Erl Purnell Sermon

cEaster 2 ~ April 15, 2007 ~ A sermon preached by The Rev’d Erl G. Purnell at Old St. Andrew’s Church, Bloomfield, CT

Acts 5.12a, 17-22, 25-29; Psalm 111; Revelation 1.9-19; John 20.19-31

The Gospel from John, but even more this Sunday’s Collect catches my attention. Let me repeat it for you: Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

What I’m especially thinking about is “the new covenant of reconciliation” and “show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith.” These are two powerful ideas. Powerful. Reconciliation and walking your talk. The Collect challenges us to be people of reconciliation in the name and spirit of Christ by acting and living congruently with the things we say are the fabric of our Being.

In the past week, a national conversation has raged about words spoken by Don Imus on his morning radio program. We are all reminded that what we say really does matter. As somebody who’s in the “word” trade, I might say something to you in a sermon or a private conversation, thinking you’re receiving what I intend. Lots of times what I mean and what you hear match. At other times, though, that doesn’t happen, often with painful consequences. Someone said this week that it’s not the words spoken that matter, but how people hear them. It’s an interesting turn of phrase and, as I have been sick in bed all week, it’s gotten me thinking.

Because of my cough induced musings, I’ve decided to market the “Heard-U-Ometer.” This little gadget will be sold on TV for $19.95 if you call with your Visa or Master Card within the next ten minutes. Shipping and Handling are not included. The Heard-U-Ometer determines instantly whether what you heard is actually what the person speaking said. What a great addition to your gadget collection. Hooks right on to your Blackberry to monitor phone calls as well as other conversations. And, as a bonus today only, you’ll get two Heard-U-Ometers for the price of one. Take advantage of this one-time offer. Use one, give the other to your spouse, your boss, or your children. The Heard-U-Ometer clarifies misunderstandings with accurate feedback and even repeats un-heard information because your mind wandered. In addition, using the Heard-U-Ometer’s extensive data base, you can eliminate any confusion by comparing what was said to what you thought was said. If you act now, you may select your new Heard-U-Ometer in metallic blue, sage, egg shell, or orange. Heard-U-Ometer, “Better Said than Sorry. (Any semblance of the Heard-U-Ometer to a small hand-held digital recorder is purely coincidental and should be disregarded.)

Haven’t we all wanted to tape record the conversations we have, if only to clarify later what was actually said? Imus certainly got caught by his own words on tape.

It was actually a prominent Rabbi who said, “It’s not the words spoken that matter, but how people hear them.” But, I’m not sure I agree with all of that. Words spoken really do matter. Meaning is attached to them. In addition to any intended meaning, there’s the meaning somebody hears. When there’s a match between what’s said and meant and what’s heard, an exchange continues. When there’s a disconnect, the exchange becomes corrupted and can spin out of control. To wit: the Imus situation.

There are so many lessons from this week. One is that what we say, how we say it, the context it which it’s said, and the spirit of our speech matters. We should have learned this long ago but I guess we need to re-learn it time and again. And, we have learned again that what people hear often matters more than what was said.

All of this, of course, took place in the gutter of racism and sexism. Imus’ language and attitude peeled back the skin-thin veneer of racism and sexism that permeates too much of our society and culture. Most folks are horrified. But, most folks, by their day-to-day in-action, tolerate the subtleties of racism and sexism among us. I dare say, I have both seen and heard racism and sexism here at Old St. Andrew’s.

Now comes the hard part. How, in the name and spirit of Christ, do we practice our values consistently and congruently while we live into the new covenant of reconciliation? It is never enough simply to come to Church and espouse our faith. If worship feeds us and brings us into relationship with each other without inspiring us to bold action, we fall behind as pilgrims along the Way.

Jesus, perhaps more than anything else, stood for God’s sense of justice. The Kingdom of God is a world where God is King and not imperfect rulers. To achieve the Kingdom of God, we, the Body of Christ, and all people for that matter, are called to say and do what is just. Of course, our intention and what it means to stand for justice needs be clear and grounded. The words we use and our conduct matter greatly.

So, here’s the dethroned Imus, who is struggling with what he said and the fall-out from his remark. He has been held accountable, as he should be. What has Imus learned? The far more critical question is What has our society learned? Are we now willing to engage in an open, honest, and on-going conversation about racism and sexism and its subtle and rotting infestation of our culture? Are we willing to take issue with culturally specific language and other issues that all too often pollute the greater society? A bold start was made by coach Vivian Stringer and her team of Rutgers’ basketball players. They showed compassion and forgiveness while not allowing Imus’ gross comment to be forgotten. They stood on the high ground and sought reconciliation. They have walked their talk.

For us as a nation to accept the opportunity to grow and change at times like this can be inspiring and it’s always a challenge. Turning a supertanker traveling at high speed, reversing global warming, shifting what is culturally acceptable in society … these require huge amounts of energy, focus, effort, and commitment. Even then, the time-lag between turning the rudder and overcoming the ship’s inertia is always considerable. Yet, to avoid the shoals and certain disaster, the command to turn needs to be made soon as well as loud and clear. As Confucius is purported to have said, “Unless we change directions, we’ll get to where we are headed.”

At the very same time, how do we always hold open the new covenant of reconciliation, for Imus and the Imuses of this world? This is an anathema to many people. Religious leaders said again and again this week that forgiveness does not exclude accountability. And they’re right. Offering forgiveness is difficult when we are grossly offended. But, forgiveness may be as important for the forgiver as it is for the one being forgiven.

Would you agree that forgiveness is often spawned by compassion? To show compassion for a disgraced shock-jock may sound strange. It’s not to condone what he has said or done. Rather, being compassionate and offering forgiveness identifies in you, in me, that which can hurt others, our own hidden prejudices, and the need for our own redemption. For, how can we really love someone else unless we have felt their hurt? And, I dare say again, as Americans, each of us is culpable in this Imus debacle.

To conclude, dare you challenge yourself as you move forward in your life? Will you challenge yourself to stand against the subtleties of racism and sexism in yourself and in the society as a whole? “Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?”

And, in the spirit of Christ’s reconciling love, will you bravely and compassionately open yourself to forgive those who have said and done foolish and hurtful things even as you hold them accountable … and do this because you remember that God loves you, too.

Amen.