The Old South Church in Boston

"T.G.I.F."

Sermon by Lael P. Murphy

May 7, 2000

Luke 24: 36 - 48*

Some people say that every day is Easter Sunday. The hope of new life, the promise of reconciliation with God and the renewal among all people is what the Christian message is about. No matter what we read or preach, no matter how we pray or sing, the truth of the resurrection lays at the heart of our time together fifty-two weeks of the year. Each and every Sunday we come together as witnesses of the empty tomb, gathering under the cross as people transformed by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. We are an Easter people, whether the placement of lilies or palms or poinsettias decorate our worship.

The lectionary text this morning makes this reality most literally clear. Taken from the final chapter of Luke, we find ourselves in the middle of the Easter day events as described by this author ? and like so many of our biblical accounts these events vary in detail from the other gospels. Following the description of the discovery of the empty tomb and the supper at Emmaus, this passage lays out the reality of the Christian story in a dramatic way. There's no humble gardener at the burial place, no pensive doubting Thomas asking for physical proof of Christ's return. Instead, Luke depicts all the disciples as scared and questioning. Laying out these three events in the course of a single day, this author works to convey the startling, life-changing discovery that Jesus Christ is the risen Messiah, the One returned to offer the world God's grace of mercy and forgiveness.

Looking at the verses that lead up to this passage, we can see how this text serves as a microcosm of what was going on in that early Christian community. Having returned to Jerusalem from Emmaus, the two disciples who had found themselves breaking bread with Christ share the story with their friends. "It was him!" Peter and Cleopas are saying. "You've got to believe us! It was Christ, alive! The Lord has risen indeed!" But like the women's account of the dramatic vision at the empty tomb this testimony is received with mistrust and disbelief. The scene is so similar to John's story of the doubting Thomas, yet this time the numbers are reversed: here it's two convinced, the rest perturbed and dumbfounded.

That's the kind of equation Luke was facing in his ministry. Battling against the odds he worked to inspire allegiance and discipline among a budding religious sect threatened by conflict and dissension. Some followers were faithful and devoted to the continuing mission of Christ while others grew restless and impatient. "You say Christ is alive, that he's coming again. Give us some proof! Show that you're not just stringing us along." That's the kind of torment that was leading to great inner turmoil at this time.

It's in the middle of just such an argument we enter our Scripture reading. As Judie read just a moment ago we see that, "While they were talking...Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'" From that moment a change occurs, one that helps to found the Church, as this third event of Easter Sunday marks the final conversion of those disciples in this story. Appearing before them, offering words of scriptural prophecy and witness, this image of Christ gives even Luke's community the assurance they were looking for. Like Thomas seeking to touch the hands and side of his Savior, these disciples were offered the chance to regain their trust in God's revelation.

Appreciating the importance of this scene we can see that it unfolds in three distinct parts. First, there's the incredible appearance of the risen Christ. Shock turns into celebration as the disciples hear and touch and feed Jesus, an act that not only gives proof of his most human form but that also brings to pass Maundy Thursday's prediction that not until he was raised would he eat with them again. Then there's the recounting of earlier prophecy, as Christ states, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you," opening, then, their minds to greater understanding of his death and resurrection. And finally, there's the third movement, a call to action and testimony. There in the closing verse and a half we read: "...repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in [Christ's] name to all nations...You are witnesses of these things."

Christ appears. Christ is recognized as God's instrument of redemption and mercy. And then: Christ's message is taken and offered to the world. Appearance, recognition, renewal. It's the cycle of faith that encompasses all of who we are and what we do as Christians.

Finding ourselves on the third Sunday of Easter this morning, it's most appropriate that we reflect upon the foundational elements of our faith tradition. In this time of the liturgical year, between the penitential season of Lent and the fiery inspiration offered at Pentecost, Easter provides a season of spiritual appreciation and celebration. Like the beauty of the blossoms that fill our city streets, the warm breezes that offer such pleasant refreshment, this time is one of religious re-birth and awakening. We are invited, as were those first disciples, into the reality of Christ's resurrected presence.

Yet, also like those members of that early Lukan community, we face the challenges of being surrounded by doubt, conflict and turmoil, not just in our own lives of faith and community here, but also in the world at large. While we may be looking at the text at hand today with over twenty centuries of church history behind us, we realize that like Simon and Cleopas, like Thomas and the others, we, too, must take a stance when it comes to our bid for God's presence and purpose. And so we may ask ourselves, How can we enter the cycle of faith and renewal as outlined by these words? In an age filled with so much doubt and despair do we dare to open ourselves to the appearance of Christ, recognize the reality of God's presence within him, and then move into faithful action? Where do we start?

"Begin a mission of repentance and forgiveness." That's the call to action in this lectionary text, one that points to the heart of our Christian faith. As someone wrote years ago, forgiveness is, "[Humankind's] deepest need and highest achievement." Yet here we are, living in a world where the adage "an eye of an eye" translates into more court cases tried, more prisons built, more hate crimes and random shootings reported on every week it seems. We're a culture that demands an even score, often scoffing at the mere notion of redemption or renewal. "Just do it," Nike tells us. "Obey your thirst," say the makers of Sprite. The message behind these slick campaigns is clear: "We don't need any kind religious baloney to clutter our ".com" world. We can make up our own minds. Just leave us alone." And so the words "forgiveness" and "repentance" seem to fade into the distant past.

Here in the shadow of the cross and in the light of the resurrection we can see this doesn't have to be the case. There at the base of Calvary and in the hollow of the empty tomb we're reminded of the power of God's grace that breaks through even the most catchy advertising slogans and seductive products, revealing, then, the ultimate nature of our broken lives and the offer of Christ's healing mercy. Describing the hope of our Easter faith, Phillip Yancey, from the magazine Christianity Today, talks about this paradox. In one of his most recent books, What's So Amazing About Grace? he writes, "The world runs by ungrace. Everything depends on what I do...[but] Jesus' kingdom calls us to another way, one that depends not on our performance but on his own. We do not have to achieve but merely follow. He has already earned for us the costly victory of God's acceptance."

Repentance. Forgiveness. Looking at the history of these words we can appreciate their value for our time and personal lives. Repentance, after all, comes from the Greek word metanoia, the same used for conversion, for turning. Repentance is the way we're called to turn from the world's standards to face God's way of compassion and mercy ? a realignment that affects the core of our selves as well as all of our relations with others. The word "forgiveness," similarly, reminds us of the manner in which we need to let go of our more self-centered nature and concerns. In the New Testament the most common Greek word for forgiveness literally means to release, to hurl away, to free oneself. Being a repentant people living in the light of God's forgiveness means that we are moved to change in intention, attitude and action, letting go of our past mistakes and moving forward in the mission of Christ. Like those disciples in Jerusalem we're given the opportunity to witness God's presence among us, to recognize Christ's glory and then made bold to share his love with others in the world. "Repent" and "forgive": they are words that give power and meaning to our faith.

Recently I saw a fake license plate that celebrated this foundational aspect of our tradition. On it were four bold letters, the typical five or six inches tall, reading, "T.G.I.F.", the smaller print caption stating below, "Thank God I'm Forgiven." Playing against the usual sentiment of "Thank goodness it's Friday," this declaration captured the sense of joyous relief we can feel coming to the end of a lifetime of guilt and despair, not just to the close of another hectic work week. Accepted, forgiven, redeemed, we arrive at greater wholeness, admitting that no matter how marred we are in nature or misguided we've been in action, God loves us still, cares for us as beloved children, each unique and valued. That, after all, is the message of abiding mercy that Jesus brings: it's one of inclusive, abundant welcome. From the parable of the prodigal son to the acceptance of Mary Magdalene, to those final, fateful words uttered from cross, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23: 34), Christ teaches us about God's loving, patient forgiveness. By turning toward that holy light, by repenting, we come to know eternal mercy and salvation.

"Thank God I'm Forgiven." It's a phrase we can utter in the quiet of our prayers; it's the truth we need continue to accepting in our hearts. Confessing our sin, embracing God's grace, we come to be a new and transformed people, one that, in turn, offers forgiveness to others. As stated by C.S. Lewis, "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." Embracing that new reality we see the acronym "T.G.I.F." changes from "Thank God I'm Forgiven" to "Thank God I'm Forgiving," understanding that the practice of forgiveness is the hinge on which our conversion turns. It's a truth we mark each time we say the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

Looking again to Philip Yancey we're reminded of the ultimate nature of this type of renewal. In a chapter titled, "Why Forgive?" he states, "Forgiveness alone can halt the cycle of blame and pain, breaking the chain of ungrace." Here we see that rather than being imprisoned in an unending cycle of karma-like retribution, Christ teaches us that there's freedom in our God. As beloved children of a forgiving Creator we grow to trust that as we accept Christ's offer of salvation we are made new to extend that compassion to those around us ? friends and loved ones as well as to those who have hurt us in the past. An easy task? Of course not. But it's one, by the grace of God, we are led to fulfill. Like those early disciples gathered in Jerusalem seeking to follow the way of Christ we know that it's the process that leads to ultimate peace and reconciliation. Otherwise we're doomed to the consequences of our own self-centered making as described by George Herbert: "He who cannot forgive another breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself."

"Peace be with you." That is the opening statement Christ offers in our scripture reading, and it's the closing thought of our time of reflection today. Hailing the realm of God we rejoice that we are an Easter people, baptized by the Spirit of Christ who promises transformation and renewal. Like the little children consecrated into the Christian way this morning we gather as living testimony to God's love in this world. Christ is risen. We are converted and reborn, ever thankful for the forgiveness we receive. This is the truth, the ultimate reality to which Christ says: You are witnesses of all these things.

Let us pray.

Merciful God, through Christ you lead us to new heights of understanding; through Christ you bring us from the depths of despair. Continue to guide us , we pray, that as we are a repentant and forgiven people, we may ever offer your peace and forgiveness to others.

Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 24: 36b - 48

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you ? that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

*Scripture reading printed on page eight.