lauren laughs

Preached at The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta

Proper 10, Year A

Have you ever seen a tree clap its hands?

I ask because of our passage from Isaiah today… have you ever seen a tree clap its hands?

The prophet Isaiah proclaims this good news from God:

“For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

I love this passage because I used to watch the trees clap their hands every morning.  I was living in Cotonou, the coastal city and business capital of Benin, West Africa.  After living with a family for several months, I was finally renting my own place.  A pink stucco house with a water well and a yard. 

Near the entrance of my yard was a canopy of bougainvillea, offering protection and shade with its bright pink blooms wicked thorns.  By the shed was a banana tree, with real bunches of bananas that would ripen all at once, so you had to share them with neighbors before they went bad.  And along one side of the house were several palm trees.

The kitchen was attached to the house but had a separate entrance… so I had to exit my living room door, walk three steps outside, and open my kitchen door if I wanted to grab something from the fridge when the power was working.  It wasn’t the most convenient setup, but it did keep the inevitable pests out of the living quarters. 

Every morning, I would sit outdoors on that 4-foot stretch of tile between the living room and kitchen.  I would breathe in the morning air, drink my tea, write in my journal, and listen for God.  And every morning, the palm trees would clap their hands.  There is no better description for the movement and the sound… the wind would move through the leaves like oversized hands that would slap together and clap for joy. 

So much about that season of life is a blur.  Speaking French, teaching English, arguing over the price of eggs at the market, or riding the back of a motor-bike taxi with no helmet. 

I think back on those days and if feels like someone else living a different life in a different world.  Maybe you have seasons of life that feel that distant as well.

But then I think of the trees clapping their hands in the morning, and it’s as if I’m transported back in time.  I remember with clarity the intimacy I felt with God all those mornings sitting outside the kitchen.  I remember listening to and watching the trees clap their hands and thinking, ‘This is significant. I am resting in the palm of God’s hand, and the trees know it. I will carry this with me forever.’  And I have.  Maybe you too have moments or seasons that remain palpable and real no matter how much time has passed.

I say all this because our Gospel text talks about a sower and soil and seeds.  And the sower, soil and seeds know something about seasons, too.  I’m especially interested in the seasons of soil. 

Because when we hear this Gospel, it might be tempting to hear about the different types of soil and assume they represent different types of people.

It might be tempting to hear about the dirt on the path and think: Oh, I know that type.  I know those people who just refuse to believe in God—no matter what!

And it might be tempting to hear about the rocky soil and immediately think of those people in your life who are so wishy-washy.  They seem genuinely interested in God for a few weeks and then they’re back to their “old ways.”

And it might be tempting to hear about the soil among the thorns and conjure up images of those people who are essentially possessed by their possessions.

And it might be especially tempting to hear with relief about the good soil, look around this room, and think: Ah, yes.  Here we are.  The people who have taken God’s Word to heart.  It feels so good to be good soil alongside all these other good people.

Only, I don’t think that’s what this parable is about.  I don’t think the different types of soil are meant to classify different types of people. 

I think the different types of soil are present within each of us.  Sometimes we’re like the dirt path, sometimes we’re like the rocky soil, sometimes we’re caught in the thorns, and occasionally, yes, we are good and fertile soil.  Soil has seasons.  And we do too. 

For soil to be good, it has to be dug up and turned over.  For soil to be good, it has to lie fallow for a time.  For soil to be good, it has to absorb the nutrients only stinky decay or manure can provide.  The soil isn’t born good or bad.  It is what it is based on its season of life and the care it receives.

Some seasons are long and can feel like a lifetime ago.  Others are especially short like different moods in the course of a day.  No matter how short or long the season, our own health determines how well we can receive the Word of God and bear the fruits of God’s love.  The soil isn’t who we are, but how we are.

So how are you?  How are you today?  Are you path-y, rocky, thorny, or healthy?  Don’t be scared of the question or your answer to it—it’s not a life sentence.  It’s not a judgment.  It’s a season. 

No matter what season you are in, you are a child of God, lovingly created in the loving image of God.  And when you are the fullest expression of yourself, all of creation rejoices!  The trees clap their hands!  And when you’re the tired, scared, sad, angry, or selfish version of yourself, you are still a child of God deserving of the care that can bring you wholeness again.

Perhaps you are in a season of being turned upside down.  Perhaps you’re in a season of lying fallow.  Or maybe you are knee deep in the stinky stuff.  No matter what kind of soil you are or what kind of season you are in, remember that God scatters seed everywhere… not just on the good soil, but everywhere.

No matter how you are today, know that you are loved.  And hear God’s promise to you:

“You shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”  Amen.

Preached in Spanish Service at La Catedral de San Felipe, Atlanta

Proper 8, Year A (English translation follows)

En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús habla de la bienvenida. Un gran parte de nuestro enfoque en la iglesia es cómo damos la bienvenida a los demás. Nos esforzamos por ser una comunidad de hospitalidad, y esta congregación es especialmente hospitalaria. ¡Su paciencia conmigo como predicador cuando Juan no está es evidencia de esa verdad! Pero creo que las celebraciones de cumpleaños son el ejemplo más brillante de su bienvenida a amigos y extraños.

En cada alegre celebración bautismal, nosotros como comunidad renovamos nuestros votos bautismales. Y en esos votos se nos pide:

¿Buscarás y servirás a Cristo en todas las personas, amando a tu prójimo como a ti mismo?

Y Uds. ya saben la respuesta:

Asi lo hare, con el auxilio de Dios.

Nos comprometemos a amar a nuestro prójimo y a ver a Cristo en nuestro prójimo, y pedimos la ayuda de Dios en este esfuerzo… porque a veces puede ser difícil ver a Cristo en la persona que no nos agrada.

Pero el Evangelio de hoy no se centra en la bienvenida que debemos dar a los demás. El Evangelio de hoy se centra en cambio en la bienvenida que podemos esperar como seguidores de Cristo.

Que quien nos acoge, acoge al Jesús que seguimos.

Ese es un sentimiento encantador, sin duda. Pero también es un recordatorio de la responsabilidad que tenemos como cristianos. ¡No solo buscamos y servimos a Cristo en todas las personas, sino que somos el recordatorio visible y tangible de Cristo en el mundo!

Como seguidores de Jesús, no solo nos representamos a nosotros mismos, sino que también representamos a Jesús, todos los días y en todos lugares. Cuando entramos en una habitación, traemos a Jesús con nosotros. Ya sea que hablemos amablemente, sonríamos, gritemos o hagamos una mueca, estamos representando a Jesús.

Esta verdad se hizo especialmente evidente para mí cuando en la iglesia me ordenaron como clérigo. Vivía en Nueva York y tomaba el metro hacia y desde el trabajo todos los días. La mayoría de los días estaría agotado en el viaje a casa. Hacia calor y me dolerían los pies. Pero luego subía a bordo una persona mayor o una mujer embarazada, y yo le ofrecía mi asiento. Hice esto porque es lo correcto, pero también porque estaba representando a Jesús en ese tren.

O estaría en la cola del supermercado y el empleado escanearía mis artículos sin levantar la vista. Hablaba para preguntarles sobre su día y, al hacer contacto visual, de repente se daban cuenta de que un clérigo estaba parado frente a ellos: “Mi mamá está enferma. Reza por ella.” Y lo haría, porque quería orar por esta persona delante de mí y de su madre enferma, pero también porque sabía que yo era el recordatorio físico del amor de Jesús en esa línea.

Sí, el uso de un collar me hizo especialmente consciente de que estaba representando a Jesús en todo momento y en todo lugar. Pero lo mismo ocurre cuando me quito el collar. Y lo mismo es cierto para cada uno de ustedes.

¿Cómo reconocen las personas a Cristo en ti?

¿La gente sabe que tú eres cristiano?

¿La gente sabe que tu representas a Jesús?

¿Sabes tú que representas a Jesús?

¡Porque lo haces! Como seguidores de Cristo, ustedes son la representación física de Jesús en el mundo. No es la iglesia, no es este edificio, eres tú. No importa tu edad, no importa tu educación, no importa tu trabajo, no importa tu nombre, eres las manos y los pies y el corazón de Jesús en este pueblo y en este mundo y en este tiempo. Eres tú. Jesús está en ti.

Entonces, si no está usando un collar clerical, o no está usando un collar cruzado, y no tiene tatuado “Jesús” en su brazo, y no está usando una camiseta que dice “Jesús te ama”. … ¿cómo sabrán los demás que eres cristiano?

Bueno, la Biblia dice: Ellos sabrán que son cristianos por el amor que se tienen los unos a los otros. Y el amor puede hablar más fuerte que las palabras.

Pero también podemos usar nuestras palabras. Podemos decirle a las personas con las que trabajamos: “Mi fe es importante para mí”. Podemos decirles a nuestros amigos en la escuela: “Jesús te ama y yo también”. Podemos decirle a nuestro vecino de la calle: “Ven a la iglesia conmigo y déjame presentarte a esta amorosa familia de fe”.

Entonces seremos bienvenidos no solo por lo que somos, sino por lo que amamos y por lo que seguimos: Jesucristo. Amén.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus talks about welcoming.  A lot of our focus in church is on how we welcome others.  We strive to be a community of hospitality, and this congregation is especially hospitable.  Your patience with me as a preacher when Juan is away is evidence of that truth!  But I think the birthday celebrations are perhaps the shining example of your welcome to friend and stranger. 

At every joyful baptismal celebration, we as a community renew our baptismal vows.  And in those vows we are asked:

¿Buscarás y servirás a Cristo en todas las personas, amando a tu prójimo como a ti mismo?

And you know the response:

Así lo hare, con el auxilio de Dios.

We commit to loving our neighbor and seeing Christ in our neighbor, and we ask for God’s help in this endeavor because it can sometimes be hard to see Christ in the person we dislike.

But today’s Gospel focuses not the welcome we are to extend to others. Today’s Gospel focuses instead on the welcome we can expect as followers of Christ. 

That anyone who welcomes us, welcomes the Jesus we follow.

That is a lovely sentiment, to be sure.  But it’s also a reminder of the responsibility we bear as Christians.  Not only do we seek and serve Christ in all persons, but we are the visible and tangible reminder of Christ in the world! 

As followers of Jesus, we represent not just ourselves, but we also represent Jesus, every day and everywhere.  When we enter a room, we bring Jesus with us.  Whether we speak kindly, or smile, or yell, or grimace, we are representing Jesus.

This truth became especially apparent to me when I was first ordained and started wearing a clerical collar.  I was living in New York and taking the subway to and from work every day.  Most days I would be exhausted on the commute home.  It would be hot, and my feet would ache.  But then an elderly person or a pregnant woman would come on board, and I would offer my seat.  I did this because it is the right thing to do, but also because I was representing Jesus on that train. 

Or I would be in line at the grocery store and the clerk would scan my items without looking up.  I’d speak up to ask about their day, and making eye contact, they’d suddenly realize a clergy person was standing before them: “My mom is sick.  Pray for her.” And I would, because I wanted to pray for this person before me and their sick mother, but also because I knew that I was the physical reminder of Jesus’ love in that line.

Yes, wearing a collar made me especially aware that I was representing Jesus at all times in and all places.  But the same is true when I take the collar off.  And the same is true for each of you.

How do people recognize Christ in you?

Do people know you are a Christian?

Do people know that you represent Jesus?

Do you know that you represent Jesus? 

Because you do!  As followers of Christ, you are the physical representation of Jesus in the world.  It’s not the church—it’s not this building—it’s you.  No matter your age, no matter your education, no matter your job, no matter your name—you are the hands and the feet and the heart of Jesus in this town and in this world and in this time.  It’s you.  Jesus is in you.

So if you’re not wearing a clerical collar, or you’re not wearing a cross necklace, and you don’t have “Jesus” tattooed on your arm, and you’re not wearing a “Jesus loves you” t-shirt… how will others know that you are a Christian? 

Well the Bible says: They will know you are Christians by your love for one another.  And love can speak louder than words.

But we can use our words too.  We can tell the people we work with: “My faith is important to me.”  We can tell our friends at school: “Jesus loves you, and I do too.” We can say to our neighbor down the street: “Come to church with me and let me introduce you to this loving family of faith.”

Then we will be welcomed not just for who we are, but for who we love and who we follow—Jesus Christ.  Amen.