The Diocese of East Tennessee
Sermons

Oct. 8, 2000
Pentecost XVII
Delivered at St. Mark's, Copperhill

Sermon: "God's Intention: Our Light"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

A particular scene, when viewed by different people, often conveys very different impressions. That is, two people looking at the same thing will sometimes see things quite differently from each other.

For instance, in Knoxville these days, a primary concern has to do with plans for redevelopment of downtown. I can assure you that business people, merchants, and motorists do not see things in similar ways. The plans may be the same, but what those groups actually see is quite different indeed.

The Bible as an object of attention certainly is not exempt from such varying impressions. In fact, Bible stories and messages offer some of the very best examples of such variety in interpretation. Indeed, in some Bible passages, it can be almost impossible to find any two people who agree on its meaning.

And one of the best examples for biblical disagreement involves the teaching on divorce. If we asked several people about our Gospel reading this morning - and how it applies to us today - we surely would discover very different reactions. For instance, a person engaged to be married probably would see very different things in this passage than someone who has been divorced. Both of them would differ in response from a person married for a long time. And, whether that long marriage has been a happy one or not probably would also make a difference.

You see the point. As with much of life, when we read the Bible, the lenses in our glasses of experience will determine a great deal of what we are able to see.

However, Jesus removes those glasses of experience from consideration in his response today. He does not deny people's experiences. But he calls on all people to return to some basic understandings. What Jesus shares with his listeners - and with us this morning - is a fundamental principle: God's intention for marriage. And that intention clearly points to life-long fidelity between a man and a woman.

Now, as usual, the Pharisees attempt to trick Jesus - or, to test him, to entrap him - with a contentious question. They do not ask about God's intention for marriage. Rather, as a trick, they ask about divorce. The Pharisees attempt to avoid the basic principle and to deal instead with circumstances outside that principle. Perhaps there they can cause Jesus to stumble over thoughts or words.

And it is interesting how much like the Pharisees are twentieth century Christians. Often we ignore the basic principle and get bogged down on other issues. For example, we have spent a great deal of time in the past debating such matters as divorce and remarriage in the Church. And these days, we argue about same-sex unions and about whether to bless such unions or not.

These particular concerns may be quite important - both to the people directly involved and to the Church which seeks to speak to them. However, we do well to examine Jesus' technique in dealing with the Pharisees and his response in the midst of a troublesome session of questions.

Jesus brushes aside the attempt to entrap him. And he goes immediately to the principle at stake. He refuses to become embroiled in a debate that will result in division. Instead, Jesus directs attention to that fundamental principle which matters a great deal. Both a man and a woman leave their former families, and together they become a new family. That family lasts, in the clear words of the Prayer Book vows, "for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death."

Any consideration of divorce or of other relationships should be dealt with in the context of God's intention for marriage. And that intention becomes quite clear in the Gospel. By his example, Jesus clearly says that we should never overlook that intention of God in dealing with relationships, for that is the basis for all further discussion.

Now, it is important to acknowledge that we live in a fallen world. Much about our experience of creation falls far short of God's intention. Thus, we are saved not by what we do - by the merits of our own actions - but rather, we are saved by God's grace. Ultimately - for all of us - we must count on mercy and grace rather than on justice as the foundation of our hope.

Our Collect today, which is a favorite of mine, puts it so very well: "Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior…"

Thus, in our fallen world and in our fallen lives, we count on God's mercy. We may hope for salvation only through the merciful grace of God.

However, as we live in this fallen world and as we try to be faithful in following Christ, we must not overlook the basic principle of creation. God's intentions have not changed. They exist for our own good. And they light our way in this sometimes-dark world we travel.

In response to God's intentions, therefore, may we not close our eyes in denial. Nor may we attempt to modify God's intentions to suit our own preferences and prejudices. Rather, may we open wide our eyes to God's' light, for only in His light may we truly find our way. Amen.

Copyright © 2000 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee