THE SOUL’S ENDURANCE

Sermon preached by the Rev. Michael Anderson Bullock

[Malachi 4:1-2a; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke  21:5-19]

To say that we live in uncertain times smacks of sarcasm run amuck.  The state of our nation and the events in the world – both politically and naturally made – have created such a charged atmosphere that any spark that is the result of ordinary life has the capacity to create an inordinately disproportionate explosion.  We are all so emotionally raw and exhausted that it takes an enormous amount of maturity (more than most of us have) not to react but thoughtfully to respond.

So it is that my mind lighted upon the 1939 British response (not reaction) to the Nazi German threat of invasion.  “Keep Calm and Carry On”.  While this well-known directive speaks to the maturity I just mentioned, the fact is that in these times of constant stress and uncertainty, we are more prone to follow “Chicken Little’s” example, freaking-out over thinking the sky is falling.

The high level of our corporate and individual rawness (our “Chicken-Little-ness”) is evidenced by the surprising interest in the biblical notion of the “end times”.  In case you failed to notice, earlier in this fall’s season, predictions of “the end of the world” made the rounds on the internet – so, the notice surely had to be true!  In particular, conspiracy theorist David Meade made the claim that the world would end on September 23rd.  Yet, again, if you haven’t noticed, our life on the Earth – frightening as it is in its daily headlines – still continues.  As with other predictions of the “end time”, Meade says he just got the date wrong: Doomsday will actually happen in October.  He said that the real “action” would start on Oct. 15th.

Our federal government’s shut down notwithstanding, its rippling effects have felt like a glimpse of the “end” to many of us.  Alas, it looks as if we’ll live another day at least to the end of January, when the specter of another shut-down will return to haunt us, at which point many of us will be wishing for an “end” – an end to this stupidity[1].  In the meantime, maintaining some element of calmness about us and carrying on with the work we have to do as God’s people clearly are small steps in the right direction.

Predictions of the “end of time” have their biblical roots specifically in certain readings of the New Testament.  In particular, the reading from 1 Thessalonians[2] garners attention among those who require certitude from their faith, as is expressed in the form of the 19th century interpretation known as “the Rapture”.

In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the followers of Jesus in the Greek city of Thessalonica, Paul speaks of Christ’s followers’ being caught up in the clouds when the Lord returns to reclaim creation at the end of time.  Known historically and theologically as “dispensational pre-millennialism” (aren’t you glad you asked!), this form of biblical interpretation developed as a system from the teachings of John Nelson Darby (1800–1882).  Darby is considered by many to be the father of dispensationalism, and it is especially popular among many American evangelicals.  More to the point, it is culturally popular among some Christians and the general public who have been influenced by dispensationalism’s depiction in the numerous contemporary books and movies, including Hal Lindsey’s bestseller from the 1970s, “The Late Great Planet Earth,” and Tim LaHaye’s more recent “Left Behind” book series.  Not exactly a movement rooted in “Keep Calm and Carry On” but rather a generator of manipulative fear.

At this point, I quickly hearken back to the wording of today’s “Collect of the Day” and its insight into what the purpose of the Bible and its scriptural witness is.  In its words, the Collect says that [God] caused all holy scripture to be written for our learning.  Consequently, we pray for the grace to be able to hear [the scriptures], to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them so that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which been given [to everyone in Christ.][3]

This is to say that we read the Bible not to be inspired (although it can be inspiring) but to learn – to learn about what it takes to live the God-life.  The Bible is read not to provide comfort (although its message has the capacity to “strengthen” us in times of trial).  The Bible does not contain predictions that limit God’s love and saving grace.  To me, the issue that today’s Collect conveys about scripture is this: As we hear scripture’s message, as we read the Bible in such a way that we not only mark what we read and hear but also inwardly digest the meaning conveyed: namely, do we see what God sees in us and the world?

Allow me to offer an aid to answering this question about what God sees in us and the world.  I point to the stunning line from the Eucharistic prayer we frequently use: “Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for ourself…”[4]

So, “Keep Calm and Carry On”.

I mention the dabbling with the “end of time” because in today’s gospel, we begin to confront images and statements that Jesus makes that speak of our need to “Keep Calm and Carry On” so that we can discern between what is temporal and passing away from what is eternal and, therefore, always among us.  If this were an easy task, the “Chicken Little” in us all would be less stressed.  Yet, when Jesus predicts the fall of the Jerusalem Temple, even the disciples get confused and a bit turned around at the prospect of losing what we are familiar with, what no longer provides the stability we crave.  In the midst of living amongst “things that are passing away”, like the disciples, we want to know “when will this be and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”[5]  For surely, this is one appointment we don’t want to miss!

With these harsh and disturbing images of the crumbling of what we know and what we have built we begin a theme that will continue into the season of Advent.  What I want to remind you beforehand is that these images and descriptions are not about “the end”, irrespective of the frantic calls of religious and political hucksters to the contrary.  Nor (in what are self-righteous terms) are relatively liberal minded folks like us allowed to dismiss Jesus’ proclamation as a matter of ridiculously unsophisticated fundamentalism.  No, these images and descriptions of the disintegration of life on our terms are purposely meant to reveal something vitally important.  As I say, these readings are not about the “end”.  Rather, they are a glimpse of our need to “Keep Calm and Carrying On” because such faithfulness allows us to “[love] things heavenly”, all the while living amidst things that are passing away.  We can hold fast to that which endures[6] -- that God has made us for himself.

The type of biblical literature that provides the discernment between the temporal and the eternal has a name.  It is called “apocalyptic” literature.  From its visions and its differentiating warnings -- even if we are unable to “Keep Calm” -- nonetheless the purpose of their message is to fortify us to “Carry On”.  Jesus says as much to us in the gospel lesson’s closing statement: “By your endurance you will gain your souls.”[7]

In the midst of the life we face, Jesus directs us to keep focusing on our integrity (that is, our purpose) as God’s own.  In such focusing we work on the issue and status of our souls, which is that part of our essential life that houses God’s spark.  Especially in times in which calmness seems to be such an impossible stretch, we are still called to “carry on”, to do the work of building our soul’s endurance so that we may continue to run the race, to finish well, and always to know ourselves as the ones whom God has made for himself.

So, “Keep Calm and Carry On”.  “Keep Calm” and imitate Christ both in his dying to fear and death and rising to the God-life that endures.  And “Carry On” with the work of sharing the victory, the joy, and the strength of his life.

Thanks be to God.  Amen.

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[1] As David Brooks defines the term: It has nothing to do with intelligence but rather with an attitude of not caring what’s next.

[2] 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

[3] Book of Common Prayer. Collects: Contemporary, p. 236.

[4] Book of Common Prayer. Eucharistic Prayer A, p. 362.

[5] Luke 21:7.

[6] Book of Common Prayer. Collect Contemporary: Proper 20, p. 234.

[7] Luke 21:19.