Rev. Bonnie Matthews, Deacon - Sermon
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Sermon 02.07.16, Trinity Episcopal Church, Hartford, CT
The Rev. Bonnie Matthews, Deacon
Transfiguration Year C
Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:2-4:2, Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]
In the name of God who invites us to be changed into God’s likeness. Amen
Last week in Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians we were presented with a hint of what was to come in this week’s scripture readings. We need to look hard at those who surround us, our response to the other and out reception to change. If we do that with humility, perhaps we shall find the likeness of God.
2 Corinthians: When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Because I have chosen to interpret these words to instruct me in my daily life they are powerful words.
I’m not certain why, but I’m amazed that these words have as much impact today, as they did two thousand years ago. I think what amazes me is that as brothers and sisters in Christ our human nature has changed very little and the need for us to recall God’s love for us continues.
Because this lesson is frequently read during the service of marriage, I believe we associate these verses to be instruction for two individuals committed to love for each other. I better understand these words of love to be shared not between two but among many.
Today the more difficult portion of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians continues as we hear an invitation to better reflect what God has created through love:
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, The Spirit.
Throughout creation and through covenant God has revealed himself to us in love. God doesn’t isolate or separate those that are loved, rather God offers love inclusively.
And by example, God’s love, revealed to the world, is to be shared throughout all of creation. This love which is to be shared isn’t only to be shared with those who are like us, or those who are of the same mind as we are. It is love to be shared with all.
I recognize the enormity of these words. This is a tall order and it is one not to be taken lightly.
Because of events in our world these past few weeks, months, and years, the timing of this message can’t be more important.
If you listen to the news, read a paper, or check what is happening through electronic media accounts you can recognize the importance of these words. Even the latest TV shows have highlighted and are focusing on racial and ethnic profiling. I’m wondering if these shows are an example of the unconscious, and regrettably, for some the conscious acceptance of profiling as a day to day occurrence or are they meant to make us more aware of our unconscious prejudices and the need to change. If one frees oneself to actually hear the news (and here I am not talking about the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ) one may realize that it is fraught with acts of racism and ethnic profiling.
Recently I have had the opportunity to read two books which have awakened my soul to racism. I did not understand and still do not fully understand what people of color or certain ethnic groups face on a daily basis. The first book is The New Jim Crow (Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness) authored by Michelle Alexander and the second book is America’s Original Sin (Racism, White Privilege and the Bridge to a New America) by Jim Wallis.
Reading these two books has allowed me to name the fact that I am a product of white privilege. These books have shown me that I cannot just accept that I am a person of white privilege. Rather, I must name that white privilege and use it (in the words of a cherished friend and colleague) to be a better ally to those who experience racism in our world, our state, and our cities or towns.
I would like to take this naming of white privilege for myself to another level and suggest that all who live in any type of privilege must take another step forward in naming our differences. We must remove the veil from our face.
How do we remove the veil from our faces to better see the glory of the Lord, transforming ourselves to be a better reflection of God’s love? I don’t know the answer to that nor should I know the answer. I believe that walking together in love and respect with the “other” we can find some the answers right here in this neighborhood.
This community of Trinity Episcopal Church, with all of its diversity, allows each of us to experience and embrace our differences. What a wonderful gift we have been given in making this our spiritual home.
We as a community and as individuals have the opportunity to embrace, experience, understand and celebrate our differences to the fullest extent.
Over the next months we will have the privilege (yes I have turned a word within the context of this sermon to grow from a negative experience to a positive experience) to allow ourselves to ally with the “other”.
On February 21st there will be a meeting with Chris George of IRIS speaking to us regarding refugee resettlement and the possibility of forming a coalition of 10 people to resettle a refugee family in Hartford.
As an extension of Trinity Institute conference “Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice” beginning next Sunday Trinity Hartford will continue our previous town hall meeting on overcoming racism through conversation and understanding. For if we cannot speak with one another and experience with one another, how are we to better understand one another.
Once again the Outreach Committee is offering a Lenten Calendar of Service which includes suggested action ideas for your use as a Lenten Discipline. Without the knowledge of the Outreach Committee, I am proposing that those acts of service include acts that will reveal your commitment to better understand the “other” in the world around you.
If we are intentional, we may be surprised about where we meet the “others” in our lives. If we are living in the Spirit we will not be surprised by our response.
Let me quote from our scripture again:
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
I don’t believe the Glory of the Lord is revealed only in the mirror of our actions (making us exclusive) rather I believe the Glory of the Lord is revealed to us in what we see, how we understand and finally our transformative response.
I subscribe to the daily devotion Brother Give Us a Word. These devotions are from The Society of St John the Evangelist, a monastic community of the Episcopal Church and The Anglican Church of Canada. The daily word is included in scripture and a sermon is attached.
In mid-January the daily word was Revelation. Intentionally there was no sermon attached to this word. Rather it was a quote by Herbert Slade a priest and member of SSJE for all who read it to reflect and act.
Brother Herbert wrote:
God is always being revealed and the revelation is never complete. The Spirit who leads into all truth continually proceeds both from the divine nature in terms of revelation and from the human nature in terms of reception. There is no end to the process. -Herbert Slade, SSJE (1912-1999)
My response to this quote: Let Us Bless The Lord