Reading
for Proper 26C:
Luke 19:1-10
October 31, 2004
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino,
CA
Jesus said to Zacchaeus: "Today, salvation has come to this house...For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." [Luke 19]
During this past year, we have been reading passages from the Gospel according to St. Luke. This particular gospel focuses its attention on the lame, the lost, the loser, and the least. This gospel encourages compassion, especially for those who are forgotten or despised by society. Today's story reflects such compassion for those on the margins. In particular, it highlights an interaction between a despised tax collector and Jesus. This grace-filled encounter with Jesus, actually transforms the heart of the tax collector and his ideas about sharing his wealth. How can a relationship with Jesus change the way a person relates to his possessions? How can we best support the mission of the Church, so that as the body of Christ, we can provide opportunities of grace for all people, including the lame, the lost, the loser, and the least? I will address these questions in my sermon today.
The story about Zacchaeus is a familiar one. He is a ruthless tax collector whose daily work includes trying to extract as much money as he can from the poor peasants of Israel. Because he mixes with Gentiles (i.e. non-Jews), he is declared unclean and unfit to socialize with. As Jesus passes through town, Zacchaeus is moved by his presence. The text does not tell us why this tax collector is so taken with the person of Jesus. Perhaps he admires Jesus' unconventional wisdom; wisdom that includes inclusivity of the outcast, generosity to the marginalized, peace, and unconditional love. Perhaps he has seen Jesus embrace the lepers, the prostitutes, and the ignorant. Whatever it was, Zacchaeus pushes through the crowd and climbs a sycamore tree, just to get a glance.
Not only does he get a glance of Jesus, but Jesus notices Zacchaeus. Instead of ignoring him, judging him, laughing at him, or looking away in disgust, Jesus fixes his gaze on Zacchaeus. It is a gaze of unconditional love; a gaze which can see beyond the faults of a person to his true identity as a child of God. This loving, forgiving, and grace-filled moment, touches the heart of Zacchaeus. Jesus calls to him and says, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today." Of course, the people in the crowd begin to grumble at Jesus' poor judgment to eat with a sinner.
This encounter with Jesus, transformed Zacchaeus' heart and character. This encounter with Jesus made Zacchaeus want to be a better person. This encounter with Jesus changed the way Zacchaeus related to his possessions. Instead of his usual posture of trying to accumulate as much money as possible, Zacchaeus promises to give half of his possessions to the poor and to pay back those whom he defrauded.
Today's gospel tells us that we can take important steps to relate to our possessions in a more godly fashion that blesses both ourselves and others. It tells us that as we allow the grace of God to continue to work on our heart and mind, we will be restored to right relationship with God, each other, and our money. How we relate to our stuff, affects our integrity as human beings, inhabiting this planet earth. Today's gospel encourages us to err on the side of inclusion, generosity, forgiveness, acceptance, and love.
I think that the people of St. Jude's in particular and the Episcopal Church in general, have an affinity for the precepts of the gospel of St. Luke. I see a people who are willing to expand the boundaries of who is in and who is out. I see a people who have compassion for the lame, the lost, the loser, and the least. I see a people who prefer to embrace a gospel of grace rather than a gospel of judgment even if it means that our systematic theology becomes a little fuzzy, (i.e. more pastoral than systematic.) I love that we have a posture of welcome here: "Whoever you are, wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome here."
I love that the people of St. Jude's believe in the power of God to transform hearts, paving the way for us to become icons of hope and messengers of good news. I love the small acts of grace that the people of St. Jude's bestow on each other. This past week, Carolyn Bowker's house caught on fire when she was away at covenant group. The fire department was unable to contact her as they put out the flames. But they did call her mother in Salinas who notified us. Within 30 minutes, many people of St. Jude's were standing on the sidewalk, across from her burning home, waiting for Carolyn to arrive. When she did arrive, many of you were there, waiting to offer her whatever she needed.
So how do we keep this good thing going? How can we best support this community of faith to preach the gospel, reach out to the needy, offer acts of grace, and to provide an environment where transformation can best happen? The community of St. Jude's exists because of your generosity. You are the ones who have built this campus, supported the many programs through your time and talent, and pay the salaries of the clergy and staff. You are the ones who have created a community of faith that encourages each member to want to be better person. There is no other church community in this area that is more inclusive, more focused on outreach, and more willing to embrace the lame, the lost, the loser, and the least, than St. Jude the Apostle Church in Cupertino.
Today, I am asking you to pledge generously to the stewardship campaign of 2005. Each year in November, the people of St. Jude's are asked to pledge a portion of their time, talent, and treasure for the spread of the gospel of love that was shown to us by Jesus. Your generous contribution supports the mission and ministries of our church whose vision is: St. Jude's is a spiritual oasis where lives are transformed." Newcomers often ask: "How much should I give?" The standard of the Episcopal Church is the biblical tithe of 10%. Tithing is a statement of commitment and spiritual maturity. Giving generously of one's income is not a financial matter but a spiritual matter. When our heart is touched by God's grace and love, we begin to look at our possessions differently.
For instance, instead of saying: "Everything I have is mine and I will have to see how much I can spare to give the church." A transformed heart will say: "The church is my family. In order to care for my family and its mission, I will give generously and joyfully because everything I have comes from God."
For me, offering to God the first 10% of my income and keeping the remainder for myself, is one of the ways I give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. I hope you will prayerfully consider doing the same. Thank you for your generosity, inclusivity, and faithfulness. Thank you for helping to usher in the Kingdom of God.
{A live demonstration using pumpkins to explain proportional giving follows at end of sermon.}
| Updated 11/15/04 |
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