“First Things”
Pentecost 2 May 25, 2008
Postulant Sue Oldfather
First things. On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember and salute all of those who have given their lives that we might be free. We salute those who are now serving in harm’s way—the members of the Armed Forces, the Police, Fire, and Emergency Ambulance crews. We offer our thanks to each of them and to their families who have supported them in their calling.
Memorial Day weekend marks the first weekend of summer. Many of us will gather with family and friends for picnics, recreation, and celebration.
As we watched the television Friday night, informing Kansans about the possibility of tornadoes and the need to take shelter were deemed the first things by KAKE, KSN, and KWCH as they preempted all network programming for the night.
First things in finance, according to on line news sources are the threat of inflation, price of oil per barrel—now $135.00 with gasoline in Wichita is about $3.75 per gallon. The closing prices of the stock market Friday showed the effect of these financial first things. The major indexes all fell a bit more than 1%; each was down a bit over 3% for the week. Economists with the National Association for Business Economics predict a rise in unemployment to 5.6% next year.
First things.
“On a day of salvation I have helped you; I have…given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages, saying to the prisoners, “Come out,” to those who are in darkness, “show yourselves.” ….for they shall not hunger or thirst… he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them….
Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion to the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.”
First things. “I still my soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its mother’s breast; my soul is quieted within me….wait upon the Lord.”
First things. “servants of Christ….stewards of God’s mysteries….found trustworthy…each one will receive commendation from God.”
”strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
What are our first things? Listen again to Isaiah. Thus says the Lord: In a time of favor I have answered you. A time of favor. A time of God’s choosing. For the prophet who wrote this passage of Isaiah, it was a time when Cyrus, the king of Babylon signed an edict allowing the Hebrews to return from exile to their home. In verse 6, the Lord says, “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” The Hebrew people had been in exile for hundreds of years. They had no power, no prestige. And in God’s time of favor, God told them they were to be a light allowing salvation to reach the ends of the earth. Vs. 14 tells us clearly that Zion said, “The lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” And God replies to God’s people saying, “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”
First things. Through out the ages, in celebration and in times of trial, despite broken relationships, God will never ever forget us. Why? Our names are inscribed on the palms of God’s hand. First things.
The Psalmist writes here about a way of facing life: Not proud, not haughty. Quieting the soul as a child leans quietly upon its mother after being fed. In our do it now, I needed it yesterday society, we hear the image of a stance that is quiet, centered, at peace: waiting upon God, who loves us as a mother loves and feeds her child. First things.
Paul cuts through the discord in the Corinthian community that hung between followers of various Christian leaders. First things: “…servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.” Another stance toward life: you and I are servants of Jesus Christ. We are entrusted with the good news that is counter cultural—that God is in charge, that through the gracious gift of salvation and the Spirit, we are no longer alone, carrying all the burdens, making everything happen, doing it all. Rather, we have been transformed and born again into a new life by the power of the Holy Spirit. By the grace of God in Christ Jesus, we are to go unto all the world and share His good news. These are our First things. Be servants. Be good stewards. Wait. God will judge.
Our Gospel is a part of the Sermon on the Mount that begins in Chapter 5 vs. 1 and continues through Chapter 7 vs. 29. In this portion, Jesus talks about the “right use of money.”
Society tells us, more toys = success. Winning the competition, being number one, being first is what life is about. Advertising, television, magazines, novels point us toward preparing, serving, eating the best food and wine; wearing the most elaborate and eye-catching garment or the most luxuriously simple garments; having or being a part of the biggest most powerful businesses, living in the most exclusive lavish homes, driving the newest cars tricked out with every package available from the manufacturer. Jesus tells us that in the fullness of God’s time, these things will be as a wilted flower or dead grass. Jesus cautions us that to strive after things leads us away from First Things.
First things. Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
First things. Seeking God. Do not be anxious, or preoccupied, or consumed by things. Instead, seek God.
First things. Seek righteousness. Commentators note that another way to translate righteousness is justice. Seek justice. In looking at this passage we see the beauty of God’s creation in the birds and flowers. In the reading from Genesis last week, we were reminded that God made us stewards of the whole earth. We are caretakers. We are to ensure that all of us use God’s resources justly. The prices of gasoline offer an opportunity for us to personally use God’s resource of petroleum more wisely—combining trips, carpooling, walking, or bicycling. And an opportunity for corporate stewardship—vote and urge use and development of solar and wind power to lower dependence on petroleum.
We have the opportunity to share our wealth with adults and children in Wichita and around the world who are in need. We can support Episcopal Social Services. We can donate treasure and time to re-present Jesus through our service as many in our Good Shepherd family who volunteer at ESS do.
We can also donate treasure and time here at Good Shepherd—by supporting the ingathering for families at Christmas and in April, the Garage Sale, the Back to School drive, Vacation Bible School which reaches out to children living in our neighborhood.
We can support adults and children around the globe, as many of our Good Shepherd family do. If you have heard Karen or Tom share photos and background about Little Roses in Honduras and the girls they have served there, you have pictures in your minds eyel Or look at the pictures, of children and adults that are sponsored by Good Shepherd members, that are on the display board as you enter Fellowship Hall. See the faces of God.
This Memorial Day weekend, let us each take time to “still our soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its mother’s breast” to “quiet our souls and wait upon the Lord.”
This Memorial Day weekend, let us wait. Let us listen. Listen to a God who is as intimate as a mother nursing a child. Let us listen to hear what God asks you and me to do for God’s kingdom. Let us consider, let us be absorbed in God’s righteousness, in God’s justice.
This Memorial Day weekend, let us seek First Things according to Jesus-the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and let us know in our innermost being that we are loved by one who has engraved our very own name into the palms of generous hands who will indeed give all things we need. Amen.
Prepared to the Glory of God
By Postulant Sue Oldfather, M.Div.
For those gathered
In Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
May 24-25, 2008
Wichita, KS
