As Though You Were

“As Though You Were…”

The Rev Jen Van Zandt

August 28, 2022

After reading (and hearing) these texts, I think you'll agree that these texts are two of the easiest, most self-explanatory texts in all of scripture. And while often lectionary texts don't perfectly align with what the church or our individual mission and ministry might be seeking, that's definitely not the case today. In fact, you know, since we have Christina (Jonas) here today, who can play extemporaneously almost endlessly, I'm really tempted to just stop talking and let her play so we can ponder the texts, because there's so much in there to take in. But, alas, these texts meet us as we are gearing up for a more normal return to mission and ministry. Thank God! And both of these texts have an important call to action. (I'll get to that in a minute.)

First, I want to talk about Philadelphia. If you're a history buff, particularly Presbyterian history buff, or you've come through one of our new members classes, you know what Philadelphia means in Greek. Philadelphia is known as the City of Brotherly Love. But you, also, know if you've taken new members classes either here or somewhere else in the Presbyterian church that the Presbyterian church was founded in Philadelphia in 1717, sixty years before our country was even founded. I'm proud to say that… and I'm also proud to say that our US government is fashioned after the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church-- this understanding of equal balance of power between the pastor and the session, which today remains between congress and the president. Yes, friends OUR CHURCH, was founded in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’. ‘Philadelphia’ is literally in the Hebrews text, in the original Greek. Translation? Philadelphia is an amalgam of philos and Adelphi. Philos means is brotherly love. Delphi is city.

The writer of Hebrews uses Philadelphia to remind us of brotherly love, but it’s actually mutual love, not brotherly love. It's mutual. And in that there's a big difference. Because this includes showing hospitality to strangers. And I love the poetry that follows in Hebrews “By doing (offering mutual love) so we have entertained angels unaware.” I love that. Showing hospitality to strangers comes in all sorts of ways. This story is not so obvious…

There are two golfers on the PGA tour by the name of Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas. They were at a golf tournament last week under tremendous amount of pressure to score as many points to win the FedEx Cup. These two golfers, (who are in the top 20 in the world), were greeted by a little girl from Wilmington (where the tournament was being played). She handed them notes as they were leaving the 18th green. She had written notes and with pictures of horses for each of them, saying, “Whoever gets this, know that you will still run a good race.” And the other note said, “You will fly. I hope you do well in the tournament. I wish you all the best. Love, Lindsay.” She signed them and drew a piece of a jigsaw puzzle with all the colors of the rainbow on it, which is the icon/ symbol for autism.

These two golfers, so deeply DRIVEN to win the big prize, were immediately and deeply changed by Lindsey’s notes. Their mindsets changed immediately to recognize that connection is far beyond getting that little ball in the hole or even the money that they give to their charities (where they don't see the names and the faces by someone). This is an example of a reversal of an angel, unaware.

Hebrews goes on to say that even when we come from a position of power, we need to care and speak to those who are in prison. I had a privilege of being inside a prison for the clinically and mentally insane when I was in seminary, and it was eye-opening for sure. But we don't have to go to a prison to meet people who are imprisoned every day; imprisoned by poverty, like toxic and abusive relationships, physical and mental health challenges. These are the very people that we should be on the lookout for.

As Christians we must take our behaviors and our actions not only here in worship, but carry them out to others, as angels, unaware. As we leave here, even when we go to coffee hour, and connect with a newcomer, someone we haven't seen in a while perhaps or someone that you've never really talked to. Even in a church our size, I hear people say, “Oh, I don't really want to call that person. I don't really know them.” We need to change that!!

I don't know if you've heard about Thomas Knox. Thomas Knox is a 32 year old African-American male and he took it upon himself a few of years ago during COVID to try and connect with people one-on-one in one of the craziest places on the planet--the New York subway system. He started this by bringing a table, two chairs, a board game and an empty bottle with a flower in it. He created this handwritten sign and wrapped it around this round table. And he called it, “Date While You Wait.”

Now, initially, I thought this was the next iteration of ‘speed dating’. But it's not. He just wanted to find a way to connect to people one-on-one when they're in the midst of chaos and running and worrying and rushing in subway, one of the darkest places ever…in the midst of COVID.

When he was interviewed, he said, “I can't believe the amount of people who have sat down and unraveled a miserable day at work or the fact that they can't meet the bills and things they don't want to tell their spouses when they get home or that they're waiting for a diagnosis. He got so many people to sit and talk to him, that he's gotten picked up by a television show and it is now going to be on one of the networks called “Date While You Wait”!

So we can see that the simplest of connections with a man, who had no other purpose than to say, “How are you doing? Would you like to sit down and have a seat while you wait for your train?” It's a beautiful thing. He embodies verse 16, “Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, because such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

I know this congregation continues to be generous and our mission and ministries are dispersing even five hundred dollars a month to a mission each month; but sometimes, if we admit it, it's easier to put money in the plate or write a check than it is to sit down and talk with the one who is hurting. One of my seminary professors--phenomenal theologian—said, “I'll write a check any day. Just don't make me go on a mission trip.” I appreciated his honesty and I don't think he's alone in that.

The story in Luke is yet another lesson in which we can see ourselves and visualize what Jesus is charging us to do. Being seated or seating ourselves at the least important table at the banquet can either be easy or challenging, depending on who you are. I mean, let's face it, no one likes to be sat at the furthest table at the wedding, unless it's as far away from the DJ as possible, right? But sometimes we get jealous. “Why wasn't I at the table closer to the family?” We don't say this out loud, but we think it. But it's not about sitting at the best table. It's about really paying attention to the fact that eating is only a part of our lives. It's essential, certainly, but dinner with guests where classes are mixed, there's an implied sharing of values and ideas and hopes and hurts.

The Lukan meal is a symbol for the in-breaking of God. Jesus says those who exalt themselves will be humbled. We don't want to think of ourselves of exalting ourselves, but we find a way... But those who humble themselves will be exalted.

You remember the movie, The Blind Side. It's a beautiful film about a high school student who was homeless and was taken in by a family. He was African-American and they were white. And when the mother goes out and has a swanky lunch with all of her wealthy friends, initially they think it's a sweet idea. But then they wonder if it's going to be safe in the house with this new dark, black tall student, with their teenage daughter. “Is he going to steal things?” they ask.” Is your 16 year old daughter safe in the house with him??” And the second time they have a luncheon, she's just about fed up with their arrogance and their ignorance. One of the luncheon elite says “Oh, honey, you're changing that boy's life.” And Lee Anne Tewey (the adopting mother ) says, “No…he's changing mine.”

So, friends, here's my pitch. We have an Ice Cream Social coming up in two weeks. Yes, we need school supplies. The hard part, my friends, is not to buy the supplies or even go to the Ice Cream Social, (even though we're giving you permission, as children, to have ice cream at 11 o'clock in the morning). The hard part…. is sitting/being with those who come through the door. And you and I know that that is not easy and we make excuses for that, but that's exactly what this text is inviting us to do.

Now it's easy when we do it at the coat drive, because we're busy helping trying on coats with folks, but to sit and be with people???… It's hard, but it's the call that we need to do.

And, friends…if you think it's difficult to do that, just imagine how difficult it is for those who are coming to receive things for free, because they can't afford them for their own children. That's the call, my friends…not only to bring the school supplies, scoop out your favorite ice cream, but to sit and be with those who need to know God's love, God’s mercy and God's grace just as much as we do, but probably even more.

May it be so. Amen