|
First
Reading
|
Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
| Isaiah 49:8-16a |
Psalm 131 |
1Corinthians 4:1-5
|
Matthew 6:24-34 |
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
At graduation ceremonies around the country, there will be many expressions reflecting the hope and sincere wishes for future success mingled with the recognition and congratulations of many accomplishments well done. While it is very reasonable for Alumni associations to offer more than subliminal messages about not forgetting your Alma Mater as you go out into the world to acquire your millions, Jesus’ words remind us of the danger of defining the successful life too narrowly.
Jesus acknowledged the necessity of material success. It was then and is now certainly a standard of usefulness and value. For me monetary reward is one of my favorite ones and I look forward to pay day, as I suspect virtually all of us do. But it is not the only or the prime one for a healthy society. I suspect, however, that this morning’s Gospel passage will rarely be quoted in commencement speeches urging graduates to go forth, follow their passion, and strive to make good.
As I read Jesus words, I was reminded of something Martin Luther King, Jr., said, near the end of his life.
“Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind.... We all want to be important, to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. ... And the great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct. It is a good instinct if you don't distort it and pervert it. Don't give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.”1
I think graduates need to hear those words also. I suppose that educators will always argue over the definition of a useful education or a successful curriculum, but I am highly suspect of the world’s definition of usefulness and success being much too limited. It is commendable that Ithaca High School has been recognized as one of the best 350 high schools in the nation, but such awards, as well as all the ABs. MAs, and PhDs that will be bestowed up on the hill, are no predictor, much less measure in and of themselves, of a truly rich and committed life.
Dr. King was highly educated and articulate. He gave hope to many who were not. He gave a voice to those who lived committed and useful lives, who cared about their neighbor and who would always lend a hand to someone in pain. King lifted up the spirits of those who were willing to respond to the trouble around them, who put their bodies on the line and did not hide behind the excuses of busyness and preoccupation of the world’s siren call. That is why the true value in Martin Luther King’s words is not reflected in how much he was paid for his speeches or the sales of his writings.
Yes it is a bad thing for us to be hungry and not be fed, but it is an even worse thing for us to be so consumed with gathering that we become satiated and lose our hunger for the justice, the peace, and the comprehensiveness of God’s commonwealth.
The words of Jesus and Dr. King serve as a warning to why we don’t live very well by striving for bread alone, and a grim reminder to those who would attempt to do so, that hoarders often end up eating a bitter diet. These words are wise words to hear on this graduation weekend. They are also poignant words to hear on this Memorial Day weekend, as our society remembers those who gave their lives so that succeeding generations would have the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments, to go forth, and seek to make good.
And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
1 From King’s sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Feb. 1968
