14th Sunday after Pentecost Sermon
“Lord, to whom can we go?” As a recently hatched, almost fully fledged college student that is moving to Whitman College in the middle of Onion Land on Tuesday, this has almost never been more true. God has been my lighthouse that I’m keeping a close eye on in this change in the weather and tide, and while I’m pretty sure I can do it, I sure am glad to have Him.
Along with my gratitude for God’s presence during this transition, I think that it is only fair on my last Sunday at St. John’s for a while to pay my dues to a community that helped form me into the person that I am now, and has given me space as I explore what it means to be a child of God.
Luckily, the fun’s not over yet, and I still have a whole sermon to give.
“Put on the whole armor of God,” Paul says.
Woah. The WHOLE armor of God? That feels like a lot. And I get that it is an extended metaphor, but it feels very disarming and heavy to me.
Although in the spirit of honoring Paul’s word and sharing my gratitude to this church as I prepare to leave on Tuesday, I have decided to look at the “whole armor” as something of a spiritual packing list. And unlike my other items that have not yet been packed, I have had the armor of God prepped and packed for a while.
St. John’s HAS been my whole armor of God. I see every one of Paul’s items in St. John’s and its mission to Be Like Jesus. So before I pack up the last of my physical items to take to college, I figured I’d share a few stories and experiences specific to a few of Paul’s pieces of armor that stem from the last nine years at this church, which I am fortunate to call my church whenever I return home.
Paul has six items, which feels like a lot, but then again Paul is kind of a lot, so I’m going to focus on three: the shoes to proclaim the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Also, three is a holy number, which I think adds a little bit of magic or something, I’m not sure, that part is up to God.
The first of that trio are the shoes to proclaim the gospel of peace. I like this one perhaps because of its irony, because where I see shoes to proclaim the gospel of peace in this church is in the Atrium, where of course they do not wear shoes. I spent a few years in Atrium, of which I remember very little of the actual learning because I mostly enjoyed sitting around a table doing Jesus themed crafts and lighting an excessive number of candles when the electricity was out in the middle of the winter. I consulted Evie Scott, who I went to Atrium with for several years and am still excellent friends with, to help jog my memory, and together we unearthed many fond memories: Cynthia’s laugh during the readings, making advent wreaths, and bringing out the cross and banner after the peace. The Christmas pageant was a particularly fond memory of ours. All of this to say that our experience growing up in Atrium was one of delight, and a peaceful one at that, where we were free to discover Jesus for ourselves. Our mentors in Atrium gave us the materials to work with and explore the Word, but ultimately we were given space and peace, which gave way to joy. So ironically, the removal of shoes was the first time I picked up a piece of Paul’s armor.
The second, much more armor-ish piece that Paul recommends is the shield of faith. I see this as the congregation itself. There is so much love, so much warmth. I rarely have a moment of feeling alone before being comforted by someone, whether their presence is physical or a memory that comforts me. Last week, I was praying after the service was over and I realized that I only had one service left before departing for college, and I came out of prayer with tears streaming down my face. As I walked away wiping my face hastily, Kae popped around the corner and took me in with open arms and reminded me that I am not gone yet, and that I am surrounded by people who love me. I am so lucky to be a part of a parish that looks out for each other, we are never totally alone in our faith and our struggles. When we cannot hold our own shields, even if it is for a moment, there are people that are there to lend an extra arm, shoulder, or hand to help us. It is not just supporting each other’s shields, it is giving each other hope. So much of the hope and anticipation I have for my future, particularly my spiritual future, has been fueled by individuals in this parish. Shaylee Dreyer convinced me of the power of miracles. Lisa Beske, Carol Burton, Marilyn Behrens, and my mom all stood with me at my confirmation. I have heard so many stories of reconciliation with God after several years away from the church. This congregation may not always be helping me to hold my shield, but you’ve certainly convinced me of the power of faith when in good company, and that has made my shield much lighter. In terms of Paul’s packing list, it has definitely upgraded from checked baggage to a carry-on item.
And finally, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This particular item is a little on the nose, but church on Sundays has been my sword of the Spirit, and it definitely goes together with the shield that is our congregation. Hearing what the Spirit has to say, listening to Eric’s sermon and their many themes and stories, appreciating the beauty brought forth by our choir, and (linking back up with the shoes) watching the children sprint down the aisles to their pews at the peace feels to me like the work of the Spirit. Sundays radiate with spirit and meaning, brought into our lives not just by the word of God, but by the works of other people. The sword of the Spirit is the crest of the exceptional coat of armor that St. John’s is to me.
Paul closes his letter in Ephesians by writing to “pray also for him” for he is “an ambassador in chains.” Besides the fact that I am grateful to not be imprisoned, I feel that Paul’s wisdom, which I have spun as something of a packing list, has set me free. I am a delighted soul who has been given permission to fly the nest of the church that helped shape her. So I pray for this church as well, that wherever you are, and wherever you may go, that Paul’s armor may serve as your packing list, but that you will find that this church has already provided the armor for you.