Category: Sermons

A Humble Faith in Recognizing Grace

Today, we turn to the Gospel of Mark to examine two contrasting images: the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, the scribes, and the sincere devotion of a poor widow. Through this passage, Jesus calls us to reflect on the nature of true faith and how to live it.

Let’s first look at the scribes. Jesus describes them, saying, “They like to walk around in long robes, be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets” (Mark 12:38-39). Outwardly, they appear devout, but Jesus exposes their true motives. They seek recognition, admiration, and power. He goes on to rebuke them: “They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers” (Mark 12:40). Instead of using their position to serve others, they exploit the vulnerable to bolster their social standing. It’s this desire for superiority that Jesus warns us against.

The desire for recognition is something we all experience. Children seek their parents’ praise, students aim for their teachers’ approval, and adults often seek recognition in their work. While this desire can motivate us to grow, it can also lead to pride and self-promotion. When our focus shifts from growth to superiority—when we strive to appear “better than others”—we enter a dangerous cycle of comparison. We may judge others harshly, and our faith can become entangled in pride rather than humility.

Today’s society encourages this cycle. Capitalism often tempts us to pursue “better cars, bigger homes, and higher status,” suggesting these are the hallmarks of success. Advertisements tell us that happiness comes from owning the newest or best items. Each release of a new phone or car model reminds us that what we have isn’t “good enough.” This culture teaches us to measure our worth by our possessions, but Jesus offers a different perspective.

In the temple, many wealthy people gave large sums of money. Yet, Jesus directed His praise toward a poor widow who offered only two small coins—worth nearly nothing by today’s standards. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44).

Jesus saw her heart. Her gift, though small, was given in full trust and devotion. Unlike the wealthy, she gave all she had to God, showing her sincere love and humility. Through her example, Jesus teaches us that true value lies not in outward appearances or wealth, but in the sincerity and humility with which we approach God.

In our world, people are often judged by wealth, education, or status, and many people credit their achievements solely to their own efforts. While hard work is essential, we sometimes forget that much of what shapes our lives is beyond our control—our birthplace, family, and opportunities. These factors, too, are gifts from God.

In his book Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond explains that a society’s rapid advancement often depends on geography, natural resources, and factors beyond individual control. Likewise, many of our personal conditions are gifts we did not earn but received. Our nationality, family background, education, and talents are blessings from God. Even our health is a precious gift, not guaranteed.

Think about this: the same amount of money can provide a comfortable life in one country but barely meet basic needs in another. This shows that wealth, like many measures of success, is relative. Recognizing this helps us see that our successes and resources are blessings, not entitlements.

The Letter of James reminds us, “But God gives all the more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). When we see all that we have as a gift, we become more humble. Instead of taking pride in our achievements, we feel grateful for the grace God has given us.

This gratitude leads us to share our blessings and to serve others. Just as Jesus commended the widow’s humble offering, He calls us to approach life with a humble and giving heart. This doesn’t require grand gestures or large sums of money. It’s often shown through small, simple acts—helping a neighbor, offering words of kindness, or giving thanks daily for what we have. True humility and gratitude are reflected in our willingness to love and serve those around us.

Let us hold close the humility and devotion shown by the poor widow in today’s passage. May we recognize that all we possess is a gift from God and live with grateful, humble hearts.

Let us aspire for our lives to be instruments of God’s glory, channels through which grace and love flow to others. Our humility and gratitude allow us to connect with others more deeply, to serve them genuinely, and to uplift each other as children of God.

Finally, let us be reminded by Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Instead of comparing ourselves to others, let us strive to walk alongside our neighbors, cultivating love and compassion and living a life filled with humility and thankfulness.

May we practice a faith that embraces and serves others, offering gratitude for the grace that God so freely gives.

Amen.

Sermon Preached at Church of the Good Shepherd

Fort Lee, New Jersey

Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 8:00 and 10:00 A.M.

All Saints’ Day Celebration
Just Who Do We Think We Are?

“[We are] knit together in one communion and fellowship.” (Collect, All Saints Day)
“Grace and mercy are upon his holy ones.”
(Wisdom of Solomon 3:9)
“The home of God is among mortals.”
(The Book of Revelation 21:3)
“[Lazarus came] out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth and his faced
wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’”
(John 11:44)
“Yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.”
(Hymnal, #287, stanza 4)
I truly hope that your goblins and beasties and things that go bump in the
night have been scooted from your lives this season—and sent underground where
they belong. There’s just little point in holding on to the ghosts of our past, for now
is the brightness of the dawn and today is the only day we have…at least today.
And, of course, I also trust we’re done with Halloween candy. Candy corn can be
my undoing, and I’ve had enough of the resulting stomach ache from too much of
all that. At least I’m too old to “trick or treat,” so I don’t go to sleep with a big bag
full of sweets.
But I do enjoy every year celebrating the day that comes immediately after
All Hallows’ Eve, and that is All Saints Day, a day when we celebrate not just all
those past and present folks whom we honor with the title of “saint,” but

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something, some people, as special or even more special than all those saintly
saints…and that is us: you and I! Yes, you and I. For this is all saints season, and
the good news, as good as is the news of Christmas and the news of Easter, a time
when we look at the birthright and promise and heritage that is ours, yours and
mine. Yes, sainthood!

I think we know this already. Why don’t we acknowledge it more openly?
Are we shy? Do we think too little of ourselves? Do we think it would be arrogant
to go around lauding ourselves as saints. But this isn’t an ego trip, for just as I
celebrate who I am, I also honor you with the same title.
Let’s just look a bit more closely at who these saints are whom we like to
raise up and praise. Yes, they are those people in church history with St before
their names. The St. Thomases, St. Theresas, St. Francises, and the St. I-Don’t-
Know-Who Elses that popular the history of the church, past and present. Their
lives are interesting to learn about, for sure. But what is misleading about this is
that we seem to reserve the title only for those Christians who have made an
especially important impact in history, through miracles that surround them or
some other feats of heroism or devotion. This is fine, just so long as it doesn’t
leave out little ole you and me! Let me illustrate what I mean.
In thinking back on the people in my life who have made the largest impact
or influence, I can start with certain family members. I was particularly fortunate in

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having fantastic parents. When I think of the trauma and abuse that some of us
were destined to live with, I realize that we can spend a good part of our adulthood
working out the injuries so many of us receive from poor parenting.
But beyond parents and family, don’t we also remember one or two or more
teachers along the way, who, when we think of them, played a major role in who
we are and on what we admire. I would love to hear some of your reminiscences
about such people. When I think of those I remember, I realize how lucky I have
been to know them.
And then there are just that long line of friends and associate who were
examples to us of so many things: of good humor, kindness, courage, insight.
Some of these people you just felt good being around. There was something
special about who they were. We can’t always put our finger on it. But we know
they are special to us and will always remain so. Many of them are no longer with
us; others are still around to cheer us on in one way or another.
And there are, too, of course, people we don’t know personally to whom we
have the highest regard. They may be an occasional politician, someone we think
embodies what we believe a good leader should exhibit; or a musician (I have a
long list of them, classical, jazz, pop). I was watching a video of Englebert
Humperdinck the other day. I had never paid much attention to him, what a strange
name!… but, by golly, what a wonderful singer.

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People who bring joy, encouragement, insights, and an exhibition of what
the divine is all about into our lives. There are many God whisperers amongst us.
Sometimes we notice; other times we do not.
And now I ask you, what about these people? What place do they hold, not
just in your life, but as human beings, as children of God. What place do they hold
in the larger picture? Are we going to rate them on some kind of scale. I know as
human beings we tend to speak of one person as smarter, more talented, cleverer
than another person. This is we here looking through our limited vision, through
our ego eyes. I ask you, if we pull back a moment and ask how they are ranked by
God, we will find that there is no better or worse, higher or lower.
Of course, this is not to neglect character and the tally of our deeds and
actions here on earth. Just how kind have we been here in our bodies? There will
still be laws; we will still judge each other. Bad behavior will have consequences.
There will still be awards and the Nobel Peace Prize. Of course, nothing changes.
But there is another point of view. We get glimpses of it. Parents surely get this
glimpse, loving each of their children in the same way, unconditionally.
And we get a glimpse of it in the lives of those we will continue to honor
with that title, “saint.” But when we think of the life of the one called Jesus, do we
see a person who would give a prize for his Disciple of the Year? Did he rank
people? Of course, as a human being, he must have enjoyed the company of some

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disciples more than others, but would he have placed them in a ranked order? I
doubt it. I can’t see it.
Loving unconditionally tends to make ranking take a back seat.
Isn’t this what sainthood is about, and what we celebrate, what Jesus taught
us. God does not play favorites. So why should I? I know you will say that, indeed,
you cannot rank all the people you have loved and who you know loved you?
A quote by Sir Walter Scott:
“Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, And men below, and saints above. For
love is heaven, and heaven is love.”
And Henri Nouwen:
“The world is waiting … for new saints, ecstatic men and women who are so
deeply rooted in the love of God that they are free to imagine a new international
order.”
And finally, Frederick Buechner:
“In his holy flirtation with the world, God occasionally drops a handkerchief.
These handkerchiefs are called saints.”
And there are a lot more handkerchiefs among us than we realize! Amen.
Amen.

Beyond the Boundaries of Love

In the Gospel of Mark, we encounter the story of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who cried
out to Jesus for mercy. From this account, we learn two key lessons. First, we see
Bartimaeus’s desperate plea for help. Second, we witness Jesus’s merciful response.
This passage is more than just a healing miracle; it reveals the importance of faith and
love in our relationship with God and with others.

In today’s world, we live surrounded by constant noise—so many voices, so much
information. But amidst this noise, do we hear the cries of those who are suffering? Do
we listen to the cries of the poor, the oppressed, and those in pain? Like Bartimaeus,
many people are crying out for help, but we often turn a deaf ear.

Think about the suffering in places like Palestine or Ukraine, where people endure
hardship every day. We hear news of wars, injustice, and oppression from all over the
world, yet it’s easy to ignore these cries as we go about our daily lives. Sometimes, the
cries come from far away, but sometimes they are much closer than we think. Maybe
there are people around us—our neighbors, or even our friends—who, like Bartimaeus,
are quietly waiting for someone to notice their pain.

Jesus did not ignore Bartimaeus’s cry. He stopped, listened, and acted with mercy. We,
too, are called to open our ears to the cries of those around us. It’s easy to listen to what
is convenient or comfortable, but the challenge for us as Christians is to listen even
when it makes us uncomfortable. As children of God, we are called to hear the cries of
those in need and respond with love.

In his great work War and Peace, the author Leo Tolstoy wrote, “We do not love people
because we receive love from them. We love people because we give love to them.”
When we give love, we come to love them more. This quote beautifully captures the
essence of true love. Too often, we focus on receiving love. We want others to care for

us, to give us attention, and to meet our needs. But true love, the kind of love that Christ
shows us, does not seek anything in return.

Our modern society is often driven by a mindset of profit and self-interest. We are
taught to give as little as possible while expecting as much as possible in return. This
logic of maximizing profit has crept into how we relate to one another. But love does not
follow the rules of economics. Love grows the more we give it. The more we share love
with others, the more abundant our own lives become—not with material wealth, but
with the richness of heart and spirit.

When Jesus showed mercy to Bartimaeus, he asked for nothing in return. He healed
Bartimaeus purely out of love and compassion. Jesus did not expect repayment or a
reward. He simply responded to a man’s deep need. This is the kind of love we are
called to practice.

Many people limit their love to those closest to them—family, friends, and maybe a few
others. This tendency might come from a feeling that the love we give within a small
circle will somehow return to benefit us. However, as disciples of Christ, we are called to
go beyond these boundaries. Our love should reach neighbors, strangers, and even the
entire world. Just as we are called to love those around us, we must also extend that
love to the world that sustains us. This love is not just for human relationships; it
includes our responsibility to care for all of creation.

In the past, Christian teaching often viewed nature as something to dominate or control.
This attitude contributed to many of the environmental problems we face today. Now,
we are beginning to realize that the Earth and its creatures deserve our love and care.
We are stewards of creation, called to protect and nurture the environment. The
destruction of nature and the effects of climate change are the results of humanity’s
exploitation of the Earth. If we expand our love to include all of God’s creation, we can
begin to heal not only the world but also ourselves.

We came into this world with nothing, and yet, throughout our lives, we have received
so much. God’s grace fills our lives. We did nothing to earn this grace; it was given
freely out of love. In response, we are called to give freely as well, to live without
expecting anything in return.

Living a life without expectation does not just mean sharing material things. It also
means sharing our time, our energy, our attention, and our love. The people around us,
and the world we live in, need us to offer our love without expecting anything in return.
Like Jesus, who gave his mercy to Bartimaeus freely, we must also practice a love that
is unconditional and without strings attached.

When Jesus heard Bartimaeus’s cry, he stopped. He listened. He responded with
compassion. This story is not just about a miracle; it shows us how God responds to the
cries of the marginalized and suffering. As followers of Christ, we are called to listen to
these cries as well. We are called to put the desire to give love above the desire to
receive it.

We have all received God’s love, and we live by that love. But that love is not meant to
stay with us alone. We are called to share it with others, with our neighbors, and with
the world. Just as Jesus gave his love to Bartimaeus without expecting anything in
return, we are called to do the same. This love has the power to change the world.

Today we have learned about God’s infinite and unconditional love through the story of
Bartimaeus. Jesus heard his desperate cry and healed him without asking for anything
in return. This teaches us not to listen selectively but to open our hearts to the many
cries around us. We should offer our love not because of what we might receive, but
simply because we desire to give.

Practicing unconditional love is the path we are called to walk as disciples of Christ. Our
small acts of kindness, done without expectation, can come together to create real
change in this world. Let us become vessels of God’s boundless love, transforming our

world one act of kindness at a time. May we strive to live lives of unconditional love,
spreading Christ’s love to everyone we meet.

Amen.

Building God’s Kingdom Through Service

Today, we gather to reflect on the meaningful message found in the Gospel of Mark,
chapter 10. This scripture asks us important questions: Why did James and John want
power and honor? And how can we build God’s Kingdom by living a life of service
today? Let’s take a closer look at this passage.

In the passage, James and John ask Jesus for special places of honor. They wanted to
sit at His right and left in glory. But their request wasn’t just about where they would
sit—it showed a deep human desire for power and recognition. Jesus responded by
saying, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I
drink?” (Mark 10:38). Through this, Jesus wanted them to understand a deeper spiritual
truth, one that goes beyond their immediate wishes.

James and John thought of Jesus as a king in this world. Many Israelites at that time
believed the Messiah would be a political leader who would free them from Roman rule.
James and John expected Jesus to become king, and they wanted high positions in His
government. They were not thinking about the spiritual glory of God’s Kingdom but
about worldly power and honor. This shows that they were still influenced by worldly
values instead of understanding the true path of discipleship, which is about humility
and service.

The actions of the disciples make us think about the relationship between the Church
and worldly power. It is also helpful to look back at how the Church has been connected
to political power in history. Let’s take an example from modern Korean history. In the
1940s, Protestants made up only about 1% of the population in Korea. However, in
1948, around 40% of the first cabinet members and 20% of the National Assembly
members were Protestants, including the president. This shows how closely Christianity
was tied to the politics of that time.

Especially through its connection with anti-communism, Christianity formed a deep
relationship with political power. In this situation, Christianity became a way for people
to rise in social status and gain political influence. Christians, who spoke English well
and had close connections with powerful foreign countries, naturally found themselves
at the center of political power. This strong connection drew many people to the Church,
and as a result, Christianity in Korea became a religion that was closely linked to
political power.

The early Church also experienced a change like this. Christians, once persecuted by
the Roman Empire, gained freedom through the Edict of Milan in 313 AD. About 70
years later, Christianity became the Roman Empire’s official religion. This granted the
Church significant power, but as it grew more powerful, it started to move away from
Jesus’ teachings. The Church’s role as salt and light, as Jesus called it, began to fade
as it pursued worldly power and wealth.

Even today, the Church faces similar challenges. We are called to show the Kingdom of
God to the world, but sometimes we get caught up in worldly values and forget about
love and justice. Jesus told His disciples, “It is not so among you” (Mark 10:43). The
Church should not follow the ways of this world. We live in this world, but we are called
to live according to Jesus’ teachings, guided by His truth, not by the world’s standards.

In response to the disciples’ request, Jesus gathered them to teach them a new way of
thinking. He said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).
Instead of seeking power and control, Jesus calls us to follow a path of service and
sacrifice. This challenges us to be humble and to serve others selflessly.

In today’s world, acts of kindness are sometimes met with suspicion. People often think
there must be a hidden reason for someone’s good deeds. In a society where
everything seems like a transaction, values like “service” and “sacrifice” can feel out of
place. But Jesus calls us to live differently. He asks us to remember our true identity as
Christians and to practice the values of God’s Kingdom: unconditional love and true
service.

Service means more than just being humble—it means dedicating ourselves to others.
Jesus said that He came “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). The ultimate
example of service is seen in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where He gave His life for

many. This is the same calling we are given. As followers of Christ, we are called to
serve others and to live out Christ’s love every day.

This passage makes us think about how we can live out God’s Kingdom in the world.
James and John wanted worldly glory and power, but Jesus showed them the way of
service and sacrifice. This is the opposite of what the world values. The world seeks
power and control over others, but God’s Kingdom is built on humility and service.

As disciples of Jesus, we must live lives that reflect His teachings, not the ways of the
world. By offering small acts of kindness in our daily lives and actively helping those
around us, we can begin to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. The Church should not
be swayed by worldly values but should follow Christ’s example of service and sacrifice.
When we do this, we will be building God’s Kingdom in this world.

The life of service is not easy. The world still chases after power and fame, and we will
face these temptations too. But we must respond to God’s call and choose to follow the
path Jesus walked. This path may require sacrifice, and it may not seem important to
the world, but it is the path that leads to true life and joy. It is the path that leads to the
glory of God’s Kingdom.

Let us take this message to heart and commit ourselves to walking the path of Jesus in
our lives. May God’s Kingdom be made real on this earth through us.

Amen.

Freedom in God’s Kingdom

Today, we will reflect on the story of the rich young man from Mark chapter 10 and think
about the themes of the “Kingdom of God” and “wealth.” This story is not merely a
warning about wealth or material possessions; it helps us examine what is truly
important in our lives and where the center of our faith should be.

A young man came to Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit
eternal life?” He had faithfully followed the laws since he was a child and took pride in
this. Jesus looked at him with love and told him to do one more thing: “Go, sell what you
own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come,
follow me” (Mark 10:21). But the young man was saddened by this, for he had many
possessions, and he walked away grieving.

At this moment, we can understand the sorrow and struggle the young man felt. When
he stood before Jesus, he must have sensed that something was still missing in his life.
Outwardly, he had followed the commandments well, but deep in his heart, he realized
there was something lacking. He genuinely desired to enter the Kingdom of God, but
the command to give up the possessions he loved and relied on was too great a
challenge. He was tied to his wealth, and it was the source of his comfort. The thought
of giving it up must have been frightening for him. While the young man wanted to follow
Jesus, he found it hard to break free from his attachment to what he owned.

This passage should not be seen merely as a lesson about wealth. Jesus did not
condemn wealth itself but pointed out that the young man’s possessions had taken a
more important place in his heart than loving God and loving his neighbor. Though he
had kept the law, his wealth had become the most important thing in his life. As a result,
he could not respond to Jesus’ invitation. This story gives us an important teaching
about what we need to prioritize to enter the Kingdom of God and what we need to let
go of.

Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone
who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25). This is not simply a warning
about how hard it is for a wealthy person to enter heaven. For the young man, “wealth”
was more than just material possessions. It was the foundation of his identity and
security, and it occupied the center of his life. Jesus was asking him to let go of his
wealth and to trust in God. This was not just about giving up material things but an
invitation to reorder his priorities.

So, what does the “Kingdom of God” mean? The Kingdom of God is not just a spiritual
place we enter after we die. The Kingdom of God, as Jesus taught, is a way of life that
we can experience right here and now, in our everyday lives. It is where God’s will is
realized, and where His love and justice are revealed in our lives. The Kingdom of God
is about our actions and choices reflecting God’s love and justice.

Therefore, Jesus’ demand to the rich young man was not simply about giving up wealth.
It was an invitation for him to realign his life with God’s will and to live a life of love for
his neighbor. We, too, must reflect on how we are living the life of the Kingdom of God.
We must examine if there is something in our lives that we value more than God and
whether God’s love and justice are at the center of our lives.

The 20th-century philosopher and psychologist Erich Fromm, in his book To Have or To
Be, distinguishes between the modes of “having” and “being.” Fromm pointed out that
many people in modern society seek to find their value through what they own. We
define ourselves through money, status, and reputation. But this way of living focused
on possession leads us into constant anxiety and competition. What Jesus asked of the
rich young man was to leave behind the life of “having” and instead choose the life of
“being.”

A life of “being” is one that is based on relationships—with God and with our neighbors.
It is about finding our value in being loved by God, as His children. This is the life that
sets us free and allows us to experience true joy and peace. The young man could not
accept Jesus’ request because his wealth had defined his identity. What Jesus was
trying to teach him was that it is not through wealth but through his relationship with God
that he should find his true identity.

This message presents an important question for us as well. Where do we find our
identity and security? Do we live trusting in God, or do we rely on what we own? Like

the rich young man, we sometimes place our trust in wealth, status, or relationships,
and in doing so, we lose our trust in God.

In verse 27, Jesus says, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things
are possible” (Mark 10:27). This gives us hope. We may find it hard to free ourselves
from the attachment to wealth or the life of “having,” but with God’s help, we can be
transformed. God wants us to discover our new identity as His children and live freely in
that knowledge.

Every day, we have the opportunity to choose the life of “being.” Through small daily
decisions, we can use our time, talents, and possessions for God, our neighbors, and all
creation. This is how we store up treasure in heaven. Living this way truly sets us free.
No longer bound by the world’s standards, we can live in true joy through God’s love.

As we reflect on today’s passage, let us examine our lives and commit to placing the
values of the Kingdom of God at the center. Instead of walking away in sorrow like the
rich young man, let us respond to God’s invitation. May we find our identity in God,
break free from the chains of possession, and experience true love and freedom in Him.

May God bless you all with His grace.

Amen.

Sermon Preached at Church of the Good Shepherd
Fort Lee, New Jersey
Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 8:00 and 10:00 A.M.

By the Rev. Stephen Galleher
Powerlessness & Power!

There was—long, long ago, at least in the lore of
scripture—a man named Job. And Job has come to represent
every single one of us—in our complaining and despairing
moods. But this character Job was completely unlike us by being
blameless, even if so like us in his moods. At least we are told
that he led a blameless life. I’m not sure I know or have ever
known anyone remotely like him, although at times I feel in a
self-righteous mood and think I’m above all the rest of you
miserable creatures. That’s when, like in the reading this
morning, when the Devil wants to have his way with me—for as
soon as I think I’m above anyone else, that’s when I’m most
vulnerable and fail to remember just who I am and where I come
from. When I forget the source of my life, my mind wanders to
myself as self-sufficient, a law unto myself, and pretty darned
good at whatever I decide to do, thank you very much!

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The amazing and interesting thing about what happens
when the Devil visits hardship on Job, is that Job, instead of
cursing the Devil, as he does later in the book, says, “Shall I
receive the good at the hand of God and not receive the bad?”
How many of us have this level of acceptance?
A few observations.
First, is there even one of us who has not been visited with
a serious hardship, challenge or sorrow in our life? There is
nothing like the loss of a family member or the loss of our job or
the announcement of a serious illness to knock the pins out from
under our self-sufficiency. What happens to our fancy sense of
being on top of the world? It’s called powerlessness and it faces
all of us at one time or another, and usually more than once.
And as an observer of what goes on around us, we
experience powerlessness. Asheville, North Carolina, we’ve
heard described as the ideal place to go and settle. Very chichi,
very chique, very in. And so very true until last week and
hurricane Helene. How lives can change in the twinkling of an

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eye, or the sweeping through of a deadly storm like Helene. And
those caught in that storm could not do one thing to prevent it or
stop it.
And, similarly, what could the people of Israel, Gaza or
Lebanon do to prevent the hideous war that evil people are
doing to assert their territorial power, as if missiles and high-
powered guns and rockets will really settle anything. As for
those caught in the middle of such insanity, what could they do
to stop it?
Powerlessness. Just how much power do we think we have?
And over what? What do you think you can control? Can you
control your thinking? Can you control your moods? We have
limited sight and think we can control a certain number of
things. We look back over our lives and congratulate ourselves
on some of the things we have done. Good for us, we say to
ourselves.
This is not to discourage us, but to ask how much of what
we’ve done and accomplished and are even proud of do can we

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really ascribe to our own doing? Wouldn’t we like to think we
have a lot more to do with what unfolds in our lives than what is
really the case?
This is not to say that we are merely puppets or automata
and are buffeted about my the fickle finger of fate, but it is to
suggest that just as we needn’t brag too heavily about all those
things we have done (it can bring us down off our high horse),
similarly, it can prevent us from being too down on ourselves
when we are feeling sorry for ourselves and down in the dumps.
“I haven’t really made much of myself all these years” or “I’m
just a knucklehead!” or some other self-repeating chorus that
keeps us feeling down on ourselves. Isn’t it the case that we
seem to either be feeling too grand about ourselves or not grand
at all? Perhaps when we give up both thinking too highly and
thinking too lowly about ourselves that we can relax and breathe
a new life of freedom?

5

A friend once suggested that true freedom wasn’t about
stopping thinking less about ourselves as it was about thinking
about ourselves less.
What a contrast:
 Thinking less about ourselves vs
 Thinking about ourselves less.
Of course, there’s not much chance of abandoning all thoughts
about ourselves. We still have to eat and take care of ourselves.
We have careers to pursue and all that. But we don’t have to
operate as if we were the only people in the universe. Perhaps
taking a more realistic view of who we are can increase our
appreciation and love our lives and give us a freedom we never
thought we’d enjoy.
Free at last, free at last. Free to be me, the me that God
created and loves, not the me that is beholden to silly ideas of
who I think I ought to be or who I mistakenly thought I was from
being so hard on myself.

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So, it is important as we live in a world with natural
disasters like Helene, which in a few hours can sweep away
hundreds of our neighbors, as it has done in Florida and North
Carolina, or as we live in w world where people can kill innocent
women and children, as it is doing daily in Gaza, Lebanon and
other places where human beings think it is perfectly okay to kill
citizens in another part of their world…it is important for us to
come to grips with just how powerless we are. Sure, we are free
citizens of a supposedly free country; but let’s ask ourselves, just
how much control do we have over much of anything?
And then we ask as did Job, who represents us as we live in
a world where suffering is inevitable, just who is in charge. The
end of the book of Job, as we remember, ends with God
appearing to fretful Job out of a whirlwind and asks the uppity,
know-it-all Job:
“Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me since you know so
much. Who decided on its size? Certainly, you know that! Who came up
with the blueprints and the measurements? How was its foundation

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poured and who set the cornerstone. While the morning stars sang in
chorus and all the angels shouted praise?”
This is one of the climaxes of scripture. It may not put all
of our unease to rest or quieten our unending questions about our
lives, about why things are going the way they are. But this
climax of Job pushes the question to where it belongs, and the
question is “Just who do we think we are?” And dare we be
honest about all this?
I read in some detail this past week the entire last chapters
of Job, when God lays out in beautiful detail just who he is, and I
couldn’t help but come to the conclusion that God is just about
everything. Everything. And I saw the beginning and the growth
of faith is about my giving into this God, surrendering to the
beautiful God who brought every one of us here today. There is a
freedom in this, isn’t there? For I don’t have to fret and fume and
say to myself how much better a job I could do of things if God
would only let me. Well, I’ve discovered that when God lets me,

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I soon conclude that I’m better off letting God be in charge. He is
in charge anyway, so all I need to do is get with the program!
Amen.

Faith Like a Child

In today’s Gospel from Mark, Jesus tells His disciples that He will soon suffer and be killed. However, the disciples do not fully understand this serious teaching and instead argue about who among them will hold the highest position. This reaction shows human nature and our attachment to worldly success. Today, we will reflect on what challenges Jesus’ teachings give us, and how we can live them out in our own lives.

1. First, we need to think  about why the disciples could not understand Jesus’ teaching. At that time, many Jews believed the Messiah would be a powerful political leader, like a king. Because of this, it was hard for the disciples to accept that the Messiah would suffer and die. They expected the Messiah to be victorious, to free Israel from Roman rule, and they hoped to share in this glory. This expectation is why they argued about “who would be the greatest.”

But Jesus taught something completely different. He clearly said that, as the Messiah, He would suffer and fulfill God’s will through service and sacrifice, not through worldly success or power. The disciples’ misunderstanding was not just because they didn’t know better. It was because their wrong expectations and desires for success were blocking their understanding of spiritual truth.

2. Seeing the disciples argue, Jesus placed a child in the center of them and taught the true essence of faith. He said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). With these words, Jesus emphasized that we must live a life of service with a pure heart.

The innocence of a child symbolizes something very important in faith. A child doesn’t calculate or overthink. They live fully in the present. Jesus used a child as an example not only because children are innocent, but to show us that our faith should be simple and pure. It should not be complicated by worldly desires and ambitions.

Too often, we make our faith complicated by worrying about future rewards or being stuck in past regrets. But Jesus teaches us that faith is about simply accepting God’s love in this very moment and living it out in our lives. This reminds me of a book by Robert Fulghum, ‘All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten’. Fulghum talks about the simple lessons we learn as children, like sharing, being honest, and treating others fairly. He says these basic principles, which we learned as children, are the most important lessons we need throughout life.

In the same way, Jesus’ teachings are not meant to be complicated. Like the simple lessons of kindergarten, Jesus taught us simple but deep truths. In today’s reading, His message is simple: accept God’s love and humbly love your neighbor. This is something we can all do in our daily lives, just as Fulghum’s “basic rules” teach us simple ways to live well.

3. One of my favorite characters in literature is Alexis Zorba from Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis. Zorba is a man who doesn’t worry about the past or the future. Instead, he lives fully in the present moment. Rather than overanalyzing the problems of life, Zorba focuses on enjoying the present. His philosophy can be summed up in the phrase “Carpe Diem,” which means “seize the day.”

Zorba’s way of living is similar to the innocence of a child, as Jesus teaches. Sometimes we let the mistakes of the past or our worries about the future rob us of the present moment. But Jesus teaches us to value the present, to see God’s love in it, and to live fully in it. Like Zorba, we too should live fully in the present and find the true meaning of faith there.

4. Jesus lived His life completely in the present, never seeking worldly success or future glory. Instead, He focused entirely on the people He met, sharing God’s love with them. What is important to remember is that Jesus dedicated every moment to doing God’s will. He never wasted a single opportunity to share God’s grace and love.

Zorba also taught us the value of living in the moment, but his focus was mostly on enjoying the present. In contrast, Jesus had a deeper purpose. He didn’t live just to enjoy the present moment, but to do God’s will in every moment. Jesus used each moment to deepen His relationship with God and to fulfill God’s mission in the world.

5. In conclusion, the pure faith Jesus taught through the example of a child, and the present-focused life that Zorba demonstrates, show us a clear path for our own faith journey. Faith is not about getting caught up in the complexities of worldly desires or ambitions. Rather, it is about being thankful for the moment God has given us, and living fully in it.

If we trust God with a pure heart, like a child, and live fully in the present, like Zorba, we will be practicing the core of what Jesus taught. This kind of life leads us to a daily renewal of our faith in a true relationship with God.

Finally, I pray that all of us will find God’s love in this journey and share that love with others. May the pure trust of a child and the boldness of Zorba inspire our lives as true believers who value and live faithfully in the present moment given to us by God.

Amen.

The Discovery of Identity and the Path of Discipleship

When we try to find a place, the first thing we do is check where we are. Using the map app on our smartphones, we pinpoint our current location and then find the best way to reach our destination. This process becomes easier when we recognize familiar landmarks. Our life journey, and our faith journey, is much like this. To find the right path to our destination, we must continuously check our identity and our place in relation to those around us. We do not live alone, but in relationships, so in our faith journey, it is crucial to discover ourselves within these relationships. How is my faith being shaped, and where do I stand in these relationships? As we hold these questions, we walk the path of discipleship.

Everyone has their own understanding of their identity. We often ask ourselves, “Who am I?” But finding the answer is not easy. Identity is much more complex and multi-dimensional than we may think. There is often a big gap between how we see ourselves and how others see us. Sometimes, there is even a large difference between the way we define ourselves and how we actually behave. In some situations, we may act kindly and put others first, but in other situations, we may act selfishly or try to protect ourselves. Even in a single day, we can witness  good and evil mixing within ourselves.

Our identity is not set in stone. Rather, it transforms and adjusts based on the relationships and situations we face. Like a living being, our identity grows and evolves as we journey through life. The direction of this change, whether for better or worse, is shaped by the choices we make and the effort we put in.

As Christians, we discover and mature our identity through our relationship with God. As we walk the path of faith, we come to realize that identity is not something fixed or permanent but is continually shaped and deepened through our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” This verse offers key insight into what it means to be a believer and what kind of identity we should pursue as Christians. We must recognize Christ’s presence in our lives and continuously shape our identity through our relationship with Him.

On the road to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” This was a question about the public’s perception of Christ. The disciples answered, “Some say John the Baptist, but others,  Elijah, and still others, one of the prophets.” People were defining Jesus based on their own understanding. 

But Jesus asked the disciples a deeper, more personal question: “But who do you say that I am?” This was a question for each disciple individually, one that led to a deep reflection on their faith identity. Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” This confession was not just a change in understanding but a profound faith acknowledgment that Jesus was the Savior sent by God.

However, when Jesus spoke about His suffering and death, Peter could not accept it. The Messiah the Jews expected was a political savior who would free Israel from Roman oppression. But Jesus’ mission as the Messiah went beyond human expectations; it was about salvation through suffering and death. Peter didn’t understand this and tried to stop Jesus. That’s when Jesus rebuked him sharply, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” This was because Peter was trying to understand God’s plan from a human perspective. Jesus’ path was not about worldly victory but about fulfilling God’s redemptive plan, which Peter had not yet fully understood.

Our identity is not formed in isolation but discovered through relationships. Just as it is impossible to describe the position of a single object in space without reference to others, we can only define ourselves through our relationships with God, family, friends, and the church community. Just as Sunday, one day of the week, has meaning in relation to the other six days, so we find clarity about our identity in the context of our relationships with others.

When we discover ourselves within these relationships, the deeper our relationship with God becomes, the clearer we understand who we truly are. Our identity is shaped within the love God has given us, and it continues to grow according to His will. As it says in Ephesians 4:15-16, we grow together as the body of Christ, speaking the truth in love. The church community is a vital place where we discover our identity, and in that space, we mature more deeply in God. Jesus also shared His mission through His relationships with His disciples, and through these deep connections, He revealed His identity as the Son of God. As Jesus’ identity became clearer in His fellowship with the disciples, they also discovered their own calling.

Every day, we must check our identity as we walk the path of faith. Sometimes, we feel satisfied with what we have achieved, and other times, we face failure and disappointment. But as Christians, our journey is not tied to any one moment of success or failure. Instead, we begin anew each day in our relationship with God. We must not regard past achievements as eternal or hold onto the pain of failure for too long. Instead, we should humbly reflect on how we can use each day given to us by God to grow in Him.

Our faith is not static but a process of constant change and maturity. In our relationship with God, we are continually being transformed and growing. Today, let us entrust ourselves to God and pray that our identity deepens and matures through our love for one another. As we dedicate each day to the Lord, we will continually discover who we are, follow Christ’s path, and grow deeper in faith.

Amen.

Sermon Preached at Church of the Good Shepherd
Fort Lee, New Jersey
Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
 Pentecost 16, Proper 17

The Author and Giver of All Good Things

“…the author and giver of all good things.” (Collect, Proper 17)
 “In all life thou livest the true life of all.” (Hymnal “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.”)
 “All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all his love.” (Hymnal “We Plow the Fields and Scatter.”)
 “And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land…arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” (Song of Solmon 2ff)
 “My heart bursts its band, spilling beauty and goodness.” (Psalm 45:1)
 “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers.” (James 1:17-27)

I am so happy to be back with you good people and especially this morning, when we celebrate in Solomon’s song, like lovers, life itself and all that it brings and offers us. Joy is the theme of scripture, an appreciation for all of it, and to compare life to a gazelle, a young stag, who entices us to come away with it. Yes, the time of singing has come, and that time is now. The voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. We who have ears to hear, let us hear!

But I wish to pause and share with you our parish sorrow over the death of our dear friend Gillian Newell. Gillian had been absent from church for some time as her health declined, but many of you didn’t forget her but kept in close touch. I think of Angela Saurman, whose devotion was unstinting. Angela was even at her bedside in her final moments. God bless the friendships that parish life provides. Gillian was a fixture in this parish for decades. I remember her in so many settings here. There was a mid-week Communion that some of us attended. We sat up there in the chancel and had wonderful discussions. There were just six or eight of us. I thank God for Gillian and her example of godly devotion and service. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

And of the beautiful readings this morning, in addition to the joy that pervades the Old Testament and Psalm, a joy that should come through in all we read and in all we practice, there is the challenge to match our words with our deeds. Be doers of the word and not just hearers. Or even more starkly, be doers of the word and not just sayers.

Now hearing and saying are relatively passive activities, and we can be pretty good with them, can’t we? I can read a good poem or even occasionally hear a good sermon and say, “Yes!” I may even repeat a wise thing I’ve heard and act as if I have absorbed it into my life. But then I can turn around and forget it as quickly as I heard it. Easy come and just as easily go.

I have just returned from several days in Bermuda, a lovely spot, free of clouds and certainly free of worry. The hurricane had passed, and there was no excuse to do anything but to enjoy and love the beauty and those around me. The owner of the Airbnb that I stayed in was most helpful and went out of her way to help me solve several issues we had during our visit. The electric car we rented had a charger cable that just didn’t work at her charge station, and she spent a good deal of time trying to fix the issue for us. But I, far from taking a page from her copybook, found myself grumbling and cranky. I don’t know why. I was certainly not being as kind to others as I was being treated. I hated this in myself. My partner kept saying, “Stop your bitching!” but I didn’t know how to. My friend said, “Why complain? Complaining only complicates the issue and makes everything unpleasant.” I had never thought about it that way. It’s so true: complaining complicates things. Remove the complaint and things become much easier to handle. And in looking back on my time on that beautiful island, I can see that I was lacking gratitude. Being grateful and complaining are hard to hold simultaneously. Think about it the next time you are drawn to complain about something that is going on with you. I’ll try and think about it too. A grateful life is the Christian way of life. Our Collect this morning reminds us of the God who is “the author and giver of all good things.”

So, it can be easy to hear and even to say or repeat lovely things, things that sit well with us and make us feel good. But turning around and acting on those things is quite another thing. Is there anyone among us who can claim they are free from all hypocrisy? A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another, whose pretty face doesn’t match the face he or she acts out in the world. It’s not for nothing that every world religion puts as its number-one moral injunction: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” “Do unto others as you are doing unto yourself.” We find this all over the world, in every religious culture. Why? Because it gets to the nub of things. This is it. Treat others as we wish to be treated. And part of the problem, of course, is that we don’t feel so darned good about ourselves and project onto others the ugly face we all too often feel about ourselves.

Good intentions do go awry. As the English proverb has it, “There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip.” We are constantly saying one thing and doing sometimes quite the opposite. And we can beat ourselves up mercilessly over not being true to our word. In reflecting on the life and loving of the man Jesus the Christ, it is hard to see any discrepancy between his words and his deeds. His inner and outer life were one thing. And that beautiful life is the mirror of what ours is, or at least could be. We do not have to live a life out of sync with what we know to be a better way. We can, with God’s grace and an attitude of gratitude, move beyond all our hypocrisies. And a footnote: have you noticed how the simplest word of kindness can turn around a person’s day and turn around our day as well? So, I ask myself: What in the world should stop us from such a dance of love?

And another thing. The gospel this morning talks about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. In fact, the word, “pharisaical” has come to mean religiously hypocritical. You know people like that, don’t you? But I’d better go easy with this. For who am I to judge anyone else’s piety or religious belief or devotion? I had best look after my own religious life, which is riddled with inconsistencies and hypocrisy. My only judgment is that I’m not competent to judge anyone, much less that I have any right to judge anyone. Perhaps the only sin worse than my own hypocrisy is my judgmentalism of those whom I deem to be hypocritical. It’s more fun to point a finger at you. It takes the attention away from myself!

I do believe that gratitude overcomes hypocrisy and judgmentalism. I love the hymns we sing this morning. So I’ll close with the lyrics of another hymn, the Beethoven Ode to Joy!

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,

God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, praising thee, their sun above.
 Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;

drive the dark of doubt away;
 Giver of immortal gladness,

fill us with the light of day.

Amen.