Sermon Sunday, September 24, 2006 +----------------------------------+ | Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost | +----------------------------------+ [10]Mark 9:30-37 * Welcoming the child in my name -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jesus and the children Now I suppose I need to go on the record saying that I had no part in choosing the Gospel lesson for today. It just so happened that the Sunday we planned to honor our day school teachers is the very Sunday we encounter Jesus* teaching about discipleship and welcoming children. **Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all*. Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, *Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.** I can honestly say that I can*t think of any scripture passage more fitting for us today. The Lord works in wonderfully serendipitous and mysterious ways, that*s for sure. Of course Jesus was addressing a particular cultural understanding about the place of children. In ancient society, the law viewed children as little more than property until they came of age. Parents, fathers to be exact had complete authority over them. They could and often were abandoned with nothing, no means of support, no way to fend for themselves, no way to protect them from a nasty and brutish world. Children like the one Jesus takes in his arms were the most vulnerable of the vulnerable. We can be thankful that times have changed in so many ways, that laws and structures exist now that serve to protect children from abuse, neglect and being taken advantage of. In many ways, we live in a completely different world than that of first century Palestine. But as much as things have changed they*ve stayed the same. Event today, children continue to suffer disproportionately from hunger, poverty and disease. Forty five thousand of them die every day from causes that are completely preventable, this in a world where collectively all nations together spend just short of one trillion dollars every year on defense, but only fifty billion on the kind of development assistance that*s really going to make a difference, a world where there*s enough for all, everything that is but collective the will to do what needs to be done for the sake of those with no voice at the table. And one might think that children here in the land of plenty would have it made. In some ways, maybe so, but in other more important ways, it isn*t so. At least thirteen million children go to bed at night not knowing where their next meal is going to come from. Of course a child*s stomach doesn*t have to be empty to be in need. She or he can have everything in the world, but still be lacking in the kind of love and devotion that is so critical and yet so basic to their well being and development. How many times in recent years have we heard stories of children lacking in nothing spiraling out of control, acting out, hurting themselves and others, sometimes with even deadly consequences? I can tell you that a lot of things go on at Hand in Hand Monday through Friday of every week, lots of learning, lots of playing and laughter, lots of singing and dancing and sometimes maybe, just maybe a few naps get taken, but creating a welcoming space for children is at the heart of everything. I can see it on the faces of the children, their parents and in the kind of selfless work these wonderful women devote themselves to each and every day*wiping a runny nose, changing diapers, encouraging young people to see and experience new things and helping parents to know that their children are going to be safe and loved. It*s always an adjustment for parents and children when they first begin to attend day school. As you might imagine, sometimes it can be quite difficult, even trying. Recently, a little girl came who had an especially hard time. I*m sure the teachers remember well. She*d cry and cry and cry to the point that we began to wonder if day school was going to work for her and everyone else for that matter. But in time and due in no small part to the patience of these saints seated among us, the little girl came around. The tears slowed and then stopped and if you looked at her today, you*d never know she had such a hard time. I think of another boy who was with us some years ago, a little guy who carried a lot of anger and sadness with him, who could fly into a rage at the drop of a hat. It was a hard time for everyone to be sure. But working firmly and lovingly with him, giving him some needed redirection and helping his mother and father get the help he and they needed. He turned around. I still remember the big smile on his face that bright day in May when he graduated and moved on to kindergarten. And I could stand here and tell you story after story like that, but they all share a common theme*they came to know and experience a place of welcome, where arms were open to receive them, where they knew they were important, where they were loved, where they were free to discover who they were as God*s precious children. And being truly welcoming of children can sometimes be just as much about ministering to their parents as it is to them, helping a Mom or Dad to let go maybe for the first time and know that their child is going to be fine, or sharing a concern about some behavior that has been observed, or helping them come to terms with a learning disorder which as you can well imagine is never easy. Make no mistake, its hard work, but work that is just as much an opportunity for great joy, hope and delight. And I want to say a special word to each of you, six women whom I not only consider my co-workers here at Ascension, but dear friends that I am blessed to work with each and every day. Each of you is a gift of God not only because of your spirit of welcome for the children, but simply because you are a children of God. Sharon*enthusiasm, encouragement offered. Angie*quiet strength, calm and peace that you bring. Meredith*for your humor, gentleness and understanding. (And even though she*s already well into grade school, I*m so glad that Olivia can still be a part of our lives.) Brandi*you may be the youngest member of our day school staff, but as our pre-k teacher you exude confidence and convey a sense of authority beyond your 21 years and truly love a crew that at times can be real handful. April*I*m not sure it*s a word, but your unflappability in the face of pressure is amazing, especially when one of the children offers an unexpected word or comment. I don*t know what it is but whenever I observe you reading to the children, it*s incredible to see how captive they are to the story. And last, but certainly not least*Deborah, my co-worker and friend. I thank God for your visionary leadership of Hand in Hand, not simply as a day school unto itself, but as an extension of the ministry of Ascension, an outreach into the community. I*ve said it before and I*ll say it again, you are instrumental in making Hand in Hand one of the best things we*ve got going for us as a congregation today! On a personal note, we*ve faced some tough times together over the past six years. Words cannot fully express to you my gratitude for the support, encouragement and inspiration you have offered me in some very dark times. Your kindness is something I will remember for as long as I live. And even though the focus is on welcoming children, there is a word of welcome for us all today, for in welcoming weak and vulnerable, in opening up space for children, in the mere encounter itself we discover the opportunity to experience God*s word of grace and welcome too, to meet the very one who gives himself for us all. Some of you have heard the story*.(Story of Lindsey giving me lunch.) In the welcoming, we discover that we too are welcomed. Welcomed into the kingdom of God, where there is room at the banquet table for all, young and old alike in a feast beyond all imagination. Thanks be to God. Amen. Pastor Brian Peterson Note: My comments to the teachers are more or less just sketched out as I want it to be more informal. Likewise I'm going to ad lib a bit, so you'll probably have to listen online instead. References 10. http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=25502330

[ Sun, 24 Sep 2006 19:23:48 -0500 ]

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