EDITOR'S NOTE: In October 2017 I began a new venture as a synodically authorized minister at Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. The ride over the past 3 years has been an amazing journey of learning, growing and a deepening of my theological mind. This sermon took place on Sept. 22, 2020. This was the 24th digital service we performed after our church was shuttered because of the COVID pandemic.
So a little script tonight, and if I would have had more time and been a little bit more clever, I may have written a parable about tonight's sermon. ... A parable that might have been titled, "A Pastor Eats Humble Pie."
But I want to talk about grace tonight. And if you look at the first page of our bulletin, of course, we go through our "Confession and Forgiveness" and we speak about grace. And then in our "Prayer of the Day" tonight we ask God for his grace to overcome our frailties and our failings.
And I just have to ask if you've ever spent some time dwelling on what an impossible concept God's grace is? I mean, just think back to those beginning words we talk about in our "Confession and Forgiveness." And when I read each week "beloved of God," speaking to you all, speaking to myself. "By a radical abundance of divine mercy, we have peace with God through Christ Jesus through whom we have obtained grace upon grace upon grace."
I admit that often times I don't stop think about that "Confession" and that "Forgiveness" very much. ... It's just a part of service, right? But I found this week other words that describe for me this concept of grace. Explained in another way, writer Philip Yancey describes grace this way: "Grace means, there is nothing you can do to make God love you more. And there's nothing you can do to make God love you less."
So I saw this description this week in an online clergy discussion group that I follow, where I go to sometimes for inspiration, and I look for other people's takes on texts. But I admit that the writer's words themselves didn't make me take that much pause because ... aren't we taught this about God's grace from the earliest of ages when we are in Sunday school? We are taught about God's divine mercy, and what a blessing it is for all of us. So those words themselves really didn't make me stop and think.
However, there was a comment from another participant in that particular discussion. ... Their comment did stop me in my tracks. And I read: "I think we're pretty good at offering grace to ourselves. How about a post that uses grace in an outward gesture? ... Offering grace to others means ..." ... And it was open-ended.
Now Faith Family, I have to share with you that the comment hit me square between the eyes because I'm ashamed to admit for the past three or four days I've offered little grace to far too many with whom I've disagreed. And I'll give you a little context that prepared me for tonight.
So I guess there is little doubt regarding how I feel about the discussion over wearing masks. And I don't say that to be provocative. I simply believe that wearing a mask is one of the simplest acts that we can do to love our neighbor. I don't think that it is political. I think that it is theological, and I think that I am on safe ground there.
And secondly, I will be frank with you as well because you deserve that. I worry about our desire to return to some sense of normalcy so badly that we are making societal judgements based more on expediency, and single-minded focuses, than we are making decisions based on loving our neighbor. Often times, those invisible neighbors whom we don't see in our day-to-day lives, and so we forget about them.
And so where the rubber meets the road for me, so to speak, as a pastor, as a dad, as a son, as a neighbor, is that I found myself in two really difficult positions these last four days. And in both cases I have to admit to you that I don't think I extended very much of my coveted God-given grace to others.
The first very short story was this weekend, Shelley and I happened to be out of town. We were able to sneak away, just the two of us, and we were in north-central Minnesota. And I will leave the town to be nameless. But we drove from the cabin into town to pick up some supplies, and we visited probably four or five places: the grocery store; and we picked up a bottle of wine at the liquor store; and we had to get gas; and we stopped at a restaurant; and we had to get bait. So maybe four or five stops in that little town.
And I will tell you that I was shocked that probably one in 10 people had masks on, in all of the businesses. I will admit that it's north-central Minnesota; it is rural; and it probably took me off guard because I spend most of my time in Moorhead where the practice is more prevalent. But I'm not going to lie when I tell you that my anger simmered.
The second story that I quickly share with you is that yesterday when I heard the announcement about the Minnesota State High School League reversing its decision about playing football this fall. I have to admit that in August I silently cheered when they delivered the decision, thinking that pushing it off 'til spring made more logistical sense, and frankly, I have skin in the game with a senior who so badly wants to play football and finish his career. So, as a dad, those emotions kicked in yesterday. I don't know about the logistics of playing football this fall, and that will play itself out. But on a gut reaction, I'm just going to be honest with you, it hit me hard.
And so I didn't share either of those two stories with you to prove a political point. I share them because at some point yesterday evening, that little, nagging voice that we all have in the back of our heads ... that little, nagging voices that often makes me think about uncomfortable issues that I have to face myself ... reminded of the very prophetic words from that online discussion that I had read this weekend: What does it mean to extend grace to others?
Both after my experience this weekend in that small town, and after the decision about high school football was made yesterday, I found myself simmering with anger. And, of course, as we often do, I tricked myself into believing that it was righteous anger, that somehow I had the moral high ground. But as last evening wore on, and I prepared for service today, I felt that gnawing at the edges of my conscience. That question came back to me again and again. ... What does it mean to extend grace to others?
And eventually I was forced to gut-check myself. I had to admit to myself, that over the course of the previous three days I wasn't being very gracious. I had to come to terms that my sour feelings were stemming from deep-rooted concerns over our most vulnerable neighbors among us. And of course, out of fear for my son's safety. And because of those feelings, I was being very ungracious to many. I was not extending grace upon grace. My own selfishness was causing my feelings, and my anger to those flouting the mask rules in that small town, or towards those who made the decision to allow for football to go ahead this fall, I had to realize were generated out of fear.
I know now that I should have been practicing grace all along, instead of stewing about decisions that are out of my control. Turn to prayer, rather than wrath. And pray for all involved, not just selfishly for the ones I'm most concerned about. Prayers for those who are wearing masks, and for those who aren't. Prayers for wisdom for those responsible for organizing this football season in a safe and healthy way. Prayers for not only our most vulnerable, but for all who living through this pandemic together. Prayers for the coaches who are going to have to guide our kids through this unprecedented season. Prayers, simply for the health and safety of all. And most importantly, prayers for all who are charged with making difficult decision during a very difficult time.
Faith Family, the concept of granting grace is so easy when we are expecting that grace from others. So easy when we accept God's grace, grace upon grace. But it's so difficult when we are required to give that grace.
So I share with you that in the last 24 hours my focus has changed from being angry, to being one of asking God to grant me the strength and the courage to give all involved in this unfortunate pandemic the grace for which I wish. ... And tonight, Faith Family, I invite you to join me in that practice.
And that is the Good News for this Tuesday evening, Sept. 22, and Sunday morning, Sept. 27. ... Amen.
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