Sermon: "The Word within the Voices"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

“Everybody’s talking at me!” Some of you might remember - as I do - that song from the ‘60’s. And, whether you remember the song or not, perhaps we all can relate to the idea that many voices speak to us - or at us - in everyday life.

Indeed, we may often feel like a person walking along a busy sidewalk in New York City. We hear the voices of people as they converse or shout their perspectives and opinions about life and living. Words and phrases and thoughts invade our awareness with some degree of meaning and relevance … or of meaninglessness and irrelevance. In any event, though, we hear many voices indeed on the sidewalk in New York … the sidewalk of our life.

For instance, the voice of war is prominent these days. Troop build-up, ship deployment, and allied support have become topics of everyday conversation. Overlaid across the concerns of national security and the war on terrorism is the reality that the United States needs to stabilize a reliable supply of oil to satisfy American dependency. And this week I read in the newspaper a concern expressed which many have suspected - that the arms inspectors in Iraq actually might not find adequate justification for an American invasion - at least not soon enough. Indeed, the voice of war rings loud and clear in our day.

Also, as time for the triennial General Convention approaches, voices about concerns and controversies in the Church have increased in volume. For instance, one group has organized impressively in support of blessing same-sex unions. But, also wanting to be heard, another viewpoint presented its voice last week. That is, a self appointed group of four prominent church people has proclaimed that making a decision on this subject would exceed General Convention’s authority. At the same time, Episcopalians in this country and Anglicans abroad continue to express a variety of points of view, in anticipation of this summer’s meeting in Minneapolis. And, the volume of the voices continues to increase.

Meanwhile, we stroll along the sidewalk of our lives, hearing voices of concern and opinion from every direction. Indeed, while the voices have a variety of sources and while the subjects themselves vary a great deal, the voices are our constant companions as we continue our sidewalk journey. “Everybody’s talking at me.”

Within this context, an observation from today’s first reading haunts me. Listen to the words, and hear their note of warning. “The word of the Lord was rare in those days”(I Sam 3:1b). Prior to the episode described in this reading - the call of Samuel - it had been some time since the last spokesperson for God had been on the scene. The people felt the absence of Godly leadership. No prophet had been raised up for many years. And thus, “the word of the Lord was rare in those days.”

How about our days? Is the word of the Lord rare in our time, too? With so many voices speaking - with everybody talking at me - how can we distinguish God’s voice among so many? How can we tell the word of the Lord?

If we consider the biblical witness as a whole, it seems to me that we may identify several characteristics of the word of the Lord. Perhaps with an awareness of such characteristics, we may be able to perceive which voices speak the word of the Lord and which ones do not.

First, a word of the Lord is spoken in love, and it calls for a response of love as well. The context of the relationship between God and His people is love. From the time of creation, through the life of Jesus Christ, even including our own day, God acts in love; and God’s word is love. God’s word, therefore, is spoken in love, with the expectation that love will inhabit the response to that word.

Secondly, a word of the Lord moves all of creation toward reconciliation. God intends that creation be one. However, we are divided in all kinds of ways, as evidenced by the many voices of our world. A word of the Lord will move us back toward God’s goal of unity. Thus, the Lord’s word encourages unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Thirdly, a word of the Lord directs attention away from the speaker. That is to say, one who focuses attention on himself or herself cannot speak a word of the Lord. A person cannot be self-centered and God-centered at the same time. To speak a word of the Lord requires God-centeredness … true humility.

Thus, I suggest to you today that there are tests for those who claim to speak the Lord’s word. Is the word spoken in love, and does it call forth love from the listener? Does the word intend reconciliation and facilitate that reconciliation by the expression of it? Is the word spoken in a spirit of true humility … of God-centeredness?

Love, reconciliation, humility - those are marks of the word of the Lord. In our journey along life’s noisy sidewalk, may we listen carefully for the word of the Lord. And then, may we follow that voice among the many that call to us. Amen.

Copyright © 2003 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee