Let Your Light Shine Now More Brightly Than Ever
A sermon preached by
The Rev. Janice Ford, Rector
The Church of the Reconciliation (Episcopal)
February 5, 2017
Epiphany V-Year A
When I was a girl growing up in the “little Italy” section of Albany, New York, I used to love to go upstairs to my paternal grandparents’ flat and chat with my Grandma. We talked about everything under the sun. More than once, she would tell me, “Don’t hide your light under a bushel basket.” That was Gram’s way of telling me to share what I was good at with the world, and not to hide the gifts God gave me. Gram was a bold and forthright woman, and, I believe, a woman ahead of her time. Like all the rest of my grandparents, she was an immigrant to this country. Her status as such did not diminish her in her mind, and she was determined that it should not diminish her in the minds of others either! Her warning that I should not “hide my light” was her way of passing that determination on to me. Funny thing is that when Gram said those words to me, I had no idea she was quoting Scripture.
The truth is that we all have a responsibility to use the gifts that God has given us—for the good of others and the glory of God. As Jesus told us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to the Father in heaven.” The question I want to explore today is this: what exactly is the light we need to share right now?
As individuals, each of us has many different gifts from God, and we need to shine a light on all of them to the best of our ability. However, as Christians, we share one special gift given to us in our baptism; that is, to follow the example of Jesus in all we say and do—no matter how difficult or challenging that may be. I find it interesting that we will nearly come to blows to defend our beloved Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics or Bruins, but too often shy away from standing up for what we know is right in the eyes of God--usually for fear of reprisal. I must admit I’m a little scared to say what I’m about to say because I fear some of you hearing this will disagree, and that disagreement could cause a rift between us. Still, I know that I ultimately answer to God for what I do, and what I do not do, so I forge ahead.
It has long been the case that clergy like me were cautioned against using the pulpit to declare a personal political bias. I think this is correct—politics has no place in God’s house. What is NOT correct, however, is for any of us, including clergy, to keep silent when what we know to be abhorrent to Jesus is being perpetrated by those in political power.
With that in mind, I feel compelled, as an ordained minister of the Gospel, and a priest of the Episcopal Church to say that Jesus Christ, the son of God, and, himself the son of immigrants, would not condone the banning of immigrants/refugees into the United States, and therefore, neither do I.
I want to be very clear that I love my country dearly. I am also a veteran, and I believe that our country should be defended against those who would seek to harm us and our way of life. I also want to be very clear that I believe our immigration laws need a complete overhaul. This work is long overdue. Like many of us here today, I am the descendant of immigrants who went through the proper channels of the time to seek a new life in the U.S. However, the laws have not kept pace with the needs of the world today. Our government’s efforts should reside with critical, intentional and well-balanced reform of the immigration laws, not with a broad-sweeping, kneejerk reaction.
I believe that the current Executive Order regarding immigration and those seeking refuge here goes far beyond not only what Jesus would want for our nation, but for that of our founders as well. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty says this:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
The author of these incredible words is Emma Lazarus, a 34 year old descendant of Jewish immigrants. I love the fact that Emma’s last name is Lazarus…for Jews and Christians alike, this name is a synonym for resurrection…new life…the new life that can be found here in this most blessed nation.
The United States is a nation made up of immigrants. That is why the original inhabitants of this land are called Native Americans. They are the only ones who can honestly call this their homeland. The rest of us are immigrants, regardless of how, when or where we or our ancestors arrived.
Most importantly, I want to caution that we cannot allow ourselves to be governed by fear and self-righteousness. Fear, especially, is what is driving the Executive Order in question. Because of the recent attacks by religious extremists in our nation and others, we are frozen with fear and anxiety. This is certainly understandable. I’m fearful, too, but fear should heighten our senses, not render us unable to live as Jesus would intend. The repercussions of this Executive Order are manifold, and will be felt for generations if allowed to remain in effect.
As Christians, we are expected to do as Jesus would do, so let us ask ourselves this question: What would Jesus do regarding this Executive Order? How would he respond? I believe he would respond with the words of today’s Gospel:
13“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
I know that my Grandma would be glad I spoke these words to you today. I know she would be proud that I am not hiding my light.But, remember, this is not just MY light. It is the light of Christ that belongs to all of us.Let your light shine now, at this most critical time, and know that this is what Jesus would have us do…not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Amen.
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