Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2021)
Illustration
Proverbs 1:20-33
We live in an era where wisdom derived from elders, counts for less and less. American individualism and the decline of respect for experience and seniority in the workplace count less and less (Richard Sennett, The Corrosion of Character, pp.96-97,110). Medieval Mystic Thomas a Kempis nicely defines wisdom:
The highest and most profitable learning is the knowledge of ourselves. To have a low opinion of our own merits, and to think highly of others, is evidence of wisdom.
Augustine adds: “Patience is the companion of wisdom.” Wisdom like this is never irrelevant, is filled with knowledge.
Mark E.
* * *
Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom is portrayed as female in this and other writings. Wisdom, also known as Sophia, stands in our streets and cries out to us. Wisdom proclaims she is making her thoughts available to us. We, instead of listening, sometimes we ignore the wisdom provided to us. Wisdom proclaims, “those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.” I suppose many of us hope this, and even believe this. Yet, disaster can be present in everyone’s life. Disaster can befall any of us, even those who seek wisdom. Yet sometimes we need to listen for the wisdom we are taught in all situations, in all things, good and bad, happy, and disastrous. Wisdom assists us in knowing that God is with us, in all things, to know we are not alone. Thus, I will seek out and cling to wisdom.
Bonnie B.
* * *
James 3:1-12
The April 29, 1992, issue of the Chicago Tribune newspaper reported: “A stripped gear in the propeller controls of a commuter plane caused it to nosedive into the Georgia woods, killing former U.S. Senator John Tower of Texas and twenty-two others.” A gear that adjusted the pitch of the left engine’s propellers was slowly worn away by an opposing part with a harder titanium coating, the National Transportation Safety Board’s report concluded. “It acted like a file, and over time it wore down the teeth that controlled the propeller.”
The titanium-coated part wore down the gear that caused the plane to crash. That’s how unchecked and unbridled words can act, too. Addressing the important role of teaching, James writes, “the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.” He continues about the tongue, “a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.” Careless, harsh words wear down, too, bringing suffering, destruction, and harm. Those who teach must be aware of what they say.
Bill T.
* * *
James 3:1-12
For more on the context of this passage see my “Charting the Course” reflections, but here I wish to make one comparison. In talking about the power of the tongue, James uses the analogies of the “very small rudder,” which can change the course of a mighty ship, the power of a very small fire to do incredible damage to a mighty forest, and the power of puny humans to tame mightier creatures. There is no question that the mightiest example of the damage the tongue may do can be found today in social media. Lies take on the appearance of truth, facts are distorted for foul purposes, rumors become real, lives are destroyed, cyberbullying leads to teen suicide, and a few taps on the keyboard can strike to the heart of a democracy — and a church! James cautions us against becoming self-appointed teachers if we are not willing to discipline ourselves and show restraint and caution before clicking “send.”
Frank R.
* * *
Mark 8:27-38
You’ve got to love Peter. On the one hand he proclaims Jesus as the Messiah and on the other he tries to correct Jesus and prevent him from going to Jerusalem for arrest, scourging and crucifixion. Is Peter faithful or filled with Satan? From my perspective Peter is truly human — he speaks out of his faith AND out of his fear. He proclaims Jesus, following him, and loses his direction in the same ways that we sometimes do. Yet, Peter becomes the rock upon which the church is built, the foundation. Peter is reminded to take up his cross and follow Jesus. We are reminded as well. We may rant against what is happening or could happen, but we need to remain anchored in our faith, the rock of our faith, the anchor to which we cling. May it be so.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Mark 8:27-38
Life is said to be full of crosses for Christians. Famed theologian and martyr of the World War II era Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it well:
Must the Christian go around looking for a cross to bear, seeking to suffer? No. Opportunities for bearing crosses will occur along life's way and all that is required is the willingness to act when the time comes. The needs of the neighbor, especially those of the weak and downtrodden, the victimized and the persecuted, the ill and the lonely, will become abundantly evident.
Martin Luther made a similar point:
If we would be Christians, we must surely expect and count on having the devil, together with all his angels and the world, as our enemies. They all will bring misfortune and sorrow on us. And let no one think that he will have peace, but rather that he must risk whatever he has on earth; possessions, honor, house and home, wife and child, life, and limb. (What Luther Says, p.357)
Mark E.
We live in an era where wisdom derived from elders, counts for less and less. American individualism and the decline of respect for experience and seniority in the workplace count less and less (Richard Sennett, The Corrosion of Character, pp.96-97,110). Medieval Mystic Thomas a Kempis nicely defines wisdom:
The highest and most profitable learning is the knowledge of ourselves. To have a low opinion of our own merits, and to think highly of others, is evidence of wisdom.
Augustine adds: “Patience is the companion of wisdom.” Wisdom like this is never irrelevant, is filled with knowledge.
Mark E.
* * *
Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom is portrayed as female in this and other writings. Wisdom, also known as Sophia, stands in our streets and cries out to us. Wisdom proclaims she is making her thoughts available to us. We, instead of listening, sometimes we ignore the wisdom provided to us. Wisdom proclaims, “those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.” I suppose many of us hope this, and even believe this. Yet, disaster can be present in everyone’s life. Disaster can befall any of us, even those who seek wisdom. Yet sometimes we need to listen for the wisdom we are taught in all situations, in all things, good and bad, happy, and disastrous. Wisdom assists us in knowing that God is with us, in all things, to know we are not alone. Thus, I will seek out and cling to wisdom.
Bonnie B.
* * *
James 3:1-12
The April 29, 1992, issue of the Chicago Tribune newspaper reported: “A stripped gear in the propeller controls of a commuter plane caused it to nosedive into the Georgia woods, killing former U.S. Senator John Tower of Texas and twenty-two others.” A gear that adjusted the pitch of the left engine’s propellers was slowly worn away by an opposing part with a harder titanium coating, the National Transportation Safety Board’s report concluded. “It acted like a file, and over time it wore down the teeth that controlled the propeller.”
The titanium-coated part wore down the gear that caused the plane to crash. That’s how unchecked and unbridled words can act, too. Addressing the important role of teaching, James writes, “the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.” He continues about the tongue, “a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.” Careless, harsh words wear down, too, bringing suffering, destruction, and harm. Those who teach must be aware of what they say.
Bill T.
* * *
James 3:1-12
For more on the context of this passage see my “Charting the Course” reflections, but here I wish to make one comparison. In talking about the power of the tongue, James uses the analogies of the “very small rudder,” which can change the course of a mighty ship, the power of a very small fire to do incredible damage to a mighty forest, and the power of puny humans to tame mightier creatures. There is no question that the mightiest example of the damage the tongue may do can be found today in social media. Lies take on the appearance of truth, facts are distorted for foul purposes, rumors become real, lives are destroyed, cyberbullying leads to teen suicide, and a few taps on the keyboard can strike to the heart of a democracy — and a church! James cautions us against becoming self-appointed teachers if we are not willing to discipline ourselves and show restraint and caution before clicking “send.”
Frank R.
* * *
Mark 8:27-38
You’ve got to love Peter. On the one hand he proclaims Jesus as the Messiah and on the other he tries to correct Jesus and prevent him from going to Jerusalem for arrest, scourging and crucifixion. Is Peter faithful or filled with Satan? From my perspective Peter is truly human — he speaks out of his faith AND out of his fear. He proclaims Jesus, following him, and loses his direction in the same ways that we sometimes do. Yet, Peter becomes the rock upon which the church is built, the foundation. Peter is reminded to take up his cross and follow Jesus. We are reminded as well. We may rant against what is happening or could happen, but we need to remain anchored in our faith, the rock of our faith, the anchor to which we cling. May it be so.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Mark 8:27-38
Life is said to be full of crosses for Christians. Famed theologian and martyr of the World War II era Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it well:
Must the Christian go around looking for a cross to bear, seeking to suffer? No. Opportunities for bearing crosses will occur along life's way and all that is required is the willingness to act when the time comes. The needs of the neighbor, especially those of the weak and downtrodden, the victimized and the persecuted, the ill and the lonely, will become abundantly evident.
Martin Luther made a similar point:
If we would be Christians, we must surely expect and count on having the devil, together with all his angels and the world, as our enemies. They all will bring misfortune and sorrow on us. And let no one think that he will have peace, but rather that he must risk whatever he has on earth; possessions, honor, house and home, wife and child, life, and limb. (What Luther Says, p.357)
Mark E.
