Sermon—June 13, 2010
Saint Paul’s, Cambria
Father Fred Heard
Many people over the years have suggested that Americans are frustrated royal lovers…perhaps because of our history as royal colonies, and it might be good to recall that with the 4th of July approaching and all. But, in reality, we really do not grasp the idea of a “kingdom” which is ruled by a king or queen. We do not have a royal family, and we tend to invent our version of royalty. Certainly, the Kennedys filled this bill in the early 1960’s. Many Americans were saddened when Jacqueline Kennedy re-married…they felt that their “Queen” had let them down. Certainly, we have learned with the current British Royal Family that one must be forgiving even with royals. The Theodore Roosevelts kind of took on that mantle during their years in the White House also.
Our generation recalls the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley. Then there was the King of Pop Michael Jackson and the King of Soul James Brown. Don’t forget the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. But reality is that our mother country, Great Britain, knows how to “do it” in the royal way. For starters, there is a real royal family. The public is always aware of where their monarch is because of an ancient tradition.
This tradition was considered when the public demanded at the time of Princess Diana’s death that the Royal Standard be lowered. When the ruling monarch is in residence, the Royal Standard, the flag of the ruling monarchy of the United Kingdom, flies above the house she is occupying. When the Queen is at Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, the Royal Standard flutters overhead. When she is NOT in residence, the Royal Standard is replaced by the Union Jack. She objected to the idea that the Royal Standard would be lowered to half staff because it is not the national flag.
At her other residences in Scotland the Royal Standard flies above Holyrood Palace or Balmoral Castle when she is present. When she is absent from the grounds, the ancient Royal Standard of Scotland is hoisted. Long before CNN, just one glance overhead would let the citizens of the kingdom know if their monarch was present, or where “the king was in the kingdom.”
So how does this relate to the church…even though the Queen is the head of the Church of England? Maybe it is our lack of any historical connection to a “royal residence” that makes us so clueless about the concept of the kingdom of God when Jesus talks about it. We are not very educated in being a “kingdom” or even what “kingdom come” means. Even though perhaps, we once again heard our grandmothers talk about “blowing someone to kingdom come.” Did anyone ever actually ask Grandma what that meant?
Hospitality is so important in the Bible…but Simon, the Pharisee, in today’s gospel is thinking in political terms. Political terms that involve reciprocity which is built on what we can provide for others which is based not on generosity but on what they can provide for us. I owe you and you owe me. We are even just as long as we are evenly indebted to each other. I invite you to dinner…good manners insist that you invite me back and so on it goes. And so it goes, without the thought that maybe I just want your company or you want mine. Everything must balance out, and then we feel that things are fair and just.
But that is not how a “kingdom” works. In a “kingdom” there is one ruler, one power who is in charge, and all others are subject to that ruler. That’s why residents of a kingdom are called “subjects.” They are not “objects,” they are “subjects.” When the ruler is in residence the monarch is the final authority, the last and the deciding word and that monarch is somewhere in the neighborhood. Now the neighborhood might be the entire country…but that monarch is in fairly near proximity to the subjects. Yet the problem with human kings and kingdoms is that they function according to the standards of the world as we know it, but don’t we all in all matters of our lives? We negotiate. We fudge. We offer fortunes for favors. We create pitfalls on purpose. In a human kingdom, even when the “monarch” is in residence, that royal human being is flanked by an army of political advisors, professional negotiators, vested investors and interests.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, the King or Queen of England may be in residence, but the kings and queens of England rule according to the way the world “works.” If they stray too far, they will lose their base and that is why Edward was never crowned king in the 1930’s. He was marrying a divorced person and the ways of the world would not allow such a marriage…particularly since he was the head of the church. The ways of the world would not allow it. Today Charles is not only married to a divorced person in Camilla…he himself is divorced…and if he outlives his mother, he will be crowned king one day.
Jesus told a story where the one who held all power, willingly abdicated that power…a little like Edward of England abdicated the throne “for the woman he loved.” In Jesus’ story of the creditor…it was the creditor who had the power to take everything the debtors owned and he did not. He cancelled all their debts.
How would you react if you got a letter from your bank saying, “We know things have been hard for you lately. Here’s the deal. Forget about that balance that you owe on your VISA card. We are going to cancel that debt balance and set you back at zero.” And what if all your creditors called and said the same thing? The laws governing economics say that this generous idea is impossible. The creditors would go broke trying to pay off all that debt. In fact, such a policy would ensure that no one would ever pay on their debt balances again. Why bother? The company would just cancel it out if you didn’t pay!
Remember I said that we had to pay attention to what was going on in the world…Edward’s situation in the 1930’s v. Charles’ divorce today? Well, Jesus’ debt-collection scheme was not based on the way the world does business. Jesus’ debt forgiveness was based on the reality of the Kingdom of God, not the kingdoms of kings, but the kingdom of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That is the difference even today.
In the Kingdom of God, when the King is in residence, all the “rules” of the world go out the window. In Mark 10:42, Jesus outlined these differences - “you know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you.”
There are few more powerful biblical phrases than this one: “it is not so among you.” The way of the Kingdom of God is not the way of the kingdoms of the world. In fact, for those who have the King of Kings in residence in their lives, “IT is not so among you.” In the Kingdom of God, when the flag of the cross flies overhead: whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
There is no remote comparison between the Kingdom of God and any human monarchy. When the ruler of the Kingdom of God is “in residence” in our lives, we fly a flag that announces that divine presence to the world. That divine presence must be expressed in every activity of our lives.
The world works one way with judgments about who is acceptable and who should be rejected as “outcast.” We learn this at a very early age. It is often put in a gentle way with our children about who should be welcomed into community and who should be ostracized. But nonetheless, we do it if for no other reason than offering protection to those we love most…our children. Unfortunately, such teaching can often take on more than just safety concerns…we see it tied almost daily to religion, to politics, to geography, to race, to gender issues, to economic issues, and a whole range of other considerations and concerns that we might feel as human beings.
But thank God, the Kingdom of God works another way. It does not function according to the rules of the world. There is the world’s way. Then there is our King’s mandate, “But it is not so among you.” If we are not to follow the kingdom ways of the world but the Kingdom ways of the King of Kings, how do we figure out the parameters that encompass the Kingdom of God? Jesus demonstrated it in today’s gospel. First, ask. Second, think. Third, let the flag fly.
First, ask. When a new perspective, a new directive was needed, Jesus offered his words and wisdom to Simon, saying, “Simon I have something to say to you.” Every new generation of Kingdom residents has only to offer an open invitation, “Teacher…speak,” and Jesus will provide all the perspective, all the cues and clues that we need to be full participants in the Kingdom of God.
Second, think. “Teacher…speak” is an invitation to education. Sometimes, though, the communication is not spoon fed to us; sometimes we have to work hard to comprehend. Sometimes we need to use our brains and figure some things out not by ourselves but in community with others. Sometimes we hear people say, “Oh, I don’t need to go to church. I can find spiritual guidance in the woods or on the beach.” True. But sometimes we just need community to really understand what is being said to us. Too many Christians specialize in the recycling of old ideas. Too many Christians are featherless parrots with bigger beaks than brains. And we all know that parrots can learn almost anything if they are prompted enough…do they understand what they are saying? No they do not. The personal shortcomings of every individual are molded to fit into God’s generous template of love and forgiveness.
Third, let the king’s flag fly. The kingdom is not something you bring about or build. Wherever the king is, there is the kingdom. Wherever you see that flag flying of the king’s presence, there is the kingdom. When John announced “the kingdom is coming,” he didn’t mean a political, social or economic entity and this is really what many people believed was happening. He meant, “The King is coming.” The Messiah is coming. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is coming. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but King Jesus and his presence are solid and will reign forever.
Is the King reigning in your heart? The promise of the gospel is that your heart can be a place where God is always “in residence,” where God is always “in charge,” and where you can always experience God’s extended grace. And where God is, there is Joy, there is Forgiveness, there is Hope, and there is Love.
Is the flag of the King of Kings, the flag of faith, the flag of joy, the flag of love, flying at maximum height in your life, for all to see, whatever you are doing, wherever you are? AMEN
.
Saint Paul’s, Cambria
Father Fred Heard
Many people over the years have suggested that Americans are frustrated royal lovers…perhaps because of our history as royal colonies, and it might be good to recall that with the 4th of July approaching and all. But, in reality, we really do not grasp the idea of a “kingdom” which is ruled by a king or queen. We do not have a royal family, and we tend to invent our version of royalty. Certainly, the Kennedys filled this bill in the early 1960’s. Many Americans were saddened when Jacqueline Kennedy re-married…they felt that their “Queen” had let them down. Certainly, we have learned with the current British Royal Family that one must be forgiving even with royals. The Theodore Roosevelts kind of took on that mantle during their years in the White House also.
Our generation recalls the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley. Then there was the King of Pop Michael Jackson and the King of Soul James Brown. Don’t forget the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. But reality is that our mother country, Great Britain, knows how to “do it” in the royal way. For starters, there is a real royal family. The public is always aware of where their monarch is because of an ancient tradition.
This tradition was considered when the public demanded at the time of Princess Diana’s death that the Royal Standard be lowered. When the ruling monarch is in residence, the Royal Standard, the flag of the ruling monarchy of the United Kingdom, flies above the house she is occupying. When the Queen is at Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, the Royal Standard flutters overhead. When she is NOT in residence, the Royal Standard is replaced by the Union Jack. She objected to the idea that the Royal Standard would be lowered to half staff because it is not the national flag.
At her other residences in Scotland the Royal Standard flies above Holyrood Palace or Balmoral Castle when she is present. When she is absent from the grounds, the ancient Royal Standard of Scotland is hoisted. Long before CNN, just one glance overhead would let the citizens of the kingdom know if their monarch was present, or where “the king was in the kingdom.”
So how does this relate to the church…even though the Queen is the head of the Church of England? Maybe it is our lack of any historical connection to a “royal residence” that makes us so clueless about the concept of the kingdom of God when Jesus talks about it. We are not very educated in being a “kingdom” or even what “kingdom come” means. Even though perhaps, we once again heard our grandmothers talk about “blowing someone to kingdom come.” Did anyone ever actually ask Grandma what that meant?
Hospitality is so important in the Bible…but Simon, the Pharisee, in today’s gospel is thinking in political terms. Political terms that involve reciprocity which is built on what we can provide for others which is based not on generosity but on what they can provide for us. I owe you and you owe me. We are even just as long as we are evenly indebted to each other. I invite you to dinner…good manners insist that you invite me back and so on it goes. And so it goes, without the thought that maybe I just want your company or you want mine. Everything must balance out, and then we feel that things are fair and just.
But that is not how a “kingdom” works. In a “kingdom” there is one ruler, one power who is in charge, and all others are subject to that ruler. That’s why residents of a kingdom are called “subjects.” They are not “objects,” they are “subjects.” When the ruler is in residence the monarch is the final authority, the last and the deciding word and that monarch is somewhere in the neighborhood. Now the neighborhood might be the entire country…but that monarch is in fairly near proximity to the subjects. Yet the problem with human kings and kingdoms is that they function according to the standards of the world as we know it, but don’t we all in all matters of our lives? We negotiate. We fudge. We offer fortunes for favors. We create pitfalls on purpose. In a human kingdom, even when the “monarch” is in residence, that royal human being is flanked by an army of political advisors, professional negotiators, vested investors and interests.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, the King or Queen of England may be in residence, but the kings and queens of England rule according to the way the world “works.” If they stray too far, they will lose their base and that is why Edward was never crowned king in the 1930’s. He was marrying a divorced person and the ways of the world would not allow such a marriage…particularly since he was the head of the church. The ways of the world would not allow it. Today Charles is not only married to a divorced person in Camilla…he himself is divorced…and if he outlives his mother, he will be crowned king one day.
Jesus told a story where the one who held all power, willingly abdicated that power…a little like Edward of England abdicated the throne “for the woman he loved.” In Jesus’ story of the creditor…it was the creditor who had the power to take everything the debtors owned and he did not. He cancelled all their debts.
How would you react if you got a letter from your bank saying, “We know things have been hard for you lately. Here’s the deal. Forget about that balance that you owe on your VISA card. We are going to cancel that debt balance and set you back at zero.” And what if all your creditors called and said the same thing? The laws governing economics say that this generous idea is impossible. The creditors would go broke trying to pay off all that debt. In fact, such a policy would ensure that no one would ever pay on their debt balances again. Why bother? The company would just cancel it out if you didn’t pay!
Remember I said that we had to pay attention to what was going on in the world…Edward’s situation in the 1930’s v. Charles’ divorce today? Well, Jesus’ debt-collection scheme was not based on the way the world does business. Jesus’ debt forgiveness was based on the reality of the Kingdom of God, not the kingdoms of kings, but the kingdom of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That is the difference even today.
In the Kingdom of God, when the King is in residence, all the “rules” of the world go out the window. In Mark 10:42, Jesus outlined these differences - “you know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you.”
There are few more powerful biblical phrases than this one: “it is not so among you.” The way of the Kingdom of God is not the way of the kingdoms of the world. In fact, for those who have the King of Kings in residence in their lives, “IT is not so among you.” In the Kingdom of God, when the flag of the cross flies overhead: whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
There is no remote comparison between the Kingdom of God and any human monarchy. When the ruler of the Kingdom of God is “in residence” in our lives, we fly a flag that announces that divine presence to the world. That divine presence must be expressed in every activity of our lives.
The world works one way with judgments about who is acceptable and who should be rejected as “outcast.” We learn this at a very early age. It is often put in a gentle way with our children about who should be welcomed into community and who should be ostracized. But nonetheless, we do it if for no other reason than offering protection to those we love most…our children. Unfortunately, such teaching can often take on more than just safety concerns…we see it tied almost daily to religion, to politics, to geography, to race, to gender issues, to economic issues, and a whole range of other considerations and concerns that we might feel as human beings.
But thank God, the Kingdom of God works another way. It does not function according to the rules of the world. There is the world’s way. Then there is our King’s mandate, “But it is not so among you.” If we are not to follow the kingdom ways of the world but the Kingdom ways of the King of Kings, how do we figure out the parameters that encompass the Kingdom of God? Jesus demonstrated it in today’s gospel. First, ask. Second, think. Third, let the flag fly.
First, ask. When a new perspective, a new directive was needed, Jesus offered his words and wisdom to Simon, saying, “Simon I have something to say to you.” Every new generation of Kingdom residents has only to offer an open invitation, “Teacher…speak,” and Jesus will provide all the perspective, all the cues and clues that we need to be full participants in the Kingdom of God.
Second, think. “Teacher…speak” is an invitation to education. Sometimes, though, the communication is not spoon fed to us; sometimes we have to work hard to comprehend. Sometimes we need to use our brains and figure some things out not by ourselves but in community with others. Sometimes we hear people say, “Oh, I don’t need to go to church. I can find spiritual guidance in the woods or on the beach.” True. But sometimes we just need community to really understand what is being said to us. Too many Christians specialize in the recycling of old ideas. Too many Christians are featherless parrots with bigger beaks than brains. And we all know that parrots can learn almost anything if they are prompted enough…do they understand what they are saying? No they do not. The personal shortcomings of every individual are molded to fit into God’s generous template of love and forgiveness.
Third, let the king’s flag fly. The kingdom is not something you bring about or build. Wherever the king is, there is the kingdom. Wherever you see that flag flying of the king’s presence, there is the kingdom. When John announced “the kingdom is coming,” he didn’t mean a political, social or economic entity and this is really what many people believed was happening. He meant, “The King is coming.” The Messiah is coming. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is coming. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but King Jesus and his presence are solid and will reign forever.
Is the King reigning in your heart? The promise of the gospel is that your heart can be a place where God is always “in residence,” where God is always “in charge,” and where you can always experience God’s extended grace. And where God is, there is Joy, there is Forgiveness, there is Hope, and there is Love.
Is the flag of the King of Kings, the flag of faith, the flag of joy, the flag of love, flying at maximum height in your life, for all to see, whatever you are doing, wherever you are? AMEN
.