The Rev. Robert Lundquist XIX after Pentecost 9/25/05 St Paul’s, Ft Collins

Actions speak louder than words, don’t they?

“What do you think? A man had 2 sons…”

The context is important here. In verse 23 of this chapter of Matthew, the chief priest and elders came to Jesus and asked, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?” They hoped to trap Jesus in a blasphemy – if he said “By God’s authority,” they would condemn him. Yet if he said, “By human authority,” he would have no standing to legitimate his teaching. So Jesus, as he so often did, turned the tables, saying, “Let me ask you a question. If you answer, I will in turn answer yours. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of earthly origin?” Now the priests and elders are trapped – if John’s baptism was from heaven, why did they not heed his words? But if they say John’s authority was merely earthly, the crowd, acclaiming the Baptized as a prophet, would turn against them. Can’t you just imagine the huddle? They turn to Jesus and proclaim, “We don’t know.” So Jesus says to them, in effect, “Well, I’m not answering your question either.” And then he asks them, “What do you think? A man had two sons…”

Jesus has a way of putting things starkly, sometimes painting them too simply. In this parable, it seems as though Jesus is saying that there are two kinds of people in the world – the rebellious and the passive-aggressive. We each know both very well. Both live close to the surface in every one of us.

Let’s look at our culture for a moment. In a study taken a few years back, it was found that:

90% of Americans have never doubted the existence of God,
80% believe that God continues to work miracles in our world, even up to today;
80% of us are sometimes very conscious of God’s Presence; and
40% of Americans attend some form of worship weekly.

Hmmm… What does this mean? Well, it seems to say to me that, as a culture, we don’t act on our beliefs. Christ knows it’s touch to live a life of integrity. If it were easy, everyone would do it.

But Jesus states his clear preference for action over words. Which can leave us with a dilemma. What are we to make of:

The “village atheist” who feeds the hungry?
The “born-again Christian” who treats others with arrogance and disrespect?
The “honest agnostic” who coaches Little League?
The “regular churchgoer” whose heart has hardened to stone?

Who will be the first at the heavenly banquet?

God desires our words and actions to coincide, to match up. In James we are told to “Let your YES be YES, and your NO be NO.” Jesus years for everyone to respond YES to the Divine. But until then, our actions will speak louder than our words.

We must all take care to hear this parable as if we were wearing two hats – hear the parable as individuals seeking salvation, AND hear the parable as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as members of what is now the Religious Establishment. For it is a stinging reminder that the tax boys and the shady women may be ahead of us in line – because they heard the proclamation of the Good News, repented (turned; did a 180) from their brokenness, and believed Jesus. The Body of Christ includes them now. So how, then, will we address our rebellious, passive-aggressive world?

How do we pursue the way of righteousness, as did John the Baptizer? How do we act on our faith in God?

From our own scripture and tradition – with prayer and meditation, with the study of scripture in private and together, by participating in the sacramental life of the Church, through personal study, through works of charity… The VIII Bishop of Colorado Bill Frey has said, “Nothing of any great significance has ever happened in Christianity without a small group of Christians sharing together, praying together, supporting one another, correcting one another.” It takes the discipline of intimate Christian community to become the Good news, rather than merely transmitting the Gospel. Are we going to be it, or tell it?

What kinds of action flow from this stance?

It means that we apply the Good News where we live and work; at the formative levels of government, education, industry and business. It means that we are mindful and conscious, ethical and honest in all things.

In real time, this means learning about, prayerfully deciding, and voting on Referenda C and D, which come before us in November. These are vital issues concerning the ways in which we, as the people of Colorado, address our needs in our common life.

It means that we welcome the outsider and the outcast. St Paul’s does this. St Paul’s has an undeniably unique position in Fort Collins and northern Colorado as being the community which welcomes folks in non-traditional family arrangements, the community which took in Matthew Shepard and his family 7 years ago, the community that hosts an amazing number of 12-step groups each week. St Paul’s continues to need your support in time, energy and finances.

It means that we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and visit those in prison. We do these things for the sake of Christ, not insisting on conformity or on agreement with our beliefs. We reach out to everyone made in the image of God, by word and by action. But never make apology for seeing Christ and being Christ in any encounter – your testimony is in your action, your treating the other as Christ would treat them, more than your words.

We are to embrace God’s diversity, seeing that Image of God in absolutely everyone. We are to care for all, “even the least of these my sisters and brothers.” We are to remain open to and fearful of God’s admonitions, and to rest comfortably in God’s assurances to us.

So, what do you think? A man had two sons…

Until that day when are actions and words truly and perfectly coincide, be careful to do God’s will in everything. In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

A Parish For All People!