The Rev. Virginia W. Nagel
Ephphatha Parish of the Deaf
Episcopal Diocese of Central NY
We all know how easy it is to forget...especially, how easy it is to forget the things we don't want to remember. The youngster who wants a couple of cookies easily forgets the punishment he received last time he swiped cookies. The adult who puts off paying the mortgage or knowingly writes a check that bounces forgets the penalty charge that had to be paid last time. The dieter who decides to ignore that diet "just for my vacation" forgets the scolding that will come from the doctor, and the extra hours that will be needed at the gym to get back on track. It is so easy to forget what we'd rather not remember!
God, and his church, know very well the temptations that face us humans, and so today's readings are reminders to remember the things we should remember for our own good.
The reading from Jeremiah reminds us that God is everywhere. Not just in church. Not just in heaven. Everywhere. In the kitchen, in the bathroom, in jail, in submarines and on beaches and at work. Everywhere. And, what's more, God knows what we do, feel, think. He knows when we ignore his laws. He knows when we give self-serving advice to someone and tell them that "that's what the Bible says." He knows when we are tempted to do wrong, and whether or not we give in to that temptation. So, Jeremiah is told by God to tell the people that God is everywhere, and knows everything that happens to each person, even our inner thoughts and feelings. And Jeremiah also is told by God to remind everyone that we must be listening for God's voice, and must pass on accurately and honestly whatever God tells us to share with others, and must also be honest and say "It seems to me...." when we are discussing our own ideas.
The author of the Letter to the Hebrew Christians wants us to remember that we are not only in the presence of God at all times; we are also in the presence of uncounted numbers of witnesses. The people with whom we share this world witness what we do, and know if it is right or wrong. But even more than that, the people who have struggled with temptation and overcome it...or struggled with temptation, fell into wrongdoing, and repented...during their own lives on earth, are witnesses too. And so, when we are tempted to tell a lie, we may remember Grandma telling us it is wrong not to speak the truth; when we are tempted to steal something, we may remember what happened when we got a quarter form Mom's pocketbook to get a Good Humor bar. Our parents, grandparents, favorite teachers and coaches, good friends, who are no longer in this life, still care about us and help us to stay on the straight and narrow path. And, of course, the folks who see us every day at work, at home, and in the store or on the street, are aware of what we do and don't do. Sin cannot possibly be secret! There are always witnesses, seen and unseen, and the unseen ones are likely to remind us, in the darkness of the night or in our quiet moments, that we really knew it was wrong to do that thing! They have struggled and won, or struggled, lost and repented, and been forgiven. They are cheering us on as we struggle through the temptations and difficulties of our life on earth, hoping we will find the strength to join them, when our own time comes.
Jesus reminds us that living God's way is not very popular with some people. Friends and even beloved relatives may tell us, "Oh, forget the rules just this once...enjoy yourself this time!" We may lose friends when we refuse to get involved in some kind of wrong activity. We may even lose close family relationships because we refuse to break God's law. But: right is right and wrong is wrong, and we must be aware of the fact. We must continue to do our best to obey God, not people...because if we put people higher on our list of priorities than we put God, we are making idols or false gods of them, and refusing to obey the one true God. Amen.
