Sermon
for Hope Episcopal Church
The Reverend Martha Frances
Year B, Pentecost 5, Proper 9
9 July 2006
Text:
Mark 6: 1-6
Other Readings: Ezekiel 2: 1-7; Psalm
123; 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10
This story of Jesus’ return to his hometown of
Nazareth reminds me of the retired schoolteacher being examined for jury
duty. First, the prosecuting attorney
asked her, “Mrs. Russell, do you know me?
She responded, “Well, of course I know you, Johnny
Smith. I had both you & your
brother Jerry in 8th grade.
And frankly, I’m disappointed in you.
By now, I thought you would be a judge or at least a state
representative. I haven’t seen you in
church in a long time either.”
Then the defense attorney queried the woman. “Mrs. Russell, do you know me?”
Again, she shook her head in confirmation. “You were in my class, too, Tommy
Washington. A fine violinist you would
have made if you hadn’t been so eager to make money as a hot-shot lawyer. What’s this I hear about your running around
on that pretty wife of yours?”
At which time, the judge called both attorneys to
the bench. He exclaimed to the two of
them, “Gentlemen, if either of you asks Mrs. Russell if she knows me, I’ll hold
you in contempt of court!”
Like the people in this story, Jesus grew up in a
small town, Nazareth, &, upon returning home, was asked to speak in the
synagogue. For once, the issue was not
his healing on the Sabbath but rather a matter of his very identity. Just like Mrs. Russell, they all knew
him. Here was Jesus, the hometown
carpenter boy who had gone off as an itinerant preacher, back home again
sounding like a rabbi, like an expert.
But they all knew this was Jesus who had worked in the carpenter’s shop
making a living for his mother, brothers, & sisters after Joseph died. This was Jesus, Mary’s son, who had made
tables & door frames & windows for their homes & yokes for their
oxen. Who did he think he was, coming
back home & teaching like he’d gone of to Jerusalem University & gotten
a degree or something? Sure, he sounded
wise, but this was just Jesus. They all
knew him.
And with this story, we see human nature in all its
glory. We’re reminded first of Jesus’
humanity. Jesus is the carpenter, the
son of Mary, brother of James & Joses, Judas & Simon & at least 2
sisters. Remember how he was left
behind in Jerusalem the year he was 12?
How he worried his mother that time!
Second, we see the natural tendency of the
townspeople. They disbelieve that this
common working man from their own home town could possibly be anyone
special. He isn’t even from one of the
best families. How could one of theirs
know so much about the things of the Spirit?
Why, he’s only a layman! Many of
those who hear him are astounded. In
fact, they “took offense” which means they are scandalized—his being a hometown
boy was a stumbling block for them.
And in the end, Jesus himself is amazed at their
disbelief. Not only is he amazed; their
disbelief actually becomes a stumbling block to his effectiveness to minister there in Nazareth. Mark has been describing Jesus’ many
miraculous deeds in the previous several chapters: calming the storm, healing
the woman who had had a hemorrhage for 12 years, & raising Jairus’ daughter
from the dead. Pretty amazing actions, don’t
you agree? Here, in contrast, Jesus can
do no work of power except for healing a few sick people. This rejection by his own people restricts
his ministry & causes him to move on, his work ended in Nazareth. One commentary calls this an “unmiracle
story.”
I pause here to think that, in 2 weeks, we will have
one of our own back here at Hope to talk about her new book & sign
copies. Cecile Holmes was not only the
religion editor for the Chronicle & a member of St. Michael’s; she also
taught the EFM class that folks from Incarnation as well as St. Michael’s
attended. Now she’s gone off to teach at
university in South Carolina & has written a book, Four Women & Three Faiths. There was even an article in the
Chronicle yesterday about it. But
what does she know? She’s just a
hometown gal. Will we be open to what
Cecile shares with us?
For some of you, my coming among you as priest might
have been like Jesus coming home to Nazareth.
I had known a few long before I was ordained & then more of you when
I was supplying both at Incarnation & St. Michael’s. However, you have brought me into your fold
as shepherd & teacher & friend.
We have worked together to meld this community into one & have done
an amazing work over the past year. We
are coming to a familiarity & comfort with one another which now allows us
to begin to grow deeper spiritually together & reach out to the larger
world, both in our neighborhood & beyond.
The lesson of our Gospel today applies to all of us
as we strengthen our parish for mission & ministry. Starting the last Sunday of the month, we
are beginning a series of sessions in which we will be equipping ourselves for
effective ministry, both within this parish & beyond it. We are inviting one guest speaker to share
with us, but most of the facilitators will be from within this church family. We ourselves are endowed with many gifts
& skills which are essential as we go forward in hope as Hope
Episcopal. I am excited about the work
which our design team is doing to empower us all as disciples. Each one of us is called to be a disciple by
our baptism, & we are now gaining the skills & momentum to venture
forward as a revived community of faith.
Let us affirm those who are willing to come forth as mentors & grow
together to do the work which God is calling us to do in this place.
In the past few weeks, we’ve talked a lot about our
providing the financial resources necessary to live into God’s call to us. Indeed, we must be fiscally responsible
& give generously for the work of Christ in this place. I urge you to reach as deep as possible into
your pockets for the ongoing ministry here at Hope. And equally, I ask you to delve deep within your hearts, open
yourself to how God is inviting you to grow as a person & a disciple in
this community. We’re all needed; none
of us has the leisure to be an on-looker.
What will it cost? Only your
whole being. What are the
benefits? An exciting & enriched
journey which I understand leads into eternity. Let’s travel together.