It takes some bravery to proclaim myself to be a Vikings fan. We didn't have great season and the next one isn't looking too good either. There is a lot of talk about our current quarterback, Kirk Cousins, is the holding us back, would we be way worse without him, does he have the stuff to bring us a Super Bowl ring? There are lots of Vikings fan who really want another quarterback. One floated the idea of bringing in Colin Kaepernick. Many said he was overrated or he's now too old. But there was a good portion who said they would not just quit the Vikings, but football because Colin is a hater of America, the flag, our soldiers, police, democracy, and apple pie. What did he do: rob banks, assault women, make a fur coat from puppies? What he did was first sit down and not stand for the National Anthem, then his teammate, who served in the military, said it was more respectful for him to kneel than just sit. When asked why he was kneeling, he basically proclaimed, "Black Lives Matter!" and much of America lost its mind. Because he did this, he was froze out of the NFL, but that didn't stop him from proclaiming "Black Lives Matter!" and put his money where his money is: he has donated 1 million dollars to 37 different organizations fighting for justice and has founded a non-profit to have "Know Your Rights" camps that take place around the world.
Do actions speak louder than words? Many of us would say yes they do. Don't just talk the talk, but let's see you walk the walk. However, in this story in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is coming home after being baptized, going off into the desert, and just, just beginning his ministry. He comes home to his mother, brothers, sisters, cousins, childhood, and life-long friends and they are all excited with expectation. They hand him the scroll and Jesus finds the passage from Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, I have been sent to proclaim...!" We miss that word, 'proclaim'. Because we quickly leap over it to say that Jesus came to bring good news, healing, freedom, release, and the year of Jubilee. Jesus does walk the walk, he does heal, free, and work for a better world. However, as we know, he didn't create a perfect world, the kingdom of God has not quite fully come into the world, as we still have poverty, illness, and injustice. The word, 'proclaim', is not an escape clause or an excuse. Jesus came here in this world to start something, and start something Jesus did. What Jesus didn't do or really promise, that is all depended on him or that is was just going to happen for a select few.
Paul, knew this as well, that the mission and ministry of Christ was to be accomplished by people, followers, disciples, who make up Christ's body, who make up the church. Just as God didn't create the world alone, just as Jesus didn't start alone, but had help, first through Joseph and Mary, then John the Baptist, and then the Holy Spirit, and then the disciples, and then, and then, and then...
Before we start the walk, we have to hear the talk. We have to listen to God, to Jesus, to the Spirit, to Love. What we are walking towards, struggling for, what is the goal, and how do we know when we have done good? Is what we are saying and doing bringing good news to the poor? If not, then it's not the gospel. Is what we are saying and doing bringing release and rehabilitation to the prisoners? If not, then it's not the gospel. Is what we are saying and doing bringing healing physically, emotionally, mentally, planetary? If not, then it's not the gospel. Is what we are saying and doing bringing justice, reconciliation, equality, freedom for all? If not, then it's not the gospel. Is what we are saying and doing bringing a just economy where those who have much don't have too much, and those who have little, don't have too little? If not! If not! If NOT, then it is not the GOSPEL!
This church has proclaimed that there is peace and justice to be had in the world. This church has proclaimed that "Black Lives Matter". This church has proclaimed that "LOVE IS LOVE!" and the diversity of God's creation in human beings is more than just the 'traditional' family. This church has proclaimed that God is LOVE! and this body of Christ, all who are members, friends, long-time worshippers, and newbies are a part of this proclamation, this mission, and this ministry. Today, and every day, this is being fulfilled, not as quickly, effectively, or completely as we want it to be. But it is being fulfilled. Let's continue to proclaim this and do this. Amen?
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