Pentecost 11th Sunday
Fr. Phil Eberhart
The Racist Jesus & Our Identity
Have you ever been completely misunderstood because you used a certain word or phrase in a sentence? People or an individual just couldn't get past that word to a different interpretation of what you said? I think that happens a lot actually. It's endemic to the nature of communication itself, and so we constantly have to go beyond the words to context and intention before we judge one another for what we say.
Jesus gets into that pickle here in our gospel this morning. It's one of the "sticky wickets" among the sayings of Jesus in all the gospels. On the face of it, calling another human a "dog" is racist. Right?
That's most people's conclusions here. What a horrible thing to say, we judge! And we completely miss the potential of this encounter to teach us about the nature of identity and of calling.
IDENTITY
Identity is made of many different things: physical characteristics of your person, your sex, your skin color, your... race. Basics. To that we add your place in a cultural hierarchy, your belief or faith, your wealth or lack, your education, jobs and work, e.t.c. The list is long and distinguished!
To say that these factors were at play in our gospel reading is to state the obvious, but what we're missing is the fact that while the disciples wanted to chase the woman off, Jesus engages her need and her person, speaking with her at all - which was outside the boundaries. She knew it!
Her importunity, her persistence turns immediately to humility when Jesus engages her in conversation!
Much to her surprise and, I would add the disciples... again... Jesus turns and has a conversation with a Gentile... ANATHEMA... and a woman to boot. GASP!!
Jesus's reason given to her is his own life call and identity! "To the children of the house of Israel!" Jesus and His calling is crystal clear. BUT...
God is moved by prevailing prayer and persistent, overcoming faith!
Jesus is actually amazed at the faith of the woman and her prayer is answered. It may be time for us to take note of the persistence and desperation of a Gentile woman and come and do likewise!
ONE LAST WORD... OUR IDENTITY
Just as Jesus was clear on his personhood, his identity and his calling from God, it's of paramount importance that we also understand who we are and Whose we are!
I just want to read a verse from our Psalm this morning...
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
Just as surely as Jesus had an identity, we have an identity and a calling! We've heard for years about the effect of our devotion to God's Word, to a Shared life, to our Eucharistic Hospitality and to Prayer, but this is even more basic, more core IDENTITY FOR US TODAY AT REZ!
1. This is A Holy Place... a Holy Hill. We've felt it and its been affirmed by almost all who come to this spot to worship , to read or to pray and intercede!
2. God's presence... his Joy is here. We need to let his joy become a hallmark of our life together.
3. We are to offer acceptable sacrifices and offerings in this place. It is the re-establishment of an Altar in the city. As we worship in Spirit and in Truth, in both Word and Sacrament here on this Altar... we're releasing more and more of the Kingdom of heaven into the kingdoms of this world... of this present darkness.
4. God Himself is bringing this verse to full fruition among us in this place. It is our IDENTITY! A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS. More and more I pray for this to become a living reality in our midst and in this place, for the glory of the Lamb and the furthering of the Kingdom of God to flow from this hilltop.
Won't you pray with me?
11. for the local congregation
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful: Sanctify this Congregation by your abiding presence. Bless those who minister in holy things. Enlighten the minds of your people more and more with the light of the everlasting Gospel. Bring erring souls to the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ; and those who are walking in the way of life, keep steadfast to the end. Give patience to the sick and afflicted, and renew them in body and soul. Guard those who are strong and prosperous from forgetting you. Increase in us your many gifts of grace, and make us all fruitful in good works. This we ask, O blessed Spirit, whom with the Father and the Son we worship and glorify, one God, world without end. Amen.
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