“For the Facing of These Days”

Rev. Sharon James Fazel,

June 27, 2010

Jesus is on a journey. He’s staying his course and his mission. He’s “setting his face toward Jerusalem.” Jesus’ resolve, his unwavering dedication to fulfill his journey no matter what, is critical. Why does he have such resolve? Well, as most of you know, the story is that he knows that it is in Jerusalem where it all comes to an end – his earthly life; his disciples’ camaraderie, often their competitiveness and sometimes their incompetence even in his presence; his active healing ministry; his gathering of thousands who hang on his every word. All ends in Jerusalem – and yet he’s determined to get there, and not waste any time doing it, because he knows it’s a crucial part of his unique journey, and part of his reason for being in the earth in the first place.

Along the way, however, Jesus’ disciples want to punish the Samaritans (and maybe they also want to show off their own skills) by raining fire upon the Samaritans because they didn’t welcome Jesus to town. But Jesus must once again bear the brunt of the disciples’ simple-mindedness. It’s not about punishing someone who appears to get in the way -- it’s about moving on and staying the course, and then -- looking back only with love, not with retribution. The disciples vilified the Samaritans for their lack of hospitality, but Jesus didn’t have time for that.

Fred Craddock, a theologian of today’s world, a celebrated preacher and a writer of the Interpretation series on the Book of Luke, shares some interesting reflections on this moment in our story of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. Craddock reminds us that Jesus has already told the disciples that they are totally dependent on the hospitality of others, so if a place does not offer hospitality to them, they should kick the dust from their shoes and move on – in other words, taking nothing whatsoever with them from that place. He did not, however, tell them to incur wrath upon those who rejected them. Here’s what Craddock says:

“The radicality of Jesus’ word lies in his claim to priority over the best, not the worst, of human relationships. Jesus never said to choose him over the devil, but to choose him over the family. And the remarkable thing is that those who have done so have been freed from the possession and worship of family and have found the distance necessary to love them (p.144).”

That phrase, and thought, has stuck with me: “those who have done so have been freed from the possession and worship of family and have found the distance necessary to love them.”

Here in the Midwest and especially, I would suggest, in Minnesota -- the concept of family is in fact easy to associate with the concept of worship. As one who hails from the east coast, I have often stood in awe, and yes, even in envy, of the strong family ties that so many of you native Minnesotans take for granted. Family reunions, family potlucks, family vacations to distant lands and regular family road trips all over the U.S. – the whole family camping culture – and the family holiday celebration mores.

One of the most consistently perplexing issues facing younger couples I have counseled in pre-marriage sessions is, “How do we figure out whose house we go to on Christmas, and which day (Eve? or morning?) – and how long do we stay?” I’ve even heard of young families who attend as many as four Christmas celebrations spread out over as long as a month to be sure that they work in time with all appropriate family members! And-- you all hold great big parties for graduations and for Confirmations and for Baptisms and for just about anything your kids could possibly do in this world! It’s truly amazing! And, of course, wonderful!

I grew up with one birthday party a year with school friends, and one Christmas dinner on Christmas day, with one set of grandparents at our house. But I don’t recall a high school graduation party, neither of my own nor of my friends! Maybe one... I’m not sure. Yet, over the last few weeks, Chris and I have attended four separate parties for graduates in our congregation – three of them on the same day; and we’re not done yet! Many of the same guests show up at each one – except for family. Family members define the difference.

So, given that, at first read, this comment by Craddock is nothing short of blasphemy here in Minnesota: Those who have left their families to follow Jesus “have been freed from the possession and worship of family and have found the distance necessary to love them.”

Yet, as a pastor and as a person, I also know that – parties and potlucks aside – families bring with them their own misfortunes, their own share of conflict, their own burdens, and their own baggage. In trying to define ourselves and our own missions in life as individuals, no matter what part of this country or any other we happen to hail from, there comes a time when we are called to put our families into perspective, and dis-connect ourselves from the umbilical cord that has bound us since birth. Sometimes we do that, and move toward our own missions, as Jesus did – growing into new relationships with our families, usually with a little help from our friends. And sometimes, that process takes a lifetime.

In our story from Luke, Jesus’ face is “set toward Jerusalem.” There is no doubt about his destination. No ambiguity. And no capitulation. If we follow Jesus, we make the distinction between connecting ourselves with the familial by habit – or connecting ourselves with Christ, by choice. Three families here this morning have appropriately declared both familial tradition, and spiritual choice, for their children. May the spirit of the risen and living Christ be with them and with us, as we journey together in this ever unfolding path toward enlightenment and understanding, that brings us closer to the distance required to love not only our families, but all humankind – for the facing of these days.  Amen.

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