Rev. Michael Phillips’ Sermon for
I don’t remember what show I was watching, it was just some
typical 30 minute sitcom set in a middle class household somewhere, but I
definitely remember the verbal encounter between a well-meaning and sincere (if
not beleaguered) father and his ultra cool, wise cracking son. The father was trying to convince his son
that it was his turn to help out with cleaning the dishes after dinner. Meanwhile
the son had pressing plans to meet up with friends at the mall. The conversation went something like this:
Son: But Dad, doing dishes is your job, you’re the Dad.
Father: No son, my job is at my office and I drive there to
do it every day. Doing dishes and
cleaning the kitchen is a chore, a household chore, and every member of the household
needs to help out with the chores.
Son: Well whatever… chores or job, it doesn’t matter because
my friends are still waiting for me at the mall.
As a father whose kitchen regularly needs cleaning I tuned
in to the conversation with more than a passing interest. The distinction is important, maybe even
crucial. Work for pay is necessary for
most of us, but household chores belong to everyone in the household.
Today’s gospel speaks of the household chores of the
Christian community, and of our attitude toward them. Chores simply need to get done, without
fanfare, without reward. The kitchen
needs to be cleaned. The lawn must be mowed. The clothes have to get laundered. Someone needs to do it, and in a few days do
it again. Should someone receive special
recognition for simply doing their chores?
The chores of the Christian household are spelled out in the
baptismal covenant: continue in the apostles; teaching and fellowship, say the
prayers, share the meal. But also it says that we are to recognize the
dignity of every human being, even the dignity of the people we don’t particularly
care for, and we are to seek to resolve and reconcile our differences and
conflicts. These are the tasks we do, we must do, and in a short time, do them again.
We cook and clean and prepare and present, so that the
household is secure and functioning, and so that we have a place or a platform
from which we can tell our household story.
That is true in our individual households, as it is true in this
household of faith. Our story is simple:
God’s love is the strongest force on earth, and it will prevail over every
threat. God’s love leads us to lives
that are gracious and fulfilling. God’s
love heals all wounds. Our story is
simple and direct, and it is exactly the story the world needs to hear told
over and over again, until God’s reign becomes real in its fullness. It all begins with the chores getting
done. If the household is in disarray or
if the meal is never served, the story cannot be told.
A great meal begins with the simple act of peeling a potato, or washing a head of lettuce. The telling of a great story begins with the simple act of stretching out one’s hands, and receiving a piece of bread. These chores of the household make possible the world as a new and holy place.
Amen.