Sermon: "Beyond the Woes"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

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

The list of woes in today's Gospel might remind us of these words from Hamlet: "One woe doth tread upon another's heal, so fast they follow." Listen again to part of the reading from St. Luke: "Woe to you who are rich…Woe to you who are full…Woe to you who are laughing…Woe to you when all speak well of you." Indeed, "One woe doth tread upon another's heal, so fast they follow."

I read that Gospel passage soon after receiving the list of resolutions to be presented at our diocesan convention that was held a week ago. Convention is the time that we gather as a diocesan family to do the work of the diocese. This year, we convened for two days in Johnson City. At convention, typically, we hear reports. We vote on various matters. We learn about diocesan programs. We celebrate. We enjoy a kind of reunion. And, in two days time, we try to straighten out the world - or, at least the church - or, at least the people in the church who differ from us!

And so, the woes do seem to appear in convention resolutions. "Woe to you, you group over there, for your understanding of appropriate Christian behavior." And, "Woe to you for your neglect of the true faith." And, "Woe to you because you are different from me."

By the way, when we say "Woe to you", we mean, "Look out! Grief and trouble and distress are coming your way - and with good reason. You deserve it! Woe to you!"

In anticipation of our diocesan convention, therefore, and as I read today's Gospel, all the woe-calling seemed familiar. It almost sounded like a church meeting!

As the time for convention drew nearer, I thought more about the passage from Luke as it might relate to convention. Then, at convention, I continued to consider these messages of woe as they related to the gathering of representatives from diocesan churches. I must admit that the meaning on the surface - the division of people into those who are blessed and those who are cursed - this message seemed more and more unsettling and unsatisfactory to me.

Surely, I thought, there is something which offers a deeper perspective - one that is helpful and more profound. Surely there is more here than a woe-filled, woeful message of division and of despair. And eventually, I believe that I found that deeper meaning.

This list of woes seems to direct itself more toward circumstances in life than to chosen behaviors. That is, being rich or full or popular or happy - these are not traits that Jesus reproaches elsewhere. Why would Jesus condemn people for situations over which they have little control? Perhaps we miss the point if we stay at this surface level of meaning. This list of woes may be less an assurance of reproach than a call to responsibility. Perhaps we should read these woes not so much as threats but more as opportunities … not as condemnation but, rather, as challenge.

People who are blessed now do indeed have greater responsibilities. That message Jesus preaches elsewhere. Not to fulfill those responsibilities risks disapproval, certainly. But to have the blessings in the first place is not cause for condemnation. Thus, again not an assurance of reproach do we have here, but rather a call to responsibility … not a condemnation, but a challenge.

St Paul writes eloquently and insightfully when he describes the church as a body, the Body of Christ. Each different part of the Body has particular blessings and, therefore, unique responsibilities. St. Paul puts it this way, in a reading we heard several weeks ago: "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, through many, are one body, so it is with Christ … If the foot would say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body (I Cor 12:12,15-16).

Thus, St. Paul makes the point clearly that differences within the Body of Christ - the Church - do not indicate that those different parts have lesser or greater significance. Rather, differences mean that the Body is able to do more things, different things. Or, as St. Paul continues, "If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? …If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need or you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you'"(vss.17-21).

Therefore, differences in the Body should not result in reproach or condemnation but, rather, in recognition of opportunity and challenge. The Church as the Body of Christ - at its best - is as diverse as a human body. All the parts are important. For the Body to function well, all the parts need to cooperate.

It is safe to say that the characteristic of unity is not our strong suit in the Episcopal Church these days. Since the national General Convention, we have seemed more and more inclined to point at one another and to exclaim, "Woe to you."

However, it seems to me - from the experience of diocesan convention - that better days lie ahead for us. We seem not so eager to break from the Body of Christ and to proclaim, "I have no need of you." We seem more willing to encounter one another and to engage our differences.

I do not deny that our times may be troubling for Episcopalians in many ways - and the future may seem uncertain. However, if East Tennessee is any indication for the rest of the church, there surely exist positive signs of hope for the future - and I do not mean only because next year's diocesan convention will be in Sevierville! As we concentrate more on mission and less on maintenance, we will rediscover the life blood of our faith. As we look more at the world outside and less at our problems within, we will find ourselves attuned to the Spirit of God, which has directed and empowered the Church ever since the time of our Lord on earth.

Therefore, in our time - as we deal with our particular challenges, crises, and woes - may we remember that the Body is greater than its individual parts and that our time is only a moment in God's eternity. With appropriate humility, may we continue to do the work we are called to do, trusting in God whose purpose and will and vision and knowledge far exceed anything that we can hope for or imagine! Amen.

Copyright © 2004 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee