy mystery. He appreciates that the Athenians are open to
new (or as yet unknown) expressions of spirit.
Into that willing void, Paul shares what he knows about God. He tells the about the good news he has found
in Jesus. And Paul continues to respect
his audience... he quotes the words of the greek poets, Epimenides (in him we live and move and have our being)
and Aratus (for we too are his offspring).
Paul preaches
that we may not know God, but we can trust (in faith) that God knows us.
that we may not know God, but we can trust (in faith) that God knows us.
This
conversation all began because Paul recognized and accepted the Athenians were
thirsty for Spirit. Paul could have
expressed a frustration that they were practicing religion differently than him
- but he focused on spirituality, not religion.
conversation all began because Paul recognized and accepted the Athenians were
thirsty for Spirit. Paul could have
expressed a frustration that they were practicing religion differently than him
- but he focused on spirituality, not religion.
//
//
"I am
spiritual, but not religious."
spiritual, but not religious."
When I end up
in a conversation with someone I have never met, and somehow it comes up with
what I do for a living - nine times out of ten I will hear those words.
in a conversation with someone I have never met, and somehow it comes up with
what I do for a living - nine times out of ten I will hear those words.
"I'm
spiritual, but not religious."
spiritual, but not religious."
The other time
I commonly hear that phrase is when I am invited by a funeral home to officiate
at a memorial service for a family with little or no church connection.
I commonly hear that phrase is when I am invited by a funeral home to officiate
at a memorial service for a family with little or no church connection.
"[Our
loved one] never really went to church.
S/he was more spiritual than
religious."
loved one] never really went to church.
S/he was more spiritual than
religious."
//
What do you
think of when you hear those words: "I'm spiritual, but not
religious"?
think of when you hear those words: "I'm spiritual, but not
religious"?
[react to
people's answers]
people's answers]
·
When people find out that I am a minister, I think
they assume that I will judge them harshly, if they don't go to church. Sometimes, I hear spiritual not religious as
an apology for people's lack of a church connection - it's like they feel the
need to relieve me of the burden of worrying about their soul: "yeah, I haven't been to church lately,
but I am very spiritual in my own way."
When people find out that I am a minister, I think
they assume that I will judge them harshly, if they don't go to church. Sometimes, I hear spiritual not religious as
an apology for people's lack of a church connection - it's like they feel the
need to relieve me of the burden of worrying about their soul: "yeah, I haven't been to church lately,
but I am very spiritual in my own way."
- or -
They are
afraid that I will kick into uber-evangelist-mode: "hello, I would like to
share with you the most amazing book."
Sometimes, I think spiritual not
religious is intended to be a conversation stopper - a polite way of saying
"I'm not interested, preacher boy."
afraid that I will kick into uber-evangelist-mode: "hello, I would like to
share with you the most amazing book."
Sometimes, I think spiritual not
religious is intended to be a conversation stopper - a polite way of saying
"I'm not interested, preacher boy."
·
Yet, I think that most of the time that people use
words like 'spiritual, not religious', they are not just saying something they
think "I" want to here; they are expressing something profound about
their own experiences with mystery and wonder.
Yet, I think that most of the time that people use
words like 'spiritual, not religious', they are not just saying something they
think "I" want to here; they are expressing something profound about
their own experiences with mystery and wonder.
//
Faith in this
day and age is more complicated than it has ever been. For most of religious history, the only way
to learn of the diversity of the world's religious expressions was to travel to
different places, because (for the most part) communities and regions were
relatively homogeneous, religiously. If
you were spiritually inclined, there wasn't a lot of choices.
day and age is more complicated than it has ever been. For most of religious history, the only way
to learn of the diversity of the world's religious expressions was to travel to
different places, because (for the most part) communities and regions were
relatively homogeneous, religiously. If
you were spiritually inclined, there wasn't a lot of choices.
And until the
past 100+ years, travel to far reaches of the globe was incredibly expensive
and time consuming.
past 100+ years, travel to far reaches of the globe was incredibly expensive
and time consuming.
With the
advent of the printing press and increased literary rates, this began to
change... slowly.
advent of the printing press and increased literary rates, this began to
change... slowly.
Add to the
equation steam ships, and rail lines and airplanes and the earth became
smaller.
equation steam ships, and rail lines and airplanes and the earth became
smaller.
Now, we have
cyberspace.
cyberspace.
//
I know that
sometimes, we might be prone to nostalgia and long for the simpler time, where
our choices were limited. But the
sooner, we accept the reality of our context, the more able we will be to find
the right paths for us in this time.
sometimes, we might be prone to nostalgia and long for the simpler time, where
our choices were limited. But the
sooner, we accept the reality of our context, the more able we will be to find
the right paths for us in this time.
//
//
I admit that
there have been prone to responding (at least in my head) to the phrase spiritual, not religious by saying
'what's wrong with being religious?'
there have been prone to responding (at least in my head) to the phrase spiritual, not religious by saying
'what's wrong with being religious?'
But I have
concluded that often what people mean is:
concluded that often what people mean is:
that spiritual
refers to faith as a movement; and
refers to faith as a movement; and
that religious
refers to faith as an institution.
refers to faith as an institution.
Being religious has the connotation that one
accepts the judgmentalism and abuses of religious institutions and religious
officials - historic and modern.
accepts the judgmentalism and abuses of religious institutions and religious
officials - historic and modern.
Being spiritual allows one to sit apart from
the mess of the institution - that is church.
the mess of the institution - that is church.
"I like God,
I just not too fond of the church."
"I'm cool with Jesus,
but I don't like the Body of Christ."
//
Now, as a
church-insider, I will be the first to admit that we have earned this rap,
overall.
church-insider, I will be the first to admit that we have earned this rap,
overall.
//
I believe that
the future of church lies more in its ability to regain its soul as a movement and not be so hung up by the institutional aspects of who we have
become.
the future of church lies more in its ability to regain its soul as a movement and not be so hung up by the institutional aspects of who we have
become.
It's not to
say that churches like this one have no future, but it lies in a focus on being
an adaptive community of spirit, not a place of rigid religiosity. We will embrace the spiritual hunger to known
the unknown God in ways that make sense in a 21st century context.
say that churches like this one have no future, but it lies in a focus on being
an adaptive community of spirit, not a place of rigid religiosity. We will embrace the spiritual hunger to known
the unknown God in ways that make sense in a 21st century context.
//
Ironically, we
can do this by reclaiming some of our 1st century heritage.
can do this by reclaiming some of our 1st century heritage.
The gospel of
John reminded the early church of the late first century that God creates
community through the gift of spirit and the exercise of love.
John reminded the early church of the late first century that God creates
community through the gift of spirit and the exercise of love.
The early
church drew strength from the words of Jesus a love for God and each other was
the spirit of all the religious laws (cf Mark 12:28-31).
church drew strength from the words of Jesus a love for God and each other was
the spirit of all the religious laws (cf Mark 12:28-31).
I believe that
is our path as well - the embrace the invitation to be spiritual and not
religious - by which I mean we love God (we humbly honour the gift that this
life is) and we actively live out a love for God's world. And we love Spirit more than we love our
buildings and our altars - live as part of a movement more than a religious
institution.
is our path as well - the embrace the invitation to be spiritual and not
religious - by which I mean we love God (we humbly honour the gift that this
life is) and we actively live out a love for God's world. And we love Spirit more than we love our
buildings and our altars - live as part of a movement more than a religious
institution.
//
As Carolyn and
Regine told us last week as they updated us on the last Yellowhead Presbytery
meeting, the United Church of Canada is contemplating big changes in the way we
structure ourselves. The idea of
de-institutionalizing much of the institution and putting the emphasis on being
vibrant communities of faith is a bit scary for some - but I think it is an
inevitable reality for any congregation that wants to continue to be relevant
to a spiritually hungry world.
Regine told us last week as they updated us on the last Yellowhead Presbytery
meeting, the United Church of Canada is contemplating big changes in the way we
structure ourselves. The idea of
de-institutionalizing much of the institution and putting the emphasis on being
vibrant communities of faith is a bit scary for some - but I think it is an
inevitable reality for any congregation that wants to continue to be relevant
to a spiritually hungry world.
The future I
imagine that is before us is less worried about top-down control and
religious uniformity, but a unity that
comes from being communities where the Spirit of God is taken seriously - where
we love what and who Jesus loves.
imagine that is before us is less worried about top-down control and
religious uniformity, but a unity that
comes from being communities where the Spirit of God is taken seriously - where
we love what and who Jesus loves.
//
It may not be
a very certain future, but it deeply authentic to the best of who we can be.
a very certain future, but it deeply authentic to the best of who we can be.
//
Thanks be to
God for the gift of Spirit.
God for the gift of Spirit.
Let us pray:
Holy God, we
are grateful for the many ways you fed our spiritual hungers. Help us to see beyond the distractions of
institution so that the love of Jesus can truely move the world. Amen.
are grateful for the many ways you fed our spiritual hungers. Help us to see beyond the distractions of
institution so that the love of Jesus can truely move the world. Amen.
#79MV “Spirit, Open My Heart”
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