Compassion: Returning Home To God
Sermon
Sermons On The First Readings
Series I, Cycle C
During the reconstruction period following the great American Civil War, John Sommersby returned to his small Southern town, at least it seemed to be him. Everyone thought that Sommersby had died in the great war between the Union and the Confederacy; all the other soldiers had returned home some time before. He appeared to be different, but then people said that such a war changed a person in more than mind and spirit. He recognized his friends, however, and they recognized him; the whole town celebrated.
Still, despite the celebration there was some doubt as to the identity of the man who had returned. The family dog did not recognize him, and pets never forget the scent of their masters. When Sommersby went to have a new pair of shoes made for himself, the cobbler noticed that the pattern of his foot made before the war no longer fit. It would be John's wife, however, who would be the critical judge. Was this rather gentle and kind man the same person who had gone to war six years previously, a man who had many times been harsh and cruel to her?
Sommersby's home town had been devastated by the Union army during the war, creating an economic crisis. A leader, one who could come forward to take charge and restore the town to greatness once again, was necessary. That person would be John Sommersby. He had a plan to grow tobacco, but capital was necessary for the initial investment of buying the precious and expensive tobacco seed. Confederate money was good no longer and, thus, the people brought what valuables the Yankees had not taken -- rings, bracelets, a silver tea service -- and placed it in the trust of John Sommersby, who gathered the valuables and went to buy seed. Although it took longer than expected, he returned with the tobacco seed which the people planted and nurtured to maturity. The yield was great and the price per unit of measure was even greater than Sommersby himself thought possible. The town and its people survived; they experienced redemption.
John Sommersby, however, would not be able to taste the sweetness of victory. Accused of wrongdoing during the war, he was tried and convicted. His punishment was to be hanged until dead. But was this man John Sommersby or someone who looked a great deal like him? The world would never know. The people in Sommersby's town had placed their trust in him, taken responsibility, and been restored. John Sommersby, or whoever this man was, had shown compassion and brought about the redemption of himself and his town through his courage and efforts.
The movie Sommersby, produced and released in 1993, depicts the redemption of a man and the community he loves. History is replete with examples of nations, institutions, and individuals who have sought and achieved redemption and the restoration of life to a new and fuller existence. The story of the Hebrews is one of the best examples of a people whose relationship with God was characterized by sin leading to its downfall. But God never forgot his chosen people, those who were "peculiarly his own," and thus, as today's First Lesson metaphorically describes, God will bring redemption to the Hebrews in exile in Babylon; the nation will be restored and the people returned to their homes.
For the past several weeks our scripture passages have concentrated on the many sins of the religious leaders, both in Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom). We recall that Hosea prophesied doom for Israel because of the idolatrous practices that were so prominent and widespread in the Hebrew community. The first and most basic commandment of God's law was continually violated. Isaiah, writing to the Kingdom of Judah, told the religious leaders of the nation that God was not pleased with their treatment of the people (5:1-7). God had provided the nation with everything it could possibly need -- rich land, God's protection, prophets, monarchs -- and still the nation produced a poor harvest. God's disappointment was great. Thus, for both Israel and Judah a common fate occurred, namely punishment at God's hand. For Israel this meant loss of their nation; for Judah exile to Babylon.
Jeremiah, from whom we hear in today's First Lesson, was present during the deportation of the Hebrews from Jerusalem, beginning in 588 B.C.E. Thus, he writes to his fellow Hebrews now in exile and presents them with a message of hope, stating that God will restore the nation; redemption is possible. Using metaphorical language, the prophet uses the purchase of a field as a symbol of restoration that God will bring to the land. Moreover, fields and vineyards will once again be bought and sold, prosperity will return to the land, and God's favor will once more shine upon his chosen people.
Jeremiah's message of redemption and restoration was, at it roots, a missive of hope. God, acting like a loving parent, had chastised Judah for its many sins of omission and commission, but now it is time to forgive and rebuild the Hebrew's nation and society. The process can only begin, however, after the people know and believe that God is with them in their endeavor. Thus, Jeremiah, speaking God's word, preaches to the people a message of hope, confident that God is with them.
The restoration and redemption effected by John Sommersby and that experienced by the Hebrews in exile in Babylon must be our hope as well. Throughout life, even on a daily basis, Christians seek to navigate the road that leads back to God, the source of our existence. The road home to God has some detours, potholes, and obstacles, and we will encounter some closures and stop signs along the way. The human condition of incompleteness means that at times along the road all of us will take the wrong turn, be stymied in our progress, or possibly even intentionally take an alternative route. When these times occur, and they most assuredly will happen, we must trust that our knowledge of God will provide the opportunity and avenues to get back on the correct road. God, Francis Thompson's metaphorical "Hound of Heaven," will leave no stone unturned or pathway not taken in a diligent search for us. God will never tire nor give up in his quest to bring us home. The redemption and restoration that only God can provide for our hearts, minds, and souls is ours for the asking; we must simply respond to the initial invitation of God.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) provides an excellent example of the compassion that God has for us on our return home to the Lord. We recall the dissolute life the young son, the so-called prodigal, had lived. When he determined the need to return, his road home, this is his restoration, had begun. It culminated when the boy's father, symbolic of God, provided the forgiveness and redemption he needed. The son never had to say one word; all that was necessary was that he be open to his father's love.
The timelessness of the scriptures tells us that the message of Jeremiah and the Parable of the Prodigal Son are illustrative of how God treats us today and always. God is filled with compassion and only wants what is best for his children. Thus, the Lord provides the means for us to navigate though the ofttimes dangerous and obstacle-ridden waters of life. Our effort is required as well, but with God we most assuredly will find the road home.
The compassion that God showed the Hebrews of old and all of us today must be a virtue which we also demonstrate in our relationships with others. We must remember Christ's exhortation to his disciples: "Be merciful as your Father is merciful ... For the measure you give will be the measure you get back" (Luke 6:36, 38b). Our need to be more God-like in our approach to others is best illustrated in a story.
A young man excitedly told his spiritual director about a dream he had the night before. "I dreamed that I had fallen into a deep pit from which I could not get out. A Confuscist approached and said, 'Let me give you some advice, my friend. If you ever get out of trouble, never get into it again.' A Buddhist came along and said, 'If you can climb up to where I can reach you, I will help you.' A Christian Scientist came along and said, 'You only think you are in a pit.' A self-righteous person said, 'Only bad people fall into pits.' An IRS agent asked, 'Are you paying taxes on this pit?' An optimist came along and said, 'Things could be worse.' A pessimist said, 'Things will get worse!' Then along came Jesus who, seeing my situation, jumped into the pit with me. He had me climb up on this shoulders and thus helped me out of the pit."
The story tells us that compassion is endemic to the life of Christian discipleship. We need to jump into the pit and not stand on the sidelines as a spectator or overseer. Let us be grateful for the great love and compassion that others provide and let us reciprocate in word and action, as we collectively travel the path to God and eternal life.
Still, despite the celebration there was some doubt as to the identity of the man who had returned. The family dog did not recognize him, and pets never forget the scent of their masters. When Sommersby went to have a new pair of shoes made for himself, the cobbler noticed that the pattern of his foot made before the war no longer fit. It would be John's wife, however, who would be the critical judge. Was this rather gentle and kind man the same person who had gone to war six years previously, a man who had many times been harsh and cruel to her?
Sommersby's home town had been devastated by the Union army during the war, creating an economic crisis. A leader, one who could come forward to take charge and restore the town to greatness once again, was necessary. That person would be John Sommersby. He had a plan to grow tobacco, but capital was necessary for the initial investment of buying the precious and expensive tobacco seed. Confederate money was good no longer and, thus, the people brought what valuables the Yankees had not taken -- rings, bracelets, a silver tea service -- and placed it in the trust of John Sommersby, who gathered the valuables and went to buy seed. Although it took longer than expected, he returned with the tobacco seed which the people planted and nurtured to maturity. The yield was great and the price per unit of measure was even greater than Sommersby himself thought possible. The town and its people survived; they experienced redemption.
John Sommersby, however, would not be able to taste the sweetness of victory. Accused of wrongdoing during the war, he was tried and convicted. His punishment was to be hanged until dead. But was this man John Sommersby or someone who looked a great deal like him? The world would never know. The people in Sommersby's town had placed their trust in him, taken responsibility, and been restored. John Sommersby, or whoever this man was, had shown compassion and brought about the redemption of himself and his town through his courage and efforts.
The movie Sommersby, produced and released in 1993, depicts the redemption of a man and the community he loves. History is replete with examples of nations, institutions, and individuals who have sought and achieved redemption and the restoration of life to a new and fuller existence. The story of the Hebrews is one of the best examples of a people whose relationship with God was characterized by sin leading to its downfall. But God never forgot his chosen people, those who were "peculiarly his own," and thus, as today's First Lesson metaphorically describes, God will bring redemption to the Hebrews in exile in Babylon; the nation will be restored and the people returned to their homes.
For the past several weeks our scripture passages have concentrated on the many sins of the religious leaders, both in Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom). We recall that Hosea prophesied doom for Israel because of the idolatrous practices that were so prominent and widespread in the Hebrew community. The first and most basic commandment of God's law was continually violated. Isaiah, writing to the Kingdom of Judah, told the religious leaders of the nation that God was not pleased with their treatment of the people (5:1-7). God had provided the nation with everything it could possibly need -- rich land, God's protection, prophets, monarchs -- and still the nation produced a poor harvest. God's disappointment was great. Thus, for both Israel and Judah a common fate occurred, namely punishment at God's hand. For Israel this meant loss of their nation; for Judah exile to Babylon.
Jeremiah, from whom we hear in today's First Lesson, was present during the deportation of the Hebrews from Jerusalem, beginning in 588 B.C.E. Thus, he writes to his fellow Hebrews now in exile and presents them with a message of hope, stating that God will restore the nation; redemption is possible. Using metaphorical language, the prophet uses the purchase of a field as a symbol of restoration that God will bring to the land. Moreover, fields and vineyards will once again be bought and sold, prosperity will return to the land, and God's favor will once more shine upon his chosen people.
Jeremiah's message of redemption and restoration was, at it roots, a missive of hope. God, acting like a loving parent, had chastised Judah for its many sins of omission and commission, but now it is time to forgive and rebuild the Hebrew's nation and society. The process can only begin, however, after the people know and believe that God is with them in their endeavor. Thus, Jeremiah, speaking God's word, preaches to the people a message of hope, confident that God is with them.
The restoration and redemption effected by John Sommersby and that experienced by the Hebrews in exile in Babylon must be our hope as well. Throughout life, even on a daily basis, Christians seek to navigate the road that leads back to God, the source of our existence. The road home to God has some detours, potholes, and obstacles, and we will encounter some closures and stop signs along the way. The human condition of incompleteness means that at times along the road all of us will take the wrong turn, be stymied in our progress, or possibly even intentionally take an alternative route. When these times occur, and they most assuredly will happen, we must trust that our knowledge of God will provide the opportunity and avenues to get back on the correct road. God, Francis Thompson's metaphorical "Hound of Heaven," will leave no stone unturned or pathway not taken in a diligent search for us. God will never tire nor give up in his quest to bring us home. The redemption and restoration that only God can provide for our hearts, minds, and souls is ours for the asking; we must simply respond to the initial invitation of God.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) provides an excellent example of the compassion that God has for us on our return home to the Lord. We recall the dissolute life the young son, the so-called prodigal, had lived. When he determined the need to return, his road home, this is his restoration, had begun. It culminated when the boy's father, symbolic of God, provided the forgiveness and redemption he needed. The son never had to say one word; all that was necessary was that he be open to his father's love.
The timelessness of the scriptures tells us that the message of Jeremiah and the Parable of the Prodigal Son are illustrative of how God treats us today and always. God is filled with compassion and only wants what is best for his children. Thus, the Lord provides the means for us to navigate though the ofttimes dangerous and obstacle-ridden waters of life. Our effort is required as well, but with God we most assuredly will find the road home.
The compassion that God showed the Hebrews of old and all of us today must be a virtue which we also demonstrate in our relationships with others. We must remember Christ's exhortation to his disciples: "Be merciful as your Father is merciful ... For the measure you give will be the measure you get back" (Luke 6:36, 38b). Our need to be more God-like in our approach to others is best illustrated in a story.
A young man excitedly told his spiritual director about a dream he had the night before. "I dreamed that I had fallen into a deep pit from which I could not get out. A Confuscist approached and said, 'Let me give you some advice, my friend. If you ever get out of trouble, never get into it again.' A Buddhist came along and said, 'If you can climb up to where I can reach you, I will help you.' A Christian Scientist came along and said, 'You only think you are in a pit.' A self-righteous person said, 'Only bad people fall into pits.' An IRS agent asked, 'Are you paying taxes on this pit?' An optimist came along and said, 'Things could be worse.' A pessimist said, 'Things will get worse!' Then along came Jesus who, seeing my situation, jumped into the pit with me. He had me climb up on this shoulders and thus helped me out of the pit."
The story tells us that compassion is endemic to the life of Christian discipleship. We need to jump into the pit and not stand on the sidelines as a spectator or overseer. Let us be grateful for the great love and compassion that others provide and let us reciprocate in word and action, as we collectively travel the path to God and eternal life.
