September 7, 2008

Lost and Found

by Julianne Stokstad

Our Bible story today from Matthew chapter 18 is the parable of the lost sheep. It is a story about return and restoration. It begins with Jesus giving the charge "to take care of my little ones." When I hear this, as I did once strongly and clearly in prayer, I ask myself, so who are they? Who are these little ones? Is this a direct command from Jesus for us to take care of our children? When I think of Caryl Hodges, David and Cathi Fuller and others around here, their dedication and love of children brings tears to my eyes. There are many others as well who have gone out of their way, interrupting their lives to take care of our children and youth. In fact, the verses immediately preceding today's story, Jesus tells his disciples that true greatness is found if they can be just like children. While children do need to be cared for, most of us aren't naïve enough to think that children and youth are all that perfect, so what can this mean? Take care of MY little ones!

Jews understood the reference to "little ones" to mean all those who are vulnerable---yes, children, but also the widows, the orphans, the poor, those in prison or those who are sick. Clearly the strong deep mission identity of this church is in response to such an understanding. People here clearly understand serving those in need is one of the most important reasons to be church. Each month the Mission Board raises up some concern for us to respond to---whether it is to bring backpacks for needy school children or new pillows and linens for the homeless shelter or food for the County food pantry. We do respond and reach out to help those in need in our community and beyond. And we reach out in different ways as well. Some believe that the way to help the little ones is to change policies of our local governments and so they have worked together in organizing. Others have chosen to reach out and feed hungry children in Mexico, inspired by a former pastor and Bill and Patty Coleman. Almost everyone in our community generously gives to reach out and help those in need.

The story of the lost sheep is a story that tells us God seeks those lost from God's community. I expect we agree that every single person God created is worthy of seeking. When we say each Sunday "You are welcome here" I think we believe that. Most of us though are very shy about reaching out to our neighbors and friends and inviting them to church we believe anyone who wants to be here is welcome.

This story raises a very serious question about our shyness with evangelism. Do we believe one can be spiritual and not a part of a church community? Can one be intimately close with the shepherd, Jesus, and not be part of the flock? The answer I believe is no. Being a Christian involves being a part of a spiritual community. It is in the living within a church community that we are stretched to grow and at the same time supported in our faith. It is by living together, by walking our talk together that we can grow more fully into who God created each of us to be. Humans are created as social being, meant to live together, meant to worship together. We are meant to support each other, forgive each other, and love each other, even when we are not so sure we really like each other.

I want to go back to the first question I asked. Who are the little ones? I would never be so simplistic to say those outside a church are the lost ones and well, we here in church, we're ok, we're the found ones. That is arrogant not humble. Maybe it is a pastor's perspective but I understand this is charge to take care of the little ones, is also a charge for us to take care of our own souls. God is seeking us. To find the true love of God, we must have humility, openness like children have. Children receive God's grace-filled love and forgiveness simply. I think that is why many people find the children's story, watching babies and children can be a profound spiritual experience at church because young children transparently show God's love. The children soak it up and shine and we catch their shine. That is how Jesus says we are to become. If we're not like that, we're lost.

What keeps us lost? The theological word is sin. Looking at the origin of the word, it means to miss the mark, like an archer shooting an arrow and missing the target. Sin is anything that keeps us off center. It is anything that separates us from God. Sin affects us all spiritually. First we become strangers to God, strangers to ourselves and strangers to each other. Our relationships get out of balance. We are lost even if we are living exemplary lives by society's standards.

The most important thing I want each of you to recognize is that I think ultimately the little one to be taken care of is our own soul. We are the little ones. It is not about finding someone else and bringing him or her to community. It is about finding our own soul and returning to God. It is about restoring ourselves in our fullness back to the community. It is about recognizing our own mess-ups and forgiving ourselves. It's not even about the other guy. His job is himself. Your job is yourself. And together in our little church, we share the gospel good news that God is seeking each one of us. No matter how secretly we are lost; God knows and is seeking actively to bring us back into the fold. God's love and forgiveness are greater than we can imagine. God's knows and patiently waits until we are ready.

God is active and here, right here in our midst, reaching out and seeking each of us. God is here like a shepherd holding us, restoring us back to whom we were meant to be. I want you to look around and see the shine of love right here. As you come forward for communion, look, really look at each other and see the living spark of God, right here, in each other. God is truly here. Trust me and let us all say Amen.

Amen.

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