Posted in Sermons

Sermons preached by Pastor Hannah and guest speakers at West Concord Union Church.

Go, Wash in the Jordan Seven Times

Namaan, the commander of the army of the King of Aram, had a problem. Jordan_River_entering_Sea_of_Galilee_aerialHe had a skin disease that caused serious discomfort and social shame. But Namaan was a man of means, and so he looked for the very best specialist he could find. When he hear about the prophet serving the King of Israel, he thought: this might just be it.

But when Namaan arrives at the great prophet’s house with luxurious gifts and a royal letter of recommendation, he is disappointed. He doesn’t get a long consultation and a complex prescription. He doesn’t get to see the prophet at all. Instead, a messenger comes out and says: “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored.” Namaan storms away, saying, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord, and wave his hand over the spot, and cure me!”

People who are sick or grieving often get infuriated pieces of simple advice for their complex problems. Everyone has a solution: Give up dairy; take up meditation; have a positive attitude. But in our times of greatest need, this advice is the last thing we need. We need people who will listen to us. We need people who will join us in our anger, our grief, or the mindless movies and indulgent desserts that we sometimes use to escape it all.

The bible doesn’t offer much advice for those who are hurting, except for this: God is a good companion. God may not fix our problems (though Namaan was cured when he finally followed through on his prescription). But God’s been around the block a few times. She knows how to rage.  She knows how to grieve. She can walk with us in whatever we’re in, if only we can figure out how to let her.

God, when it’s me with the problem, help me to let you in. God, when it’s someone else with the problem, help me to swallow my advice and open my heart, and bring something great from the bakery. Amen.

A Double Share

Elijah Cloak over Elisha Westminster SynagogueElisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”  2 Kings 2:9

This past Sunday, we talked about all that has been happening in the news. The Voting Rights act was challenged; the Defense of Marriage act was struck down; NSA monitoring was revealed; a Senate race was held; President Obama spoke on the environment… I could go on. A lot has been happening; history is being made all around us.

When we think about how change happens in our country, we often think in terms of great leaders: Martin Luther King, Jr.; Gloria Steinem; Alice Walker; Rachel Carson; Harvey Milk; Edward Roberts. The dedication and selflessness of these leaders has changed our country forever. But great leaders can’t accomplish everything. Despite new laws and shifts in public opinion, pervasive bias still exists.  And some issues have barely begun to be addressed by our society. How will it all get done?

In the book of Kings, the great prophet Elijah is nearing death. His protege, Elisha, hopes to carry on the work that Elijah began. Elisha begs Elijah: “Please, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” But Elijah can’t promise this. Soon he is gone, taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. As it turns out, Elisha is never quite as great a prophet as Elijah. Most of us are unlikely to become great leaders, either. Still, it’s important that we find the courage to move forward with the tasks that others have begun.  Whose work could you continue?

God, we come to you in celebration and consternation, witnessing all that leaders and movements have achieved, witnessing all that still needs to be done. Empower us to further the cause of your justice. Embolden us to speak and serve. Amen.

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