Good from Agawam, I Mean Nazareth, by Deacon Terry Hurlbut

​Our first reading from Samuel speaks about Samuel hearing the voice of God, but not recognizing it until Eli gives him some guidance. Samuel goes on to become a judge, a prophet and would become the first anointed king of Israel, leading them for 40 years.
Our Gospel reading hears Nathaniel at first, not quite sure about Jesus, but quickly understands him to be the son of God. Nathaniel would go on to be a follower of Jesus, taking part in the last supper, the resurrection. It is believed he became a missionary, traveling to Persia, India and Armenia, dying a martyr’s death.
Can anything good come from Agawam? – I mean Nazareth?
Why would God/Jesus call Samuel or Nathaniel? What makes them so special?
What made John the Baptist so special?
What made Saul, who would become Paul so special?
What made Mary, mother of Jesus so special?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Mother Teresa
What sets these people apart?
Is it where they lived, went to school, family heritage, faith or just luck of the draw?
There was this guy back in the 1930s – 40’s and his name was Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
The cliff notes of his life are:
He was a German, born into a well to do family. His father was a Physiatrist; his brothers were Lawyers and corporate executives and one worked for the German government. He was privileged to say the least. He was a gifted musician and many thought he would use that gift, but he felt a calling to serve. He became a Lutheran Minister. Many believed he “wasted his talents”.
Throughout the 1930’s, while Germany was recovering from the first world war a young charismatic man came to power, promising a new Germany, one that would give them back their pride, dignity and end economic hardships. The German people became caught up in this man’s ideology and elected him, his party and his ideas into power.
It didn’t take long for many to see that things were changing and in many cases, not for the better. War broke out, people different than those thought to be chosen were imprisoned, tortured and murdered.
During this time, Dietrich Bonhoeffer lifted his voice in opposition, speaking up for those who could not. Feeding those who had lost everything and ministering to all. Through his family connections was able to travel the world seeking support to those being persecuted.
He was offered asylum here in the US to teach at Union Theological Seminary in New York, to “ride out the war”, be safe.
He couldn’t do it.  He couldn’t sit back and not help those in need.
He went back to Germany.
He was then approached by his brothers, brother in law and many other civic leaders willing to risk all to become involved in the removal of Adolph Hitler.
He prayed and asked God for guidance. “How do I, a minister of God become involved in assassinating a human being”?
He came to the conclusion that to do nothing to help those being persecuted was as guilty as the persecutors. So, he became an active participant in the assassination plot to kill Hitler.
Long story short – the plot failed. Bonhoeffer, his family conspirators and the others were all rounded up and about 1 week before the end of World War 2, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the others were hanged.
Have you ever heard the voice of God?
I never have
I wish I had or will
I think it would make things much simpler
God could just tell me what to do, when – and I would do it – “I think”
But what if I really heard the voice of God and he gave me some tasks, like he did Moses, to set his people free, or like he did Saul, who he told to minister to the Christians he was in fact persecuting, or to Mary the Mother of Jesus, who was simply obedient and faithfully standing by her son – the savior of the world.
What if he told me to strive for peace, peacefully and to stand up for the rights of those oppressed as he did Martin Luther King.
Who, using his voice to speak on behalf of others. The one with the faith that God was with him in his quest.
What if he pointed me to act against those persecuting others – like Bonnhofer?
How would I respond?
Would I react like those people I just mentioned who grabbed the ball and ran with it, just like they were supposed to, or would I turn my head and look the other way, so as to not complicate or jeopardize my comfortable life?
Would I have stayed in New York and rode the war out in safety?
Would I have marched on Selma, or would I have stayed home?
Is that what I may be doing now?
Or would I be like Peter, the guy who denied Jesus three times when challenged, yet days after Jesus’ death, gave a sermon in Jerusalem supporting Jesus with one of the greatest sermons ever preached.
Again – how would I respond?
Back to Nathaniel for a moment
Nathaniel is also known as Bartholomew. The name Nathaniel only comes up in John’s gospel. You’ve probably heard the name Bartholomew more, but know they are one and the same guy.
And you thought, you wouldn’t learn anything this morning!
Nathaniel was from Cana – Galilee, so he knew of Nazareth, the small working class town of which Jesus came from. You can almost understand why Nathaniel would say, “Can anything good come from Nazareth”?
Can anything good come from Agawam, Feeding Hills, Longmeadow, Springfield, Deerfield, W Springfield, Suffield?
Can anything good come from St. David’s?
Well, you tell me.   Look around.
I look around this room at the people of St. David’s and say “ yes”, something good can come from St. David’s. I see humble, honest, hardworking, faithful people of God, who love one another, their church and most importantly, love God.
People who respond to God – though they may not even know it.
The people in this place that give of themselves. They pay the bills, the empty the trash and keep our place clean, they print bulletins and keep us organized, they teach our young, they make coffee hour, they volunteer to support others, they sing, they financially support the work of the church.
They reach out to those less fortunate, they visit the sick and those in prison.
Can anything good come from Georgia?”
Yes – even Georgia
Our Rector
A man of faith, commitments, compassion and the desire to follow God in serving this place
What makes the people of St. David’s so special?
Is it where they live, went to school, family heritage, faith or just luck of the draw?
We have our first clue:
It is believed that Nathaniel wasn’t simply sitting under the fig tree, catching a mid-day nap or simply relaxing. It is believed that he was actually studying scripture and meditating on God.
Jesus recognized Nathaniel’s heart, Jesus saw Nathaniel for what he was – a man of God.
As we think about some of those people I mentioned a few moments back, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Paul, John the Baptist, Peter and Deitrich Bonhoffer.
Each of those people seemed to have a connection with God, prior to them hearing and acting on the voice of God.
Reading scripture, prayer, meditation, relationships all seem to play a role in building a solid foundation of which we can serve God and his church.
Can anything good come from St. David’s? I mean Nazareth
We as a community of faithful followers pray, study, meditate and serve
We have the foundation; we are sitting under the fig tree, waiting to hear to voice of God, waiting for Jesus to open our hearts, minds and spirits to the direction he wants us to go.
We have the gift of God, and I think we may have heard the voice of God also.
We may not have recognized it yet.
How can I make that claim?
I see God at work in each of you
Generosity, service, faithfulness, meditative hearts, minds and love
So our challenge this week is
As we sit under the fig tree waiting on what to do, waiting on God.
Get up
Serve, pray and worship
Yes – something good can come from St. David’s – I mean Nazareth
AMEN