1 Sunday, September 4, 2011 Denver, CO Rev. Dr.

Dena Williams Exodus 12:114 Psalm 119:3340 Romans 13:814 Matthew 18:1520 Prepared with the newspaper in BOTH hands. The Words Water . . . Torrents of water pouring from swirling clouds . . . Walls of water driven by100 mile per hour winds . . . Oceans of water swept up and over the shore, pouring over levees . . . Water that brings death, destruction, disease, and despair. The hurricane has come, bringing the death and destruction. Thousands of people displaced from homes, jobs, schools, their entire daily lives washed away. I know you have watched the news, listened to the reports, read the papers. I suspect with me, that you have stopped watching, listening, and reading by now. We have heard enough. No, this hurricane did not live up to media expectations, But that probably doesnt matter much to the families of those who died. There comes a time, in the face of overwhelming disaster, when we need to take care of ourselves by limiting our exposure to the sadness and pain of others. Based on what we have heard and seen, 1

2 what are we to think? I dont know why the hurricane came. Oh, I understand how a hurricane works, I understand how warm tropical moisture collects, dissipates energy in a northerly direction, swirls with the rotation of the earth. I know how a hurricane works. What I dont know is why now? Why in this time and in that place? Why has the earth and sky released this pent up energy in a way that causes so much sorrow and grief? You and I and millions across our nation have wondered over the last several days, we have wondered what God has to do with this. Ive heard voices on the radio telling me that these are the final birth pangs of the planet, that a wrathful God is wreaking vengeance on sinful people. I dont believe that. Do you? I do not know why the hurricane has come. I do know that our loving and merciful God mourns with all who have suffered pain and loss. I do know that Gods cries of agony are joined with those of the people of North and South Carolina, Vermont, and New Jersey. God weeps with our nation, with all those who mourn, with all those who are afraid. All those who are afraid, and that includes us. So, we do what we always do when we are frightened by the misfortune of others, we cite the reasons why such a catastrophe will never happen to us we live in Denver, where, as long as we avoid avalanches and rock slides, we are safe. And, besides, even if there is a forest fire or flood, we would have the good sense to evacuate. 2

3 We comfort each other, alleviate our fears, convince one another that we are in control, that we can protect ourselves and those we love by making good choices. That is how we manage our fear, and as long as we dont use it to judge harshly those who have suffered, it is a good and helpful response. It keeps us sane. But what if? What if those we love had been washed away, their lives destroyed? What if? What do we do with our what if fears? Give us some advice, pastor, to relieve our fears. I can do better than give you advice, I can predict the future. I can tell you what you will read in the papers, see on the news, and hear over the radio in the weeks to come. You will hear stories, stories like this. People gather in groups, large and small, all across the disaster areas. They stand together surrounded by devastation they stand where homes were washed away, they stand in the midst of filth, some ankle deep in flood water, they gather in the hot sun, in shelters and tents and in open fields. The fortunate stand in chuch and synagogue and mosque. Someone steps up to lead and then friends and family and total strangers sing and cry and pray and comfort one another. 3

4 They weep as the dead are remembered. And ancient words are recited and sung over and over again. Words and prayers from the Hebrew Bible, from Torah and the Prophets and the Psalms. Words and prayers from Koran and Hadith. Words and prayers from the Gospels. Christians smile through their tears as flood water is poured over newborn babies, bringing new life. the young and the old help one another as they share bread or crackers or a dinner roll and wine or grape juice or soda, whatever is available. And all the people, Jewish and Islamic and Christian sing and they cry and they pray. And ancient words are recited and sung over and over again. Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. The words of eternal life. We We We We We get bored with them dont we? plod through the Apostles Creed. dont pray, but only say the Lords Prayer. half listen to the Words of Institution. cringe at the length of the Sunday lessons.

We try to jazz up the words, make them more contemporary, more interesting. We want something novel to keep us stimulated, to relieve our boredom, to feed our craving for new and improved. Anything wrong with that? I guess not, but sometimes I wonder. We learned the words as children, but now we dont seem to care whether our children learn the words or not. 4

5 We sleep in and they miss the Sunday School lesson. We are too busy for Confirmation Class. And Bible Study for grown ups, who has time for that? Is it really so important that we worship together every Sunday? We feel no urgency for ourselves or our children, no urgency to know and internalize the words, to hide the words in our hearts. And why should we? They will always be there wont they? There will be song books and hymnals and Bibles, bulletins and song sheets and power point. Why should we concern ourselves with the words? But what if? What if we had to worship with only what is hidden in our hearts? Could we do it? Could we sing and pray and worship together? Have we hidden enough words in our hearts? Lets see . . . Lets begin with a hymn. Sing with me: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see. An Old Testament lesson? One you can say from memory? Thats a little harder, isnt it? How about a Psalm? 5

6 Well, maybe the 23rd . . . Lets try that. The Lord is my Shepherd . . . An Epistle Lesson? Maybe something from Romans that piece about nothing being able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Maybe that. An alleluia? Is there one we all know and can sing together from memory? And a Gospel? How about John 3:16? Can you say it with me? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. The Creed? Well, yes we know that. How about an offertory? Create in me, remember? Lets sing one together. The Great Thanksgiving? P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise. The Holy, Holy . . . The Words of Institution . . . 6

7 The Lords Prayer . . . The Lamb of God . . . The Doxology? Sing it with me: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above you heavnly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We could do it, couldnt we? Well, more or less. What about our children? What about newcomers to the faith? Is it really that important? Who needs these ancient words? Cant we just make up new ones as we go along? We could. Whats the likelihood, after all, that we would ever need to have these very words in our hearts and minds? I was working as a chaplain some years ago. I took a phone call from a man in California. His mother had a stroke and was in the hospital. He asked me to go and see her. Tell her that I will be there as soon as I can, in just two days. But tell her also that if she is in pain and wants to go before I get there, tell her its ok. Say that I love her and that I know she loves me. I went to see this elderly woman in her hospital room. I talked to the nurses about her condition: Shes had a serious stroke. Shes non communicative. Shes unable to speak. We dont think she hears or understands what we say to her. 7

8 I stood by her bed and held her hand. Her eyes were closed. I talked to her about her family, delivered the message of love and concern from her son, told her he was on his way. I spoke of Gods love for her, of Gods presence with her. She did not respond. I prayed for her and then I began: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Suddenly her eyes flew open. Her voice joined mine in prayer: Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Stunned, I looked at her in amazement. Her eyes met mine for a moment, then closed and she drifted off again. I called her son. I told him the story. Then together we prayed across the miles: Our Father who art in heaven . . . Why do we need to hide the words in our hearts? Why? Because sometimes in the course of our lives, and most certainly at the end, all we have left are the words. Amen 8