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CHILDREN'S EDUCATION |
SERMONS The
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost By Eilene Warwick Well, here it is again----that ageless question from someone in the crowd----"Lord, will only a few be saved?'' His answer to them was, "Strive to enter through the narrow door." BUT HOW???? We were not given any specific answer. By God's Grace, the invitation is open, but the pathway into the kingdom is narrow----and will demand much more than a casual interest on our part. The door of opportunity will not remain open forever----and when the door is closed, it is closed !!!! Our parallel gospel in Matthew speaks of a "Narrow Gate----and the road is hard that leads to life, and few there are who find it." This is a chilling statement!!!! I just returned from Ireland two weeks ago. I went on a pilgrimage and explored the Celtic Spiritual Tradition. One of the sites we visited was a an underground Passage Grave, or burial chamber at NEWGRANGE----the grave was built about 5000 BC…..the NEWGRANGE TOMB is rated as one of the most spectacular sites in Europe, and it was!!!! Before we entered through this narrow door, into an even more narrow passageway,----we were asked to leave, or drop our back-packs, cameras, purses, and all other hand baggage outside the door. The guide wanted all of us to be able to squeeze through the door, down the thin passageway, and into the burial chamber. It will always be a mystery to me how some of us were to clear the narrow door, and the stone passageway, into the burial chamber----but we did----and we also managed to extricate ourselves by the same narrow door. These personal items which we were asked to leave outside the door are the very things which make it almost impossible for us to enter through the narrow entrance----But there are other kinds of baggage which we carry around with us----unlike our personal possessions. We cannot always see the mental and emotional problems which drag us down every day ----these are just as heavy, just as bulky----as our material possessions. The mental and emotional problems can become so cumbersome----that no one can get near us----and so bulky that we cannot reach out to our neighbors---- and extend a helping hand to them, when they are in need. Just to name a few of these unseen burdens----how about----fear, resentments, anger, envy, pride, self-pity, and that old stand-by procrastination, and anxiety! It is very hard work to tote this baggage around----and it consumes a lot of energy. At times, I wonder if these bags are working for us----or, are we working for them? Jesus said----No one wanders through this door by accident----there must be an intent and purpose on our part----but are we willing to unload the excess???? Jesus says again---- knock until your knuckles are raw----or shout until you are blue in the face, but it won't help. I can say to HIM----hey----I'm the one who ate supper with you on the square----remember----I'm the one who drank a cup of wine, cup of water with you in the pub----remember----I'm the one who heard you teach and preach in the park----don't you even remember me???? However, none of that back slapping, good old-boy stuff works. He says, just go away !!! Don't WHINE !!!! I wonder if we are depending on HIM to be our door-man----to hold that narrow door open for us, so we can turn sideways, and just barely squeeze through? If we are, we shouldn't! I believe what HE is saying here is that we must be willing to struggle like everyone else----there are no free hand outs to any of us. We have a choice, we need purpose in our lives and we must be committed to move beyond our fears, and move into the realm of possible---- instead of impossible----He wants us to keep on trying that door until----by HIS Grace---- we are all in!!!! If we choose to make that commitment a reality and follow HIM through that door, we need not stand at the back of the crowd and merely listen to him teach and preach----It's time for us to move to the front of the bus----and say----Well, here I am----without all of my baggage! I want you to know me----and I want to know you----put me to work! In the meantime----I think it's a good idea to keep the doors of the Chapel of the Cross open to all people ----So today why not cram everyone inside this small church----and when we are dismissed to "Go in peace to love and serve the LORD"----we will know with a certainty----that today HE has put us to work!!!! By the way----what say we leave the decision about this other NARROW DOOR, to GOD? I think that's a pretty good idea----How about you???? AMEN!!!! Eilene
Warwick The
Chapel of the Cross Proper
16, Year C
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Chapel
of the Cross · 674 Mannsdale Road · Madison, Mississippi
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