 | when churches stood tall in their determination to have schools that provide equal opportunity of education for all; |
| when churches led the procession in affordable housing; |
| when churches and clergy made fools of themselves in their attempts to love neighbors as they loved themselves. |
In this time of exile, new issues and new leaders have arisen -- or not arisen.
Community has been divided between them and us.
Politics has become a way of personal enhancement.
Race discrimination is far more sophisticated; in fact, you can almost get an MBA in
discrimination.
We have rested on our oars -- declared that we have done our best, done our part . . .
What do the others want? And who are the others? Who is this enemy who continues to taunt
us with the question: "Where is your God?" And why, O why is it my soul that we
have such trouble answering the question?
There is no question in my mind that I have become more cynical, less invested -- off in self-chosen exile.
I have a friend who says that the way is as simple as one to one; one tells another, one asks another, one opens rank in traffic and allows a neighbor to enter. One by one by one.
It sounds far too simple, too naïve.
But when you consider it, it is the Jesus way -- one to one, whether 5,000 ones or one
neighbor loving and caring for one other neighbor.
Well, who is my neighbor?
The one who shows compassion.
The one whose soul is rubbed raw -- but who continues to care.
I do not mean to imply that exile is all negative; it is not.
Judaism was born in the Babylonian Exile.
The Synagogue was created during this time.
A new covenant was made between God and the Jews -- a covenant of the heart rather than of
the law.
Prophets and literary activity flourished -- see Jeremiah and Deutero-Isaiah.
Exile can be a time when the vision of what truly matters in life is rethought,
renewed and recast.
When the familiar slips into the mundane and the bland and the superficial -- then exile
is needed.
When a community commits itself totally to an economic vision; it is time for believers to
call to the soul, call to the spirit.
Life is rhythmic -- contraction and expansion, ecstasy and depression, positive and
negative.
This tension is life,
Presence and absence.
Eternal presence is too much for us.
Attention and compassion can scarcely tolerate eternal attention.
Together and apart
Coming and going.
We so much fear this rhythm due to our personal insecurity.
Where is your God?
Yes! I wonder about that myself.
Where?
Not here?
Or here in the not here. Presence in absence.
Going away, standing aside so that we have room and incentive to mature.
Even God, I suppose, can be smothered by those who are too close.
Remember -- no thirsting longing, no refreshing drink;
no exile, no joy of meeting in return.
Hear a personal witness -- my whining cynicism was often overcome here by the worship of the congregation. -- your confessions, your prayers, your singing, your giving overcame my cynicism.
In those times I was caught up in congregational worship.
I was challenged, supported, judged, saved.
My soul was enlightened, renewed, and I could sometimes say with the psalmist:
"O send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling
Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God."
That’s the call and the cause!
Finally, I will read a statement drafted by Jil Ruckelshaus during the campaign to adopt
the Equal Rights Amendment:
We are in for a very, very long haul. . . .
I am asking for Everything you have to give
We will never give up. . . .
You will lose your Youth, your Sleep,
Your Patience, your Sense of Humor
And occasionally . . . the understanding & support
Of people that you love very much.
********
In Return, I have nothing to offer you, but . . .
The Grace of being a Beloved Son or Daughter of God,
Your Pride as a Human Being
and
All the Dreams you've ever had
for your sons and daughters,
Nieces and nephews, grandchildren, god-children and Others. . . .
Your Future
And the certain Knowledge that
At the end of your days
You will be able to look back and say that
Once in your live
You gave Everything that you had
For Justice.
And then, beloved community, you will be home from exile!!
Amen.
