SERMON: A PATCHWORK OF UNITY.
I have been feeling sad for all the High school Seniors, College Graduates, Middle Schoolers transitioning into HS, - all who have missed out on the very special joyous celebration of Graduation, as we usually celebrate it: with festive open air graduation ceremonies, rows of happy student and graduates, celebrating what has been, what has been accomplished and at the same time with excitement, anticipation and some worry are looking ahead to a new chapter in their life. After Middle School, Highschool or College.
I remember when I graduated from High school, Midtfyens Gymnasium in Denmark back in 1983. A joyous happy day of white dresses, happy smiles, ceremonies, certificates, red/white Students Caps, cheers, celebrations but also tears as this was a goodbye to old friends and to a time that had been wonderful.
In our Blue Book, HS yearbook, one of our teachers had described our class as a patchwork. A patchwork of many colors, many different fabrics: some bright shiny colors, some more subtle and shy. Some fabric so delicate and tender, others sturdier; all these different shapes, forms, fabrics; alle these different personalities, traits, talents, looks, and gifts made the patchwork of the class 3B of 1983.
The past 3 summers I have been meeting with some of those Highschool friends at cozy reunion luncheons, - and looking around the table of some fabulous funny middle-aged, fifty-some-year-old women and one single man, we all shared stories of how our lives had unfolded: education, families, marriages, divorces, children, travels, work, dreams, and regrets – and we still are like a patchwork of all different shapes, forms, fabrics, personalities, traits, talents, looks and gifts.
And when we are joined yet just for a short reunion, we are again the patchwork of Class 3 B of 1983. A little aged, worn, gray, lived and torn, but still the same patchwork.
Look at the beautiful patchwork displayed here on the altar rail.
At the Danish Lutheran Church in California, we are indeed blessed with a living joyful colorful patchwork of members and among these, we do find this fine lady who spends many hours every day, year in and year out, sewing, cutting, making patchwork for these beautiful blankets. She graciously donates them to the church, and we in return donate them to HIS House, a transitional shelter here in our neighborhood.
These patchwork-blankets are given to each member of new homeless families moving into the shelter – as a comfort blanket. I am sure many of the children or adults receiving these patchwork blankets, - spend time looking at the different shapes, colors, and fabrics, as they cuddle into them and find comfort.
The colors, shapes and forms might even make some think about their own lives and beings. How our lives are made up by these patches that make a unit, that makes us and made us who we are.
——————————
Jesus gathered with his beloved disciples on the night we now all call Maundy Thursday, and he teaches them all he feels they most need to know as his time is closing in on him. He lets them listen to the heartfelt prayers that he personally offers To God; a plea for their future and a claim that just as he and God are one, so can his followers be one. “And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” John 17.11
That they may be one, as we are one.
Unity. Union. Unification. Integration. Coalition, Federation.
Harmony, accord, cooperation, agreement. Consensus, togetherness, solidarity, peace.
Oneness, wholeness, coherence.
Unity is a beautiful word and a beautiful place to be.
In the Danish Hymn “Hil dig fresler og forsoner” Hail you savior and Atoner – a favorite verse says:
Du som har dig selv mig givet
Lad i dig mig elske livet
Saa for dig kun hjertet banker
Saa kun du i mine tanker
Er den dybe sammenhaeng.
Grundtvig wrote this in 1837. Edward Broadridge translated the hymn in 2009:
As for me You once have striven
May I love life in You Given.
May my heart for You alone beat,
So, my thoughts alone in You meet
In whom all things coinhere.
Coinhere. Coherence. Wholeness, Oneness, Unity.
This prayer for unity, this claim of coinherence and oneness that Jesus is sharing with his disciples that last night, - is all about what divides or separates us, and what unites and coinhere.
This prayer for unity speaks right into our lives and divisions. We too – as a community, as a church, as a country and as a humanity – are like a patchwork of different colors, shapes, talents, languages, customs, beliefs, religions, but still woven together with the stiches of humanity and unity.
In this pandemic we are reminded of this fundamental unity, humanity, and connectedness, as the virus has swept over countries, states, regions, and continents breaking borders and differences down. In this pandemic the virus has reminded us of how fragile we are, how globally connected and depended we are, how human we all are.
As I have quoted from the book of Joy with conversations between Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu: that humanity, humor and humility are deeply connected and deeply needed. The pandemic has reminded us of how fragile we are, and how globally connected and depended we are, how human we alle are.
And for a while we did remember and act on that realization. For a while we became one unity. Became aware of our shared humanity. And thus we stayed home, Stayed safe. Washed hands. Wore masks. This was our humane answer to a crisis, a virus that did not know the borders, safety, and boundaries that we usually live by.
“We cannot all be one – we cannot realize the prayer of Jesus – unless we believe that all people matter equally to God. To do so requires us to shift our motivation from determining what is good for a narrowly defined “us” toward considering all people as part of the “one”
Martha Spong wrote in Christian Century about the gospel according to John chapter 17, and she continues:
“Imagine a world in which we live this way all the time, not only when the privileged are endangered but also when only the marginalized are at risk. Then we might inhabit the kind of reality for which Jesus prays with his followers just before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. If we believe God has the power to make it so but does not accomplish that oneness through God’s own actions, we must believe God waits for us to respond to this call to action.”
Unity. Humanity. Solidarity. We have seen beautiful glimpses and glimmers of goodness and compassion during this crisis. Neighbors helping neighbors. Essential workers being hailed like heroes. Considerate wearing masks not because we are worried about our own health, but because we worry about our neighbors, who might be weaker, older, more vulnerable, or simply unlucky. Because we do not believe that any one is expendable.
- So for a moment as we are all occupied with planning reopening of beaches, malls, hair salons, gyms, and churches and returning to somewhat normalcy,
- so for a moment when we here in US and in Denmark might be reopening as we have done good to control, stabilize and protect, while following guidelines and regulations,
- so for a moment still remembering our shared humanity with Africa, India or Brazil where the virus is sweeping through now, -
- what if we took this kind of humane collective view in every season, and not just when the crisis hits us?
- What if we remembered to look at one another – our neighbors close and far, known or unknown, - and saw all as valuable, as part of the patchwork of unity that Jesus so desired for the people around him, that he prayed for it the last night of his life.
------------------------------------
We cannot always comprehend the moment in which we find ourselves. We rely heavily on hindsight for perspective as Soren Kierkegaard said: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
We are at a different point in the Covid19 crisis now than in March and April, but we are still in the Pandemic, - trying to navigate how to reopen more and more, in the most responsible and considerate and safe manner. Not just here in California or US, but all over the world.
Listen once again to the words of 1. Peter 4, which has shown to be the most appropriate readings these parts weeks – as the Holy Spirit frankly speaks truth right into our time and age:
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sister in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, will himself restore, support, strengthen and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever.”
May they be one as we are one.
Just imagine. Just believe. Just pray. Imagine. Dream. Believe. Just like John Lennon sang:
You may say I am a dreamer
But I am not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
sharing all the world,
You may say I am a dreamer
But I am not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one
This modern song and imagination of John Lennon corresponds and expresses the prayer and the claim of Jesus that last night with his disciples. As do the beloved hymn that we are to sing after this sermon: “Blest be the tie that binds.”
Please sing this hymn, read the words, and let them speak into this time of your life – but even more into this time of ours where unity and humanity are in our daily prayers and hopes for a better tomorrow. Our time where shared humanity and humility are the threads and stiches that keep our patchwork of unity in one piece. Amen.
-----------