Others

Our gospel reading today is another amazing story of Jesus healing; actually two healing stories.  But the even more astounding thing about this gospel passage is something that has always intrigued me about Jesus’ actions and ministry.   He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there…” and, after he had opened the ears of the deaf man and released his tongue he, “…ordered them to tell no one…”  Wasn’t he the Son of God?  Shouldn’t he be proclaiming that and telling people?  Advertising.  Spreading this great news about himself.

But that’s not who Jesus was, nor how he comported himself.  He always points away from himself, not toward himself.  So many times in Holy Scripture we see and hear Jesus turning the focus away from himself.  He never verbally directly proclaimed himself as the Son of God.  On the few occasions when he did reference that, it was an obtuse reference, and always in the third person.  In the church it is easy for us to become focused on our parish, our activities, our growth, our challenges.  Humanly normal.  But classic Jesus always points away.  He reminds us to look not inward but outward. But Jesus reminds us that he never made it about himself or his band of followers.  Never said, look at me, I’m the important one, look at us.  And if you think about that, when humans do that is when humans get in trouble.  And organizations.

Think about the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the German Third Reich.  So concerned with themselves, with power and reach.  Think about individual humans, famous people over the years that were in the spotlight, who became famous, and when the focus was on them they spiraled down into drugs, or alcohol, or really bad behaviours — entertainers like Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Prince; religious leaders, Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Baker, historical figures, Julius Caesar, Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette, Hitler.  All made it about themselves, organizations and individuals.  Or consider modern day politicians in the US, Italy, the UK.

There is a wise aphorism in considering the work of parishes that those parishes that focus on themselves and their interior problems don’t grow but shrink.  And that those that focus on ministry and outreach flourish.  Indeed the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church have been criticized for their ongoing concern with the ordination of women as priests, and on the blessing of same sex marriages rather than caring for those in need.  Very valid points.  A decade ago the American Episcopal Church spent a great deal of money on lawsuits about parishes leaving over doctrinal issues.  Money that could have been spent on helping and building up.

Jesus doesn’t point to himself but instead out toward others.  There is a meaningful quote that I love and that I think that I have shared with you before.  It is by the famous contemporary African American author Maya Angelou.  She said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  How we make someone feel.

Because of travel, work assignments, and my partner being in the States I have a lot of meals alone, usually out in restaurants.  Waiters and restaurant staff of the places I frequent have become my friends.  My out of town family if you will.  I have become a student of waiters and restaurant staff.  I try to know their names and to greet them individually, personally.  I call them by name.  Do you have any idea of how valued that makes someone feel?  People that are so often overlooked, under appreciated.  They are the special ones that make me feel good.  They are attentive and caring and sincere.

Recently I have discovered a Chinese restaurant in this neighborhood, very near here.  It is essentially gourmet Chinese food.  An elegant place with white table cloths and very good food.  On Thursday night I had dinner there after my stint at the gym and was pondering my sermon for today.  What can I say?  What message would be most valuable for these faithful ones at St. Paul’s today?  And I realized that it was right in front of of me.

There is a young waiter there.  Probably mid 20’s.  Who has the most infectious, gregarious smile.  He is always smiling, genuinely.  Smiling ear to ear as we say.  And smiling from the inside out.  A lovely guy.  Just to interact with him makes you feel good and smile.  John is the name he uses here…  Anyway, just interacting with him makes you feel better.  Lifts your spirits.  I smile just to think about his smile.

The manager at my favorite restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri, where I lived and worked for 30 years is a lovely woman named Jennifer who always makes everyone feel so welcome.  A big hug and a sincere ‘Great to see you!  We miss you!’ 

There is a similar worker here at St. Paul’s Within the Walls.  One of our staff that you likely rarely notice.  A middle aged guy who has a horrendous history in another country.  Think of your family being suddenly gone from you, instantly, in one moment.  His life story is deeply moving.  A horrible history and he could be sour and despondent and bitter.   Yet he is the most positive, smiling, grinning, engaging, positive person I encounter on a daily basis.  Always inviting me for a cup of coffee, for which he wants to pay, although I am sure it is not in his budget.  His personality and smile buoys you up.  Lifts  you.  He works hard here and in his other jobs, plural.  And is always smiling.

There is an article titled, “How To Be Miserable.” It says, “Think about yourself. Talk about yourself. Use “I” as often as possible. Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others. Listen greedily to what people say about you. Expect to be appreciated. Be suspicious. Be jealous and envious. Be sensitive to slights. Never forgive a criticism. Trust nobody but yourself. Insist on consideration and respect. Demand agreement with your own views on everything. Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them. Never forget a service you have rendered. Shirk your duties if you can. Do as little as possible for others.”

Jesus had a different take.  And points us toward a different form of interacting with one another.  I think we need to take that article and do the opposite.  Think about others.  Talk about others.  Use ‘You’.  Appreciate others and tell them.  Ask them about themselves.  Forgive slights and criticism.  Be considerate and respectful of others, even if their opinion is different from yours.  Look for ways to buoy other people up.  Isn’t that what Jesus did?  The way he acted.  Moods are contagious.  Jesus is calling us to be an agent that makes others feel good.

Barak Obama said in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention “This had never been about me.  This is about you.”  Years ago, the Salvation Army was holding an international convention and their founder, Gen. William Booth, could not attend because of physical weakness.  He cabled, sent a telegram (the main way to communicate in those days before internet and Zoom meetings) to the convention members.  It was one word: “OTHERS.”

There is an anonymous poem that goes like this:

I sought my spirit, but my spirit I could not see;
I sought my God, but my God eluded me;
I sought my brother (or sister!) and found all three.

Amen.