5-12-2024 “A People Who Rise” ~ Ascension Sunday

The Rev. Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor

Jesus is up or he’s down. He’s in or he’s out. There was a time when our culture thought worshipping him was a core American value. Now, in some circles, we are seen as an antiquated prescientific spiritual worldview that upholds intolerance — and even hate! The church is not seen as the social institution that it used to be.

But maybe it is because we’re not bold enough.

There are two ways of thinking about this statement.

First: one can say that the church is not bold enough in that it is not as involved in social or political change as it should be. The early church tried to change the world, to be countercultural in its mission. There are churches who are fighting for justice quite vociferously and some do so politically. We are also fighting for justice through our ministries that help the poor and underprivileged across the world, across the country, across the state, across Canton. We do. More about that in a minute.

Second: one can say that the church is not bold enough in that it is not vocal enough in truly being a place that embodies what it proclaims. Critics say that the church is too critical. It spends more time saying who is not welcome and being a theological judge and jury that it hides its light (the light of the Gospel) under a bushel basket. Though we are far from perfect, our church makes it clear that no matter who you are, where you have been, what you bring to the table, what the color of your skin or ethnicity may be, or who you love — you are welcome here. We don’t judge. Hatred has no place in these walls. We are not perfect. But we are working really hard to be the people God wants us to be. We don’t fly flags. We also don’t burn them. We respect this nation, flaws and all, and we stand upon its principles of liberty and justice for all. Has America done terrible things in the past? Yes. History is filled with the blood we have shed and the rights we’ve denied. Have we brought innovation, discoveries, top-notch schools, cutting-edge hospitals, culture, art, literature, compassion, industry, and the amazing sport called baseball to the world? We sure have.

But beyond that…we are a place that follows those words that I quoted a few weeks ago by Saint Augustine: when discussing theology and solidarity among the church, Augustine said, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” We honor diversity of all kinds in this church, including diversity of thought. You can be an America First Republican or a Liberal Democrat. We don’t care. We don’t card people at the door. That’s non-essential. It doesn’t define who we are. In non-essentials, liberty. However, we are united: united in the love of Jesus Christ who died for us so that we may live for one another. We are united in the open-armed welcome we extend to all people. We are united against hatred. We care for our community. We love our neighbors, whether or not we agree with them. That’s essential.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is also essential. We will not be a church that will water down the message because we feel it will have more appeal. The Gospel we preach is one of a personal God who offers forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We preach that God is love, not some distant vengeful deity waiting to strike you down if you do not live up to some impossible human standard. I say “human standard” because none of us will ever live up to God’s standard. Never forget the words of Brennan Manning: “God loves you unconditionally, as you are and not as you should be, because nobody is as they should be.”

That’s the heart of The Ragamuffin Gospel, the name of Manning’s book. “We are all beggars at the door of God’s mercy.” We open our arms and welcome others because God welcomes us. Jesus’ grace is a pure gift. All you have to do is accept him in your heart and seek to model your life after him.

One other point — going back to the “we are working really hard to be the people God wants us to be.” We are a lay-run church. I remember reading that in this church’s profile back in late 2011/early 2012. I thought to myself, “Hmmm, we’ll see.” You have to understand, I had just come from serving a church that claimed to be lay-led, and it was anything but that. The pastor was in charge of everything. For example, whenever I met with committees, it was basically to get my marching orders. This is what you will do, was the message. Five hundred members, at least on the books, and I had to do it all. Each fall, for example, the eight members of the stewardship committee expected me to do everything from writing the stewardship letter, stuffing the envelopes, and following up with people who did not pledge.

Canton, at first, was a culture shock. I believe your profile said something like (and I am paraphrasing): “We seek a pastor who can preach well and offer spiritual direction and ministerial support.” By ministerial support, I was told that the members of the church take on the work of the church themselves. They just need the pastor’s guidance at times. I thought, “Hmmm, we’ll see.”

You weren’t lying. To this day, I am amazed at the level of lay participation in this church. If I had another hour or so, I could give examples — and even then, I would be missing something. Worship, outreach, education, raking leaves, planting flowers, serving meals, running the fair, donating food, bringing that food to the Canton Food Pantry, volunteering to help run blood drives, greeting people on Sunday morning and making them feel welcome, lending a hand whenever it is needed…and that’s just what Carl Lindquist does! (I told you I needed another hour.)

You get the point. We live our faith. We do not do so to pat ourselves on the back. We do not do so to earn something.

I started this sermon by saying that Jesus is up or he’s down. That he’s in or he’s out. There was a time when our culture thought worshipping him was a core American value. Now, in some circles, we are seen as an antiquated prescientific spiritual worldview that upholds intolerance — and even hate? The church is not seen as the social institution that it used to be.

Maybe the world needs to rediscover Jesus. That is what the Catholic writer Matthew Kelly says. He writes, “It’s time to rediscover Jesus — not just for my own sake, but for our children and their children, for the sake of our local church communities, for society at large, and for all humanity.”[1] Kelly continues: “Look around you. The world is constantly grappling with crisis and war. The chaos is crying out for order. The complexity is crying out for simplicity. At every level in society, from the beggar on the street to the leaders of nations, we are looking for something to solve the crisis for our lives and our times.”[2]

We are making a change. We are addressing the needs of the world. We do not need to take sides, we simply need to keep living our faith. Maybe we need the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln. In reference to the Civil War, Lincoln said, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” Amen and Amen.

[1] Matthew Kelly, Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation (Cincinnati: Beacon, 2015), 25.

[2] Ibid., 25-26.