Do you know the word ‘Ubuntu’? It is from South Africa, it is the structure of understanding person-hood. There is no ‘I’ only person in relation to other persons. It has rich philosophical and theological depth as we ponder what it means to be the Body of Christ. Here at WPC, we believe God calls us into relationship—for a season, a decade, even a lifetime. Please join our Ubuntu—we’d love to have you!
CALLED TO BE A WE
Psalm 40; 1 Cor. 1.1-9; John 1:29-42
Rev. Tiare L. Mathison, Pastor & Soul-Tender
For those of you who heard the sermon last week, here’s a pop quiz:
1). What is the word tattooed on your heart? (Beloved)
2) What is the sign that seals this tattoo? (Baptism)
3) What is your response? (Blessed, gratitude)
Beloved, Baptized, Blessed is the rhythmic trinity I recommend.
This is the sanctification that Paul writes about to the folk in the church at Corinth. “Sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”—IN COMMUNITY. Let me give you some examples.
To help out Skykomish residents, Garry Vire and Wendy Haynes, of Gold Bar, created a GoFundMe account, “Skykomish Convoy Relief,” which had raised $12,600 — more than its $12,000 goal — by Wednesday night. “Skykomish is in dire need of heat, fuel, water, diapers, food, propane, etc.,” the site read. On Wednesday morning, Vire said that 12 SUVs and four-wheel-drive vehicles went from the Family Grocer in Gold Bar to Skykomish. Along the way, they stopped at the two small unincorporated communities of Baring and Grotto and dropped off supplies. Vire, who owns the Big Bear Vape & Glass shop in Gold Bar, said about organizing the convoy, “These are my neighbors, my family. When the call went out for help, that’s what we did.” Called. Called to help. That’s what they did.
Another story:
“In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I love all these people, that they are mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness, of spurious self-isolation in a special world…
This sense of liberation from an illusory difference was a such a relief and such a joy to me that I almost laughed out loud…I have the immense joy of being human, a member of a race in which God Himself became incarnate. As if the sorrows and stupidities of the human condition could overwhelm me, now that I realize what we all are. And if only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are walking around shining like the sun. Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths of their hearts where neither sin nor desire nor self-knowledge can reach, the core of their reality, the person that each one is in God’s eyes. If only they could all see themselves as they really are. If only we could see each other that way all the time. There would be no more war, no more hatred, no more cruelty, no more greed…But this cannot be seen, only believed and “understood” by a peculiar gift.” Thomas Merton
Desmond Tutu from South Africa: “Life is given as a people, not individuals. Our word, UBUNTU, connotes that person is a person only through other persons. To be is to be “we” and not “I”. Called To Be a We, Grace is given to form a community in answer to the question Jesus raises in John’s gospel, chapter 1: “What are you looking for?” It is a community that remains and abides together-from the Greek word meno. John uses it 5 times in these 13 verses. Remain, abide. It is echoed in Jesus’ prayer of John 17: “I ask not only on behalf of these (my disciples) but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word. That they may all be one. As Father, You are in me and I am in You, may they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” It is a called community gathered in Jesus’ Name. Even here, at WPC. You have been called into this community for a season, a decade, a lifetime. Our UBUNTU is incomplete without you.
Called to be a we This is the reminder that Paul declares to the church at Corinth, before he takes them to the mat for their many failures. The very formation of their community is not their own doing. They have been called into community, through sanctification IN Christ; called to be a we and called to be saints, as a community. It is an objective fact done FOR these subjective persons. They are not required to be reformed to earn back their sanctification. Rather, they are called to admit their failures and receive what has already been given. As Alan Gregory, Professor at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin says, “Paul’s rebuke of the church, however severe, does not bind the Corinthians to their failures and divisions; it does not make their calling dependent on their reformation. It is not the sanctity but the failures that are untrue. Christian critique is always an exhortation to receive what has already been given.” Unquote. You have been given new life in Jesus Christ. Such Mercy. (Pause)
What are you looking for today? What brought you to worship? Desire? Resolve? Habit? Hunger for community? Do you count on an encounter with the Living God? Do you need to be here, called to be a we, to strengthen your faith for another tough week of life? Or maybe just the music and the singing!
It is my contention that as bearers of the Image of God, we are meant for relationship. Look at the Godhead - a Trinity - peculiar, a mystery - yet, some kind of deeply profound relationship is at the center of the universe. This fundamental connection is the scaffolding for the structures of our personhood, all of us, together. Walking around, shining like the sun.
Sanctified in Jesus Christ - as we say every week, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. God swings low as He inclines toward us and hears our cry, draws us out of the desolate pit, the miry clay, sets our feet on the rock of our salvation, making sure we are secured. We are given a new song to sing. Like Miriam after the Exodus was complete; like Mary with her unexpected positive pregnancy test; like Paul & Silas in jail with no bindings. ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world, Glory.’ The chorus rings across the ages and all over the world in myriad languages. Called to be a we
What were they looking for? The senior pastors, Bible Teachers, and religious leaders?
“I am not the Messiah,”
“Who are you then?” They ask.
“I’m one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the path of the Lord. I baptize with water. The One who is coming? I am not worthy to untie His sandal.”
They didn’t like his answer. We know what happened to him.
Then in this daily sighting referential, the next day, John sees Jesus walking toward him and declares, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes way the sins of the world. The One I’ve been telling you about, I am here to testify this is the Son of God.” The next day, John points his finger to Jesus again, here is the One and some of John’s disciples turn from him and follow Jesus. They found what they were looking for, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. In Jewish tradition, the lamb is rooted in their self-identity and their liberation, for it is the lamb’s blood that became the Passover. Two spots were put on the lintel, the door frame of Jewish homes, the night the Angel of Death swarmed through Egypt. If a home was marked, they were saved. The next day, Pharaoh let the people go. The exodus began.
These two guys brought two guys, infamous Simon, née Peter. John’s witness is complete and he fades away. Called to be a we
I love this question, even though it haunts me: what are you looking for? My answer changes throughout the season of the liturgical year, as well as the seasons of my own life. After a terrible sexual assault in my late 20’s, I wanted an avenger to strike my attacker dead. With a difficult pregnancy 10 years later, I wanted a Calm Presence and a baby alive. After 15 years came the very public divorce. I prayed for strong Black Women Angels to stand guard around my home, as I learned to sleep alone again, afraid of the dark once more. These days I find myself examining every tree, leaf, flower and sky for the Presence of the Holy. I walk around a lot smiling at strangers ala Thomas Merton. I want to love wide open like he does. There are some I just can’t abide but I keep praying for them and for me.
What are you looking for?
Called to be a we. Amen.