Turning the world upside down
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 13, 2022
Jeremiah 17:5-10 • 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 • Luke 6:17-26
Today we have the joy of baptizing Felix George Scorer. It’s the first time most of us have met Felix in person, although everyone who attended our zoomed Christmas pageant in 2020, witnessed Felix in his starring role as the baby Jesus, ably supported by the rest of his family. We welcome all of Felix’ family and friends who are here today with us.
Baptism is a powerful sacrament both for those directly participating and those witnessing. Felix won’t remember much about this day, but you, Mary Anne and Paul, and godparents Sarah, Andrew, and Olivier will all receive a new commission. The nurturing and care of a soul is vital work. You, the congregation of Holy Innocents, will witness vows of renunciation and commitment, and you will vow to do all in your power to support Felix in his life in Christ. You will also have the opportunity to renew your own baptismal vows, and to reexamine what this faith is that nourishes your life, and what it is that you believe in.
I couldn’t help but be struck by the gift of our readings for today. On a day, when we are challenged to consider our beliefs and their implications, the prophet Jeremiah is right there for us. Life is not simple or easy, and there are choices in what and where we put our trust. Jeremiah points out the folly of those who trust in mere mortals:
“They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.”
In contrast, those who choose to trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord, “shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.” A tree whose leaves will not wither and will bear fruit, as our psalmist goes on to tell us.
I don’t know about you, but I find the image of the tree planted by the stream, one of great power and beauty. We may have all grown up in different parts of the country, even different parts of the world, but we have all grown up with trees. I wonder what tree might come to your mind when you think about a spiritually nourishing, deeply rooted, heaven encompassing presence in your life. For me it’s a huge old Carob tree in a church courtyard in Menlo Park. When I close my eyes. I can enjoy leaning into its wisdom, strength and connectedness.
Our passage from Luke’s Gospel, the Sermon on the Plain, as it is known, at first glance seems a confusing list of blessings and curses. Is Jesus really saying that it’s good, to be poor, hungry and weeping? Or that if you’re rich, full and laughing now, you must be cursed. Why would one put one’s faith in that kind of theology? Our trees would all wither for certain.
While it is true that I think Jesus is challenging his listeners with an upside-down teaching, I think we could reconsider the translations of the words ‘blessed’ and ‘woe’. The Greek makarios would be better translated as ‘fortunate’. ‘Fortunate are you that are poor’, as in, don’t give up, there is possibility in this situation you find yourself in. And, similarly, the Greek ouai, is better translated as ‘alas’, as in, ‘Alas you think everything’s going well, but, you know, you should notice that nothing lasts forever.’
There is truth in Jesus’ teaching, and it’s a truth that as this morning’s collect tells us, ‘disturbs the deadly order of the world.’ Whether our situation in this life is comfortable or precarious is not the only or the end of the story. What is important is that we plant ourselves in nourishing surroundings, and send out our roots into the living water that flows through us, between us, and around us.
This is living, sustaining water that is there for us all. We just have to notice and allow it to flow through us. Noticing how it connects each one to us to each other, to ourselves, and to God. Cleansing us. Healing us. Nourishing us. Supporting us so that we can be truly present with each other both in good and bad times. A community of faith. A communion of saints past, present, and yet to come. A community of love.
Today’s collect prays that we have ‘a hunger for what really satisfies, eyes softened by tears and hearts ready to laugh at all that is false and pompous that we might be witnesses to the dignity of life, ‘ and we pray this through Jesus Christ, who turns the world upside down.
And today, on the day of his baptism, we pray that Felix will indeed have a hunger for what really satisfies, along with an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and love God, and the gift of joy and wonder in all God’s works. Amen.