St. Luke's Episcopal Church : Roots and Foundations

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Roots and Foundations

A sermon preached by Jane Milliken Hague at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Bethesda, Maryland on April 22, 2007

Third Sunday of Easter/RCL, Acts 9:1-6, (7-20), Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

Brookside Gardens in Wheaton tried an experiment some years ago. They had an alley that they wanted to line with trees. They choose a very fast growing evergreen called Leland Cypress. We planted five on one side and five facing. The trees were magnificent growers, and the 5-foot trees that we had planted reached 12 feet within three years. Then we had an ice storm along with a high wind like Monday’s weather. Nine out of the 10 trees fell over in a graceful but horrific arch. The trees had grown too fast without developing a strong root system that could anchor the trees.

The root systems are essential to any living organism and to buildings. Fortunately for us, St Luke’s biggest problem seems to be the roof and not the foundation but even still, the structural engineers have spent a long time exploring down there. Our faith must also have strong roots or foundations. Especially when we have had the week like we have had. When the winds of horror and destruction blow so heavily, we have to know that God is a Loving Presence. This morning’s gospel is a story of the foundations of Peter’s faith and the Church that he formed and tended.

Peter and some of the other disciples are sitting around somewhat dumbfounded. They had heard and seen the Risen Christ. The apostles had watched Jesus die, and some had carried his body to the tomb. For lack of anything better to do, Peter suggests that they go fishing and the group goes off with him. In the midst of their night toils, Jesus the Christ is with them - filling them with love and strength, that static electricity that comes when you are in the presence of the one you love and loves you. He fills their nets with fish where there were none, and fills them with a breakfast of fish and bread from a charcoal fire. Then Jesus pulls Peter aside and asks him a very important question, “Simon Peter, do you love me?” Jesus repeats this question three times just to be sure Peter gets the message. The Christ knew that a mutual relationship was essential; Peter had to identify his own need and love of Jesus. Peter was to gather, tend and feed the flock of sheep that was to be the Christian Church. Peter was to die in the name of Jesus’ love. When Jesus asked, Peter was sure that he loved Jesus and felt Jesus’s love first and foremost because that love empowered all that he did.

Peter was lucky. He was able to tell Jesus directly that he loved him. Jesus’ point was our first priority is our relationship with Jesus; that relationship empowers all else that we do. We can gather, tend, and feed the sheep of the world, but we need the knowledge and strength that we too need to be gathered, tended and fed by God. I assist in a retreat program for activists who work to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless. They tend God’s flock. Most of them come to this program with one intent: to feel God’s love and to love God. As hard as these people work for God to help others, they need help as well, but they feel almost guilty to concentrate their time to tend their own faith. They need to come to shore to be fed by Jesus. They need to sit by the fire and eat the freshly caught fish and baked bread. They are like the Leland cypress of Brookside; they have sheltered the homeless and hungry with their branches of Love. They need a time to allow their roots to grow and extend.

This is difficult for us because we cannot touch our God. God’s love is so intangible and mysterious. It is like trying to describe a color to a blind person. We have to experience God’s love to feel it. The paradox is that God’s love is always available and ready to be showered upon us. It is our job to accept that Love. But how? How can we become more aware of what is there all along? Perhaps it is as simple as making room for the experience of God’s love. Instead of racing off to feed and tend the sheep, we need to turn to Jesus and answer His question. Yes, Lord, I need you and love you.

Sometimes we are afraid to be too close to God, afraid of that intimacy. It is easier to envision God amongst the distant clouds on Mt Sinai than here at this supper or worshipping with us. Is it that we feel unworthy? I take great comfort that Jesus spoke to Paul who was busy jailing the Christians. If God chose Paul, then I might have a chance. Or maybe I want to prove my worthiness before encountering God. Let me first tend and feed God’s sheep, and then I can speak to God with my holiness.

I wish I could have walked along the lake with Jesus like Peter. In Ignatian contemplative practices, the senses are used to experience God. You can put yourself into a Bible scene and imagine Jesus with you. Let’s try it.

Close your eyes and imagine that you are at the Sea of Tiberias. Can you hear the lap of the waves; can you hear the seagulls calling above you? Can you smell the sea air and the fire? Now picture Christ serving you breakfast and then the two of you walk along the Lake. What would you say to Him? And what would He say to you? Is it a conversation between two who love each other with all their hearts? Is it a conversation between the beloved?

There are times, however, when I need more than a chat along a lake. Like in any relationship with one that you love, I can get angry and ask “Why?” when faced with the Shootings in Blacksburg. God can take my yelling at Her or Him. But just as Jesus is present to us as with Peter along the Lake, I know that Jesus walked with all those in their terror. I know that God is present to those who mourn. It is now when I need to be held by a Holy Father or Mother. I try to notice God in my loved ones and my enemies, in my garden, in my church and in nature. It is like a holy hug. God is never more present to me in all of the Majesty than on a starry night; then it is easier for me to love God and to be loved.

This parish is a parish of great commitment to God’s call. Our outreach programs go far and wide and rarely are wanting for volunteers. Christina Bradley asked on the listserv for volunteers to help feed those at the Community Based Shelter for ‘our week’. She had a full roster within two hours. The momentum is here and ‘that church in Bethesda’ is buzzing. We are about to start a capital campaign to address some major issues with this building. Let us not forget our first priority. On airplanes the attendant tells us to put our oxygen masks on before helping others. Before we can gather, tend, and feed God’s sheep be it within these walls or outside, we must be fed ourselves. We, too, need to sit by the fire and be fed and tended by Christ.