Sermon for Easter 5B
Judy
Dear Friends,
This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Jesus said, 'I AM the Vine- Stay Connected'” and deals with the Gospel (John 15: 1- 8). Here it is:
This morning I’d like us to think through the implications of Jesus’ statement that he is the vine and we are the branches; so we are to stay connected to him. Look at the bulletin cover- do you see the grapes and the beautiful leaves? If they were real and if I cut some of those leaves- what do you think they’re going to look like by next Sunday? Sure, they’ll be dried up and falling apart. These healthy green altar plants have been thriving for a few years now. Why do they last, week after week, month after month, year after year? Sure, because they’re connected to their strong root system. That’s why Jesus said to stay connected to him. A couple of days ago, someone with a real problem called to discuss something very important. All of a sudden, it was like I was talking into nothing. Our phones disconnected. We had to redial so we could talk. The same thing happens in our relationship with Jesus, if we aren’t careful. Many behaviors threaten to interfere with our connection to Jesus, the Vine. There are three that especially seem to affect us if we don’t stay on guard.
Have you ever said to a child you love from the bottom of your heart, “I love you; but I surely don’t like what you’re doing right now!” Christian love has absolutely nothing to do with feelings, otherwise there is no way we could love our enemies! Christian love is wanting what’s best for the other person; and never gets revenge- that’s God’s business. John reminds us, “If we say we love God, and don’t love others- we are liars!” (1st John 4:20a) Not loving our neighbor separates us from the Vine.
Handling negatives impulsively (letting it all hang out) separates us from others in God’s family and also the vine. Remember from last week- T-H-I-N-K before you speak or act: “T”= is it true? “H”= is it helpful? “I”= is it important? “N”= is it necessary? “K”= is it kind and loving?
This plastic flower reminds us of another way we separate ourselves from the Vine- having an exterior, fake focus. This flower- it’s beautiful, isn’t it! It even may look better that a real flower- no insect holes, all the color exactly even. And it lasts and lasts and lasts. But except to look at, what good is it? The real flower contributes to the life power of God’s amazing creation. The real flower changes carbon dioxide into oxygen. Its roots hold the soil so it doesn’t erode with the wind and water. Butterflies and bees use it for food. Then, when it dies, the plant turns into mulch to enrich the soil, and its seeds spread far and wide to make new flowers. What does the fake flower do? Just sit there and look pretty- unless we look too closely and see where the plastic isn’t quite right. The lesson for us? Be real! Stop worrying so much about what’s on the outside. Sure- pretty clothes and a fancy hairdo and well-done nails are nice; but what’s really important is what’s on the inside. Are you a Christian through and through, or are you just a fake Christian? Do you only come to church or serve God or reach out and touch or share your offerings when you feel like it and it’s not too inconvenient? Be real; so the inside looks even better than the outside. Live what you believe.
The thought for the week (“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.”- Lou Holtz) reminds us of the third behavior that can separate us from the Vine- having a pity-party. Don’t let every little problem have you so depressed feeling sorry for yourself that you don’t feel like saying your prayers or going to church or reaching out to others.
I’d like to close with a familiar story (last July) that reminds us of why we need to stay connected to Jesus. A family had been renting for years and finally saved up enough money for a down-payment on a house- a home of their own. After moving in, they decided to renovate the yard, since it had been neglected for years. They planted and watered, so the flowers grew and the grass became green and lush. Everything responded to their loving care- everything that is, except the row of bushes that separated their yard from the neighbor’s property. The family gave those bushes lots of attention, watered and fertilized them regularly, and hoped they would thrive; but all their work seemed useless. No matter what they did, the bushes remained spindly and nearly lifeless. They finally lost patience and decided to uproot those pitiful, unresponsive bushes. When they pulled the first one up, to their amazement- they found it still had a plastic bag from the nursery wrapped around its roots! Would you believe- each plant was this way. With great care, they removed the plastic and replanted each bush. In a few years, the bushes were the most beautiful in the neighborhood.
May God bless us as we remove all the sins and distractions and attitudes that encase our souls like those plastic bags; and may our lives be rooted and connected to Jesus, the source of our wisdom and power. Amen.
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org .
Blessed preaching,
Judy Boli
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw, Michigan