Nov 18 sermon..Thanksgiving in All Circumstances

Thanksgiving is.... Nov 18, 2007 PUMC Rory Swenson
I pointed out that the words from Paul in Philippians 4 were going to be the Bible verses for the sermon
and it is,,
Paul says in verse 11 (chpt 4) "I have learned to be content with whatever I have"
"to be content with whatever I have...full or empty
to have a little ..or to have a lot
then he says.. In verse 13 "I can do all things through him
who strengthens me."
Eugene Peterson in his version of this called the Message
he says
Whatever I have
wherever I am
I can make it through anything
in the One who makes me who I am
you hear that the one who makes me who I am
he seems to be trusting God for his life.
For .who I am he says
how ever it is.
.now that’s interesting
because some people might say
they might say
that Paul had a hard life at least after he became a Christian
why should he be content with it!
why should he feel good about his life?
you can read about all the things that the went though in 2 Corinths chapter 11
hard ships
hunger
prison
ship wrecks
beatings..
He Got whipped..
Run out of town..
Didn’t seem to have much money.
Lived on the road..
anxiety stress...
Lack of sleep
we Don’t know much about his family life at all
he did say
that he had this thorn in the flesh
that troubled him,,
we don’t know what it was.
Some aches
some chronic panic..an eye disease..
Some kind of problem..
.but it was not an easy life..
Yet
. Even with all of this
Paul also talks about thanksgiving in his letters
,,he give thanks
he is always thanking God for this and that.
.and now as I said
he says
he had learned some deeper contentment in the circumstances of his life .
The secret of contentment
Peterson has another interesting way of translating Paul’s words in the verses
just before this
in the same chapter,,
verse 7 ..
You get those words
.those words
about the peace of God that passes understanding
you see this not a head thing..or a rational..reasonable thing..
but it passes deeper than understanding..
Peterson put it this way
Paul says
Before you know it..
a sense of God’s wholeness.. ..
Everything coming together for good..
will come and settle you down...
..
Get that?
a sense of Gods wholeness for Good
You see
I think that what is at the center of thanksgiving
it’s the secret of contentment
I think that what thanksgiving is really about
this is more than just being grateful for a lot of good food
and family
and warm house..and maybe watching some football
and counting your blessings
.as in ..grateful for all the good stuff..
Thanksgiving is something way deeper
its not about just counting up the good things...
even though that’s a good thing to do.
Don’t get me wrong here..
.but I think its about seeing
the larger wholeness
and
then trusting
some essential .
maybe even a hidden good ness
a spiritual presence behind it all.
and through it all
and even in spite of it all
what if thanksgiving is not just conditional ....depending on the conditions to be right
and Thanksgiving is not circumstantial..as in //I will be thankful if the circumstances are right
but thanksgiving is somehow about trusting God ,,,
for life..
.for life ..even as it is..
Maybe even inexplicably
For good or bad..
. up or down. Or as Paul says
empty or full
Paul says
In any and all circumstances.. I have learned the secret.
In all circcumstances
.that would be the secret
I believe of saying thanks..
For the life you have
it is saying thanks for th life that you have

I think that’s what Paul is talking about
and it s kind of trust..
Its kind of knowledge
its kind of wisdom or truth
that’s what Paul has in Jesus Christ..
the gospel that god is there.
.and God is god
and God is at work,....all the time
No matter what the circumstance might be.
So
as I said
Thanksgiving
then is about saying yes to your life.
..being at peace with your life...
Profoundly
..and maybe in a more than rational kind of way..
But something at the core.
Saying yes to your life..in the wisdom of God
now hold that thought
Now let me try a story along with that.

Once upon a time, long ago,
before the emperors and the mandarins ruled in china
the wise ones and the poets moved way up to the highest mountains
and the power and the wisdom of the land
they believed
came from those holy ones
who lived up in the clouds and the mist
Everyone know about their truth and their guidance
so even the simplest and plainest people of the land
would plan their lives around a pilgrimage
to see those wise ones
and to just to ask them one question
those wise ones
lived their life in silence and looking at the mountains
or down into t he great canyons.
And they say that wisdom came from those years of looking and living in those mountains
now
during this time
there also lived a man who had been born in those mountains
he was poor and he could not read or write
but because he was born in the mountains
he know those wise ones who lived there
..he knew them like they were his own relatives
they lived so close to him.
But this man was not wise
he was just simple man
who worked at this trade
it was the same trade that his father had taught him when he was young
he was the one who carried the packs and the baggage
while the pilgrims came to see the Holy ones in the mountains
he would carry the packs
so they would not have to worry about the trail
and they would have what they needed.
But this simple man also had a dream
some day
if he worked very hard at his trade
and did his work
if he took extra trips up the mountains
perhaps he could retire early
and build a small and simple hut to live in..
Then he too
could sit and watch the mountains himself
and maybe he too could have some small bit of wisdom before he died.
he too could understand and see some truth.
So he lived on this dream..

And he learned the mountains very well
he knew all the paths and the details of every trail
he know where to find water and where to rest and spend the night
he know about the dangers and the pitfalls
He know even the unknown and the unvisited places.

So every morning he would begin again and the dream would be alive in his heart...
Someday Someday..
But then he would bend over and lift the baggage up onto his shoulders
and he would go make the long journey
up the steep mountain side

all the way
he would closely watch the path
he took care with every step...
not to fall off a cliff
or trip on a rock
or twist his foot.
each step
was act of concentration
he remembered that he too
was living there in those awesome mountains
it was there
but the only time he got to see them
was when he stopped to rest
He could lay down his burden
And take a quick look at the beauty around him
and this is how the years went by for him
as he bent down to pick up other peoples baggage
and carry ti up
and then back down the trails.
One day after many years
When he was around 73 years old
he began to realize that his dream was never going to be
he was older now
and the trips were harder
and more painful and much slower
he had not been able to sve up the money
or to build a hut ..
Or even find a place to start any of that on
so every night
he was just tired
from the work of life itself
it was hard
after he carried all the weight
every day
he would just fall asleep
the
n he would wake up early n the morning
and go right back to work
eventually he lost heart
he lost heart after awhile
he had no dream to live on any more
he thought of trying something else
but it was too late
and what else did he know ??!
what else could he do?!!
this simply was the path of his life
carrying baggage up a mountain
he would spend his life doing that.
He realized that he would never be able
to just sit ..as others could..
and watch these treasured mountains
he would never be wise.
So sadly
one day with
his heart not on it...
He went out to meet his next traveler
to carry his baggage
up the mountains
watching for the rocks
avoiding the dangers
along the way
leading other people
so they could see the see the view
and they could here the wisdom

but then
this time
he saw the trails in a different way
his old eyes
saw something new.

His eyes were now so comfortable
and so wise to the path.. Itself
That suddenly
he realized that the knew more about these mountains than he had thought
and something was so right about his life
he knew where the fresh water was
the cool running kind of streams
he knew the best paths to take
both the short cuts
but also the longer ways
that sometimes gave the most powerful views
he knew places where you could see the whole horizon
he knew where to rest under tall ancient trees
trees that gave shade on the hottest days
and he knew too..
before anyone else could tel..
he could see the signs of spring or fall or winter
and he knew those small and tender things
where the flowers grew in the meadows
he knew how to listen for the birds
and he knew their songs.
Sometimes he heard songs that nobody else seemed to notice.
And yes
he know about the dangers along the path
he knew where it was steep and rocky
he remembered where he had stumbled before.
and where his back would ache the most,
He also know where those wise old saints and poets lived
he knew where no one had lived yet
and of course he knew that path., itself
that path.
that went up and through the mountains
He thought about all of this
and some how he the journey
did not seem so arduous
even with the hardness of his life
even with the routine of it all..
.it was his like some gift
,,it was life
His life
and when he came to his resting place just then
and set down his burden
he straightened up
and looked around
and he stopped to revel
just to take it all in..
The mountains
the sky
the rock
and the cliffs
All of it
like a great cathedral around him
the mountains were the same
but yet
..something more
And then
he knew that his mountains
were also great and mysterious and even the path
was somehow true to him
it was his...
And what he could see with his eyes
he was now seeing also with his heart..
Simple and silent
.. And yet etched into his spirit.
..all was well..
all was well..
The person
whose baggage he had that day..
. Was ready to go back down to the valley
and the old man lifted up his pack
Took the burden
on his stopped shoulders
but this time
He smiled as he went down his path
it was the smile of a man who had lived long in the mountains
it was the smile of wisdom
it was the smile of wisdom and contentment

but I would call it the smile of thanksgiving..
-------------------------------------------
I offer you that little story
as something
to put on your thanksgiving mental menus
do more than put on the turkey and the pumpkin pies
and the tv football game
put on a moment
to see the view of your life with different eyes,,
not the eyes of wishing you had more of somebody elses life
but trusting the path of your own life
could you do that?
For just a minute
could you trust that your life
even with it s burdens
and its heavy loads
with all it ups and downs
even with its disappointment
with its grief and aches
the path of your life
is a path that will give you a view of God and a kind of wisdom

thanksgiving
.
it seems to me
is very spiritual place ..that glimpse..that wisdom
where really
you come to make peace with your life
.in the grace and faith of God
a deep trust..
So..
Could you be free for a moment
free from any jealously and resentment or regret
or envy
could you be free for just a moment
to just say "yes".to your life ..as it is.
Regardless of the circumstances
As it is..
What would that be for your life?
That’s thanksgiving
.because somehow
you know that God is still there..God is here.
You have God in your life
gratitude for the gift of your life.
Paul says that is the secret.
The secret of contentment is the strenght we have in jeus Christ..this assurance of power and grace at work...
trusting God in your life
maybe that’s what thanksgiving really is.

Adapted from Megan McKenna and Tony Cowan Keepers of the Story . 110-112
Orbis 1997

All Saints

All Saints 2007 Park UMC Rory Swenson
Texts: Romans 1:7 /2 Corinth 1:1 / Phiippians 1:1 4;21 / Collosians 1:2

Have you notice that Paul seems to be pretty generous with that word..”saints”...

.to all the saints.....in this place or that place ..and so on
.and then he writes to these people in these churches
who had to be guided and corrected..
..sometimes they let Paul down,..they seem to have plenty of problems. (usually that’s why Paul has to write that letter. In the first place)
,,sure..sometimes they got it right..
But basically..
they were simply the church..
They were just people..
.people of faith ..growing in Jesus Christ.. Saints.

So what is a saint..?

let me answer it with a story.
Once upon a time
back in the third century around Egypt
there was a young man who decided to become a saint.

He left his home
his family

he said goodbye to all his relatives

sold everything he had
and gave it to the poor.

Then he walked off alone,,, to the desert,,, to find God

He walked though the desert until he found a dark cave.


Here he thought, I know..I will find God

I will be alone with God
nothing will distract me from God..
. And so it was

he prayed day and night..

But still
God sent him temptations even in that cave
he thought about the good things of life

everything he had given away
everything he didn’t have
all the ways in which he denied himself..and avoided comfort and pleasure

but he was determined to just have God

and finally after many months

the temptations stopped..

St Anthony of the desert of
the first of the great desert monks
found peace

and he had nothing but God


But then
according to the legend



one day God told Anthony to leave his cave
and go to a far away town.

Anthony was told to look for the shoemaker in that town.

Knock on his door
and stay with him for while


Anthony did not understand why God would send him back in the world leek that.
but he went according to Gods command

the next morning
he got up
walked all day across the desert sands..

And just before nightfall
he came to that village

found the home of the shoemaker
and knocked on the door.

A smiling man opened the door.

Are you the town shoe maker?

Yes I am the shoe maker said
and the shoemaker could see how tired and hungry the hermit looked

“come in” he said, you need something to eat.
And a place to rest.”


The shoemaker called to his wife..... they fixed a meal..
A good simple meal..

and they gave Anthony a place to sleep

the holy hermit stayed with the shoemaker and his family for three days.

And while they were there

Anthony talked to them about their lives


but he said very little about himself
even though they were very curios about his life in the desert


but they talked a lot
. And they became good friends.


Then, as I said,
after three days Anthony the holy hermit, said good by
to the shoemaker and his wife.

He walked back to the cave
and he wondered why God had sent him to visit the shoemaker.

What was he suppose to learn ?

what could be so holy about their lives in the middle of a little town

well,,.God said .to Anthony
after he had settled back into the cave

What was that shoemaker like ?


.

And Anthony prayed and thought about his time in that house.
Anthony said

the shoe maker is a simple man.

He has a wife who is going to have a baby

they seem to love each other very much

he has just a little shop
where he makes shoes
he works hard

they have a simple house

they give money and food
to people who nee d help

he and his wife believe very much in you..

.
and they pray ,,,at least once a day

they have friends

and the shoemaker likes to tell jokes.

And then
God..
the legend says
listened to all of this very carefully
and said to Anthony
you are a great saint/

and God said

the shoemaker and his wife
they are great saints too.”

I know it a very simple story.
In fact it is deceptively simple

. But we need to hear its truth..
really hear
what it says..
because I believe it is also what the Bible is telling us.

The story is telling us
that sainthood can be all around us.
Our understanding of sainthood and holiness
is being opened up....

This is all saints Sunday ..as you know
And we Protestants.

All of us non Catholics
well
we still need to know our saints and celebrate our saints


A couple of year ago

Bishop Sally Dyck met with some of us on a retreat at the episcopal house of prayer

she told us about her prayer life
and what she was using in her daily devotions
we were taking about our spiritual practices

she introduced us to this book called
All Saints ; Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets and witnesses For Our Time..

She says she reads about one of those saints every day

it’s a wonderful l book .
.full of famous people
some of them are names
that I have heard of..

some of them are names I didn’t know anything about
well
Officially canonized or not.
they are saints..

And this book can inspire me and encourage me with the example of these saints

But even more so..
Than this book

I like that simple story about st Anthony
and the shoemaker and his wife..
Because they point me in this other direction...
..to look closer to home..


To hear about a God
and the wisdom of the church

that sees the sainthood..and the sacredness..
The spirituality of simple work
and simple living
making a life
and being family
trusting in god
hospitality...and generosity
daily prayer..and telling jokes and having friends..

We need to see the spirituality of the ordinary...that is close to home..
Hear and now

Sainthood according to that legend
is seems to me
is about living ..life...open
. To the deeper rhythms of God in the world
not outside of the world ..but in the world

sainthood
is about letting God be with us
in the common-ness and the daily-ness
and the business of life


And holiness
is not just found in the hermitage of a desert
it is not just found in the solitude of a cave

or the halls of a church
or a retreat center.

Maybe we should not just be looking for saints in stained glass windows
but maybe even in stains of our own lives..
.stains that point us to the grace of God.




Sainthood is not just about religion and churchiness

because we believe that holiness and sainthood...spirituality
can also
be also found in how
and why
we do our living in this world

Do you get this?)

Sainthood
holiness
is probably closer to us then we care to admit!

I can open a book like this(All Saints)
and I can read about great saints
st Antony of Egypt ... st Francis and st Teresa and st John of the cross

I can read about the people who did very famous..extraordinary and unusual things

or
I can open this sacred and holy book
I can open the Bible
and I can read about great Biblical saints
st Paul and St peter..st john and even st Mary magdalene

Again people
who seemed to do heroic and such faithful things


but I can also pick up the church bulletin today

and I can do what I will prayerfully do
and so will you
and we can read about our own near and great saints..

we can read can read these people
into our personal collection of saints

people who did those daily simple things..

People who worshiped with us.
Sang with us.
.supported this church...
Probably worked at the fair booth
or helped with coffee.
People who share daily talk
and work and friendship with us..

and these people have already

become the inspirational
saints in our
daily reflections of the heart

in those books of the heart
as we name and remember them

probably day by day

this is our book of saints

these are the people in our prayers

these are the people
who still guide us..
by memory and example or some unknown influence

These are the people whose stories
we know how to tell
.
these are the saints that God somehow
wanted us to meet..

as we give thanks for their love
their work
their friendship for us

they are brothers and sister
they are parents and grandparents
husbands and wives
they are co workers and friends
these are the people
That God used to touch us.


in such common and practically overlooked way
They still showed us
or gave us some light of God


or again
as that legend of st Anthony is also saying to us..

God does not just come to us in the separateness..
but in the relationships

There is a sacredness
in the people and the work around us..

The miracle is , that in them..
we can also have something of God...

The miracle .the gift..
is that is that the people around us can really be saints of God..

..........
In the front of this book
there is a quote from Thomas Merton.
.
(A person by the way who is listed on page 538 of this book.).

But the words being quoted are this

“There is now way to tell people that they are walking around shining like the sun..”


I don’t know if that really true.
. I think you can tell that to someone

Because we are getting close to something like that on day like today

remember what this is called
All saints day
this is our All saints Sunday
what if we are all...all saints.

look at the people around you

they are shining like the sun...
the light of God is in us..
you are the light of the world ..Jesus said
even now
we live in the communion of saints..
The fellowship of saints


and if that t is just really too hard for us to see and hear
in each other
while we are yet alive ..

precisely because we are so common..
so imperfect...
so
well you know..
“saints but yet sinners.”

then
let us at least hear the words.
From the hymn that we sang
for all the saints,
, we feebly struggle .. they in glory shine

and maybe we can just say
that it is true
we feebly struggle

that is just what we all do,,
but they in glory shine..
They now in glory shine.


praise be to God for the names of these 16 saints

and for all the saints that that still touch our lives.
Thanks be to God. Amen


I adapted the St Anthony story from The Sowers Seeds, by Brian Cavanaugh “On Being a Saint” p. 53 . Paulist Press 2004

The All Saints book that is referenced and from which I borrow the Thomas Merton quote is by Robert Ellsberg The Crossroad Publishing Company 2004

Comments welcome

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