Lifted Up
Psalm 47  Luke 24: 44-53
A Sermon by the Reverend Odette Lockwood-Stewart
 

This week Dr. Huston Smith, described in the press as “Religion’s Rock Star,” is turning 90 years old.  He has been our neighbor in Berkeley, our teacher in adult study, and a dear friend.  Author of 15 books on world religions, he’s just published his autobiography, Tales of Wonder: Adventures Chasing the Divine.

Huston Smith, great scholar and explorer of world religions, recently said:  “One of my favorite prayers was written by a 9-year old.  His mother found it scribbled on a note beside his bed: ‘Dear God, I’m doing the best I can.’”

Perhaps, instead of feeling that nothing we do is ever enough, that everything we face is too much, we can pray with this 9-year old boy,  “Dear God, I’m doing the best I can.”

Profoundly flawed, humble, holy works-in-progress that we are, first of all, let’s do the best we can. And then, let us place each day, each effort into the loving hands of our Creator and let God be God.

The Gospel of Luke ends with an amazing and continuing blessing. For forty days after Easter, the crucified and resurrected Jesus had appeared to his followers -- teaching them, assuring them.  He was not the same as before, they didn’t always recognize him, he appeared, and then he was gone.  Jesus was helping his followers live with his absence and presence.

Then, in his very last teaching, Jesus said,  “Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: ...all things written of me -- in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in the psalms are to be fulfilled.”  Jesus told them, “You are the witnesses ... I am sending upon you what God has promised ... so stay here in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.”  

Then Jesus led them out from Mt. Olivet, and, lifting his hands,... he blessed them.  And, “While Jesus was blessing them ... he withdrew from them and was lifted up into heaven.”

Imagine them standing there watching him with his hands lifted up in blessing, as he was lifted up!  Caught between presence and absence, between panic and promise, between waiting and working for God’s new creation, the followers of Jesus witnessed the transforming love of God. A God who welcomes all, suffers with, and sends out every one into the world to bring hope and forgiveness and healing and reconciliation.

This “last word” of Jesus was blessing. A blessing with no end.

Jesus blesses us, and says, “stay in the city... stay where you are ... at the heart of conflict and commerce and community ... and do the work I have called you to do.”

Everyday – let us open ourselves to that blessing:
Blessing lifts us when we fall and fail.  
Blessing sustains us through struggles and loss.
Blessing awakens us to beauty and mystery.  
Blessing encourages to lead the lives we are given, to live the lives to which we are called.  

Being open to receive the daily blessing of Jesus is essential because the call to follow Christ is an ever new and changing obligation.

The California Supreme Court has announced that it will release its decision regarding the constitutionality of Prop 8 on Tuesday. There will either be a breath of fresh air for loving couples and families and for those who believe in the sanctity of marriage vows for all committed couples, or there will be new pain on old wounds and a renewed call to us all to work for the full rights of all people.

 Whatever the court’s ruling, there are religious services planned and plans unfolding – you will find handouts listing these in the narthex and downstairs in Fellowship Hall.  One court’s decision will change what is asked of us at this moment as witnesses to the Gospel.

Last week’s election results in California will require new rounds of budget-cutting proposals by state and local governments.  What is required of us, right now, as witnesses to the Gospel, to make sure the most vulnerable people in our communities do not bear the greatest burden?

Shootings on our streets continue to claim the lives of our sons and daughters and give evidence of the alienation and desperation of our youth who are told in too many ways that their lives do not have value. What does “doing our best” look like to make sure that all of our children, all of God’s children grow up to reach their God-given potential?  

This is where we live ... the city ... the state ... the nation ... the world ... in which we belong.  Jesus said to stay here, ... to receive love’s blessing, to be witnesses, and to expect the power of the Holy Spirit.

As we await the Spirit, Jesus is waiting for us.   Just moments ago, Judy and Dianne sang the words of Aretha Franklin:   

“The river was deep
 I didn't falter; The mountain was high I still believed;
The valley was low, It didn't stop me, no:
 I knew you were waiting; Knew you were waiting for me!”

Maya Angelou wrote, “Many things continue to amaze me, even well into my seventh decade.  I’m startled or at least taken aback when people walk up to me and ... inform me that they are Christians.  My first response is the question, “Already?”

She continues, “It seems to me that becoming a Christian is a lifelong endeavor.  I believe that is also true for one waiting to become a Buddhist, or a Muslim, a Jew, Jainist, or a Taoist.” (*p. 165 Letter to My Daughter)

Perhaps, instead of pretending we’ve arrived, instead of judging

others or ourselves as far from perfect, we can pray with a 9-year old child, “Dear God, we’re doing the best we can.”

Perhaps, we can remind each other ... and remind ourselves ... that we are all called, waiting, and becoming.  Let us lift up our hands and bless God, and bless one another.  Thanks be to God.