Epiphany 3 C The Ripple Effect

 Epiphany 3 C The Ripple Effect

January 27, 2013

By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell

You have heard me mention the Men’s Proper’s Breakfast: that for the past 40 years has met

weekly at 7:00 a.m. every Wednesday (unless Wednesday falls on Christmas or New Years Day)

to discuss the lessons assigned by the lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. We pray that we may

hear what God wants each of us to hear, and for the will to let God’s word change the direction

of our individual and corporate lives.

Any and all questions are welcome.

A few weeks ago, the subject of the school shooting at Newtown, Connecticut invited comment.

What would 15 old men, who consider God’s word every week of the year, have to say about

that heartbreaking tragedy?

Our discussion turned to guns, mental health and young white males who turn violent. We

wondered what wisdom, we, and others, might possess that, if it were systematically being

passed on, could possibly make a difference. How do we help young men know that they are

accepted as someone of worth?

We talked about incidents in our own lives that gave us some measure of assurance that we had

some recognizable value.

One member of our group suggested that we take a minute to write down three remembrances

from our youth that encouraged and invited us to participate in the larger male world. What

events in our youth gave us a sense of achievement and belonging. We could see that it was not a

single incident, but a series of passages that invited us into that world, and that gave us that

feeling of belonging. Most importantly, it was an internal event; something that might or might

not be visible to observers.

The remarks that these men shared were loosely grouped into six areas;

     Mentoring or “Doing”

     Service or Acting on Responsibilities

     Group membership / cooperation and competition

     Stepping into the larger world of work

     Facing fear / showing courage

     Other / ongoing

The list (which I am holding in my hand) is too long to share in its entirety, but here are a few

samples shared by the men of the Proper’s Breakfast.

    1. At age 10, as an only child, my maternal grandfather taught me some carpenter skills,

        including using his penknife (the scar on my right fingers is evidence of my learning).

    2. Getting my driver’s license at age 15 and hauling hay all by myself.

    3. Being asked to be a camp counselor at age 15.

    4. Made the starting lineup in High School football.

    5. Getting married and providing for our family

    6. At age 9, swimming out to the big rock in Lake Michigan.

    7. Learning how to parachute in the military.

    8. When I realized that being ethical and honest had more to do with being accepted and

        honored than achieving.

    9. When I got a part in the school play.

    10. Working with my dad, and having other adults affirm my efforts.

As I said, this list is only a sample. I am sure that this group of assembled men, could add to the

list. I’m sure that one of the most important marks of manhood, gifts of growing up, is our

father’s blessing. It sounds like this, “Son (or daughter) …Good job! I’m proud of you!”

I believe that if we don’t get that blessing in some form from our parents, or surrogate parents…

we will be vulnerable!

Gangs also give blessings, but for destructive, negative activities. All human beings would like

to believe that they are worth something… one way, or another.

Here’s the good news, we have all been blessed! At our baptism, as the priest makes the sign of

the cross on our foreheads, we hear these words, “You are marked as Christ’s own forever.” Not

because we have proved ourselves worthy, but because God in Christ loves us, and passionately

desires to enjoy a relationship with us.

We know, if we are honest, that we don’t deserve God’s loving kindness, but hear the words of

Nehemiah: “Do not mourn or weep, go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send

portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day (and every day) is holy to

our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The Lord is with you! Find the good and praise it! Find some way to be a part of God’s loving

kindness!

We, according to Luke’s gospel, have been chosen to proclaim God’s love for the poor:

     Our loaves and Fishes program (soup, bread and pie served to the community

        once a week from St. Paul’s kitchen), provides a warm place to eat and drink.

To proclaim God’s love for the prisoners:

     Last Sunday we learned about the STAR program that will help released felons

        gain traction with money and a new set of clothes.

To help those who are physically or spiritually blind to see and experience the light of God’s

love.

     Renewal opportunities through retreats, group study and prayer.

The find a place for the homeless:

     The Christian Aid Center and battered YWCA women’s shelter.

Here’s today’s collect again:

“Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all

people the Good News of His salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of

His marvelous works.”

Find the good….and praise it!

Of the fifteen (15) men, currently at Proper’s Breakfast, we have; four (4) engineers, one (1)

college professor, one (1) who worked in the automobile business, one (1) farmer, one (1)

teacher, one (1) who worked in education, two (2) priests, one (1) school janitor, one (1) medical

doctor, one (1) children’s home director and one (1) pharmacist.

All of us can point to a time, and a person, who helped us see our worth.

We are all created in God’s image. We worship a creative God; we all have creative potential. we

can use our creative potential either constructively or destructively. Our job is to look for the

positive creativity and praise it!

We can do it!