Sermon - September 11, 2011

13th Sunday after Pentecost
September 11, 2011
Matthew 18:21-35

Forgiving Made Ridiculous

The division of responsibilities, between UniLu’s three pastors, allows each of us to work more effectively in our designated areas. But sometimes it leaves us a bit unsure what went on at meetings attended by one, but not all. This is my way of acknowledging that while today’s liturgy sticks closely to established traditions and to the appointed readings, in the sermon I am going to give prime attention to this date, not as it is noted on our liturgical calendars, but as it is being acknowledged in much of our world.

Today is September 11. It is ten years since the attacks in New York, Washington, and the downing of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. And while this day is no different from any other day – in that on each day we need to hear God’s Word, pray for God’s mercy, and ask for God’s wisdom – this is a day which differs enough that it might be worth stepping outside our typical routines. It has been ten years. And while it is the mathematics of the Gregorian Calendar which make this tenth anniversary fall on the Christian Sabbath, this might be seen as a divine invitation to revisit that day in 2001 and to see it through the eyes of scripture, through the eyes of faith, through the eyes of the One whom we call Lord.

Whom one calls “Lord” seems to figure heavily to the discussions regarding 9/11. In too many corners and for too long, the whole thing was blamed on Islamic Terrorist. No one has ever challenged the “Terrorist” part of such a designation, but many have asked whether those terrorist ought to be understood as representative of Islam. We have come to realize that while faith and religion are all too often tragically linked with violent outburst, neither out to be. And even when one (or a dozen, or even a few hundred) adherents to a particular faith tradition decide that their lord is calling them to violence, this should not and cannot be understood as an indictment on all those who claim that faith tradition.

No one, who holds to a faith, would ever be willing to accept that something about the way they practice their faith is “wrong.” We cannot expect those who hold extremist views to turn and admit they are in error. But we might better see them for who they are, by listening to the collective understandings of others who identify with the same faith tradition.

The shared conviction of the religions of the world is that no “lord” is calling us to destroy and murder. It is only those who become radicalized who think this is the way to show devotion. It is in order to justify their political or social ends that extremist begin to invoke their lord’s name.

I am serving on the planning team for today’s community observance of September 11, 2011. One of those bringing greetings this afternoon sent me a wonderful piece, dating back to Cyrus. Cyrus was the King of Babylon, during the time of the return of the Israelites to Jerusalem. Babylon is modern day Iran – one of those spots in the world where religion is sometimes linked with violence. Listen to the words of King Cyrus: "I announce that I will respect the traditions, customs and religions of the nations of my empire and never let any of my governors and subordinates look down on or insult them (while) I am alive. From now on, (while) (Ahura) Mazda grants me the kingdom favor … I will impose my monarchy on no nation. Each is free to accept it, and if any one of them rejects it, I never resolve (to) war to reign.”

Whether modern-day rulers of those territories will follow suit is a good question. But let’s not pretend that modern-day leaders of so called Christian nations would always be prepared to respect “traditions, customs, and religions”.

The place we find ourselves, on this September 11, 2011, is in a world where there are deep divisions and even deeper disagreements on how to approach those divisions. Ours is not a world devoid of hope and promise; but it is a world in which the voices calling for unity are often drowned out by the noise of war and violence. On this day, the day of the Christian Sabbath, we can choose whether we will be on the side of continued animosity or if we will move toward compassion and reconciliation.

I don’t mean to set you up, and then tip you in a predetermined direction. But I do have powerful arguments to bring to bear. The appointed lessons for this Sabbath, the 11th of September, 2011, seem pretty clear as to how we Christians are to enter the discussion. We start with forgiveness. We offer an abundance of forgiveness. And we do so because we remember that our God has forgiven us.

Peter, the Rock upon which the Church is built, has heard Jesus’ instructions (last week’s Gospel Lesson) that the one offended bears as much of the burden to bring about forgiveness as the one who offends. “Go to them… talk to them,” is Jesus’ instructions to his followers. Peter – representative of all of us – is looking for wiggle room, for a loophole. So he asks Jesus, “How many times should I forgive? As many as seven times?” And Jesus tells him. Jesus’ answer doesn’t leave room to wiggle out of this responsibility.

The words of Jesus (the words written in red) are slightly different in this newer translation. We are now reading from the New Revised Version. In this translation, the answer is “seventy-seven times.” Do you remember how it read it the King James? There, the answer is “seventy times seven.” That would make the grand total four hundred and ninety.

Has there been an offense? An injury? Don’t retaliate, go to the other and seek reconciliation. How many times do I try? As many as seven times? Try upping the number of attempts until you loose count.

This is what Jesus would do; this is what Jesus has done.

Will his words be listened to and followed? It is a difficult thing to do. But if we are going to thump our Bibles and insist that every word is true then it seems we have but one option when dealing with those who have transgressed against them. What is that line, we pray every Sunday? “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trepassesed against us?” Yeah, that is the way it goes, right?

We can forgive the actions of others which have hurt and harmed us. We can forgive the attitude which leads the other to consider us the enemy. And maybe we can even forgive the ignorance which leads another to think that somehow acting violently is going to solve any of our problems. And forgive we must. For only when we start with a willingness to set aside past wrongs will we be able to envision a right future.

Ten years ago today, a horrible event changed the way our generations will forever see the world. It is up to us to make sure that those events do not rob us of everything dear and precious. It is up to us to make sure that the hatred and misguided acts of another do not place in peril our commitment to the way of our Savior. They may take away our naiveté; they might destroy some of our things; they may murder family and friends; but it only we who can preside over any lessening of our core beliefs.

I will not let this happen to me. I pray that you won’t allow it to happen to you.

Amen.