By Fr. Jim Warnke
Sunday January 31, 2021 Sermon
Author of the world’s Joy
Barer of the Worlds Pain.
In the midst of all our distress let Unconquorable gladness dwell.
For you are the End and the Beginning,
You follow us and you go before.
You are the Journey and you are the Journeys End.
Amen
In our gospel reading we see that Jesus astonished his hearers in
the synagogue at Capernaum because he taught with authority and
because even the evil spirits obeyed him.
Imagine the poorest least educated person you have ever met.
That was Jesus self-presentation to the people of his times. Imagine
his teaching that the Kingdom of God was near, at hand even, and
accessible to everyone at all times and places. That was indeed the
message. That was beyond expectation for anyone who heard him.
Gods Kingdom was far off and not yet come for them. Access to god
was in the Temple in Jerusalem and only through ancient rites of
prayer and sacrifices offered there. And, the kingdom was open to
everyone, especially the poor and not just the learned and those who
kept the ritual purity and the fine points of the Law. This is what
Jesus taught and it was indeed a “new teaching” for them.
And, just who was this fellow? Where did he get all of this? If
Jesus was like most of the Galileans of his time, it is likely that he
could not read. And it is unlikely that he had studied with the great
teachers in Jerusalem. So who was this fellow?
And, the scribes taught by references to the scriptures and
used them as a way of teaching about God. Jesus taught about
God and used that teaching to explain the scriptures in new and
unexpected ways.
Then, Jesus did what he often does in the Gospels. He
teaches not only in his words but his deeds of power, he
commanded the demon to leave the possessed man. Words and
actions that is how Jesus taught.
And, those who have heard the words and seen the
acts of power wonder and talk among themselves about just who
this fellow might be.
And so it is today. So it is here and now. The same Jesus,
now risen, teaches in words and in acts of power. He teaches us
in the words of the Gospel and of the other scriptures. He
teaches us in prayer and worship. He teaches us in the words of
brothers and sisters here in the beloved community. He teaches
us, he speaks to us, if we just open our eyes and our ears and
listen for him so that we might listen to him.
And, he exhibits his acts of power. Do you think that
there are no healings today? I myself was diagnosed with cancer
two years ago. I have diabetes, kidneys despise, glaucoma, and
actually died ever so briefly in the ER two years ago from a
massive coronary attack (the nice Doctors were able to bring me
back to life) and a good deal more. Anyone of you who does not
believe in healing miracles has not been in a hospital or a cancer
center lately. Our society is filled with healers who have
inherited Jesus healing ministry whether they know it or not.
And, the demons of mental illness are daily exorcised
in psychotherapy rooms day by day.
And, the words of power come to us if we just listen
the deeds of power are with us if we just notice.
And so open your eyes and your hearts to the Risen
Jesus who is with us here and now. Ask god for the grace to see
and hear him and his mighty works day by day. Pray here and
now for the grace to see and hear him here and now. Be open day
by day and hour by hour to the words of Jesus risen, invisible yet
ever present. Hour by hour day by day in your ordinary lives. He
is with us. He is with you.
Amen. Two years