Epiphany 6 C A Level Playing Field

 Epiphany 6 C A Level Playing Field

February 11, 2001

By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell

Hubert Humphrey is quoted as saying that, “The moral test of government is how that

government treats those who are in the dawn of life – the children; those who are in the twilight

of life – the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life – the sick, the needy and the

handicapped.”

If we do not see the importance of this statement (as it may relate to ourselves or members of

our family) is what I would call “whistling in the dark” denial. All, no matter what our station or

status, will experience the dawn, twilight, and shadows of life.

Shel Silverstein; a poet, a folksinger, and a brave man once sang – “Oh, the Slitheree-Dee, he

crawled out of the sea. He may catch all the others, but he won’t catch me.” The second verse,

“No you won’t catch me, old Slitheree-Dee, you may catch all the others, but you…. SLURP!”

The point here is clear. Even though we don’t want to face it; we are all in the dawn, twilight,

and shadows of life…. together! St. Paul put it like this, “If any one among you suffers, we all

suffer. If anyone is honored, we are all honored.”

Back in Evanston, Illinois, I was acquainted with a group of severely handicapped people. They

called themselves “The Sunshine Club.” Their president, who had cerebral palsy, was an

Episcopalian. He put me on their mailing list. In one of his editorials, he wrote: “We, the

members of the Sunshine Club, are extremely fortunate because we understand, and have

experienced the meaning of community. We are one in our needs, and we are one in our need to

care for one another. No social or economic lines divide us.” I’m sure it took him an hour to type

those three sentences. The Sunshine Club provided a level playing field for its members. It was

not the Kingdom of God but you had the feeling that the Kingdom was near.

In today’s Gospel we see Jesus meeting people on a level place… (we might say that Jesus

ministered on a “level playing field”). He did not wait for people with needs to find Him on

some remote high mountain; He showed up where people were hurting. He was not interested in

trying to measure their degree of faith. His ministry started where they were in their need and

faith development. And, the people came! They came from all over the place and at great

distance. And, they were set free from the bondage of their guilt, illness, and emotional dis-ease.

They were empowered by the Lord’s LOVE. Yes, Love is power!

Wouldn’t every church enjoy that kind of enthusiastic response? People coming to be healed, met

by our healing Lord and His people of faith. Did you know that the word “to cure” is derived

from the word “to care?” People in the healing arts will tell you that caring support makes a

significant difference.”

When our son Dave was taking Kemo-therapy for his cancer, we were told that it would help if a

family member were present for comfort and support. For the Campbell family, it was one of

those “light” burdens that our Lord was talking about. “My yoke is easy; my burden is light.”

When we are sick and heavy laden, someone’s caring could make all the difference.

Someone asked a doctor to describe his job. The doctor said, “To cure some, to relieve many, to

comfort all.” This, I would say, is the same mission of the church as a place for spiritual healing.

To cure some, to relieve many, to comfort all.

I believe that as members of the body of Christ we all play an important part as healers. We are

all part of a caring community. Our personal need for that care will come and go…rise and fall,

BUT the churches need for care-givers is, as we describe, a full-time responsibility, 24 hours in

each day, 7 days each week.

I was talking with a parishioner who I had not seen in church for some time, and told her that she

had been missed. In response she said, “Well, right now, everything in my life is going great.”

Later, I thought (but not quickly enough to say at the time), how wonderful it would be if you

showed up and shared that “great spirit” with those who may be hear today that are not so sure

that anyone cares.

What is Christ trying to teach us here? I believe that Jesus moved about among all people,

whatever their status or condition, that He was helping us to see that the Kingdome of God is

about al level playing field of compassion and respect. It is not a question of whether God loves

the poor more than He loves the rich. He loves them the same. We know ourselves that our place

on the continuum, between rich and poor, can change rather dramatically in our lifetime. Once

we were poor, now we are comfortably well off. Does God love us less because we have moved

toward rich or poor on the financial continuum? I don’t think so.

In fact, if there is a difference between rich and poor, I think most would say that rich is better.

It’s better because it gives us more options. And, one of those options is to help extend God’s

caring hands.

Ex) A good friend and former parishioner from Minnesota, Jack Smith said, “If you’re going to

raise money for anything, including a church campaign, it’s very important to know ahead of

time, what you are going to DO with the money.” Jack was a business man who had “made it”

by the time he was 40 years old. He was very good in business and a very generous man.

God gives to us…rejoice, Alleluia! And, we give back to God…rejoice, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Jesus could see; just as we can see, if we will, that for some being rich means treating the poor

like they should be ashamed of themselves. That somehow, “having less” means “being less.” To

which I think our Lord would say, “Woe…. Woe….. Woe!

If all you want is “rich” that’s all you’ll get. But sadly, you will never know what the members of

the Sunshine Club, back in Evanston knew, about the joy of compassion and respect.

One more, admittedly exaggerated, example to make the point.

A rich man died, and in his will, ordered that he was to be buried behind the wheel of his

$200,000. Ferrari. As his car was being lowered into the grave, one of the grave diggers said,

“Man, that’s livin’.”

To which I think our Lord would say, with tears in His eyes, “How sad. How very, very sad. Let

me now read the verses from hymn number 609 [from the 1982 Hymnal of the Episcopal

Church].

Where cross the crowded ways of life,

Where sound the cries of race and clan,

Above the noise of selfish strife,

We hear thy voice, O Son of Man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need,

On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,

From paths where hide the lures of greed,

We catch the vison of thy tears.

The cup of water given for thee

Still holds the freshness of thy grace;

Yet long these multitudes to see

The true compassion of they face.

O Master, from the mountain side,

Make haste to heal these hearts of pain;

Among these restless throngs a bide,

O tread the city’s streets again.

Till all the world shall learn they love,

And follow where thy feet have trod;

Till glorious from thy heaven above,

Shall come the city of our God.