“Digging Deep in a Shouting World”

Readings 091325 

There is so much stirring in the world today.
So much noise.
So much unrest.
So much boldness in what once hid in shadow.

Evil no longer whispers.
It shouts.
It parades.
It dares us to look away.

And in this climate—this loud, restless, aching world—
bringing the Good News of Christ
becomes more urgent,
more delicate,
more deeply spiritual.

In the diaconate program, we were taught to listen:
A preacher must know the world.
Not just the Word—
but the world.

The social forces.
The political tensions.
The economic pressures.

And we were warned:
Don’t waste breath on empty remarks.
Don’t hurl vague condemnations.
That’s not preaching.
That’s shouting into the wind.

Still, we cannot pretend not to see.
When someone stands for Christian values,
the world throws labels—
racist, fascist, misogynist, homophobe.

And yes,
some who claim Christ have earned rebuke.
But these are not the marks of a true disciple.
A true Christian does not weaponize the Gospel.
They embody it.

Here’s the truth:
We are all guilty.
Every one of us.

Pride.
Greed.
Envy.
Anger.
Sloth.
Gluttony.
Lust.

The difference is not in the sin—
it’s in the response.

The Christian confesses.
The world defends.
The Christian repents.
The world rationalizes.
The Christian kneels.
The world clenches its fists.

Jesus said:
“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit.”
Every tree is known by its fruit.
Every heart is known by its words.

So when we speak,
when we preach,
when we post,
when we sing,
when we serve—

What fruit are we bearing?

Are we building on rock?
Or on sand?

Jesus warns:
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
but not do what I command?”

The one who listens and acts
is like a builder who dug deep,
laid a foundation on rock.
When the flood came,
the house stood firm.

But the one who listens and does not act?
That house collapsed.
Completely destroyed.

So in this noisy world,
let us dig deep.
Let us build on rock.
Let us bear fruit that lasts.

Not by shouting louder than the world—
but by living quieter,
deeper,
truer.

Let our lives be the sermon.
Let our mercy be the message.
Let our repentance be the rhythm.

And may the fruit we bear
speak of the One who saved us—
sinners, all of us—
by grace.

To the King of ages,
incorruptible,
invisible,
the only God—
honor and glory
forever and ever.
Amen.

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Prayer:

Lord Jesus,
In a world that shouts,
teach us to listen.
In a world that accuses,
teach us to confess.
In a world that trembles,
teach us to stand firm.

Root us in mercy.
Build us on rock.
Let our lives bear fruit
worthy of Your name.

Amen.