Rev.
Michael Phillips’ Sermon - Ash Wednesday, 2003
"If
we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
We
will hear this line from the PeniteI1tial Order during services m the season of
Lent. The sentence places three important elements in relation to each other:
1) the things we say, 2) sil1, or our actions, and 3) truth. Our Lenten
exercises tram us to put these three m proper order, creating balance, and resolving
any conflict they may have with each other. For, if they fall into conflict, no
good cause is served. Let me explain.
The
Epistle of James illustrates the power of speech. It says that a horse's bridle
is a small piece of metal but can lead the entire horse wherever the rider
wants it to go. In the same way, a ship's
rudder is a small piece of wood, but controls the direction of the entire ship.
So it is with the tongue that is a small part of the body but carries with it
enormous power. Our tongues utter the words we speak. It declares the things we
think, feel and believe. It is the instrument of "logos," and serves
as a window into our inner selves. The same mouth that blesses also curses. It
can either build community, or lead to war.
If
we say that we have no sin, on some level we believe that we can do no wrong. Consequently,
if things turn out poorly, we are not held responsible – at least from our perspective.
You see, once we proclaim to the world that we have no sin, we are immediately
above suspicion, and live accusation-free lives.
The
season of Lent is designed for self-examination. The goal is not to make us
feel miserable, but to help us see the truth. How clearly can we see the truth
about ourselves? How clearly can we see the painful truth about ourselves? How
tempting is it to claim that we have no sin? Who knows, maybe everyone will
fall for our charade. But all it takes is one person who won't play along; who
remains unconvinced, to leave us in jeopardy.
It's
a little like the story of the sorcerer's apprentice. The master wizard goes out
to run a few errands, leaving behind his hat, cloak, and wand - the sources of his
magical powers. The apprentice stays behind with instructions to fill his tub
with water. After lugging several buckets full of water to the tub, an idea
strikes him. He can get others to do the work for him. Donning hat and cloak,
and waving the wand at a broom - the
shaft and bristles come alive and begin hauling the water, bucket by bucket to
the tub.
The
apprentice sits back, basking in his intelligence and his power. When the tub
is filled, another wave of the wand and an order to stop is issued with
confidence. But the broom continues bringing buckets of water. He tries again.
The broom continues. The tub is now overflowing, creating a mess. So, the
apprentice takes an ax and destroys the broom, chopping it into small splinters
of wood. This should be the end of it, until the magic infuses each tiny
splinter to grow into a new broom, each one now on task to bring more water. With
the house in flood stage, truth returns. The sorcerer walks in and roars a
command to stop...and everything returns to the order it was when he left. The
apprentice had deceived himself into not thinking he was a sorcerer. He had
just enough power to set forces in motion, but not enough power to stop them
when needed.
If
we deceive ourselves, if we claim to be sorcerers or gods, if we declare
ourselves sinless -
no matter,
we will continue to behave m the only manner available to us - as human beings.
We will behave at times gracefully, and at other times abominably. If the truth
is in us, we can celebrate the times of grace, and we can work to repair the abominations.
But if we are living m deceit, apart from the truth, n2thing can be done. There
is no "wiggle" room. There is no hope, no possibility of repairing damages,
and returning to balance and order.
Spirituality
is ultimately about power; the unseen forces that
influence and direct so much of what occurs in our lives. To participate in sin
places us in a powerless position. However, when accompanied with truth, its
power is restored.
As the opening verse continues: "But if we
confess our sins - truthfully - God who is merciful and just will forgive us,
bringing us back into a place of balance and order. For the next six weeks
we can exercise and learn the power of powerlessness. May we live fully into a
blessed and holy Lent.
Amen.