Third Epiphany: January 21, 2007

Joe grew up in a small town, then moved away to attend college and went on to law school.  He worked for a few years in a large law firm in a big city, but decided to come back to his hometown because, he reasoned, he could be a big man in a small town.

He really wanted to impress everyone, so he opened his new law office, but business was very slow at first.  One day, as he sat doing nothing, he saw a man coming up the sidewalk to his office.  He decided to make a big impression on this potentially new client when he arrived.  As the man opened the door, Joe picked up the phone.  He motioned the man to have a seat, all the while saying, “No!  Absolutely not!  You tell those clowns in New York that I won’t settle this case for anything less than $1 million.  Yes, the appeals court has agreed to hear the case next week.  I’ll be handling the primary argument, and the other members of my team will provide support.  Okay.  Tell the DA that I’ll meet with him next week to discuss the details.”

This sort of thing went on for about five minutes.  All the while, the man sat patiently as Joe rattled instructions.  Finally, Joe put down the phone and turned to the man.

“I’m sorry for the delay,” he said, “but as you can see, I’m very busy.  What can I do for you?”

The man said, “I’m from the phone company.  I came to hook up your phone.”
    

I can tell you, from personal experience, it is difficult to impress hometown folks.  I was just well-known enough, when we returned to our hometown, to barely get elected to the school board.  People have a great capacity for forgiveness and will overlook youthful missteps.

Impressing hometown folks is what the Gospel for today is all about.  There are a couple of parenthetical phrases in today’s reading that might be interpreted as “throw away lines.”  The first is, “as was his custom.”  The second one says, “(he) sat down.” 

Apparently, Jesus had the habit of worshipping regularly with the larger community of faith.  He knew that spiritual wellbeing was based on discipline.  In a permissive culture like ours the word “discipline” has fallen into disfavor.  A culture that says “anything goes” should not be surprised that many have gone.  A society that says “if it feels good, do it” should not be too surprised that obesity and prescription drug addiction are major issues today.

We know, but do not always want to admit, that the better things in life are to be found on the other side of discipline.  Reaching personal goals, postponing immediate gratification for long-term visions, and preparing to take advantage of opportunities all ask that we practice disciplined living.

That applies equally to our worship of God in Christ.  In times of doubts and difficulties and in moments of spiritual dryness and darkness we need something solid upon which to place our feet.  That comes from having a disciplined commitment to regular worship.  We come to church when he least feel like it, not just when our sails are full and the weather is fair.  Without disciplined worship we fall victim to basing things on our feelings, our moods, or changing fortunes.  We sometimes forget that we behave our way to new thinking; we do not think our way to new behavior.  “Move a muscle, change a thought” applies to more than just weight loss and physical conditioning.  God is not particularly concerned with our feelings, but with our faith.  We have an appointment every day with the Almighty; especially on the day of the Lord’s resurrection.

Disciplined living leads to personal freedom.  That may sound like a paradox, but think for a moment.  One of the phrases from the Collect for Peace in the Daily Office, says, “O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom.”  One of the most beneficial things, in my opinion, about liturgical churches is that we do not have to make up the service every time we meet.  Things are set in a predictable routine.  That does not mean we are worshipers of the routine, but the reality to which it points.  Every week, since I have been rector of this wonderful worshiping family, before the processional, I have the same prayer with the choir, lay readers, deacons, and acolytes.  I always say, “Grant, Almighty God, that as we enter Thy house, that the thoughts of our hearts may be drawn close to you and that we may worship you in spirit and in truth.”  The basic reason for ritual, for liturgy, and for certain habits is so that we may worship in spirit and in truth.

Just as our personal routine, our morning habits allow us to get out the door on time, so our routines, our habits, in worship help us know who we are and what is important in life.

Disciplined living also provides a positive witness.  We sometimes misunderstand effective evangelism.  When your friends and neighbors, your coworkers and associates see your commitment to be in church for regular worship you are preaching the most effective sermon they may ever hear.  Every time we gather for worship we are also gathering as witnesses.  We are testifying, without embarrassment, that we want God to be central in our lives and in the community in which we live.  There are three things placed on the altar at the Eucharist.  We present our money, the bread and wine, and ourselves at the offering.  We do so regularly.  God will always do the rest.

Now I am fully aware of the fact that you are present this day and did not necessarily need to hear this.  It is kind of like the professor lecturing about missing class.  The ones, who need to hear it, don’t.  Of course, the key to this is seeing each one of you next week; same time, same place.  Perhaps you will see some of the others who should be sitting next to you somewhere this week.  Remind them to come.  Perhaps the opportunity will present itself with a friend or neighbor to witness to the positive nature of regular worship in your life.  Tell them that the discipline of regular worship has led to personal freedom as you go about your daily routine.  Invite them to join you next Sunday in this stunningly beautiful worship space.  Make regular worship your custom as well.

The other of those “throw-away” phrases was to sit down.  It was the posture taken by a rabbi when he wanted to make sure his hearers would remember what he was about to say.  Jesus simply said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”  Those who were not in the synagogue that day didn’t hear it.  No doubt, others told them about this radical teacher.  I hope you will do the same.  And now it is time for me to seat down.  Amen.