Responsibility

Such an attitude is impossible on the basis of today's lessons, for they consistently point us outside of our narrowed ways of looking at people and institutions and relationships.

There is one more famous text that seems to fit well here, from John Donne, 1624:

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main....

Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

No one is an island.

Relationships matter.

Responsibility is a key word.

Let's see how this all springs from the scriptures, from each of our lessons in turn.

Before the prophet Ezekiel can speak to the people, the Lord reminds him that first, God speaks with the prophet.

God charges Ezekiel with responsibility to do and say what is needed, which may or may not be what is wanted.

He is to be a watchman, looking out for danger for the people.

There are consequences for himself and for the community when he speaks or avoids speaking, and when they listen or refuse to listen.

Within this process there are three discrete stages: (1) the Lord opens the prophet's eyes to see the danger, (2) the prophet is led to realize the consequences of continuing on that path, (3) the prophet warns the people about the danger and the consequences.

It is a very serious business, indeed.

Does this passage have an application for today?

Is it for pastors only, or is there implications for us all?

Do we have an obligation to listen for the word of God and warn others of the dangers we have discerned around us?

If one of us is standing on a street corner talking with another person, and he/she prepares to step into the street without noticing the speeding car approaching, do we have responsibility to give a loud warning?

What if the danger is self-destructive behavior involving drugs or alcohol.

What if the danger is lackadaisical worship attendance habits?

Responsibility.

Now that the First Lesson has made us uncomfortable enough, we'll move over to the Second Lesson.

[The verses just before the portion of Romans we heard as the second lesson has been the basis for many grandiose theories of government.

Much mischief has been wrought by those who think that the passage means that everyone does whatever the king, or president, or county commissioner, or whoever, says.

While God indeed may desire that we develop patterns for organizing society, he also knows that those offices will always be staffed by sinners, ones who fall short.

To have a person exercising authority does not mean that the rest of the people cease to think.

Are our officials at whatever level leading us in right ways or in poor ways?

“Give honor to whom honor is due,” counsels Paul.

And remember Jesus' advice on the same subject: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's,” while acknowledging that everything is God's!

That is a proper exercise of responsibility.]

Then also in all interpersonal relationships, the key word is the same.

For to what else could the term “Spirit of Christ in you” refer if not to the way that one acts with care and responsibility for one another?

Paul uses an interesting image here, that of taking off and putting on clothing.

We haven't used white vestments for confirmands for many years now, but they did serve as a reminder of something important.

For in Holy Baptism we took off the clothing of our old ways, and were given the garments of new life in Christ Jesus.

Off with the old, on with the new.

In our old training video about baptism a congregation made it as visually clear as possible.

Their adult candidates for baptism were clad in brown robes until the actual baptism, and then they exchanged them for new white albs.

So that change of clothing is to signify a change in the person from the inside out; it is an interior change of God's relationship with us when we receive Jesus' promise, and also an exterior change in what we do and how we relate to one another.

Because of the gift and promise we have received, with joy we take on responsibilities.

That is what happens at Holy Baptism, at whatever age it occurs.

And that is what we are remembering, renewing, and re-appropriating today in the rite of Affirmation of Baptism – Confirmation..

Our confirmands can say that they have heard with joy what God has already done for them, and as the years go by, they are discerning and taking on more of the responsibility of responding to that gift.

As one person has worded it, both the confirmands and all the rest of us are to be“ making a conscious effort in prayer to 'clothe ourselves' with the very character of Jesus.”

According to the Gospel reading today, that growth in responsibility is to include those with whom we would rather not be associated.

It is a very human reaction to hear Jesus words as a method for getting rid of troublemakers.

But how is it that Jesus treats Gentiles and tax collectors?

--To the Syrophoencian woman he gave gifts of healing and faith, as we heard in several weeks ago in the Gospel.

--He called tax collectors and notorious sinners to discipleship.

--He ate with Zacchaeus etc., etc.

So then, when attempts to put relationships have not gone well and we are regarding someone as a Gentile or tax collector, does that give us reason for hating that person?

No! Rather, it means that we wait and look for a different opportunity to draw that person into a Christian community.

Our responsibility has not ended, but has shifted gears, waiting for the right moment to move from “neutral” into “forward” gear.

As this concept of “responsibility” wrestles with us, we see how it is much more than just following rules.

The law of love, of which Paul speaks, will make use of every gift that God entrusts to us; every skill, possession, relationship will be called into play, and every scrap of imagination utilized.

For example, what is our responsibility for an aged relative in a nursing home?

--Legally, we make sure that the bills are paid and that the staff treats the patient well.

That is not the full extent of responsibility, is it?

--there are memories to be called up;

--There are hopes to be refreshed.

--There are relationships to be maintained,

--There is the promise of Jesus to be rehearsed.

Dementia and other problems can make those tasks very difficult indeed.

All of them take time, take us; it is more than rules, it is a matter of love.

A different situation: what is our responsibility to infants born prematurely and who are hospitalized?

Legally, it may be to make sure all the tubes and machines are working, that food is given and warmth provided.

We know that much more than that is needed.

Those preemies need to be touched, on both a scientific and a religious basis.

In a scientific trial, preemies who were stroked and massaged for 45 minutes each day more than standard care gained 47% more weight than others, and a year later were still better developing.

And also, by touching, holding, cuddling these tiny ones, we are demonstrating that even one so small is a part of the human family, that the infant is a person, not an object or a scientific curiosity.

Even one so weak is one for whom Christ has died.

We show that the insignificant ones are significant in God's eyes.

We show that we are responsible for each others welfare in body, mind, and spirit.

If this applies to the very old and the very young, it certainly also applies to everyone in between.

How is it that we are showing our responsibility to each other now?

One of our reasons for coming together here is to practice the things we need to do the rest of the week.

1.We pray for each other.

In the Prayer of the Church there are plenty of names, and a quiet spot for adding still more.

2.We Share the Peace.

It is not “Good morning” but “Peace be with you” which is calling God's blessing onto someone else.

By our actions we are saying that God's promise is larger than any problems we might have with each other.

3.We engage in after-service conversation

It is a chance to hear what each others activities and struggles are this week, and how we can help or at least listen.

Three little ways that we practice responsibility here together, in preparation for the rest of the week.

The questions for confirmands and all of us today:

To what responsibility am I called today by Jesus by way of his gifts, promises, and actions on the cross?

In what ways can I practice here to get ready to tackle them? Amen.

Please note: The preceding sermon is provided as a resource for the thought, prayer, and meditation of the members and friends of St. Mark's. It is the residue of a verbal event, and thus it does not have academic footnotes and other details that would be expected in a written document. The writer gladly acknowledges the prior thought and work of many Christians before him.