Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Sun. July 8, 2012)

Full Transcript of Father Swann's Homily:

AS none of us can deny, as we move toward the November elections, we are bombarded with those telling us through every media imaginable—what we should think, and who we should listen to. In many cases we are “mislead” by individuals who cannot wait to tell us of their importance –or—the importance of their candidate. They would have us to believe that “humility” is a sign of “weakness”—and we should certainly NOT strive toward that.

Strength, on the other hand, is associated with “power,” and power must be sought in this world—or so they say. Power might also be perceived in the “boastful claims” of those who say that only they have the insight into what God intends in our lives.

Most of us, don’t care much for people who think they have a “corner on the truth,” or that they clearly know God’s will. There are far too many instances of people being “led astray” by self-proclaimed experts and zealots-- usually with bad results. WE are “right” to be careful, to be skeptical. It can be “dangerous” not to be.

Without some “checks and balances” stories that we tell tend to become “embellished” over the years in repeated re-telling. Generally the story becomes more exciting and dramatic each time around. Sometimes this is the case when people tell their “faith journey.”

The congregation at Corinth [from our epistle today] apparently had such a problem. Some of the people there began “telling others” of their own mystical experiences and visions, and every time they told their stories they ‘embellished them’ to make themselves “look better” than they really were.

Soon, these people began to think pretty “highly” of themselves because of these experiences. And then, as more and more people told “better stories” – they began to think that everyone had to have some sort of dramatic religious experience to “qualify” as a Christian. [Sadly we see this in some Protestant groups today--- “You are not “real” Christian unless....YOU CAN FILL IN THE BLANKS..........].

Some in the Corinthian congregation even went so far as to question the Apostle Paul. Paul had NEVER spoken of any “dramatic personal experiences,” so was he really someone to ‘look up to? Was he really with it?? Was he really a part of the “inner circle?” There were other leaders in Corinth who claimed that THEY, because of their experiences, were better than Paul. Well!!!, that was going “too far” and Paul wrote to the Corinthians to warn them about “false apostles” who were misleading the congregation.

IN response to questions about his leadership, Paul asserts, “I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up into the third heaven.” Now most Biblical scholars agree that Paul was “actually” talking about one of his own personal experiences.

IN essence, he was saying that “he could play the same game” as the others, but that he won’t. His overriding concern was NOT for his status, but for the unity and strength of the Corinthian congregation. Boasting about spiritual superiority, or superior leadership does NOT “build up the faith of others. It does not lead others to a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, BUT—instead creates hard feelings and divides the congregation.

It is at this point that Paul shares his weakness in the hope that others will identify with him as a “human being,” so that he may lead them to Jesus Christ as equals. Paul speaks of his “thorn in the flesh,” about which many have speculated over the centuries.

Time after time we have seen people who were “physically weak” develop such spiritual strength that they have inspired others.

Paul knew that “boasting” never won anyone to Christ. He knew that whatever the “crisis” in his own life, God would not forsake him. So from his vast storehouse of experiences, St. Paul wrote: “Therefore I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecution, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for wherever I am weak, then I am strong.”

The Episcopal Church in America is meeting in General Convention in Indianapolis at this time. No doubt we will have a opportunity to hear about how God has transformed people, communities and the church through acts of humility and compassion. And likewise, there will be equal opportunity for boastfulness and for those with “agendas” seeking power, not for the good of all—but for a few.

For this important work of the Church at large, let us pray that “voices” bringing forth the work of God will be supported.

Remembering the words of Paul, let us give thanks for our “strengths” and for our “weakness”--- and use them both for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. AMEN.