WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY “Scratching with Job”

Readings; Psalm 26, Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16, Job 1:1, 2:1-10.
Preached at First Presbyterian Church, Baldwin, NY, October 7th 2012

A downloadable PDF file can be found here

Today is both World Communion Sunday and the Sunday we receive our Peacemaking offering. Our reading this morning was from the Book of Job. As we come to the table I'd like to invite you to do a bit of scratching with Job and share some thoughts around verses 7 and 8 of Job chapter 2; “So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Job took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes.” (Job 2:7-8).

The Book of Job is arguably the greatest of all the dramatic writings of the Old Testament. It places this one good man, Job, at the center of a cosmic conflict between the forces of evil and the forces of good, and leaves us guessing how things are going to turn out. It wrestles with the question of undeserved suffering and demolishes the traditional arguments as to why and how things happen, till at the end of it all, Job's only comfort is in the fact that although he is none the wiser, at least he has encountered God.

The dilemma of Job is the dilemma of the Cross. As all around the world people receive bread and wine and focus upon the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, we, like Job, are surrounded by differing views and arguments and dilemmas.  Ultimately we may also come to the position that, when all is said and done, when it comes to these huge questions of good and evil and fate and chance and why good sometimes seems to lose out to evil, all we can do is sit in the shadow of the Cross and accept that in the midst of many unanswered questions, at least, here is a meeting place with God.

Job was hurting. He was sore. He needed to scratch for a while. Maybe this morning some of us are feeling that way. Too much going on that we can't make sense of. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do some people get away with the most atrocious acts whilst others suffer unjustly? Why can't we all just get along? Job was never given an explanation. Neither would I be so presumptuous as to suggest I can explain such dilemmas. But I can invite you to scratch for a while.  I can point you to the mystery of our worldwide faith that is represented in bread and wine and symbolized by the Cross that overhangs our communion table.

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering this year draws our attention to a number of differing facets of life that truly need the healing touch of God. Bulletin inserts have highlighted a number of concerns. One insert spoke about human trafficking. It would be wonderful to think that slavery ended with the civil war, but according to the US department of State some 12.3 million people, including children, are involved in some form of forced labor.  Thankfully there are congregations that campaign and offer support through rescuing people from such desperate circumstances.

Another focus of this years offering has been to highlight bullying, particularly amongst young people. Bullying is not confined to school, but spreads throughout everything from social media to the workplace. Sadly we have witnessed how the trauma of being a victim can lead to lifelong problems and even suicide. Thankfully there are congregations that are working to establish mentoring programs within schools and establish youth activities that can be safe places for youth to meet together.

Our denomination has worked for many years producing resources to educate people about gun violence and the need for laws to combat the rising tide of senseless acts by people who seek to do nothing but harm. The tide of violence in our society surely causes us to scratch for a while and ponder that there has to a better way. One of the questions being explored in this years peacemaking theme is “How we discern a nonviolent path in the midst of a violent world?” We can add in there such questions as 'How, in a world where we are so deeply divided, can we engage in respectful dialogue?”, “How, can we not only refrain from doing violence to each other, but also respect the good earth God has entrusted to our care?”

Such are some of the dilemmas that our peacemaking offering invites us to wrestle with. Maybe we are struggling with more personal dilemmas. The loss of loved ones. Times of illness and recovery. Concern for family. Financial concerns. Wondering how we are going to get around a certain situation or deal with a particularly vexing problem or person. All of these rob our personal peace and leave us scratching. We 'sort of know' that we are never going to get an answer as to 'why'... and to be honest that's not our burning concern... right now... we just need the strength to get through!

This is where communion can help us. The word 'communion' is closely related to the word 'community'.  Being part of a community of faith can really make a difference to our lives. It's good to not only offer support to others, but to know support when we are going through hard times. It makes a difference.

When we realize that the community of faith isn't just about our community, but, as we express this morning, we are part of a worldwide community, then our horizons are expanded and we catch some little glimmers of hope. There are things, like the Peacemaking Offering, that we can do together, that we could never do all by ourselves.

Communion is designed to draw us in. We do this because Jesus invites us to remember Him in this way. As we remember Him this way we cannot help from considering the life He lived, the things He embodied, and the lessons He taught us. When we take bread and wine in the shadow of His Cross we are drawn to consider how He died and what His death may mean for our lives. We are drawn also to consider that our Cross is an empty Cross. That His death was not an end in itself but a new beginning. The mystery of His Resurrection and Ascension confront us here. 

If God was in Christ redeeming the world, then how do we become part of the solution rather than part of the problem? Jesus promised that He would send His Holy Spirit to be the great counselor, enabler and comforter. It is around this table, laid with bread and wine, that we are encouraged to come and nurture our lives on God's living love.

It is around this table that we invited to stop scratching and reflect on the promises of God. 'I will never leave you or forsake you' promised Jesus to His disciples. God is not giving up on us,  God is not giving up on our world, God is not through with the business of redemption or the work of healing or the task of peacemaking.

Job was man of integrity. He was nearly overwhelmed by the circumstances that befell his life.  Somehow God got him through.  And somehow God will get us though just as long as we can keep our focus on what God can do.

Communion. Not just with each other, but with God. Lives nurtured by God. Lives that find their sustenance in doing God's will and their refreshment in soaking up and sharing God's love. That's what we are invited to around this table. And it is an invitation that goes out to all the world.

We began our service today in different languages declaring, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whomsoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”

Here is hope. Here is an opportunity to renew our lives before God as we remember that God wants to be involved in our struggles, in our heartaches, in our dilemmas. Here is God saying, “I've been there before and I will be there for you. No matter what life does to you, remember I transform places of desolation into times of celebration, places of crucifixion into moments of resurrection.”

This is a time for gratitude. This world may well be a place of dilemmas and contradictions, but we are not powerless. Thank God. We have life. We have a voice. We have each other. God has placed at our disposal many wonderful resources and opportunities to change things for the better. The little things we can do are actually the big things in the Kingdom. Mustard seed faith moves mountains.

Let us join with others around the world to recommit our lives to the Prince of peace, our Lord Jesus Christ. As we share these elements of bread and wine, may they nurture us for the journey that lies ahead of us. And to God's name be all glory, honor and praise. Amen.

Rev. Adrian J. Pratt B.D.