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The Rev. Christopher Brdlik
July 1, 2007 --- Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

One or two times a week I like to leave the TV on after the late news and weather to watch a few minutes of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Sometimes Jay does a funny thing called “Jay-walking,” where he walks out on the street with a microphone and asks passersby simple questions, easy ones, really. But often people cannot answer them, or at least they pretend they can’t. This week he asked about our nation’s birthday: What holiday is coming up? One woman answered, “The Fourth of July.” What does it celebrate? “July fourth,” she said. But why, what does that mean? “Oh,” she answered, “Independence.” Independence from whom? A long pause. Then she said, “America?” A man about 30 was asked what famous general was in charge of the army. He answered, “Churchill.” A woman identified herself as an instructor at a college in business and general education. Jay asked her the year of independence. She said, “1922.” He corrected her to 1776. After that she wouldn’t tell him what college she taught in. It’s a good thing he didn’t ask any of them sing the National Anthem. 

Simple questions have easy answers, but that doesn’t mean they’ll always be answered correctly. Much more is that the case for difficult questions. Today’s gospel (Luke 9:51-62) relates how Jesus once found himself in a series of difficult questions and circumstances whose answers were not always what people wanted to hear. A perceived insult to Jesus and his followers prompted James and John to ask to rain down fire upon the perpetrators. But that was not Jesus’ way. Again and again the gospels record that he tried to teach the disciples the Christian path was peace and reconciliation, not revenge and retaliation. Moreover, in this story, Jesus was determined to make his way to Jerusalem. He had set his face to go there, where his life itself would become a demonstration of what he taught, by offering himself for the Cross and Resurrection. Along the way, a man offered, rather insincerely, to follow him wherever he went. Jesus detected his lack of commitment and declared to the man that true discipleship has few concrete benefits. Following Jesus would not lead to material wealth or a promotion of honor in a new kingdom. Even foxes and birds have more domestic security than the determined disciple. A Christian is granted spiritual security, knowing that his or her existential relationship with God is on firm footing, which is its own reward. 

Then finally a memorable exchange with a man who said he wanted to follow Jesus but first he had to bury his father. This potential disciple was rebuked not because he had immediate family responsibilities that he wanted to honor. By saying he had to bury his father he meant he intended to wait out his father’s life and receive his inheritance before he would follow Jesus. The man’s answer doesn’t mean his father’s death was imminent. Instead, he wanted to postpone his discipleship with Jesus, maybe for a long time. For that man Jesus had a hard answer: “Let the dead bury their own dead.” And to another in similar circumstances, “Don’t look back with regret after putting your hand to the plow.” 

The question of true discipleship is a difficult one . And difficult questions get hard answers. They aren’t always what we’d like to hear about decisions we make in life. But answering them faithfully does lead to eternal life. Today’s gospel reading is all about the determination of Jesus to stick to God’s plan and encourage us to follow. But it’s clear from the response he got, not everyone was ready, willing, or able to follow Christ in the way of the Cross. Even so, he always maintained eternal life begins now. There is no better time than the present to become a determined disciple. 

The young Elisha was prepared by determination and commitment to become a disciple of Israel’s greatest prophet, Elijah, then to succeed Elijah, becoming a prophetic leader in his place, when the time had come. We have this lesson in today’s reading, too. (2 Kings 2: 1-2, 6-14) Elisha asked the difficult question: Could he have a double portion of his master’s spirit, a double portion of his prophetic task, of his difficult ministry, of his duty and responsibility? A difficult question for the young man, but the answer was yes. Elisha carried out Elijah’s vision revealed on the holy mountain and completed Elijah’s work, difficult though it was. But my point is this: Here is the example of true discipleship, the willingness to pick up and follow, without excuses, conditions, or reservations. When the mantle is passed, the true disciple accepts it. 

So I am leading up to a question. American civilization, on the Fourth of July 2007, is accused by its critics of being flabby and weak. Those making such claims say Americans are too caught up in personal luxury and comfort to make the sacrifices necessary for continuing as a world power respected and admired for its strength and influence. In other words, they say, we cannot answer the difficult questions. American religion today is accused by its critics of being shallow and domesticated, asking little of its members in commitment or change of life. Those making such claims say the American Church lacks a vision of purpose and a passion for mission. In other words, they say, we Christians cannot answer the difficult questions, and may not even be asking or hearing them. In time, either or both of these situations would be dangerous. For without the civic discipline of holding the world to our ideals of democracy, justice and fairness, the political future looks grim. The light of the City on a Hill will darken for all the world to see. And if we cannot preach a theology of progressive religion, of compassion and dialogue and interfaith respect, the world will descend into the dangerous darkness of fundamentalism.  

When it comes to discipleship, nothing has changed since the days of Elijah and Elisha, of Jesus, and of General Washington, for that matter. True discipleship requires determination and commitment, and allows for no excuses or postponements. True citizens and true Christians are ready to follow. Let me leave you with this: When people can’t even get the easy answers right, how will we answer the difficult questions?

© copyright 2007, Christopher Brdlik

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