Psalm 19: 1-4
British Hyrams
A fun fact about me is that I love to travel. In 2015 I took one of the most adventurous trips I have ever taken so far – an educational trip with Union Presbyterian Seminary to India.And when I say we went to India, it felt like we went to all of India in about 3 weeks. We flew into Bangalore and settled into our surroundings with new friends and colleagues at United Theological College.Lectures about issues unique to Christianity in their context were eye opening, and the women, in particular, we met were courageous beyond belief. Worship at St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Church was my first time in gender segregated worship with a head covering and without chairs or pews!
We visited and learned about all kinds of non-profit organizations, called NGO’s, doing great work on behalf of women and children. Sightseeing in Delhi and Agra, including the Taj Mahal was amazing! As was spending time at historical churches and beach time in Goa, a popular vacation spot. Worship at St. John’s Church in Trichy with one of our professors preaching and drinking communion from a common cup was also quite the experience. I think I said an extra prayer while kneeling for communion at that service. Learning about colonization, Christian missions, experiencing the food, culture, and the people was absolutely fabulous. The overnight train ride back to our original city Bangalore – not so much…. AND
I am still baffled and saddened by the caste system that is less prevalent than in past centuries but yet still permeates the culture .You see, the caste system is described by a very different use of the body metaphor, unlike the one Paul describes in our scripture today. The original design was such that at the top of the hierarchy were the Brahmins who were mainly teachers and intellectuals and are believed to have come from Brahma’s head (the Hindu god of creation). Then came the Kshatriyas, (shuh·tree·uhz) or the warriors and rulers, supposedly from his arms. The third slot went to the Vaishyas, or the traders, who were created from his thighs. At the bottom of the heap were the Shudras, who came from Brahma’s feet and did all the menial jobs. Outside of this Hindu caste system were the Dalits or the untouchables.[1]During our trip we focused on the Dalits. We met these beloved people and heard testimonials about the difficulties of their lives.
In the 1 Corinthians text read earlier, Paul is describing the opposite of the Caste system and the opposite of the Roman government , instead of being hierarchical, this metaphor assigns value to all – it is egalitarian It is also inclusive. In the preceding text, verses 4-11, Paul described how the ONE Spirit of God gives gifts to each of the followers of Christ to use for the common good. Now He paints a relatable, but vivid picture of what inclusively and equally valuable means for the body.
I love the way the Message paraphrase version brings it to life“If Foot said, “I’m not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don’t belong to this body,” would that make it so? If Ear said, “I’m not beautiful like Eye, transparent and expressive; I don’t deserve a place on the head, would you want to remove it from the body?” No wonder this metaphor of the body is one of the most famous metaphors in the history of Christianity.[2]
The Corinthian church is in a commercial town that sees lots of people with money and goods come through on a day to day basis. Many of the members are Gentiles and do not have a background of faith.T he problems in this church have been plentiful .Including the fact that members of the church have been competing against one another regarding their spiritual gifts, they have been grossly inconsiderate of one another, and they have been arguing about their loyalties to the leaders who shared the gospel message with them. Paul is imploring them to realize that they are on the same team, they serve one God, their gifts are of the same spirit of God, they are working for the same purpose, they are all in this together!
As an effective method of delivering this message, Paul uses this body metaphor that expresses both complexity and organic unity.[3] One that they can easily relate to. No matter who they are Jew/Greek, slave/free, it will make sense to them.
For example, it is as simple as having an itch that needs to be scratched. All the body parts that make relieving the itch possible are indispensable to the comfort of your entire body and have an essential role in making it happen. And if you have ever been in an “old school” type of cast or suffered from a condition that produces itching (which is torturous) you likely agree without a shadow of a doubt! smile. Not only is Paul not buying into hierarchy, he is boldly proclaiming the weaker parts are indispensable, the less honorable parts are more honorable. Honestly, I think Paul is saying out loud what we all know is true in so many areas of life, but are not willing to admit. In businesses, the person who has the least impressive title is likely the person you want to get to know in almost any given situation. The custodian for the win! Or, as we saw during the height of the pandemic, there were jobs on the list of essential workers that we would have never imagined would be there. Grocery store clerk please come to work today!
The whole point being, the diversity within the church community is not something to be tolerated, or regretted, or manipulated for one’s own advantage, but something to be received as the gift that it is.[4] And not only in the church community but I would argue in any community and in life. Let me say that again for the people who may have missed it or need to hear it again. Diversity is not something to be tolerated, or regretted, or manipulated for one’s own advantage, but something to be received as the gift that it is. EVERYONE has something to contribute because God has gifted each person to do so and that gift is to be used for the common good, not just for personal benefit or for a group of insiders.
I Need You To Survive is a gospel song. It was originally performed by Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir. You won’t find it in your Glory to God hymnal (lol smile). Singing in a voice that you want to hear is not my gift but, hear these spoken words of the chorus of the song .“I need you, you need me. We’re all a part of God’s body. Stand with me, agree with me. We’re all a part of God’s body. It is His will that every need be supplied. You are important to me, I need you to survive.” Beloved, I believe that David Frazier must have been thinking of this very text from 1 Corinthians when this song was written!
We need each other. One way God supplies our needs is through one another. In fact, I had a beautiful experience of singing this song, not in formal worship, but at the 50th birthday party of a friend – per his request. We are all in this together!
PC Students
The biblical witness models faith in community as a way of life that is supportive and beneficial for all. I have the privilege of teaching a Bible study for a small group of young men who are also athletes on campus at Presbyterian College. Every now and then, one of our topics veers into something extremely practical but challenging for them, something that is against the norm, against the grain of society or expectations for men, or standard for athletes, or whatever I always, always, always encourage them to be accountable to one another, to be an escape hatch for one another, to be a sounding board for one another. If not this group, then to be sure they have a couple of Christian friends as a part of their community that they can be vulnerable with for support. I challenge them to DO this, to BE this because they cannot do it alone, and if they don’t then who will? Because we are literally all in this together. We are on this Christian journey TOGETHER!
Trinity, you are in a liminal season – something has ended, but a new thing has not yet begun. Susan Beaumont has an incredible book on this very subject called “How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going: Leading in a Liminal Season.” I highly recommend it. As you face this liminal season in the life of this congregation, I pray that some of the best of the aspects of our PCUSA identity will inspire, motivate, and sustain you, both individually and collectively.
- We are a connectional church. This reflects the belief that the church is one body, united in Christ. You have many resources in and around the Charlotte Presbytery and beyond to call upon – as pastors, session members, and members.
- Inclusive and diverse leadership is modeled at the national level and doing so here with leaders as you make decisions for the future
- will be important as you seek the will of God and discern the way forward for Trinity.
- A diverse set of voices, each of which bring value and unique gifts will be necessary. Especially as they listen to and represent the diversity of the membership – from babies to the most seasoned members, newer and longtime members, uninvolved and super involved members, cradle presbyterians and those who still don’t really get it, they just like this church, and all the other ways you can turn the kaleidoscope to represent the different members here.
- The few verses read from Psalm 19 convey silence as a spoken message from creation.
Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, but their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. However, if there is a set of people who are silent here at Trinity as you move toward the new thing that God is doing, that is probably not a good sign.
- All those voices no doubt mean conflict. But avoiding dissension, not conflict, is more so the goal.
Among all the parties involved here, the transitional pastor who will come, Pastor Rebecca, the session, staff, committees, members, and anyone else, I pray for you a “deep unity of the whole body, with each part cared for by the others” as you face the unknown future together.
You don’t know what the future holds, but you know WHO holds the future – God. Trinity, you are all a part of God’s body. God has provided you to one another as gifts, because you need each other to survive. Not only will you survive this liminal period, but ahead is a new thing that God is doing, One that includes thriving in a way you cannot yet imagine! You may wonder how I can say that with confidence. Here’s why. We are all in this together, and “all” most importantly includes God.
Thanks be to God.
Benediction (from the Belhar Confession)
As we leave this place, May our unity as people of God be active in our love of one another, in our experience, practice and pursuit of community with one another. Let us give ourselves willingly and joyfully to be a blessing to one another. We share one faith, have one calling, have one God, are filled with one Spirit, confess one name, and share one hope. Go with the peace of Christ.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35650616
[2] FOTW Theological by Lee C. Barrett
[3] FOTW Homiletical by Raewynne J. Whiteley
[4] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/third-sunday-after-epiphany-3/commentary-on-1-corinthians-1212-31a-3
[5] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/third-sunday-after-epiphany-3/commentary-on-1-corinthians-1212-31a-6
[6] FOTW Pastoral by Karen Stokes