Easter 5 (A) My Place
Easter 5 (A) My Place
Have you ever noticed how we all seem to gravitate to the same place when we gather for worship? I believe that I have been leading worship at Grace Church for over twenty years and could probably do it with my eyes closed. That’s because when we come together in this sanctuary, we all head for the same places.
I remember a lady, a very particular lady, back at St. Paul’s who would insist on her place even if she had to wait for visitors to move while she stood in the center aisle. Everyone knew Genevieve’s place.
Why is knowing our place so important? Because having compatible friends is more fun. Because being in positive relationships offers a greater sense of security, and self-confidence. Because if I felt out of place (really out-of-place), I would ask for prayers of reassurance. To me the most important gift of being human is knowing that you BELONG.
The thought of being really out of place reminded me of a time in high school when my “friends” conspired to trick me into believing that one of my “sure fire” jokes wasn’t funny. They let me build up to the punchline (remember I had told this joke many times before), but this time…when I got to the punchline…...there was silence. I saw their looks of dismay. Looks like… “Why does Ernie waste our time with his senseless jokes?” That kind of “misfire” has a lasting effect. The story I just told you is 65 years old. After I had recovered a bit, they each told their part of the scheme. One person was late to the meeting and had to be given hand signals behind my back to squelch his laughter.
Knowing your place and feeling acceptance in that place is one of the most important factors in being human. Just as I was typing this line, our miniature poodle Johnny popped up on my leg. Johnny is totally blind. I can tell you that even though Johnny is blind, he has his place. He knows he can count on our awareness of his problem, and in that trust, Johnny makes himself right at home. We love him and he loves us. And, that’s the way it should be. (Margaret calls him “Her little bitty buddy.”)
I have come to believe that one of the most important words in a Disciples vocabulary is the word hospitality. I like this simple definition of hospitality: making room. the hospitality industry has learned that when people are treated with kindness and respect, they will more than likely be back.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one will come to know God without living out God’s example. When Jesus is raised up, when people see what Jesus is all about, they will be drawn to His way of life. And, that’s the way it should be.
Today’s Epistle was written by Peter. In the early church, his influence was enormous and acknowledged by all.
The two letters Peter wrote exhibit the qualities of Jesus that the Holy Spirit shaped in Him: a readiness to embrace suffering rather than prestige, a wisdom developed from experience and not imposed from a book, a humility that lacked nothing in vigor or imagination. What we find in this man is a boldly confident and humbly self-effacing servant of Jesus Christ. Peter was, and is, a compelling witness to what Peter himself describes as a “brand new life, with everything to live for.”
If Peter showed up at a gathering of friends, we might call him a breath of fresh air.
As some of you know I have been fighting a long-lasting, low-level, cold…. or cough…. or whatever it is. I missed our Bishop’s consecration, and I missed the big mandatory clergy conference this past week. I was out-of-place, and to make it right would take time.
When the conference was over, our deacon Ann Howeard was kind enough to deliver me a “We Missed You” card. There are times when loved grabs me by surprise. This card was one of those times.
It reads:
“When life knocks you on your keister, keep your eyes on the sky…...there are brighter days ahead.”
Signed by 36 clergy at a conference I missed.
And that’s the way it should be….and PRAISE GOD that’s the way it was.
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