Sermon: "A Defining Reality"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

[This sermon by Bishop vonRosenberg was delivered using the following notes.]

Events, circumstances, and decisions help define who we are and how we live our lives. Put another way, each one of us is made up of more than only our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional characteristics. Our particular circumstances in life – and how we respond to those circumstances – also comprise important aspects of our identity. The realities of our life circumstances, then, give to our lives a certain definition that, in turn, provides particular and unique identity and meaning. Further, this is true for us as individuals, as churches, and as a nation. In fact, only a very few events have such profound effects on us that we might accurately call them “defining realities” for our lives…and for that of our church and of our nation.

For instance, some of us view what is happening in Iraq today as consistent with our previous understanding of who the United States is in the world. Others of us perceive the war to be entirely different from who and what we have seen ourselves to be relative to other countries. In any event, though, my point this morning is that our actions in Iraq are defining the identity of the United States in the eyes of the world. From this moment in history forward, who our country is to the world will be identified in a significant way by the past several weeks. Thus, I say that this war is a defining reality for us as a member of the world-wide community of nations.

In our Gospel reading today, Jesus encounters circumstances and decisions that serve to define his identity for all time. In fact, the reading offers us a special insight into our Lord’s life – insight into a personal dilemma that he faced and how he responded to it. Jesus admits, “Now my soul is troubled.” What to do; where to go; what to say; what – even – to pray? “Father, save me from this hour.” Is that prayer right at this point? Surely, Jesus would much rather choose some other path to travel, some other road than that which leads to the cross.

But, then, Jesus continues the debate within himself – a debate that becomes ours to observe. He questions what has happened previously in his life, as well as what the future may hold. The defining reality for Jesus, he decides, and for his life lies up ahead. He must, therefore, press on. The claiming of that significant decision – with all its ramifications – defines who Jesus is for us. Jesus says “Yes” to the defining reality at his hour of decision. Therefore, as a result, Jesus could draw this conclusion: “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say – ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour” (Jn 12: 27).

I remember a challenging time in a parish I served some years ago. We had grown to the point of needing to build a new parish hall. However, some among us were convinced that as we undertook this worthwhile and much-needed project for ourselves, we also needed to find a means to share blessings with others as well. And so we looked, we listened, we talked, and we prayed, in search of an appropriate direction for outreach ministry.

Hungry people in that community emerged as the answer to our thoughts and prayers. Hunger was a significant – but usually-overlooked or ignored – problem in that town. Therefore, in answer to a call and in response to our prayerful search, we began the long process of developing a community soup kitchen.

I must tell you, honestly, that in that process there were times that I wondered, “Why bother?” Why try to convince people of something they do not want to believe? Why try to show people things they do not want to see? It would be much easier to accept another self identity, another defining reality.

However, that soup kitchen had become the goal identified by prayer – the definition of who we were called to be in that community – and it had become so for many people in our congregation and beyond. Thus, we pressed on, with a significant commitment and a commanding sense of purpose. And, before too long, a soup kitchen was there, serving hungry people … and a beautiful new parish hall also rose in welcome.

Some months later, I encountered a street person downtown one day. During the course of our conversation, he looked at my clerical collar and asked what church was mine. I pointed across the town square to the church I served. And his response was one that I will not forget – “Oh,” he said, “that’s the church that feeds people!” And so it had become. That identity had become a significant part of the defining reality for that particular church … the place where people are fed.

Sometimes we are claimed by a reality larger than we are. We know with crystal clarity that “It is for this reason that I have come to this hour.” We are swept up in a tide far beyond the depths we had dared previously to venture. And that tide become our defining reality.
At our best, we Christians allow the tide – which is Christ’s call to us – to define the primary reality of our lives. At our best, we ride that tide, trusting in the One who leads us and encourages us on the way – Jesus the Christ. At our best, we lose ourselves, believing that in Christ we discover more of who we are meant to be than anywhere else. At our best, we accept with joy the tide that lifts us ever higher; we follow the way that leads to God, the source of all goodness; and we affirm in our lives our defining reality to be the example of Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of life. Amen.

Copyright © 2003 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee