Sermon: "What Does the Lord Require?"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

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

It seems that Christian behavior often can be identified by what it is not. In this regard, listen again to St. Paul's words to the Corinthians. "Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God" (1:26-29). Indeed, Christian behavior often can be identified by what it is not.

I attended a meeting of Episcopal bishops not long ago. We struggled with each other and with current sources of division in our church. And after several days, the people around the table admitted that we cannot see a way out of some of our current difficulties and stalemates. That was quite a sad and frustrating moment, I will tell you.

However, ironically, that admission manifested a moment of hope. I shared with the group that my own experience tells me that I come to know God primarily in places and circumstances beyond my control. In such situations, I am left with no other option than depending on God. And, not surprisingly, God indeed is there.

My favorite personal story in this regard is one that I have told in the past. It involves my son John. At age two and a half, John was found to have a kidney problem that required surgery. Our family lived in a rather remote area of North Carolina at that time, separated from good medical facilities, and so, we decided to travel to Duke Hospital for the surgery.

On the night prior to our trip to Durham, I spent hours pacing in John's room. I was afraid, upset, and angry - angry at the circumstances, angry at God, and, in truth, angry at myself. After all, I was the father, and I was supposed to be able to protect my son from this kind of experience. And so, I paced and paced and paced.

At some point - about 2:00 in the morning - an amazing thing happened. I suddenly became aware of something new, as though it had been spoken to me. And the message was this. The child in that bed is God's child. As his dad, I have a temporary responsibility, on God's behalf. But the child is God's. Therefore, whatever happens at Duke - even the worse that can happen - will not change the most important thing that can be said about John. He is - and always will be - God's child.

At 2:00 that night a tremendous burden was lifted off my shoulders. I knew that I still had a responsibility for my son - but not the ultimate responsibility. Further, I knew that neither the absolute best nor the absolute worst for John was in my hands. Rather, that was - and is - in God's hands.

At the outset of this sermon, I said that Christian behavior may be identified by what it is not. For instance, living a Christian life means, in part, admitting that we are not always in control of things. Indeed, such an admission opens the possibility that we may recognize that God is the One in charge. It is important to recognize and to admit our own limits because just beyond our control of things, there we may find God.

The Beattitudes of our Gospel lesson provide examples of those who most certainly are not the movers and shakers of the world and who are not in control of things. Indeed, quite the contrary. Jesus claims that those who are blessed include "the poor in spirit," "those who mourn," "the meek," "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" and "those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake." Thus, Jesus presents the antithesis of the pursuit of power as a goal in life … a goal, that is, that will bring blessings.

In part, those identified by Jesus as "blessed" find themselves in that category because they know that they depend on God. Put another way, when we come to terms with our limits, then we know that we need a Savior.

The prophet Micah speaks God's word to the people in a time of oppression and tremendous hardship. At that point, the people are in control of almost nothing at all about their own lives. And the question is posed as to what sacrifices might God expect in order to put things right for the people once again. Surely great sacrifice will be required in a time of such great need. But the word of God comes through Micah in this surprising but familiar affirmation: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (6:8).

Practicing humility and recognizing our limits - these attributes present the possibility of knowing God. I commend that way of life - that walk in this life - to you. Such a way offers blessings beyond our imaginations. Such a walk reveals glory that can only come from God. "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Amen.

Copyright © 2005 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee