Sermon, Pentecost +4 (A)

            The readings today are a challenge: they speak of sacrifice - and this is not always a comfortable reality for us.

            In the Genesis reading we have the well-known passage of Abraham being so faithful to God that he was willing to sacrifice the life of his son Isaac.

            In the Psalm, we hear of despair being overwhelming, yet still the person making this prayer offers a sacrifice of trust - a triumph of hope over experience, clearly.

            In the letter to the Romans, Paul is asking the community to give up their entire self-gratifying way of life, to sacrifice themselves AND their servants, to live in the glory of God - and thus to live by God's commandments every day - not just when convenient.

            And in the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the need to sacrifice our own earthly goods, for the benefit of someone who can not likely return the favour: a little, thirsty child.

 

            Sacrifice. Giving up: denying ourselves of something. Going against what is easy, or familiar, or comfortable, for the sake of doing what God asks.

 

            And yet: we are assured! God will provide: but it may not be what we are expecting, or when we are expecting, or HOW we are expecting. And the result of what God provides may surprise us and change us.

            For Abraham still needed to take a life in this passage of Genesis - and that was not a task to be lightly undertaken.

            And the psalmist is likely to still encounter enslavement at the hands of his foes.

            And the Romans are faced with a very difficult choice between the sin that they know, and this newly-learned grace that they've barely begun to comprehend.

            And the disciples: well, once again Jesus provides them with a teaching that shakes them to the core, and lowers their status in the earthly perspective.

           

            But. Sacrifices are still made: sacrifice: a sacred offering. a holy gift. Given - freely - to the glory of God, as best we know how.

 

            So when was the last time you were aware of a sacrifice that you made to the glory of God, in the service of Christ, inspired by the Spirit?

            It's not always easy, is it? Because a sacrifice isn't meant to just be the extra *whatever* from the back of the closet; but a holy gift, without which we will feel a small self-denial - given that God may be better glorified.

 

            A story to share. Some years ago, I was visiting my friend Kate in East Africa, in a small place that was literally off the map, an adventure just to get there. It was lovely. One day, as we were chatting, a small knock came on the door - and after a brief interchange in Kiswahili (which I don't understand), she went to the kitchen, brought a glass of water to the door, waited a moment, shut the door, carried an empty glass back to the kitchen, and then came back to the lounge where we continued to visit.

            Please imagine my confused, jet-lagged and travel-weary face:

            Apparently, a child walking past was thirsty, so he came to the door requesting water. He didn't particularly know Kate, but he was thirsty. And - despite the politics of water at the time - a drained reservoir, rainwater collected in buckets from the corrugated roof, a charcoal filter for water boiled for drinking, a "shower" that consisted of a bucket on a shelf that would be hand-filled and trickle down as needed (and to heat it, the kitchen kerosene stove was temporarily moved to the bathing room). Despite these circumstances of water, perhaps BECAUSE of these circumstances and scarcity of water: one did not refuse a thirsty person a drink.

            So, a thirsty boy knocked on the door. And received a drink - a cool cup of water was given to a child, without hesitation.

            A small sacrifice, really.

            But imagine: how would we respond to a thirsty stranger at our door?

Suspicion and cynicism: Who is this person, and why do they need my water?

Criticism and derision: Why don't they get water at home, and carry some with them?

Contempt and disdain: Today it's water, what will they expect tomorrow? Will I be expected to give water every day?

Fear: What if they're using "water" to get into my house and rob me?

There could be snarky responses... or a sarcastic "fine" that speaks of judgement and insult; or the non-verbal responses... the eye rolls, the deep sighs, the head tilts or shoulder drops.        

            These are not really ideal, of course, but they would be accepted in our general society. Because our society - and this is not new or novel to us! - but our society tends to not be into the concept of sacrificing. Of resources - or time - or talent - or comfort.

            All we need to do to see this is look carefully around us. What are we willing to do for our families and friends? What would we do for our neighbours? What about the people we've not met?

            We have been, and are, living in a time when we are being asked to make some small sacrifices. Right now: we are not in our church building - we are not hugging - we are limiting our actions and interactions - and these are difficult things. Not like slaughtering your firstborn on an altar, mind you. But we are not traveling. We are not seeing our loved ones afar. We are not even sure what to expect from one day to the next. And MAN is it hard.

            But we do it: for the health of our loved ones; for the well-being of our society; for the sake of having the best chance to reduce suffering of people we've never met.

            But it's not easy: this is why we hear of people traveling from out of province... or of the folks at the store who intentionally don't keep the 2 metres distance... or the friends who refuse to wear a simple mask, perceiving it to be a violation of their human rights. (Pray God we never experience a true violation of human dignity and rights!)

 

But: we can choose to respond - in all things, and at all times - with love, and with faith.

We can sacrifice our sense of self-righteousness in order to give the benefit of the doubt.      

We can sacrifice our pride in order to recognise that we're always receiving opportunities to learn.

We can sacrifice our strong individualism in order to strengthen and support the community as a whole.

We can sacrifice our fear, and cynicism, and disdain - in order to celebrate the abundance of gifts that we have received.

 

For we HAVE received an abundance of gifts, and of blessings, and of God's goodness. We have received the Spirit of the Lord, the promise of salvation, the privilege of prayer, the community of faith. We have received of God's sacrifices for us, and can make holy gifts - divine offerings - sacred sacrifices - unto God.

 

            The metaphorical cup of water: you, child of God, have received! And as it is given, it is meant to be shared.

            The water of drinking. The water of cooking. The water of bathing. The water of joyful tears. The water of industry. The water of recreation. The water of beauty. The water of life.

            The water of creation; the water of baptism: the water of ablutions: the water of Foot Washing on Maundy Thursday. The water mixed with wine as the Eucharistic blood of Christ. The water of holy tears shed at times of sacrifice.

            We have received, by the grace of God, the sacrifice of water: a holy gift.

            May we be willing to continue that sacred offering, out of our abundance, that cup of blessing: for the children of God who thirst. Amen.