Proper 19 – B

September 13, 2009

The Rev. Dorian McGlannan

I do not like going to the mall. I don’t like going to any mall by myself or with my children. On those rare occasions that I do go to the mall, I have to very careful because there is one store that draws me in like a vacuum cleaner. I have played all kinds of games with myself when it comes to this store. I try not walking near it or I say: “I’m only going to look.” Or I say “I will only consider the sale items.”  I do manage a great deal of discipline when it comes to this store but it is not easy because cooking is my hobby and Williams Sonoma has some of the best kitchen gadgets ever invented. It also has a lot of silly junk which I have no trouble passing up but oh that lemon peeler. Hmm. My husband is just as bad when it comes to tools. Whenever he says he is going to Home Depot, I cringe because I know this will not be just for the wood he needs to fix our deck.  

I recently heard an interview with Lauren Weber, the author of a new book called In Cheap We Trust: the story of a Misunderstood American Virtue. It is about the history of thrift in this country. Thrift has been considered a virtue during certain periods of our history, most notably during the American Revolution when political leaders espoused thrift in order to reduce dependence upon European goods. It was this thrift that allowed the idea of independence to gain momentum. The concept of freedom became much more important than the need for specific European material items. Ben Franklin was famous for his call to thriftiness with many little quirky snippets such as “He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.” 

There is a vast difference between being thrifty and being miserly. When we are thrifty we exercise discipline and wisdom when it comes to spending on ourselves. We understand the virtue of shopping at thrift stores and yard sales or keeping the heat as low as possible, going to the library or buying cars that are fuel efficient. At the same time thrifty people are often incredibly generous. In fact, many of the strongest financial supporters of this church are people who live simply and exercise great financial restraint.  Miserly people, such as the infamous Scrooge, are a whole different breed.

Today’s first reading from the book of Proverbs has a severe message: “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way…” The basic message is that when we are foolish calamity falls upon us. To a certain extent this is true. There are often health problems that could be avoided, financial disasters that arise from reckless spending and relationship heartbreaks that are a result of self-centeredness.

But that is not the only reason these things happen. People who really do take care of themselves get horrible diseases. I will never forget one woman in my former congregation who was the epitome of elder health. She ate all the right foods, she walked every day, she prayed on a regular basis but then one day she got some strange form of cancer and was dead within months. People who have managed their money and tried to live reasonably get into financial trouble for a whole host of reasons that have nothing to do with a lack of responsibility:  unforeseen medical bills, job layoffs and falling home values. And parents who are really attentive to their children and are caring parents have children who get into trouble. Consider Bill Moyers oldest son, William Cope Moyers, who came to the brink of death through his crack/cocaine addiction. It is the ever so familiar phenomenon of very bad things happening to very good people. It is at times such as this that Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow him.    

Today’s gospel reading is one in which Jesus tells his disciples who he is and how he is going to suffer. When Peter challenges Jesus, Jesus retorts with his famous statement: “Get behind me Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” For Jesus to call Peter Satan is a bit harsh. But the most powerful part of this passage comes toward the end: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” As someone who has lived on both sides of the life of faith, I have the unique perspective of knowing what it was like to self-centered instead of God centered. I know what it was like look for love in the wrong places and not love God first. I know what it was like to not have Jesus at my side every minute of the day. And for me it was a tumultuous time. And while my life today has plenty of crosses to bear, there is a center, a foundation that keeps me focused on what really matters, a rock solid faith that guides me through the hills and valleys and a faith for which I thank God on a regular basis.

Taking up our crosses means not running from the difficulties of life but taking them head on and working through them with God at our side. Taking up our crosses means sharing our burdens with others so that we can support each other. A burden is miraculously lifted when we share it. It is as if the weight of the cross is borne by many, not just us. The Wednesday healing service is an amazing place where people bring their crosses and ask for healing for themselves and their loved ones. But it happens many other places as well – the Women’s Bible study on Wednesday mornings, Prayers and Squares and even vestry is becoming a place where faith formation and sharing happens.  

When we step outside the doors of the church, we find a culture that celebrates substance abuse, materialism and focus on the self rather than focus on God. When people live out of step with God and the inevitable crosses come into their lives, they are so spiritually ill prepared that the least little thing throws them over the edge.   

For many today, the most burdensome cross is financial turmoil, often stemming from overspending. But how on earth did this situation of overindulgence happen. Following World War II in order to replace the war economy, materialism was promoted as never before. It is startling to go back and watch old ads from the 1950’s in which women were told that they had to have a new washing machine or a new refrigerator. The momentum of having to have roared full steam ahead until recent times during which the whole country when the whole country started paying for the sin of avarice.  Suddenly, financial restraint is in; thrift stores are receiving record numbers of shoppers and more home gardens were planted this summer than ever before in recent history. The Christian life shows us a different way of being. Jesus tells us that taking up our cross and following him will bring us more satisfaction than any trip to the mall.

On this homecoming Sunday, as we come together following the days of summer, we are seeing people we perhaps haven’t seen for a long time. It is a time to renew friendships and catch up from time away. It is a time to celebrate being in community. Being together is a reminder that when done in community, taking up our crosses is more than bearable; the truth is we can get through anything when others lift the cross with us.  May God bless us and strengthen us as we Lift High the Cross of Christ – this day and forever more.