How Can We Keep From Singing?

Sermon based on 2 Samuel 6: 1-5, 12b-19

Preached on July 12, 2009 at South Haven United Church of Christ - Bedford, OH

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There are two pieces that we need to talk about before we tackle today’s reading from 2 Samuel. First, we need to understand what brought us here – we need to understand the events that led up to this triumphant parade. And, second, we need to confront what was omitted from the lectionary today – namely verses 6-12a.

So, how did we get to this parade? Here’s the condensed version. Years before this scene, the Ark of the Covenant had been captured by the Philistines and taken from Israel. The Philistines kept the Ark for about seven months and during that time Dagon, the chief Philistine deity, was left broken and the Philistines were struck with “tumors” (generally thought to be bubonic plague) and began dying. They moved the Ark from city to city – witnessing the same pain inflicted upon their people – until the Philistines finally decided to return the Ark to Israel – first to the people of Beth-she’mesh who ultimately gave it to the people of Kir’i-ath-je’a-rim where it remained. Saul is made king, and during his reign the Ark – the visible symbol of God’s ongoing presence working in their lives – was not part of their national worship.

Cut to the present biblical time – David is king and has achieved a united kingdom, making Jerusalem its capital city. David decides to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Kir’i-ath-je’a-rim to this new capital city making it not only the political center but also the religious center. The crowds are gathering – we are told some 30,000 people – and they went to retrieve the Ark and bring it home. Can you imagine the scene? Thirty thousand people were dancing and singing in joyous praise to God. It was a party in the streets! Can’t you just hear the Kool & The Gang song “Celebration” ringing through the crowd? What a great day it was.

But wait, before we get too wrapped up in the celebration we still have to confront the verses that were left out of this week’s lectionary reading – that’s right, verses 6-12a. Although it may be easier for us to leave them out the store is a lot more dramatic, a lot more suspenseful with them included. In these verses we learn that one of the men who were charged with bringing the Ark home, Uzzah, dies. He doesn’t die of natural causes. That would be too easy. Rather, he is struck dead by God. You see, the oxen who were pulling the cart stumbled and the Ark was about to fall on the ground. Uzzah reached out his hand and grabbed the Ark – preventing it from falling. This angered God. We read that “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him there because he reached out his hand to the ark; and he died there beside the ark of God.” (2 Sam 7) This act not only infuriated David but it made him fearful as well. And, as a result, he left the Ark at the house of Obed-edom for three months – after which time he eventually returned and joyously brought the Ark to Jerusalem.

There are many different ways this reading in being discussed today in churches that follow the lectionary. Some – quite honestly – are choosing not to discuss Uzzah at all – and simply handle the reading as it was assigned. Some are talking about how Uzzah felt that he was “in charge” of God, that he had put God in a box and felt it was his duty to protect God from the muck of the earth. Some are talking about how Uzzah broke the Mosaic tradition by not “handling” the ark in the proper manner. Uzzah, honestly, can be a complete sermon in and of itself.

It certainly would have been easier for us to not include this part of the story – wouldn’t it? But, including it certainly helps us to paint a much different picture. Instead of simply being a story about the celebratory nature of bringing the Ark home and of people singing and dancing in the streets, we are forced to pause – we are forced to confront the sadness and the anger – we are forced to confront the “messiness” of this beautiful thing we call life.

Do you remember David’s reaction to Uzzah’s death? Here we have a day of celebration and it ends in tragedy. David was angry! I don’t blame him in the least. How could I? Anger, sadness, these are all very human emotions and quite understandable reactions. But, we can’t forget that David didn’t remain angry, he didn’t remain fearful. Quite the contrary – we soon find that David was once again singing and dancing in the streets – praising God’s glory.


My youngest son Thomas’ full name is Thomas Jason James Tamilio. He is named after three very dear friends of my husband John and mine – three dear friends whom we lost in a short span of time. Our friend Tom died on his 33rd birthday of a brain tumor that was discovered two weeks earlier - leaving behind a wife and three month old son. A few short weeks later our friend Jason was killed in a car accident – leaving behind his wife and twin one year old boys. And not long after that our friend Jimmie was killed by two drunk drivers – leaving behind his wife and three children. It was an extremely difficult time. We were angry. I was angry! Yup, I was angry with God. These deaths were senseless. And, although my theology is such that I don’t believe God caused these deaths – I needed to be angry with someone – so God drew the short straw. But, I soon realized something. God took my anger, without reservation, and held it. And in doing so allowed me to see God’s very real presence in the messiness of my life. I could see and I could feel God. I know it seems strange to say but God was in the air. God was in the hands of first responders and doctors. God was in the embrace of friends and strangers. God was in the tears and laughter upon the sharing of treasured memories. God was in the music.

It doesn’t take long, once someone meets me, to learn the important role that music plays in my life and the life of my family. I am a singer, my husband John sings and plays guitar, our daughter Sarah sings and plays violin, and our boys Jay and Thomas not only sing all the time but are expressing an interest in learning to play the drums and guitar. Not only do we love to express ourselves through music, we love listening to music as well – all types. If you were to scan my music collection you would find classic rock, musicals, pop rock, country, reggae, classical, Christian, rap, you name it – I have it. My collection spans the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s (which I just recently learned is now classified as “oldies”), 90’s, and present day. Music – whether I am performing, or simply listening to – has a way like nothing else to enter in and touch me at the deepest point of my soul. It can fill me with joy or bring me to tears; it can give me strength or help me find release. It should come as no surprise then that lyrics were once again bouncing around in my head when I read this week’s readings. (I promise, lyrics won’t make their way into every sermon.) Have you heard this song?

My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

My friends, life is messy. You know that. We all live in that messiness day in and day out. But let us never forget that God is ready and willing to take our anger, to take our sadness, to take our fears. We will continue to be enveloped and clothed in God’s love. We will continue to see God in the sunrise, in the sunset, in the faces of friends and strangers. Everywhere! So sing with me, dance with me - and let us give thanks to God!

Amen!

The Long and Winding Road

Sermon based on Mark 6: 1-13

Preached on July 5, 2009 at South Haven United Church of Chirst - Bedford, OH

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Well, what are we to make about today’s Gospel reading? Fresh from the simple tasks of healing both a hemorrhaging woman and a little girl who had died; casting demons out of a man; oh, and (not to mention) calming a raging sea, we find Jesus and his followers returning to his hometown – Nazareth. Jesus had been away for a while – unfortunately, his hybrid Prius was in the shop so – other than the occasional boat ride – he and his followers walked from place to place as Jesus preached, taught, and healed. Word was spreading fast about this man from Nazareth. Crowds began surrounding him whenever he entered a new place. People saw, and believed, the power that he had been bestowed with. We should expect then, if strangers understood the enormity of this person named Jesus, then of course the people of Nazareth understood it as well. Surely, his journey back to Nazareth would prompt a celebration – a parade down Main St. – in honor of his return.

That, however, was not the case. There were no balloons, no marching bands, there were no people lining up for miles to get a glimpse of this hometown hero. Jesus did get a reaction from the people of Nazareth, though just not the kind of reaction we would expect. Mark tells us that on the Sabbath Jesus began to teach in the synagogue – much to the astonishment and offense of those gathered. They were astonished and offended that a simple carpenter, the son of Mary (which, if you didn’t pick up on it, was a way to put him down by not identifying him as his father’s son) - they were astonished and offended that he had the audacity to say and do the things he was doing. Mark explains that Jesus was amazed at their unbelief.

How could he not be? For quite some time people who didn’t even know him trusted and believed in him. He had a group of people who left their homes, their jobs, and their families to follow him all over Galilee for goodness sake. Not even Lebron James has that kind of following. I can just picture the scene – Jesus sitting on a rock with his head in his hand, shaking it back and forth – trying to understand how even his friends and family didn’t have faith in him. The situation would be enough to discourage anyone – wouldn’t it? But, it didn’t discourage Jesus. On the contrary - he continued to travel around the villages teaching and then decided it was time to send the twelve disciples out, two by two. He granted them authority to cast out demons, and we see by their activity that they also healed and preached repentance. The disciples were given strict instructions about what they were, and were not to do, once they arrived where they were going.

Many people, when faced with today’s lectionary Gospel reading, decide to preach on either the first or the second half of the reading. I can understand why – as we have seen it is easily divided into two very preach-able stories: the rejection of Jesus by his own community or the sending out of the twelve. I have to say I was tempted to do the same. But, I think simply selecting one story over the other diminishes the power of the two combined. By keeping the focus on the entire lectionary passage we are blessed with a fuller understanding of the message the evangelist was trying to convey. By keeping the focus on the entire lectionary passage we can travel down the road of all that was said and all that was left unsaid.

What must it have been like for the disciples – this band of misfit twelve – when Jesus called them to gather around and proceeded to inform them that he was sending them off, in pairs, to further the mission? “Are you kidding me? Jesus, no offense intended, but we just saw how your own hometown turned away from you and you think we can further the mission? Do you really think people will listen to us?” What must they have felt when they learned that not only did they not even have to pack a suitcase to bring with them, they had to leave their wallets and ATM cards behind and they had to depend on the hospitality of strangers? “What do you mean we have to stay at the first home that welcomes us? Seriously? What if we find better accommodations after we have been there for a while? Come on, we have an image to uphold!” And, can you imagine their surprise when Jesus told each pair which towns they were going to? Oh, wait . . . .

That’s right, Jesus sent them off – two by two, with nothing but a staff and the clothes on their backs – without giving them the most important direction of all. “Where are we supposed to go?” Can you imagine the pit they must have felt in the bottom of their stomachs? Can you imagine how alone they must have felt?

That feeling isn’t foreign, is it? Haven’t there been times that each one of us has felt like we were on a long and winding road – not really sure where we were headed? Haven’t there been times that each one of us has felt that pit in the bottom of our stomachs? I know I have felt it. That road comes in many forms. For some it is the loss of a loved one. For some it is the uncertainty of whether a job will be waiting for them tomorrow. For some it is the pains of addiction. For some it is wondering where the next meal, or warm shower, or bed will be. For some it is a loss of faith. For some it is the decision to leave familiar lands – leaving friends and family behind – in search of new adventures. For some it is the decision to answer a call to ministry, healthcare, or teaching later in life. The list could go on and on. The roads are vast. Some are bumpy, some are smooth. There are peaks and there are valleys. There are twists and turns. But, are we on these roads alone? It can feel that way sometimes, can’t it?

Let us turn our eyes back to the text for a moment – back to the disciples as they were receiving Jesus’ directions. Yes, we can imagine that the disciples would have felt alone as they prepared to travel on that uncertain path. But let us not forget how Jesus sent the disciples out – two by two. He sent them out knowing that, although not everyone would welcome them, they would, ultimately, find hospitality. He sent them out as a community, into community, which resulted in creating a bigger and stronger community. We are benefactors of this mission. Through Christ’s mission we are inherently immersed in community. But, let us not forget that through the Church we are both called to participate in and create community. We are called to spread the message of God’s radically inclusive love. We are called to walk alongside our brothers and sisters ensuring that they are never alone. We are called to carry each other during times of struggle and to laugh with one another during times of joy. We are called to be a listening ear and a welcoming embrace.

Although I only officially started at South Haven this past week I have already been witness to some of the many ways this community is walking the long and winding road with others. From the Hunger Center that is housed in the basement of the church and the Meals on Wheels that are sent out from the kitchen and fellowship hall; to the youth mission trip; to the listening ears and warm embraces I witnessed on the Sunday I had the privilege to attend worship here – South Haven is actively living into Christ’s mission. South Haven, United Church of Christ – is walking the long and winding road with those inside these walls as well as those outside.

When I read today’s selection from Mark’s gospel earlier this week a song immediately began ringing in my head. Can you guess what it was? I’ll give you three guesses. (If you need a hint – just look at the sermon title.) Although the song is most definitely speaking of another issue, that fact didn’t stop me from being haunted by the lyrics.

The long and winding road

That leads to your door

Will never disappear

I've seen that road before

It always leads me here

Lead me to your door.

Many times I've been alone

And many times I've cried,

Anyway you've always known

The many ways I've tried.

And still they lead me back

To the long, winding road

You left me standing here

A long, long time ago

Don't leave me standing here

Lead me to your door.

Where is your long and winding road leading you? Look around. We are all walking with you. We will carry you when you need it. We will be the listening ear, the warm embrace, or the place to simply laugh or cry. We are community. And, that community is not contained by walls. Let us not leave anyone standing there – let us continue walk with them showing them the door of God’s love.

Amen!