First Reading: Acts 17:16-31
16Now while Paul was waiting for {Silas and Timothy} at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities” — because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ 29Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Psalm 66:7-18
7Bless our God, you peoples; make the voice of his praise to be heard; 8Who holds our souls in life, and will not allow our feet to slip. 9For you, O God, have proved us; you have tried us just as silver is tried. 10You brought us into the snare; you laid heavy burdens upon our backs. 11You let enemies ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; but you brought us out into a place of refreshment. 12I will enter your house with burnt offerings and will pay you my vows, which I promised with my lips and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble. 13I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts with the smoke of rams; I will give you oxen and goats. 14Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for me. 15I called out to him with my mouth, and his praise was on my tongue. 16If I had found evil in my heart, the Lord would not have heard me; 17But in truth God has heard me; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. 18Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, nor withheld his love from me.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-22
13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Gospel: John 14:15-21
15{Jesus said,} “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
True Peace
Signs, we see them everywhere. Some are humorous, some give us information and others are thought-provoking. Two I ran across recently fall into this latter category. The first read, “Advertisers give us a bad case of the wants. The second was in front of a church: “If life is a puzzle, look here for the missing peace, piece was spelled p e a c e. It seems that peace is what the world is desperately searching for but cannot seem to find these days. And the solution to the problem is simple; the world is searching in the wrong place.
Have it your way is the pitch of Burger King. Have the body you’ve always wanted just in time to show it off this summer, go ahead, you deserve it. On and on go the advertisements we see in all forms of media today, from TV to the billboards that line the highway. It seems that everything in advertisement and media sends the message to focus on oneself. Some time back, I watched a movie titled, The Devil wears Prada with Meryl Streep.
Ms. Streep played the role of Miranda Priestly who was a highly successful fashion magazine editor. Now I must confess I had to look up what Prada was on the internet. If you didn’t know it’s an Italian designer. I bring this movie to your attention because of the message Miranda Priestly seemed to emulate, that with the right clothing and the correct accessories, a person can make a fashion statement. And through that statement, you will see popularity and success. Now I do agree in part to what the movie message is saying, to a certain extent, what we wear does indeed make a statement about us.
The initial message of the movie was that with the proper fashion choices, everyone would want to be you, and thus, you will be a huge success. This is probably why Social Influencers are as popular as they are. Every year billions of dollars are spent on products focused solely on ourselves. My point is not to bash the products that enhance our lives; there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings that God has entrusted to us in moderation. But what does all this self-focus emphasis really say about us? What do people think when they see us on the street? The main message of the movie was that in the end there might have been success, but there was no satisfaction, no real peace. The Bible goes right to the heart of the problem; people look on the outward appearance; but God looks at what’s in the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
So, it would be incumbent for us to ask, what does God see when He looks at our heart; what does He see in our intensions and our motives? Do the way we live, the things that are important to us, the things we accumulate, the products that enhance our lives, really give us satisfaction and peace? Now if we were to be honest with ourselves, we’d really have to be truthful and say that although we do receive some satisfaction from our lifestyle and possessions, these can never really bring us true joy or inner peace. Yet this is not the message of the world or the retail community.
The retail community wants us to believe that with their products we will, in fact, find what we’re searching for. But is it possible that what we’re doing when we overindulge in possessions is attempt to drown out the world and the craziness that goes on in our world today. Maybe we’re simply trying to shield ourselves by creating a barrier to brace us against the madness that seems to pervade society.
One of the more interesting newspaper cartoons is Calvin and Hobbes. One day Calvin and Hobbes come marching into the living room early one morning. Calvin’s mother is seated in her favorite chair sipping her morning coffee. She looks up at young Calvin. There is amazement on her face as she sees how he’s dressed. Calvin’s head is encased in a large space helmet. He has a cape draped around his neck, across his shoulders, down his back and is dragging on the floor. One hand is holding a flashlight and the other a baseball bat.
“What’s up today?” asks his mom. “Nothing, so far,” answers Calvin. “So far?” she questions. “Well, you never know,” Calvin says, “Something could happen today.” Then Calvin marches off, “And if anything does, by golly, I’m going to be ready for it!” Calvin’s mom looks out at the reading audience and she says, “I need a suit like that!” I know this is how I feel at times when the evening news seems to be full of hatred and violence. Even the leaders of our country are caught up in what seems to be an endless fighting over who’s right and who’s wrong. It’s no wonder so many people are trying so hard to find happiness and peace in our world today.
It’s no wonder people surround themselves with things, it’s something we seem to be able to control. Yet I wonder if the lack of surety about our future is what’s driving people to seek peace in all sorts of places. Yet so many people never seem to find the peace and joy that they’re looking for. Thankfully, our gospel lesson for today addresses this need for true peace.
In some Bibles, Chapter 14 of St. John’s gospel is titled, “Jesus comforts His Disciples.” And when you begin to read this chapter in this context, you can better appreciate what Jesus is telling His disciples. In our passage this morning, Jesus is giving the disciples instructions on how to live the Christian life. In verse 15, Jesus makes it clear, “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” And if we do this, the Father will send us a Helper, the Holy Spirit. Jesus goes further to assure us that we will not be abandoned, but that He will return. And in the meantime, when we keep His commands, the Father will in turn love us. Then if you skip down to verse 27, Jesus continues, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” These are indeed important words for us to consider in a world that seems is turned upside down.
But let me back up for a moment and set the stage for our gospel text for this morning. Jesus had, earlier in the chapter, predicted His death and Peter’s denial. Hearing these words, the disciples were naturally uneasy about the future and the things Jesus had been telling them; they were looking for something to ease their minds. They themselves were like us, searching for peace. So Jesus tells His disciples, follow my commands and you will be loved.
Furthermore, because we are loved by God, Jesus promised to give us what we’re all seeking, peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” Did you catch that, His peace, not a peace that the world seeks through fashion, fame, popularity, wealth, or any number of fleeting things, but true peace. Jesus reinforces this by saying plainly, “I do not give to you as the world gives.” Peace that comes from God is calming, satisfying, lasting. Jesus than concluded this statement by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Here the answer is so simple, the answer to achieving lasting peace is right in front of us.
Back in 1990, gospel singer Andrea Crouch, wrote a song titled, Jesus is the Answer. The chorus gets to the heart of what Jesus is telling us, “Jesus is the answer for the World today, above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way.” The answer to what the world is seeking is so simple, Jesus. Yet the world keeps looking, and manufacturers keep telling us to purchase their wares, and people continue to search and reason. Yet the way to find peace, true peace, genuine peace is to look to the giver of peace, our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All we have to do is allow the Holy Spirit to teach us how to truly love Him and to keep His word.
Pause for a moment and ponder what this statement means, those who love Me keep My word. It seems like a strange statement coming from a man that was about to give His life for our sins. Had it been me, I would have been concerned about my own mental state. My focus would have been on how to avoid the cross or on how to get through the ordeal. But this is our Lord and Savior we’re talking about, He wasn’t concerned about what He was about to go through, He was concerned about us! He is giving us peace, peace of mind by simply being obedient to His commands and loving Him.
We followed His commands when we were baptized. In baptism our old sinful nature was drowned in the water, and we were raised to a new life in Christ and given the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate , the Helper, the Comforter, that Jesus promised. We are obedient when we partake of the Eucharist and remember the forgiveness we received and remember that in His death, Christ defeated death. It is through His resurrection that we have been reconciled to the Father and will share the inheritance of heaven for eternity.
We show our love for God when we keep His commands to love God above all else; to love Him with all our soul, mind, and strength and when we love our neighbor as ourselves. It’s not difficult to understand. Love God, love neighbor. This is the secret to true and lasting peace. Obedience is the key to true peace; it’s lasting peace because we no longer worry about the burden of our sins, those were nailed to the cross. We no longer worry about our future, or life after death; sin, satan, and death were all overcome on Easter morning.
In Christ’s life, death, and resurrection we have been set free, we are free in Christ. But what does this freedom and peace really mean? It means we are free to live for God. We’re no longer trapped in the endless search for satisfaction and joy. Yet some people still miss what Jesus is saying here. Some think that this freedom we have in Jesus means we free to focus on ourselves and simply enjoy the blessings God gives us with no further responsibility. This isn’t the message Jesus is sending. Again, the answer comes with Jesus’ command to love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
Jesus said, those who love Me keep My words. Jesus’ words and commands are clear. Jesus tells us to forgive, not to seek revenge. Jesus commands us to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, not to go out and buy more stuff for ourselves. We’re called to love others as much, or more, than we love ourselves. The freedom we receive in Christ is a freedom to look beyond the moment and see and act on the needs of the kingdom of God. The answer to the burning question of how to find true peace comes in these few passages. True and abiding peace comes from loving God, obeying God, and loving our neighbors. A completely different message from what we hear everyday.
The world tells us to focus on ourselves and ignore the needs of our neighbor, unless it benefits us. Love isn’t focused on building ourselves a bigger house; instead, it’s focused on helping those in need find adequate shelter. We don’t find God’s peace in simply keeping our cupboards full, it’s about also helping to fill the shelves of the local Christian Ministry pantry. Peace is when we see a neighbor in need and we reach out and meet the need and share with them the love of Christ. These are not the messages of peace that the world gives; it’s in loving our risen Lord and keeping His word.
Peace comes from showing and sharing God’s love with others. The true peace of God comes from focusing on God’s work in His kingdom. This is such a simple answer to what seems to be the most complex question in our world today. It truly is a privilege to be a child of God. It’s a message we need to share with others. Want peace? Love God and obey His commands, it’s that simple.
Today we also take the opportunity to show our appreciation to the special women in our lives, those women who spend their lives focusing on others. Today is of course Mother’s Day and those who have children are honored and hopefully given a break from the normal everyday responsibilities. However, over the years I’ve observed that there are women, who may not technically be moms, yet because of their selfless acts and their obedience to God’s command to love their neighbor, we honor them as well today.
While I was assigned to McGuire AFB in New Jersey, I had the privilege of meeting a woman who even though she had no children of her own, she and her husband helped put 14 of their nieces and nephews through college. I have met and know women who choose to reach out to children from broken homes and though foster care and adoption share their gift of love with others. Then there are the grandmothers who step in and raise their grandchildren. We remember the neighbor woman who always had an encouraging word and a kind smile when as a child we needed confidence. Today we take the time to let the special women in our lives know just how much we appreciate them and to give thanks to God for their lives. Yes, we as Christians are truly blessed.
As Christians we don’t have to spend our lives searching for true peace; we know that peace comes from loving God and obeying His commands. Peace comes from the knowledge that we’ve been freed from our sins and our fear of an unknown future. We are free to focus not on ourselves but on our neighbors and follow Christ’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves. And finally, we’re blessed to have the wonderful women that share their lives in order to better the lives of others. In closing I’d like to share seven bits of wisdom that my mother taught me. I bet almost everyone here will be able to say the same thing about their moms:
My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION when she said:
“Just wait until your father gets home.”
My Mother taught me about RECEIVING….
“Boy are you going to get it when we get home!”
My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE…
“What were you thinking? Answer me and don’t you talk back to me!”
Mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE…
“If you do not stop crossing your eyes, they’re going to freeze that way.”
My Mother taught me HUMOR…
“When that lawn mower cuts off your foot, don’t you come running to me.”
Mother taught me about GENETICS when she said:
“You’re just like your father.”
And my all-time favorite, commonly known as the mother’s curse
My Mother taught me about JUSTICE…
“One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you… Then you will see what its like!”
Ya gotta love the wisdom of mothers!
Let us pray,
Loving God,
We thank you for the joy and peace and that can only come from You. Not the peace that the world tries to sell us, but the true peace that comes from loving You and keeping Your word. We also give you thanks for the love of the mothers you have given us, whose love is so precious that it can never be measured and whose patience seems to have no end. We pray that you would always keep them in your care and bless the fruits of their hands. Help us to appreciate them not just today but each and every day. These things we ask in Your holy Son’s name.
Amen