Faith Thoughts for Sunday September 17, 2006
Based on the sermon, by The Rev. Dr. Anne Miner-Pearson
Mark 8:27-38 & Isaiah 50:4-9a
To hear audio of the sermon, click here
If you would like to have the text of the sermon emailed to you, please contact the church office: nativity@nativityepiscopal.net
The sermon focused on identity, beginning with Jesus' question "Who do people say that I am?". Peter answered the question and then Jesus began to teach about the identity of those who choose to follow him. "If any want to become my followers, let them....." The choice to follow Jesus shapes our identity just as all choices do. This connection between identity and choice was explored in the sermon using insights from Barry Schwartz' book, "The Paradox of Choice".
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Barry Schwartz writes that the ability to choose has positive influences on us. Choices help us to express our wants, values and who we are. Think about 2-3 choices that you have made recently. How did they express who you are? What caused you to decide the way you did? Why didn't you make different choices?
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On the other side of the coin, Schwartz states in his book that too many choices are also affecting us negatively. We end up losing instead of gaining. For example, we are losing time with others and our sense of loyalty and commitment without experiencing any increased degree of happiness. As you recall some recent choices you have made, what were their negative effects on you? On others? What did you have to give up? What did you lose?
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The book read in the Children's Time was "A Color of His Own" by Leo Lionni. It is a story about a chameleon who wants to stay one color like other animals. Finally, he met an older and wiser chameleon who tells him that isn't possible, but if they stay together, then they will have the same color. That book was selected because the story is about the struggle to find one's identity. The book's ending points to the Christian truth that our identity is best found when we are in community with other Christians. How has your belonging to Nativity helped you find more of your identity? What aspects of yourself have you discovered as you worship, learn, serve and have fellowship here at Nativity? Who are the people who have walked with you as that older and wiser chameleon did for the other?
Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens-- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Mark 8:27-38
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Creator God,
you form us on the wheel of life
as a potter molds the clay.
Shape us into holy vessels,
bearing the mark of your wise crafting,
that we may remain strong and useful
through years of faithful and obedient service
in Christ’s name. Amen.
Revised Common Lectionary Prayers (CCT), Fortress Press
The Rev. Dr. Anne Miner-Pearson
Episcopal Church of the Nativity
15601 Maple Island Road
Burnsville, MN 55306 952-435-8687
annem-p@nativityepiscopal.net
www.natvitiyepiscopal.net
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