Sunday, November 13, 2016

Opportunity to Testify

This will give you an opportunity to testify.” Luke 21:13

Today as we gathered for worship, I felt as if last week’s All Saint’s worship was months ago instead of just one week. Last Sunday we gathered in the sanctuary, remembering the saints who are dear to us and are no longer physically present. We recalled the promises of the baptismal waters, that through Christ we are joined with the saints of all ages and nothing can separate us from the love of God. And then just two days later, we elected a new Presidential of the United States, the candidate most pollsters predicted would lose. The post-election pulse is one of cautious victory for some and disappoint and anxiety for others.
            What I love about our Lutheran worship and liturgy is the pattern of coming together from whatever we have experienced this week in the world, to hear the word of God proclaimed, to be fed at the table with the very presence of Christ before God sends us back into the world for mission. “The whole people of God are joined by the same gifts of grace, for the sake of the same mission of the gospel, into the life of the one triune God.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship p. 91)
            My tradition is to follow the Revised Common Lectionary, which means the scriptures we hear in worship have already been selected based on where we are in the church calendar. Today’s gospel reading was Luke 21:5-19, the destruction of the temple foretold. This apocalyptic passage has been used by some to predict the future of the world’s end, of Jesus’ 2nd and final coming. In our post-election mindset it can be a little unsettling to hear “nation will rise against nation.” In the sermon, I spoke to the experience of this style of writing being a comfort to those that were oppressed and persecuted for their faith. Which would have been the Christians hearing Luke’s gospel 15 years after the destruction of the temple, the most beautiful building they had ever seen and the place where they thought God dwelt.
            Jesus’ words reminds us it is not easy to follow him. We can be comforted by Jesus’ words “do not be terrified” and “not a hair of your head will perish” especially when life appears to be crashing down around us. God calls us individually into community and today I experienced this reality most profoundly while presiding at the communion table. 

            Just prior to beginning our communion liturgy, we share a greeting of peace with one another. This is not a time to socialize with one another but is an act of reconciliation. If you have a disagreement with a brother or sister in Christ, this is the time to reconcile the differences before coming to join together in the great feast we call Eucharist. The very presence of the community gathered and claimed sharing in the saving grace of Jesus’ body and blood is a testifying witness to Jesus Christ’ presence in our midst, in our country and in our world.
            As a pastor, people often share their thoughts and views with me. So as I looked out today at the beloved faces of God, at the flock I have been called to love and serve, I saw children of God, some torn by the election results and others holding back their excitement for change. What I experienced at the communion table was a group of saints and sinners, freed from sin and given God’s promise of everlasting life, being united in One Body. We are sent back into the world with an opportunity to testify to the saving grace of God as given through the crucified and risen Christ. Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God!