Sermon: "The Word of the Lord Was Rare"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

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

"Everybody's talking at me!" Some of you might remember - as I do - that song from the '60s. 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. In spite of all the improvements in technology, there really has not been much improvement in true communication. Thus, even now, "everybody's talking at me."

Indeed, we may often feel like a person walking along a sidewalk in New York or some other busy, bustling 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 voices of politics are prominent these days. The war in Iraq, confirmation hearings for a member of the Supreme Court, and economic forecasts - among other matters - find their way into everyday conversations. Talk radio has brought these issues into our homes and automobiles like never before. And, in spite of the bombardment of words - and talk, talk, talk - I really am doubtful that we have any more useful information than previously.

Also, we need to admit that the church is not immune from the tendency toward more talk with less communication. Indeed, as time for the triennial General Convention approaches, we may be certain that voices about concerns and controversies in the church will surely increase in volume. Actually, of course, that volume has remained fairly constant since the last General Convention. As June approaches, though, we may expect the intensity and the flow of verbiage to increase significantly. Be prepared, my friends.

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 differ 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." When God's authentic word was spoken, therefore, the people were not prepared to hear it … and Eli in particular was not prepared, for "the word of the Lord was rare in those days."

Now, switch times and settings with me. 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 pick out God's voice from among all the others? How can we distinguish 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. I want to suggest three characteristics in particular this morning … characteristics by which we may identify God's word.

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. Love, then, is the first indication that a word comes from the Lord.

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 - in politics, in international relations, in the life of the Church. 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. That is the second mark of a word from the Lord.

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. And thus, that is the third mark of God's word.

Therefore, 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 - that voice in particular - among the many which call to us. Amen.

Copyright © 2006 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee