The Rev. Carol S. Wedell
May 13, 2007

How many of you need reminders about various things?  If you're like me, you need lots!  I make lists and write down appointments in my palm pilot.  I have notes all over my desk and at home, helping me to remember what I've got to get done and where I'm supposed to be.  The answering machine takes messages from doctor's offices and beauty salons reminding us that we have appointments scheduled.  The library calls to tell us a book is on hold. Voicemail on our cell phones includes reminders to pick children up at appointed times.  Emails remind us of rehearsal schedules or upcoming events - even church!!! (In case you forgot, let me remind you --church meets every Sunday morning!)  Alarms on watches, phones and palm pilots can all be set to go off at a particular time

Of course, there are less high-tech methods in use, as well.  Students use assignment planners (or at least they're supposed to!) - or write on their hands and arms to keep track of school work.  A post-it note is stuck to the door or refrigerator to make sure a critical item isn't forgotten.  A family member or coworker verbally reminds us of a deadline that needs to be met or a task that needs to be accomplished.

All of these methods seek to do the same thing:  remind us of something that we already know.  They are not giving us new information, simply bringing that information to the front of our memory.  It's not surprising given the glut of information that most of us experience that we need to rely more and more on various "memory devices."

In this Easter season, we remind ourselves and each other of the fundamentals of our faith. Our gospel lesson this morning provides a subtle nudge, a gentle reminder of what it means to be God's beloved children. 

There are many ways of approaching a passage of scripture.  You can study it as literature.  You can delve in trying to figure out its historical context.  You can look for the connections to other parts of the Bible. 

In our Disciple Bible Study class each week a portion of the time is spent focusing on a smaller section out of what we have read the past week.  The approach to that in-depth focus varies from week to week.  This week, we used a fairly standard approach - one that I highly recommend.  After reading the passage out loud, each of us looked for new insights that caught our attention.  We then attempted to name the overall theme or main idea.  At that point, we shifted to what the passage might say to our world today.  Finally, we were asked to "bring it home," by acknowledging where it spoke to each of us personally.

While a preacher needs to be cautious about jumping too quickly to that last question, "how does this speak to me?' lest it becomes simply about me and my needs, this week I found myself returning to that question over and over.  Given that I'm facing surgery later this week, that's not too surprising. 

Yet I obviously was also aware that today is Mother's Day, and a day when we've joyously celebrated the baptism of Hadley Jamieson.  So what does this passage have to say to me and to all of us this beautiful Sunday morning?

Our reading this morning is from a part of what is called "The Farewell Discourse" in the gospel of John.  John places these lengthy speeches just prior to Jesus' impending death.  Like a good teacher or parent, Jesus tells the disciples everything they need to know before he leaves them.

Within the short section we read this morning, are several themes. However, there is a gentle reminder that spoke deeply to me this week, and I suspect will touch where you live, as well. While we began reading at verse 23, the theme is set back in verse 18:  "I will not leave you orphaned."

This is the reminder that is given to the disciples, to me and to you.  They are words that every child deserves to hear and words that we as a congregation promise to convey to Hadley and every child we baptize. They are words that need to go with our high school grads as they head off to college, and to our older members as they move out of their own homes, or simply face the increasing challenges of aging. They are words spoken to any of us facing uncertainty - which would be all of us wouldn't it? Jesus says to each of us:  You won't be alone.  You have my peace.  You won't be alone.  I'll be with you.  No matter what happens, you will not be alone.

As we anxiously sit and wonder how we will cope with an unknown future, we are given a promise:  I will be with you.  Jesus tells the disciples that he will be leaving them - but - and this is no small thing - they will find strength and direction when he is gone. 

How?  Through the Holy Spirit, whom John calls "the Advocate" who will be present and active in the life of the Church.  Did you catch that?   When John writes, "you will receive the Spirit" it is always in the plural form - you all!  The gift of the Spirit is a gift to the community of faith.  It isn't a gift for a private usage, but one that finds its life and energy in the midst of the gathered faithful.

And what the Spirit does is to remind us of what we already know about Jesus. It pulls to the front of our memory those things we've learned but may have forgotten, as the anxiety of the day has overtaken us. As the spirit of God moves among us, it continually reminds us of the words of Jesus in fresh new ways, assuring us that we are not alone, but are surrounded by God's love even as we surround one another.  It is a strong reminder that we can't be Christian apart from the community - for that is where God's spirit resides.  As we show God's love for one another, we see glimpses of God's spirit at work among us.

So as we baptize Hadley, we remember that all of us play a part in seeing that she learns about God's love for her - through offering Sunday School classes, to be sure, but even more by how we demonstrate God's love to her and others in concrete, tangible ways.  And that doesn't stop when she quits being a cute, cooing infant.  We are to remember the promise to be with her, letting God's spirit work through us, showing her God's love when she may be a more challenging toddler or teen.

And of course, the same is true for the rest of us.  We are those through whom God's Spirit works, reminding those who come to this place, that they too are beloved of God, showing them through our actions that they are not alone, but that God is indeed present with them.   Those of us who have ever been on the receiving end of a meal or flowers or a card or a visit or a call or a supportive email will tell you quickly that such gestures do indeed bring the reassurance of God's presence.

But the reminder doesn't end there.  Jesus' words of assurance contain a new promise -- peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

Anyone besides me need to hear that reminder today?

What's important here is to notice the kind of peace which Jesus gives.  It isn't the kind of pat on the back that too quickly says, "everything will be all right."  It isn't a glib, "Be Happy!" smiley face that is out of touch with reality.  No the kind of peace Jesus' offers us is a far cry from the easy answer, feel good approach our society is fond of tossing about.  It is not a peace which offers a false sense of security, nor the end of conflict.

The Rev. Richard Fairchild tells a story that gives us a clue about the kind of peace Jesus offers us:

   "It seems that one day an artist was commissioned by a wealthy man

   to paint something that would  depict peace.  After a great deal of

   thought, the artist painted a beautiful  country scene. There were

   green fields with cows standing in them, birds were flying in the

   blue sky and a lovely little village lay in a distant valley.  The

   artist gave the picture to the man, but there was a look of

   disappointment on the patron's face.  The man said to the artist, "

   This isn't a picture of true peace.  It isn't right. Go back and

   try again.

    The artist went back to his studio, thought for several hours about

   peace, then  went to his canvas and began to paint.  When he was

   finished, there on the canvas  was a beautiful picture of a mother,

   holding a sleeping baby in her arms, smiling lovingly at the child. 

   He thought, surely, this is true peace, and hurried to give the

   picture to the wealthy man. But again, the wealthy man  refused the

   painting and asked the painter to try again.

    The artist returned again to his studio.  He was discouraged, he

   was tired and he was disappointed.  Anger swelled inside him, he

   felt the rejection of this wealthy man.  Again, he thought; he even

   prayed for inspiration to paint a picture of true peace.  Then, all

   of a sudden an idea came, he rushed to the canvas and began to

   paint as he had never painted before. When he finished, he hurried

   to the wealthy man.

    He gave the painting to the man.  He studied it carefully for

   several minutes.  The artist held his breath.  Then the wealthy man

   said, "Now this is a picture of true peace." He accepted the

   painting, paid the artist and everyone was happy.

    And what was this picture of true peace??  The picture showed a

   stormy sea pounding against a cliff.  The artist had captured the

   furry of the wind as it  whipped black rain clouds which were laced

   with streaks of lightening.  The sea was roaring in turmoil, waves

   churning, the dark sky filled with the power of the furious

   thunderstorm.  And in the middle of the picture, under a cliff, the

   artist had painted a small bird, safe and dry in her nest snuggled

   safely in the rocks.  The bird was at peace midst the storm that

   raged about her." copyright - Rev. Richard J. Fairchild - Spirit Networks, 2001 - 2006

 The peace Jesus promises us truly is different than the cheap imitation our 

culture would pass off as "peace." The peace of Christ means knowing that no 

matter what the circumstances, we have a place, a person who will not abandon 

us, who will shelter us, and keep us safe.   You know, during some of the tough

moments of this week, I thought I would have a hard time preaching the words, 

"do not be afraid."  Because I was afraid.  But then I was offered a different way 

to hear those words.  Jesus isn't saying, "don't feel fear" - because in point of 

fact, all of us do at times.  Jesus is challenging us not to live out of our fear.   

Live as those who know that every uncertainty is surrounded by the arms of a 

loving God.

 So today, along with all of you, I'm listening for that gentle reminder:  

you are not alone.  My love holds you.  May each one of us leave claiming God's 

peace and presence.