Using the following opening illustration:
Near the end of his life, a young man asked St. Francis of Assisi as he was hoeing his garden what he would do if he found out that he was to soon die. His answer is as simple as it is instructive for all of us. He said, "I would continue to cultivate my garden."
As our world continues to be fascinated by the publicity about "the end of the world," Francis helps us stay grounded by remembering that God gives us a task and not so much a timetable.
I ask, “if you knew that your life was about to end, would you continue to cultivate your garden? You light your lamp?”
Our scriptures from Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 and Luke 12:32-40 speak to us of the nature of faith. Faith is not just a belief system it is what we do with the way we live our lives. In Hebrews chapter 11 we have a “Hall of Faith” a rehearsal of Hebrew history including many Old Testament heroes. This week’s spot light is on Abraham and how he left all to travel to the land that God would show him. He packed up family and flocks and set out not knowing where he was going. And this was at age 75! That list of heroes speaks out to us in our own world today. I mentioned people of faith who were ready to step from obscurity to faith filled leadership; Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela. But we know many in our own congregation; Ezekiel and Deborah Soriano, Dan, Olga, and Isabel Wallace, Dan Watson and many others worth remembering.
God works with the faithful the ready. In the Gospel Jesus gives us two commands. First; “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” A flock is made up of many types of people, the sheep who follow and are afraid, but also the protectors who may look like everyone else but who at heart are warriors; we call them soldiers, Marines, sailors, Law Enforcement Officers, Health Care workers. These are the people who train to step forward at times of trouble for the community and act on their faith, their training, and their God given nature to protect the flock.
The second command Jesus gives in Luke 12 is “Sell your possessions, and give alms.” Christ does not say this to make us poor rather to set us free to live. As Jesus points out; “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When we are not restricted by our fears and our possessions, we can be the people God created us to be a people of faith and action.
The hardest part of these scriptures is the element of patience. We are not a patient people we do not like to wait for anything. The other day as I drove home, I decided I would stop at In & Out Burger for a double double with a chocolate malt. But when I got there the line was all the way out to the street. So I went next door to Taco Bell instead.
Abraham and Sarah had to wait yet be ready we too have to be ready. I used this quote:
If Christians are required to wait, then you and I ought to learn how to do it right. In our text, Jesus teaches us "the way to wait" for his return. In verses 35 and 36, Jesus spellsout three elements involved in waiting, three descriptions of the readiness for and expectation of his return.
To go along with this analysis are three characteristics or distinct qualities of "a good waiter," as described by our Lord:
(1) Preparation-"be dressed, ready..."
Those things are nicely outlined in Matthew 25: feeding, watering, clothing, visiting, praying. When Jesus comes, like the master in the parable, will he find us about our Father's work? This is what being prepared means.
(2) Maintenance-"keep your lamps burning"
To keep the lamps burning is a way to do two things. First, it means that we are ready when he comes to light the way.
…the lamps served as a reminder about the person for whom the lamp was burning. One of the most important things we do as a church is to remember the saints of the church.
(3) Expectation-"be like people waiting for their master."
I remember as a child waiting for my father to return home from work. I would sit at the window and wait and wait. But I always waited because I expected him to return. In the same way, we too expect our master Jesus to return. But sometimes the waiting is too long and it is too hard and it is too discouraging. Occasionally, our zeal flags. And when we do not wait with expectation, we are embarrassed. By- David Mosser is the Senior Minister at
When we accept Christ’s invitation to fear no and give alms we are freed to be a powerful people of faith who will cultivate and keep the lamps lit.
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