Rector's Sermon - Sunday, April 6, 2003

First Reading	Psalm	Epistle	Gospel
Jeremiah 31:31-34	119:10-16	Hebrews 5:5-10	John 12:20-33

     The incident in John's Gospel in which several Greeks approached Philip wishing to be introduced to Jesus, occurred after Jesus had entered Jerusalem with the crowds shouting hosanna, and cheering the country rabbi who was reputed to have raised a man named Lazarus from the dead. In truth, the mood had quickly turned more somber than triumphant. Galilee had been home and familiar territory for most of the disciples. While the discussions with some of the local rabbis might have become heated, they weren't necessarily dangerous. Now, however, they were in the crowded, volatile, politically-supercharged capital of Jerusalem where opposition and fresh ideas were regarded with a great deal more suspicion. As Jesus' reputation had spread, authorities began to take note. Arguments with the official representatives in Jerusalem quickly became confrontational and angry. In contrast to Galilee, Jesus and his followers could count on few friends here—and an unknown number of unseen enemies.

     That Philip first checked with Matthew before taking the Greeks to Jesus, might have been another sign of the disciples’ unease and nervousness. The disciples were unquestionably frightened, but Jesus did not flinch even though the future was weighing heavily on him, too.

     Jesus used the analogy of a single seed being planted, and gradually, but inevitably, becoming the basis of a bountiful harvest. Anyone who talks this way is thinking long term. Hence people of faith are those whose perspective goes beyond the anxieties of the present. We are in it for the long haul. Jesus was preparing his disciples to go the distance. Participating in the hundred yard dash isn't enough. Disciples are more like cross country runners than sprinters. Moreover Jesus goes on to tie together his vision of an eventual harvest with the larger mission of drawing all people to God. It was not enough to convince the people of Galilee, or of Jerusalem or even the people of his time about the intentions of God. God has bigger plans that extend to the horizons. In this atmosphere of fear and nervousness, Jesus exhibited a quiet, strong and steady example of courage. Jesus embraced God’s grand plan for humanity.

     We are not particularly uneasy about what happened at Jerusalem, for we know the outcome of the story. We are considerably more nervous about our own future. In times of such uncertainty, it is easy to escape through a search for scapegoats, to cast blame and to fan flames of rage and recrimination. It's so tempting to panic into all sorts of activity that temporarily makes us feel that we are doing something when all we are really doing is acting out our inner terror by outwardly exhausting ourselves.

     Thomas Merton once wrote "the truth that many people don’t understand until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt." I suspect you could substitute in this piece of wisdom, many of the concerns that weigh upon us. It is not that any of our concerns are misplaced or unreal. The world is definitely changing. Rather, the danger is giving our anxiety over such concerns an ultimate significance that they do not have, and becoming overwhelmed or bitter.

     A telling thing about Jesus is that the night before he was betrayed he didn't make plans for his defense or warn the disciples to watch what they said. There was no last moment frantic effort to protect and hang on to past accomplishments. Rather he gathered his disciples together and celebrated a traditional Passover meal, just like his family and those around him had done for centuries. It was a meal that celebrated God's long record of liberation in the past; that offered thanksgiving to God for sustaining them in the present; and affirmed the sure hope of God's continuing love and redemption in the future.

     That's what the church is here for. In all times and places, everywhere and always, we gather to proclaim: that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again, drawing together and reconciling all peoples of earth in God’s grand plan.

     And I offer this to you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen