SERMON: OCTOBER 29, 2017 DEUTERONOMY 34: THESSALONIANS 2:1-8 GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 22:34-46 BY: REV. KAREN KENNEDY

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1 SERMON: OCTOBER 29, 2017 DEUTERONOMY 34: THESSALONIANS 2:1-8 GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 22:34-46 BY: REV. KAREN KENNEDY LOVING GOD, YOU HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE CANNOT LOVE YOU UNLESS WE SHOW LOVE FOR OTHERS. HELP US TO SEE THE NEED THAT STARES US IN THE FACE AND NOT TO SHY AWAY FROM IT BUT REACH OUT TO MEET IT AS JESUS DID, IN WHOSE NAME WE PRAY. 1 Prayer by: Heather Pencavel A couple of weeks ago, I attended the early viewing of the newly released movie, Same Kind of Different As Me. It was part of a fundraiser for the Kitsap Rescue Mission to raise money to help in their work with the homeless of Kitsap County. It reminded me of how much I loved this story when I read the book a few years ago. It is a wonderful witness to the power of love to heal and build bridges. A witness of showing ones love for God, through loving others. With the background of a hurting world, I began preparing my sermon for this morning, and I found myself approaching it with a heavy heart. As I reflected on the Scripture readings for this morning, one word kept calling out to me and that word is love. The same word called to me as I sat watching the movie, Same Kind of Different As Me. Love, Love of God, Love of one another. 1 Prayer by: Heather Pencavel The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayer, page 156, 75.2 last verse. Compiled by Dorothy M. Stewart Westminster John Knox Press 100 Witherspoon St. Louisville Kentucky

2 How different our world would be, if we all lived by these two greatest commandments of love. God loves all of creation unconditionally. We are made in the image and likeness of God. We express this more fully and faithfully when we love as God does. 2. In our reading from Deuteronomy, the Israelites have suffered a huge loss with the death of Moses. He was the greatest and most beloved prophet of his time. In their eyes, no one else could equal him. How could there ever be another prophet like Moses, empowered by God with such incredible signs and wonders? Moses had a unique and intimate relationship with God, he was their bridge to God. Moses embodied the greatest commandments, loving God with his whole being and loving his people unconditionally. Loss is always hard, and it was no different for the Israelites. We at St. Hugh are no strangers to loss. Since our ordination two years ago, we have said goodbye to some of our dearest friends. While working on my sermon for today, I found that memories of Garby were surrounding me, filling my heart with joy and sadness. When I envision Garby, I see love; love of God, love of all people and creation. A voice for social justice, speaking out and about things that matter. This preaching stole I am wearing was made in Ghana, and it belonged to Garby. Christie so graciously and generously gifted it to me. Each time I wear it, I know that I will be gently wrapped in her memory, hoping that even a tiny piece of her wisdom, and courage will find it's way into my words. The voice of love continues in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. Even though Paul and those with him have endured great suffering and mistreatment, have faced great danger and opposition, Paul stood strong in his faith in God. He continued to share the Gospel, not for his own gain, but out of his love for God. Paul felt called to help people know and love God and to love one another. Paul exhibits gentleness, love and compassion towards the Thessalonians. Paul not only shares the Gospel, but gives of himself, surrendering himself to God and to his followers. In his letter Paul expresses the importance of pleasing God over pleasing mortals. Paul wants this community to understand that sharing the message of the Gospel is not an easy path. There will be great opposition and even great suffering. Yet it is a path not for human gain and recognition, but a

3 3. path born out of love, love for God and for all of God's people. Paul embodies the two greatest commandments from Jesus. In the previous Gospel readings, Jesus has stood before the Sadducees and the Pharisees, two groups sharing very different religious and political beliefs and more often than not, are at odds with one another. In our Gospel reading for this morning, Jesus is before the Pharisees, and one of them, a lawyer asks Jesus a question. It seems as though Jesus was constantly challenged, put to the test with those who opposed him, waiting for Jesus to make a mistake so they can then use that very mistake against him. This morning, it is a Pharisee who asks Jesus the question, which commandment is the greatest? It is hard to know the reasons why this lawyer asked this question. Was he trying to entrap Jesus, or did he just want to know? Whatever the reason, Jesus is put to the test once again. Imagine, each time Jesus stands before those who oppose him, questioning him, in places crowded with people, suspicious, silently and anxiously waiting for the response Jesus would give. It is a constant test, yet Jesus stands faithful and confident. Which commandment is the greatest? Jesus answers quoting a section of a prayer found in the Torah. Shema is a Jewish prayer also referred to as, Hear O Israel. It is part of a Jewish prayer ritual that is prayed each morning and evening. Shema means, Listen The first greatest commandment of all, is to, Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Jesus then adds a second commandment, Love your neighbor as yourself. In issuing two new commandments, Jesus is showing his authority. Above and beyond any other law or commandment, these two stand out as the most important, love is the greatest commandment of all. Together, these two commandments form more than the core of the Christian faith, they form the core of all humanity. So, in the chaos of our world today, how do we show our love for God? Are we able to make God's love known through our own acts of kindness? Can one love God without loving all of God's creation? One might be quick in answering these questions, but if really pondered on, the questions may be a bit more complicated and even harder for us to live out in our daily lives today.

4 4. Our country has grown ever more deeply divided, and the events I see unfolding before me, weigh heavily on my heart. I see a leader, placing himself before the people, disregarding the two greatest commandments given to us by Jesus. The treatment of immigrants and refugees, has been shameful. Enforcing travel bans and building walls instead of bridges. Showing complacency to the hateful behavior of racism and homophobia, edging us ever closer to a nuclear war. After the recent mass shootings in Las Vegas, when asked about gun control laws and the necessity in changing them, as a country, we were told, Now is not the time. When then is it enough? In the face of tragedy, we see many acts of courage, love and compassion. Yet the days, months and years pass and still nothing changes. We cannot forget the victims of mass shootings: Columbine, Sandy Hook, Pulse Nightclub and Las Vegas, and countless other acts of gun violence. When addressing the issue of churches offering sanctuary for undocumented immigrants, Pastor Craig Paschal writes, If a law is not grounded in love, grace, and human dignity, then we need to challenge that law. 2 In our Baptismal Covenant, we promise to: Seek and serve Christ in all persons, love our neighbor, strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. If we are to follow the most important law of love that Jesus has given us, should we not then be speaking out and about laws that are not grounded in love, grace and human dignity? So, what does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul and mind? What would it look like to show our love for God in our world today? Imagine if all the world lived life grounded in the two greatest commandments, a world grounded in love. 2 Sojourners Magazine Nov page 28 Pastor Craig Paschal,

5 5. In John Lennon's song, Imagine, he sings about imagining a different world, one where there are no possessions, no greed or hunger. Imagining all people sharing all of the world. IMAGINE! LORD JESUS, POOREST OF THE POOR, BORN IN A BORROWED STABLE, AND BURIED IN A BORROWED TOMB, I BRING BEFORE YOU ALL THOSE WHO LIKE YOU, HAVE NOWHERE TO LAY THEIR HEAD: THE WAR REFUGEES EXCILED FROM THEIR HOMES, IMIGRANTS SEARCHING FOR A PLACE TO LIVE, THE VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKES, FLOODS, AND DISASTERS, AND THE COUNTLESS, COUNTLESS HOMELESS IN THIS LAND. HELP ME, LIVING AS I AM SECURELY AND IN PEACE, TO SHOW COMPASSION FOR MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AND HELP THEM FIND IN THEIR LIVES A NEW BEGINNING AND NEW HOPE, FOR YUR NAME'S SAKE. AMEN. By: J. H. Richards 3 References: 1. Feasting on the Word, Year A, Vol. 4 David Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor 2. The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayers, Dorothy M. Stewart 3. Sojourners Magazine, November Wikipedia 5. Sojo.net 6. Episcopal Cafe 3 Prayer by: J. H. Richards from: The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayers Arranged By: Dorothy M. Stewart Westminster John Knox Press, 100 Witherspoon St. Louisville, Kentucky page 157 #75.5

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