RECENT SERMONS

Jesus’ Learning & Ours
HOMILY PREACHED ON BLESSING OF CENTER & HALL
SEPTEMBER 10, 2006

[Mark 7:24-37] Today’s gospel contains relevant thoughts for a significant day for our parish and school.  Jesus entered a house, hospitality as significant in those days as it is in ours, and we
finally have a parish/school “living room” where we can gather - with restrooms right next door.

Mark’s gospel also gives a significant-for-today glimpse into Jesus’ life – catching him at a moment when he learned something, caught up short by an encounter with a Syrophoenicean mother who asked Jesus to heal her mentally ill daughter.  His response revealed a bias against
gentiles, surprising to our modern sensibilities.   “Let the [Hebrew] children be fed first,” he said, “for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”   What?  No mother is going to stand for that, no matter who says it!  “Sir,” she responded, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”  In that moment Jesus saw beyond labels to the human person, and I think it impacted his attitude throughout his ministry.  You see, most of the time the gospel writers portray Jesus with all the answers-in-the-back-of-the-book, so it’s good to see him on a learning track, too!  I’m glad we have a day school, reminding us that we’re never too old or too holy to learn – all our lives!  

Jesus’ experience with the deaf man reminded me of an event back east when a deaf priest and his family spent Saturday night with us, to be Sunday’s preacher.  (A bomb blast in London had caused his deafness at age 12, so he could speak well.)   He was a lot of fun, and when the lights went out during a violent thunderstorm, he let our a huge laugh and yelled: “But how can the deaf hear with the lights out?”  I’ll never forget his insight into Mark’s story. 

“Notice,” he said, “how sensitive Jesus was.  Deaf people tend to be embarrassed by wagging their hands to communicate, aware that their voices are probably making weird sounds.  Jesus took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and spat on the ground, mixed it with earth, touched his  fingers into the man’s ears and said, ‘Ephpthatha’ – ‘be opened.’  “Now,” he said, “I don’t know if that man ever heard anything, but I can assure you he was open to life in a way never possible before.”  

Not only will our doors be opened today, but for students, parents, and parishioners of every age at Saint Andrew’s Church & School it is an invitation for our hearts and minds to be opened to truth, meaning, and relationships wherever they can be found in every sphere of life, including science, and other cultures and religions.  Remembering tomorrow’s 5th anniversary of 9/11, I hope that we Episcopalians with Christians of all denominations, and representatives of other religions, not be mirrors of intolerance which motivated that horrendous deed.My hope is that we can follow Jesus’ example of learning to respect other traditions – as he came to terms with the value of that Syrophoenicean family, and didn’t even bother to ask the  denomination or culture of the deaf man.  Because the only thing that was important was he needed to hear. 

This long-awaited day celebrates the completion of another phase of our master plan.  It stems from a process which began when strategic plans evolved from the parish community and school community, both stating individually that we were in drastic need of larger, up-to-date
facilities, recognizing that buildings built in the 60’s, which had served us so well, were now tired and worn – and limiting.  This spring the school completed an inspiring, mind-stretching new strategic plan, chaired by parishioner, Ed Clendaniel, the new president of the School Board. 
The parish has an excellent Strategic Plan Committee, chaired by Steve Kottmeier, which is well into its work of visioning and planning for the next 5-7 years.  Their process invites your full participation in the assessment and visioning phases of this plan.  These new facilities represent a new and brighter future for all of us here as we live thoughtfully and strategically, prayerfully and joyfully into this new century, working together to witness to an intelligent, relevant and
caring faith in the midst of Silicon Valley, where many are searching for a unity of religion and reality, many having given up ever finding it.  Together Saint Andrew’s Church & School is a beacon, and we celebrate our unity of spirit and purpose with a compatible diversity of function.

Working hand and hand with me through these challenging times has been our Head of School, Harry McKay, his words at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting so inspiring that I asked him to share them with us this morning.  (Harry delivered a beautiful description of our work together and all the people involved, ending with strong, appreciative applause from the congregation.)

Ernest W. Cockrell           
                       

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