Sunday Homily, June 11, 2017, Trinity
Readings:
Exodus 34, 4-6, 8-9, A God merciful and gracious, never gets angry, rich in kindness and fidelity.
Psalm, Daniel 3, Glory and praise for ever.
2 Corinthians 13, 11-13, Live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you.
John 3, 16-18, Peace be with you; receive the Holy Spirit.
"Welcome in, Everybody," says Harper.
Exodus Story:
So the Israelite people have been wandering around in the Sinai desert for many years after escaping from old Pharaoh in Egypt. Moses has been invited up Mt. Sinai to receive the 10 Commandments.
He comes down all loaded with two stone tablets written on both sides and discovers that the people have become exasperated with him and the wandering in the desert. They have created a gold bull to celebrate with and to worship.
Old Moses, all angry, throws down the tablets and breaks them. He calls Aaron, his lieutenant, tells him to gather the Levite tribe, the priestly tribe, and he tells them to slaughter all the rest. They do.
Emma, too, says, "Hi, Everybody, come in."
At this point our reading begins. Yahweh tells Moses to make two more tablets and to return to the top of Mt. Sinai, where he will get another set of commandments. It is here where that marvelous line about the nature of God is mentioned again, "The Lord is gracious & merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love."
This is ancient folk tale literature at its best, like Aesop's Fables.
Ugh, oh, Tori is missing a tooth. Are you now a rich girl, Tori?
The Lord is Gracious and Merciful, never gets Angry, and is abounding in Love.
I want to talk about this line this morning. For me, of course, the line says it all. This is my understanding of who God is and how he acts. Consequently, this is a
You win, Buddy. Tori lost one, you lost TWO. Congratulations.
to do it talk. How to spot these qualities.
Of course, there are big ways, like visiting my beloved Yosemite, cycling Iowa & Hotter ’N Hell, and getting together Sunday mornings with all of you.
There are, also, smaller ways. Two examples this morning.
Rosemary, of course, rolls her eyes when I run my ideas past her.
Zoe, I think you are rich too. You got all your teeth.
The first took place Friday at 1:00, guess where. Yes, at Jason’s Deli. Our Romeo get together. There were 4 of us sitting in the very back of the bus, just in front of the doors to the restrooms, Tom & Mike & Andy Sokolowski and myself. At my left was an extra table & chair for other regulars who had not arrived yet.
About half way through our lunch one of the assistant managers, Patrick, a tall, nice looking guy, comes back to our area to bring food to a couple. He is usually really busy, even to bussing tables when the place is full. This Friday is lighter than usual.
Welcome home, Alexandra. Declin, you are a neat kid and you got a terrific mommy.
So instead of running back to work, Patrick comes over to our table, says hi to everybody, and accepts our invitation to sit. He is just to my left.
In the next 5-10 minutes Patrick shares a lot about himself, 28 years old, Plano resident since birth, almost got married once, but is peaceful. Then back to work he goes.
The trouble makers corner. You guys have too much fun every Sunday.
The second event took place in our living room Saturday morning. A couple came to talk about their wedding in August.
I find weddings almost always touching and beautiful happenings. This couple was especially a joy. First of all, the groom is Austin Goode, whom I have known since way back, since St. Mark’s days. Tom & Becky are his mom & dad. I am really touched by this.
The Anderlicks, John & Karen & Lisa.
If this was not bad enough, Austin introduces Rosemary and me to this delightful, pretty, and full of personality fiance’, Vika. Her story is so marvelous. Born in Belaruss, brought to the States at 4 with her whole family by, get this, the Jewish Community Center, which I loved even before hearing Vika’s story. She goes to private Jewish schools, public schools, and graduates from SMU. On top of all this Vika has this magnetic personality.
I can see the personality of our God in these two events. I can see that he is gracious and merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love.
Where do you see the personality of God?
Vika (in blue) with Austin and her parents, Ena and Alex Kuznetsova.