Be a Hero - Homily 3rd Sunday OTB

 (Readings)

A week ago, a friend of mine who is an elder at Lutheran Church outside of Kansas City, sent me his Church Security Plan for review and comment. It’s about keeping their church safe.

Yesterday, someone parked their motor home on St. Lawrence’s parking lot. Instead of being welcoming and loving, parishioners challenged them and made them unwelcomed. The parishioners were only trying to keep our church safe.

In our community and country we experience tension and anger towards each other, even in people who call themselves Christians.

The evil one will attack where he finds our weaknesses.

That’s scary. We must be brave.

Friends, remember this, God made us to be heroes.

When I was young, we lived in the country. Cattle roamed free and would gather outside the house at night. They made weird scary cow noises. Darkness made it extra scary.

I’d try pulling the covers over my head; but, I always ended up in my parent’s room. My mom would say, “Don't be afraid, be brave, and say your prayers. Jesus is always with you."

She would add, the cows are scared, too.

Our scripture readings are scary - if you don’t understand them. They describe times of distress and darkness seen even today in the reality of diseases, hunger, poverty, violence, and oppression.

It’s scary; but, these have always existed. Jesus said, “Not a generation will pass before these things come about.”

Not a generation has passed without them. They have happened and will happen. It is what scripture promises.

But, these scriptures, also promise life.

They call us to life and justice. They promise eternal life. They point to hope.

These scriptures tell us Christ is coming again.  

They tell of trials to come; scary things if we forget that Jesus is always with us.

We live our life in a time of tribulation experiencing suffering and crisis. The sun (our outlook) is darkened, and everything can be in disarray.

It would be simple if God solve these problems; but, that is not the way He created the world. That’s not why He gave us life and a mission to care for creation and each other.

We were made heroes in Christ, for by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.  

And the wise shall shine brightly and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.

We are to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, cloth the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned. We are to love our neighbor.

These are the precepts of our church our faith built by the blood of martyrs, heroes.

We can be heroes in Christ. We may not have superpowers like in the movies, but God in his wisdom has given us all the super powers we need.

God gave us intelligence to ask questions and find answers. He gave us courage to defend what is right. God gave us voices to champion justice and a nature for hope.

He gives us freedom of yes or no and good or evil; freedom to be heroes or not. 

The idea of being a hero is scary. It’s scary to see suffering, to talk to those who don’t believe, and to love those who hate us.

So, take a lesson from the fig tree, sprout leaves and be fruitful.  The hero’s path is the fullness of joy in the Lord’s presence.

Be vigilant to have the strength to stand before him. Live a life that brings hope and leads to justice. Fight this battle until Christ comes again.

"But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Christ may come in the next instant. For some it will be a day of terror. The cows are scared, too.

For heroes of Christ made perfect by his sacrifice, it will be a day of rejoicing.

God made us to be heroes; the church calls these heroes saints.

Don't be afraid, be brave, and say your prayers. Jesus is always with you.

Knowing that Jesus is always with you makes a hero. Amen.