Saturday, June 27, 2020

“Dancing in the Shadows” (Matthew 10:40-42)


Sometimes Jesus can be a real burr in our saddles.  Kathleen Norris, in her book Dakota, tells the story that supposedly originated in a Russian Orthodox monastery, of an older monk telling a younger one: “I have finally learned to accept people as they are. Whatever they are in the world, a prostitute, a prime minister, it is all the same to me. But sometimes I see a stranger coming up the road and I say, ‘Oh, Jesus Christ, is it you again?’”

Jesus tends to create such a reaction in our lives.  Considering the news and events taking place in the past week, it is difficult not to acknowledge that Jesus is strolling down the street . . . heading right for us . . . asking us (once again) to consider our faith in the light of what is happening in our nation and world.

This past week I read an article from a news source about four Black women in Colorado considered to be scholars and activists.  In each of the interviews they were asked to give their views on the recent events happening across the nation and world dealing with racism.  One of those interviewed, Janiece Mackey, a co-found and director of a youth engagement organization, had this to say: “There’s been a lot of romanticizing of race and racism and folks feel like they’ve done their work by simply naming that. And it’s like, that’s the easy part . . .” 

When pressed to answer whether anything had changed in relation to what was happening, she responded: “Is this moment different? My heart and my soul, unfortunately, tells me ‘No.’ As a Black woman who’s married to a Black man, who has Black kiddos, I think that the ways in which we’re being exposed to the root -- which is white supremacy and institutionalized violence manifesting through that -- it’s unfortunately not different. The ways in which others may be digesting is different.”

There it is . . . Jesus knocking on the door!

For the past couple of weeks, we have been listening to Jesus tell his disciples that they were now gifted with the same message and abilities as he has.  They have been told that now they were his representatives and that they were to go out into the world to do as he had done.  And, he has also been warning them that they are to do this at great risk to themselves.  He wants them to know that it will not be easy walking in his footsteps sharing his words and performing his ministries.  It is going to be hard and dangerous work changing the world to God’s Kingdom.  Then this morning, he tells them that they are to do this for the “little ones”. 

Who are these “little ones”?

Apparently the “little ones” are those who are the least powerful within the community . . . those who are not at the table . . . those who are ignored or disdained by those in control . . . those who are the least among them . . . those who are standing in the shadows of the outer circle.  Those in the shadowlands.

Few of us venture into the shadowlands.  The shadowlands represent those places of mystery of things we do not understand or that we fear.  It is a place where we shove that stuff and people that we do not want to deal with.  The shadowlands are a place of being lost, suffering, and death.  The shadowlands are a place we are more than happy to keep far on the outskirts of the light as we can in our lives.  We know that they are there, but for the most part we try hard to ignore them.  There in the shadows we find the “little ones”.

So, who would we equate these “little ones” as being?  Well, who is not at the table?  Who does not have full standing within the family of God?  Apparently, our nation’s battle over racism points to the fact that those who are of color fit into that group.  I would throw into that mix others . . . the issue of those of different sexes and genders . . . those who have disabilities would say they have no place at the table . . . those who are poor . . . those of cultures that are different than the prevalent culture . . . those who struggle with mental health issues . . . the elderly and the young.  These are those who lurk in the shadows . . . those we attempt to hide behind the curtains . . . to exclude and leave out.

To these Jesus tells his disciples and us to go forth and share the “good news” of God . . . to establish God’s Kingdom.

The idea of racism or any “ism” for that matter has become an issue that is difficult to ignore considering everything that we are witnessing on the evening news or reading in our newspapers.  The idea of those “little ones” hanging out in the shadows of the world we live in is being revealed whether we like it or not.  We cannot deny that the “out of sight, out of mind” is not working.  And, surprisingly, more and more are coming to accept the fact that this is a real issue in our nation and world.  The shadowlands and its inhabitants have been acknowledged . . . but acknowledgement is not enough.  Remember what Ms. Mackey said earlier: “There’s been a lot of romanticizing of race and racism and folks feel like they’ve done their work by simply naming that. And it’s like, that’s the easy part . . .”

Jesus warned his disciples and us that it would not be easy and that there would be danger in pursuing his call in the world which we live.  Which makes us uncomfortable as the followers of Jesus . . . uncomfortable as we watch the protests springing up to change this discrepancy between those at the table and those longing to be included.  Yet, this is where Jesus calls for his followers to come and dance . . . to dance in the shadows . . . to spread the light . . . to fill the table and explode God’s Kingdom to include all of God’s children no matter who they are.

How do we respond to this uncomfortableness of ministering for and with those who are the “little people”?  Do we rise in protest?  Do we “riot”? Do we write letters to the editor . . . put up snippy statements on social media?  Or do we just admit that there is a problem and hope that someone else comes along and solves it.  I imagine we are scatter across the spectrum in to how we respond.  But I ask you to consider something simpler and quite do-able.

I ask you to consider love . . . to love as God has loved us . . . to love as Jesus demonstrated . . . to love as we would want to be loved.  Acts of love.  It is interesting that in our reading this morning the only example of ministry that Jesus gives is the act of giving another a “cup of cold water”.  To offer to quench another’s thirst and then to do it.  A simple act of love, hospitality, and welcoming.

Acknowledgement is a good first step, but we cannot stop there.  Where we see someone who is thirsty, we offer a cold drink.  Where we see someone naked, we clothe them.  Where we see violence, we offer a better way . . . we love.  Where we see someone outside and excluded, we invite them in.  Where we see injustice, we speak up.  We begin to care in order to make a change . . . and, we begin where we are.

Jesus chose to love . . . to love the “little ones” . . . to love us.

Jesus chose to open the table and to include everyone.

Here comes Jesus . . . coming up the road . . . do we follow?  The choice is ours to make.  What will we do?  Amen.

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