SERMONS

Mark 2: 13-17
The Reverend Angela L. Ying
Bethany United Church of Christ

March 8, 2009

What if Bethany Church asked every week, “Who is missing at the table?”

This question comes as Jesus chooses to sit at table with sinners in today’s scripture text.

For some, this is life-giving, life changing, life transforming. Who me? I’m invited to be at the table? For others, it is a threat to their understanding of table fellowship. Who is this at our table?

Jesus has moved from the Sea of Galilee in and out of Capernaum. Back beside the sea, he calls on Levi (as known as Matthew) to follow him. Matthew immediately follows Jesus and invites Jesus to share a meal with him and the other disciples.

Jesus, Matthew and the disciples are having a great time eating at table when the scribes of the Pharisees notice them and say, “Why does Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Which is another way of saying: “What the heck is this Son of God doing hanging out with outcasts, foreigners and sinners? Doesn’t Jesus know better – one does not do things like this in public?”

You and I have been there. I would imagine on both sides of the table.

You and I have been to a wonderful party with great energy and laughter and where no one worried about who is at the table.

And—we have been to a wonderful party with great energy and where life is happening. And then, one or two people walk in the room. In their need to be in control, to have things follow their perfect agenda, their raised eyebrows are enough to let you know, they are not pleased.

And BAM—you watch… as the spirit and the joy in the room come to a complete halt.

I have been there. Have you?

Like when a child is so excited about learning how to paint and invites you to sit with her at her art table. And as you sit with her, instead of taking in all the joy and laughter she has to offer, you start noticing that she is painting outside the lines. It bothers you so you blurt out without thinking, “Why don’t you paint inside the lines, dear?” And then pointing with authority, you say: “Try not to go outside the lines, like you did here.” And before you know it, the child either does not want to paint any more, or in wanting to please you, asks you to paint for her.

Yes, I have been there too.

Kathleen Norris in her book, “Amazing Grace” writes “Perfectionism is one of the scariest words I know. It is a marked characteristic of contemporary American culture, a serious affliction that makes people too timid to take necessary risks.”

Norris continues, “It functions as a form of myopia, a preoccupation of self-image that can stunt emotional and spiritual growth.”

When the scribes of the Pharisees come in and attempt to crash the dinner party of outcasts and sinners, it is strange, yet wonderful to me that Jesus uses this as a time to lift up who Jesus has gathered and who he is sitting at table with him.

Notice that Jesus does not try to accommodate the scribes.

Jesus does not even let the scribes get him off the purpose of his ministry.

Neither is Jesus embarrassed and he does not grieve, get angry or get thrown off by these unkind words coming from those who think they are in the know, but do not realize that what they know—is not helpful to the community.

Grounded in the grace and mercy of God, Jesus simply says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician.”

And those of us in the room, including the scribes, think: Well, of course! Everyone knows this, Jesus.

Who goes to a doctor if you are not sick? Why some physicians would send you a bill or charge you just to ask a question or to say hello!

Everyone knows that only those you are not well need to visit a physician. And even when we need to, we still sometimes choose not to go.

And then, Jesus connects his words that those who are well have no need of a physician to “I came not to call the righteous (and self-righteous) but (to call upon) sinners.”

Now, that must have gone over real smoothly with the scribes at the party!—Not!

Jesus’ words are even more troubling to me when I worry if those who are well have no need of a physician—what does it mean for those of us who are married and never without a physician?

I take great joy in the words of Reinhold Niehbuhr, “Sin boldly!”

Having heard the religious leaders’ remarks in the room, (remember last week when the scribes wanted to trap Jesus instead of have Jesus heal the man and the four friends needing healing)—Here, Jesus not only does not stop the party, Jesus proclaims that this is exactly what the party is for!

The purpose of the party—the purpose of sitting at table with one another—is not for those who have it all together. The purpose of Christ’s party is for those who don’t have it all together, who know they seek healing and wholeness—Who know their need of God.

It is as if Jesus is saying to his community: If you have it all together and/or continue thinking (or want the image of thinking) that you have it all together, this is not your party. For you will find nothing to celebrate with God at the table.

And if you come to church and want your church and the good news of the gospel all wrapped up nicely and neatly in a box with a ribbon on it, so you do not have to talk about war, the homeless, and see the conflicts and the complexities, the struggles, the sins and the doubts of real people doing their best to grow community – this may not be the place you choose to be.

Strange words from a Jesus, whom we know loves all the people.

But that’s just it.

Jesus does not want his disciples to grow a community of faith to gather that gives the image that anything goes and that it is acceptable for the community of faith to have low expectations as followers of Jesus. Nor does Jesus want the rules and norms to be so tightly knit that you dare not take risks to experience the living God in your life.

Perhaps, if you and I are unwilling to let the mask slip, we too will find it very hard to hang out with Jesus, because being real people, who sin and make mistakes and fall short, is exactly where and with whom Jesus hangs out with! (Amen!)

What would happen in the community if we each would ask, “Who is missing from the table and invite them ourselves to come and see?”

Jesus is quite inclusive in his ministry – inviting people to his table whom we least expect. And yet, in being inclusive Jesus is also clear about his purpose and vision.

For to be a follower of Jesus Christ, you first have to know, as a sinner,—your own need for God. You and I need to know that we need to be in the presence of the living God.

For me, this is why we gather in worship every week. We need God. We need the mercy and grace of God.

The Reverend Dr. James Forbes, former minister of Riverside Church in New York City was asked, “What is the difference between black churches and white churches in America?” Forbes shared, “In predominately African American churches, the people have come to know their need for God. In predominately Euro-American churches, the people have come to believe God’s need for them.”

After hearing this, I am even more convinced that Bethany Church, in doing its best to be a multiracial, multicultural, intergenerational community of faith—needs to continue to be a community where people come to know God and to see God reflected in one another, in doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God.

Or as a new member/disciple at Bethany shares, this community connects and sees the intersection with God’s Word (Scriptures) and with what God is calling us to do in the world (Justice) and not one or the other—where there are two opposite poles—some people do not know God, while others are too heavenly minded they are no earthly good!

As I shared in the past, we at Bethany Church are not growing a multiracial, multicultural, intergenerational, open and affirming church because it is a nice thing to do, or because it is a new fad for the diverse culture in which we live. We at Bethany Church are growing this community of faith because we believe that in having every kind of person at the table, we get a glimpse (if only a glimpse) of the kingdom of God.

That God invites people to be at table with one another at Bethany—also leaves the door open for people to leave, if they are offended by who is welcomed at Christ’s table.

As one theologian writes, “God loves to look at us, and loves it when we look back at God. Even when we try to run away from our troubles … God will find a way to let us know that God is with us in this place, wherever we are, however far we think we have run.

And maybe that is one reason we worship God – to respond to grace.

We praise God not to celebrate our own faith in God, but to give thanks for the faith God has in us.

Yes, it will be a challenge as individuals and as a community of faith to continue to keep our lives and our faith open and fresh to the presence of Jesus Christ.

For when Jesus is present and at table with us—things change!

It would be so much easier to insist and to get stuck on our own agendas, and thus get stuck completely. To grow anxious and worried about “getting it right” than to live the joy and as one poet shares, to “risk delight.”

I recall a story when I was beginning my ministry. A creative teacher was asking the children gathered one Sunday “What is furry and likes to eat all kinds of nuts?” There was a deep silence. Puzzled by the silence the energetic teacher decided to repeat the question, “Children, what is furry and likes to eats all kinds of nuts?” After a very long pause, one brave soul raises her hand and says, “I know the answer is supposed to be Jesus, but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me!”

So maybe, just maybe, that is what Jesus is calling us to. To risk delight. To live life to its fullest even amidst our struggles in being community.

“Would you like risotto?” first lady Michelle Obama asked a homeless man waiting for free food. “That’s my job—to serve the risotto.”

Obama went to Miriam’s Kitchen in DC, where she served about 50 homeless men and women. She stood at the end of a serving line and dished up risotto with mushrooms. She smiled. Asked how people were doing. Asked them what they would like. They smiled. Told her sure they would like the risotto, then moved down the line to get steamed broccoli, homemade apple-carrot muffins, rolls and salad, made with fruit donated by the first lady’s office.

Every weekday, rain or shine, Miriam’s Kitchen, at 24th and G streets NW, serves breakfast to chronically homeless people, whom staff and volunteers refer to as “guests.”

The guests were told to come in for a special lunch. That the chef was going to be making a special meal.

“We said we were celebrating the end of February. And Steve [Badt], our chef, was making a special meal. They know his cooking is so good,” said the director of development. Every day at 5:00 a.m., they start lining up at Miriam’s Kitchen. At 6:30 a.m. promptly, the doors open. It is one thing they can count on. Another is food prepared on site to be healthful for the homeless, many of whom have physical and mental illnesses.

“If anyone brings us doughnuts, Steve (the chef) throws them away… It is not good food for our guests. We care too much to give them anything but the best. Steve wants our guests to have the same experience as if they were paying $30 for the meal.”

The guests come to sit at table. Weary faces wrapped in scarves. Their lives stuffed in bags. Wearing coats upon coats against the cold and danger of sleeping on the street. Mostly invisible people, living on the edge. But the people insist that the people at the table matter!

At 12:21, the rolling metal door to the service line rolled up. And behind the counter, stood (Michelle) Obama … with serving spoon in hand.

Then one by one, the guests lined up.

And Michelle Obama, our First Lady, dished risotto, one by one. Offering steamed, fresh broccoli.

(from the Washington Post, March 6, 2009)

“And from this, they want to start serving dinner to the homeless at our urban church,” my sister from Washington, DC called to tell me.

A strange thing happened as today’s scripture text opened up right in front of my very eyes.

I found myself stop, take notice of who was invited to the table, gave God thanks, and in going outside and looking around at our church at Beacon and Graham Streets, I wondered what guests Jesus will invite to sit at table in the days and months ahead to Bethany?

Go ahead—Take a guess!

Copyright © 2009 Angela Ying. All rights reserved.

Question for Reflection: In the Bethany Church Community, who do you think is missing at the table that needs to be given an invitation to come and see? In our times, who would Jesus invite to sit at the table?