Looking Under the Hood, A Sermon by Deacon Terry

In the Gospel, here we are with Peter again. He seems to be pretty
popular these last few weeks. Last time I preached on Transfiguration
Sunday, we talked about Peter speaking first, asking second. Then a
week later heard Fr. Harvey’s Kayak story in reference to Peter walking
on water, then sinking.
Then last week, we heard Jesus tell Peter that he would build his house
on him.
And today, Peter gets blasted from Jesus. Jesus gets so mad at Peter
he says. “Get behind me Satan”. He tells him that he is a stumbling
block. Well, there goes your first Pope!
The reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans and Mathew’s Gospel have a
lot in common and I wish we had time to reflect on both of them, we don’t,
but maybe we can grab a little from each and reflect on some of the
highlights.
They both have the theme of – denying ourselves.
Others first – serving – giving
It is not a coincidence that these two readings are placed in our lectionary
at the same time.
Some standouts for me in Romans are:
Hate what is evil
Hold fast to what is good
Love one another
Show hospitality to strangers
Bless those who persecute you – wish them no harm
Live in harmony
And
Don’t think haughty of ourselves
 
So think about those 7 standout statements.
 
Where are you with each of those?
What’s your batting average?
I think I am pretty good with 5 out of the 7.
But that’s my opinion, not sure what others may think.
Here they are again – think about it for a second – your answers are yours
alone
There is no test or come clean moment here.
Hate what is evil
Hold fast to what is good
Love one another
Show hospitality to strangers
Bless those who persecute you – wish them no harm
Live in harmony
And
Don’t think haughty of ourselves
Paul wrote these words of instruction about 57 years after Jesus’ death. He
wrote them to Christian believers in Rome.
 
Then there are the standout phrases from Mathew
Deny yourselves
Don’t set yourself on human things, but on heavenly things
Take up your cross and follow me
 
Of these three standouts, I ask the same question
How are you batting? What’s your batting average?
I must say, I am about a 1 and a half
 
The Gospel of Mathew was written about 70 years after the death of Jesus.
But interestingly not to Christian believers but to a Jewish audience.
So we have two different authors, writing to two very different audiences,
but saying basically the same thing. Interesting.
This exercise is not one to make ourselves feel bad, guilty or unworthy. I
wanted to reflect on it to open our hearts up, to help us become more
aware of God’s Grace towards each of us.
It’s important to remember that we are God’s children through the Grace of
God, not through our selves. So this is not a check list that gets you in
God’s favor or out of God’s favor, it is simply a guide to walk closer with
God.
These words were spoken and recorded as a guide to life in the Christian
faith. And that’s one of the reasons we are here each Sunday, to hear and
receive God’s holy words and instructions on how to live and follow him.
I use this tool, to help remind us, that if we read and hear God’s words
each Sunday, we should strive to follow them; otherwise, what’s the use in
coming?
If we simply come here to make ourselves or someone feel good, for the
coffee hour refreshments, what’s the point.
 
Each year on August 14 th we remember and celebrate the life of Maximilian
Kolbe and here’s what I believe is an example of following Jesus’ example.
Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941).
Maximilian Kolbe was a Catholic priest, who was put in a Nazi
concentration camp for his faith.
On May 28, 1941, he was transferred to the concentration camp at
Auschwitz.
One day a man in Kolbe’s block escaped. All of the men from that block
were brought out into the hot sun and made to stand there all day with no
food or drink.
 
At the end of the day, the man that had escaped was not found. So the
Nazi commandant told the prisoners that ten men would be selected to die
in the starvation cell in place of the one that had escaped.
One man, a polish sergeant was one of those selected.
He begged to be spared because he was worried that his family would not
be able to survive without him.
As he was pleading with the commandant, Maximilian Kolbe silently
stepped forward and stood before the commandant.
The commandant turned to him and asked him what he wanted.
Kolbe pointed to the polish sergeant and said, I wish to take this man’s
place.
The commandant stood silent for a moment in disbelief. He then allowed
the sergeant to go back to his place in the ranks and Kolbe took his place
in the starvation bunker.
In the starvation bunker, the guards who removed the bodies of those who
had died were used to the sounds of cursing and screaming.
However when Kolbe and the nine others were put in the bunker, all they
could hear was the sounds of Kolbe and his companions in the bunker
singing hymns and praying.
When Kolbe couldn’t speak any longer due to hunger and lack of energy,
he would whisper his prayers.
After two weeks, the cell had to be cleared out for more prisoners to be
thrown in.
Only four prisoners were left alive and Kolbe was one of them. So the
guards came in and gave each a lethal injection.
On August 14, 1941, Kolbe paid the ultimate price for following the call of
Jesus – “to take up his Cross and follow him.”
 
I pray and believe that most of us here, would never have to face the kind
of decision Maximillian Kolbe faced, but he raises the bar for us, even in a
small way.
If this man, Johnathan Daniels, Robert Kennedy, Oscar Romaro, Jesus and
so many others can give their very lives for others, we can follow some of
the guidelines given to us.
 
Hate what is evil
Hold fast to what is good
Love one another
Show hospitality to strangers
Bless those who persecute you – wish them no harm
Live in harmony
Don’t think haughty of ourselves
Deny yourselves
Don’t set yourself on human things, but on heavenly things
Take up your cross and follow me
 
These are ways in which we can more closely follow Jesus’ teaching.
These are ways that draw us nearer to God and these are ways in which
we learn to serve others.
So I ask you; If you maybe falling a bit short on any one or more of these,
seek God’s help. Seek God’s Grace, listen to how God is calling you.
Pick one of these this week – think on it, pray on it, act on it.
That’s what our readings tell us to do.
AMEN