We
had a Deacons meeting with Fr. Peter Mangum, the Diocesan Administrator. He
told us not to preach a theology we have trouble understanding or one too
sophisticated people can’t understand.
Fr.
Peter has never heard me preach. I begin with stories about work, family, and
even underwear, pretty much the opposite of sophisticated.
This
is why.
Jesus
preached of everyday life. He spoke so people were able to understand and did
not preach without parables; but, He explained everything to his disciples in
private.
He
still speaks to his disciples through the Holy Spirit. He explains everything
to us in the private of our hearts. Some explanations are deep and
sophisticated; some a little less complicated.
If
it truly comes from the Holy Spirit, truth is in each explanation.
For
people of truth (priests, deacons, and you my brothers and sisters) it is our
responsibility to bring this message to the world.
Like
when 3500 people walked for life and for truth in our home town of Monroe,
Louisiana. A community of many faiths and ethnicities walked for life and justice.
There
was no jeering, chastising, or protest; but, that is not the way everywhere.
We’ve
witness over the past weeks that those who say they are people of faith can express
flawed theology by their actions. A theology of a god that does not care about
every life, every moment, and every choice we make.
That
is not my God. That is not my Jesus. That is not theology of the one whose
truth is told in the importance of a tiny seed; and, the truth of the
importance of a tiny seed of life made in the image of God.
Friends,
God gave simple directions. Jesus told us how important we are to God. It’s not
a complicated theology. Amen.
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