Pentecost 16,
Year B

Donna Joy

Proverbs 1:20-33, Psalm 19, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38

I grew up in a home where I received some good teaching - at times even very good teaching - that I (at least try to) carry with me even after all these decades after that teaching began. However, one lesson I learned from my parents and other elders in my young life, that I do not continue to follow is the one which says that in order to conduct myself in a socially acceptable manner I must refrain from speaking about religion, politics, or sex. While I won't comment on the third of these suggested restrictions, I will say I absolutely believe that as a people of faith it is impossible to separate politics and religion; and we absolutely must openly discuss both. In 'The Politics of Jesus' John Howard Yoder, 20th century theologian and ethicist argued that being Christian is a political standpoint, and Christians must not ignore that calling.

And so, it is with this introduction that I launch into some reflections about this current moment in which we Canadians find ourselves - a moment in what appears to be a series of complex, and somewhat conflicted, election campaigns. As we prepare to make our own personal decisions on October 19th, we are faced with some serious and critical questions and concerns.

One primary resource I have drawn upon for some of these reflections is one that was recently produced through the Anglican Church of Canada entitled, "Compassion, Justice, and Reason: An Anglican Approach for Election 2015." It identifies the primary issues that require close attention as voters prepare to vote, and some specific strategies that may help focus our attention. Each week, the sermon preached at St. Peter's is posted on our web site, and this week it will also include the link that will take you to this resource. For those who do not have access to the world wide web, I have made hard copies of this resource which are available in the Narthex.

Included in this resource is an open letter, written by our Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, addressed to political leaders: Stephen Harper, Thomas Mulcair, Justin Trudeau, Elizabeth May, and Gilles Deceppe. He writes:

"... We live in a country of great abundance, yet not all benefit. Among the most vulnerable in our society are those who are homeless and the inadequately housed, children living in poverty with little hope for a brighter future, and young people who are underemployed and increasingly alienated from institutions, including the political process. Economic growth and prosperity are laudable goals, but they are not ends in themselves. If we are to live up to our commitment to love and serve others, we need to develop better ways to share our abundance.

We live in a country that believes in democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. And yet, we find ourselves facing major challenges — in our relations with the First Peoples of the land, our care and responsibility for the environment, and the balance of rights and freedoms with safety and security in a diverse society with its underlying tensions. The time has come to engage in new conversations and to work together toward a common good for this and for future generations.

We live in a country that is an active member within a global system aimed at promoting international economic growth and shared prosperity, peace and stability, environmental stewardship, and providing humanitarian assistance. Yet our own actions are what give meaning to our words as we share our abundance through greater international assistance, welcome refugees, adopt sound environmental policies, and work for peace.

While these issues are not at the centre of political debate in the current campaign, that does not diminish their importance in living up to the values that we hold as Canadians. The Anglican Church of Canada is actively engaged in all of these areas and remains committed to pray for and to work with all those in authority in building a society whose hallmarks at home and abroad are compassion and justice for all people..."

And, so, with all this weighing heavily on my heart, mind, and soul, as I'm sure this may be true also for you, I turn to our readings for today. And - dare I say - I may have discovered some Godly wisdom in the midst of all these concerns.

First, our reading from Proverbs. The Book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, recognizing that at the heart of all wisdom is God's love and call to justice, and - as a people of faith - this must exist at the very centre of who we are and all we do. So, the Wisdom found throughout The Proverbs is a continuous connection between God's love and call to justice. It is fitting that today we will conclude our worship with those profound words from the Prophet Micah, "What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice; love kindness; and walk humbly with your God." Over and over again, Proverbs offer a glimpse into God's truth which is true for the whole of life, whoever we are and wherever we live - at home and at work; in marriage and family; in government and commerce; and in the attitudes of our hearts which shape our reactions, lifestyles, and habits.

This morning's excerpt from the Book of Proverbs is particularly helpful when pondering and preparing for an upcoming election. The author - King Solomon - says, "Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice." Wisdom here is
understood as God's 'righteousness, and justice, and equity.' God's truth speaks to us, and we are called to be that voice that cries out in the street and in the squares. It is through us that she raises her voice. It is through us that she is heard as we decide which politicians to elect and support. It is through us that she reaches out to those who are homeless, children who live in poverty, people who suffer inequities throughout the intergenerational spectrum. It is through us that she breathes healing and reconciliation with Canada's First Peoples. It is through us that she restores right relations between humanity and God's creation. It is through us that she finds a voice in establishing interfaith co-operation. It is through us that this Godly Wisdom may welcome and embrace the stranger - those who desperately need (and deserve) to flee from war torn places.

In this Proverb, Solomon shows us that life is all of a piece, that belief and behaviour belong together; that Wisdom speaks to and within us, and we are absolutely called, expected, and mandated to shout it out in the street, in the squares, and on the ballots we submit on October 19th. Solomon is quite clearly further emphasizing and affirming Yoder's point that being a person of faith cannot be separated from who we are as political beings.

Proverbs are the light of God's wisdom, and indeed, as a Christian people, we believe that they point to Jesus. We believe that this Wisdom is fulfilled in Jesus, who is the light of the world, who embodies this Wisdom. He is the personification, the fulfillment of this Wisdom. He is the One who shows us what this Wisdom looks like.

And this brings us to our Gospel reading for today, where Jesus asks his disciples two questions, (1) "Who do people say that I am?" and (2) "Who do you say that I am?" Well, in response to the first question, there are many differing perceptions about who Jesus is. (...John the Baptist; Elijah; one of the prophets...) But it is the next question that dominates the rest of the discussion, "Who do you say that I am?" At the end of the day, Jesus' identity and how we - his followers - understand what that title means, must be clear, because they/we are the ones who will represent him, embody him, in the streets, the squares, the polling stations on October 19th.

And so, this is where the discussion between Jesus and his disciples gets interesting. Peter, of course, being Peter, boldly and confidently responds with, "You are the Messiah!" But when Jesus goes on to explain more fully what that title means; when he goes on to say that he must undergo great suffering, and rejection, and even death, Peter quickly rebels. This is not consistent with his image of a Messiah. For Peter, Jesus is not supposed to suffer and die; he is supposed to fight the religious and political authorities and become the one true leader that Peter believes the people need.

And this is where we get to the heart of who Jesus is. As has been his ministry all along, Jesus lives a life that reaches out to those who are ostracized, those who are considered unclean and marginalized. Jesus' ministry is not about human domination or exercising power over anyone; his ministry is about reaching out and loving and embracing those who are weak, and small, and vulnerable. What Jesus is trying to convey in this text is what that title 'Messiah' means; and I think he is saying that (1) his death is the final way in which he will exist at the heart of all human suffering, and (2) through his resurrection, his followers will be empowered to carry on his ministry to and with those who are weak, and small, and vulnerable; those who live on the margins.

As followers of Jesus, we are called, equipped, and mandated to carry on this ministry, building the Kingdom of God...

Another detail in this reading which I think is helpful is the place where this exchange between Jesus and his disciples takes place. The geographical setting of this passage is very significant. The villages of Caesarea Philippi have Jewish residents who are heavily oppressed by the Roman Empire, and becoming increasingly influenced and shaped by Roman rule and culture which emphasizes the need for power and dominance, self indulgence and greed. Jesus is urging them to turn away from this influence, and to embrace God's rule of love, and justice, self sacrifice and peace As we live our lives, and in particular over the next few weeks as we prepare to make important political decisions we need to ask ourselves: "In the shadow of what empires do we live?" "How do we conduct our lives (make important decisions) in the shadow of these empires; do our values and goals align more closely with the empires with which we're surrounded, or with the worldview and values of Jesus?"

So, as we prepare to participate in the upcoming election, we are called to remember that God's truth speaks to us today through the Book of Proverbs, and through Mark's account of Jesus with his disciples, and we are called to be that voice that cries out in the street and in the squares and the polling stations. It is through us that Jesus continues to reach out and embrace and respond to the needs of those who are homeless, children who live in poverty. It is through us that inequities throughout the intergenerational spectrum can be overturned. It is through us that healing and reconciliation with Canada's First Peoples may continue. It is through us that right relations between humanity and God's creation may be restored. It is through us that interfaith co-operation may be established. It is through us that Jesus' ministry to and with the stranger may flourish - through us that a home may be found by those who desperately need (and deserve) to flee from war torn places.

Indeed, how we choose to vote says a great deal about who we are as followers of Jesus, and the values of our faith to which we adhere.