The Rev. Brad Sullivan
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
January 24, 2021
3 Epiphany, B
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
“See the Light. Be the Light.”
Sometimes we hear words which forever change us. Sometimes these words are very personal, words such as, “I love you,” “I forgive you,” or “I’m pregnant.” Sometimes the words have a more universal scope, words such as, “I have a dream,” “Be the change you want to see in the world,” or “The only thing evil can’t stand is forgiveness.” Those words from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mr. Rogers have had life and impact far beyond their utterance. Those words have worked forever to change people’s lives. Those words are utterances of the Kingdom of God.
Words of God’s kingdom bring light and life, and they keep on giving that light and life long after they are spoken. “‘Let there be light,’ God said, and there was light.” The action of those first words which God spoke into the universe have continued on from their initial utterance, through today, and on into eternity. God’s words come into the world and spur our action.
When Jesus approached some fishermen busy plying their trade, he said to them “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Those words forever changed the world. They brought life and light, and they spurred those fishermen to action.
For Jesus’ disciples, his words were like Martin Luther King’s words were for us. “I have a dream,” he said, “that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Powerful words of God’s kingdom that spurred the listeners into action, to make that vision a reality.
“Be the change you want to see in the world,” Gandhi said. Believe in God’s kingdom all around you, a kingdom of love, light, and forgiveness, and then be that kingdom.
Rosa Parks didn’t want to live in a world of segregation, so she lived as though there was no segregation, simply saying, “no,” when she was told to give up her seat on a bus so a white person could sit there instead. Living out God’s kingdom in places where God’s kingdom is not being lived out by so many is a bold and often scary thing to do. Truly believing in Gods’ kingdom of love, light, and forgiveness, we find that fear overcome by God’s spirit. “I have learned over the years,” Mrs. Parks said, “that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
Even something as simple as forgiving someone can be a fearful prospect. What if they don’t deserve it? What if they haven’t asked for it? What if we’re still really angry and just don’t want to forgive them. In Jesus’ vision of God’s kingdom, we learn to forgive in spite of all of our internal objections, releasing our anger and resentment so that we can be free of it, and the other can be free of it as well. Forgiveness frees us of the darkness and poison inside of us and keeps that poison from becoming venom which attacks others. As Mr. Rogers said, “The only thing evil can’t stand is forgiveness.”
“I have a dream.” “Be the change you want to see in the world.” “Knowing what must be done does away with fear.” “The only thing evil can’t stand is forgiveness.” Words spur listeners to action and invite them into a new life.
Jesus was inviting his soon to be disciples into a new life, even before he said, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people,” “The kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news,” was an invitation into a new life. Believe that the kingdom of God has come near. Believe that God is everywhere around you, among you, and within you. Believe that all is God’s kingdom, that God’s kingdom is here, now. Believe in that good news, then let that belief be real enough to change your life.
Believe in God’s kingdom and see God’s kingdom all around you, and it will change your life. As poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote:
“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
Jesus’ words were a call to see the holy ground all around, to see every common bush afire with heaven. Jesus’ words were a call to see every person around as a beloved child of God. Sinners, saints, outcasts, and rulers, all beloved children of God. Those who were willing to see had their lives changed by Jesus’ invitation to live God’s kingdom, already present, into existence.
I caught the end of Amanda Gorman’s inauguration poem, and I was struck by the invitation she gave. It was for me an invitation to live God’s kingdom. She said:
 |
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we're brave enough to see it
If only we're brave enough to be it
Powerful words of hope and good news. See the light. Be the light. It is near. Now make it so. Jesus’ words were powerful words that the kingdom of God has come near. Then he and his friends made it so. Jesus’ words of hope and good news are here for us too, to hear, believe, and to let that belief be real enough to change our lives.
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;”
“if only we're brave enough to see it
If only we're brave enough to be it.”
No comments:
Post a Comment