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The Rev. Laura Matarazzo
Nov. 19, 2006 -  Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

A couple of weeks ago, I saw the Wizard of Oz on television. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the story. Like many classic tales, it deals with perception and reality and our human experience of both. The scene I want to remind you of is near the end of the story—after Dorothy and her friends have dutifully destroyed the wicked witch of the West and removed the dark pall of her presence in the land. They return to the palatial room of the great Oz, who gave them this awful task, to apprise him of their success and to receive their respective rewards—a heart for the tin man, a brain for the scarecrow, courage for the lion and, of course, home for Dorothy. The foursome eagerly anticipates Oz’s delight and their hard-earned gifts…only to find that Oz is not prepared to reward them. No. In fact, as smoke billows forth from the frightening visage high up on the wall, a loud, harsh voice attempts to dash their hopes and drive them away. Only, Toto, curious dog that he is, trots over to a curtain close by and grabbing it in his little teeth, gives it a tug. Lo and behold, the humble, human reality of the great Oz is revealed!  

How often our perceptions deceive us. How often we are blind to reality; out of ignorance, out of apathy, and out of hope.

Eli the priest perceived a drunken pilgrim in the faithful Hannah. The Jews of Jesus’ day perceived their temple priests—the ones with fancy robes and long phylacteries—as somehow holier than they themselves. Jesus’ disciples saw authority and stability in the great stones of the temple. The great and beautiful temple was the required medium for their relationship with God. 

Are we any different today?

In my experience, we still perceive priests and pastors as “holier” than the person on the street, until one of them is revealed as human; prone to the same weaknesses and failings as everyone else. And who among us has not put their faith in an institution—be it a bank, a school, or a house of worship—and not been disappointed—if not completely disillusioned. 

Things are not what they seem to be and we invest people and institutions with unwarranted power and authority. Throughout his entire ministry, Jesus tried to teach his followers to see the world from a different perspective. He continually tried to give his disciples eyes to see with and ears to hear. 

To the disciples, the stones of the mighty temple stood for God; to them, God was accessible only through the intricate system of cultic worship and sacrifice, led by the revered priesthood, and governed by scribes and elders. The reality behind the beautiful façade and expansive structures was that the system demanded more than most could afford. We just heard the story of the widow’s mite last week. What if, rather than use it to model sacrificial giving for those of us who are wealthy, what if we were to see it as an example of how the temple exacted a hurtful amount from those who had very little? “…she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” And the money and goods devoted to sacrifice went into the pockets and stomachs of the priests, the money changers and those in power. The disciples saw the temple’s beautiful exterior. Jesus saw the cancer rooted deep inside. 

When Jesus said, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down,” he was inviting his followers to see something different. He was exposing the essential weakness of the temple—that it was not what it seemed—a holy medium for connection with God—but rather, as he says at another moment, “a den of robbers,” it’s strength and power supported by corruption and the people’s misperceptions.  

What are the temples in our lives? What and whom do we invest with power and authority? What in our lives translates to the “large stones and large buildings” that so impressed and oppressed our ancestors? We need look no farther than our own homes…listen to this. A friend of mine who is a real estate agent out in Warren County told me this: he says that it is not uncommon for a young couple to buy a large new house out there where real estate is only slightly more reasonable than around here. They’ll purchase a large home—4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths on 3 or 4 acres—and then live in just a few rooms because they cannot afford to furnish the rest! And then, they barely have time to enjoy their new home because they have to work long hours at some distance to earn enough money to pay the mortgage. Imagine the sight of beautiful homes nestled amidst the rolling hills of the countryside…then imagine the reality behind the façade--hollow inside, empty and lifeless. 

What are the temples in our lives? To what and to whom do we look for salvation? I cannot help but think of our investment portfolios…what we sacrifice to fill them. We build them up, the higher risk stocks like so many stones and the long-term, safe investments the mortar that holds them together. Thus, we build our own security, filling up our portfolios rather than filling ourselves with God’s word and filling our lives with faithful relationships and with just actions and compassionate deeds…our portfolios give the impression of strength and stability…until we are struck down by cancer, or deprived of the person we love most in the world. Then, then, we know that the only center, the only solid ground we can claim in this life is our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. 

When Jesus said that not one stone would be left upon another, he was calling his disciples to the recognition of where real power and authority reside. Jesus came to establish a new way of relationship with God. Through him, through his body, through his sacrifice, followers would be freed from the oppressive religious, political, and social structures that had dictated their lives. Through Jesus, they would come to worship God “in spirit and in truth”, the law of God written in their hearts and on their minds. Through Jesus, there would be forgiveness of sin and the potential for new life again and again, at no cost to their frail livelihood!  

Today, we who have the gift of Jesus Christ and the gifts of wealth and power have an even greater responsibility. Not only does Jesus demand that we see things from his holy perspective, but, furthermore, we must be careful, lest we find that we ourselves are part of a system that oppresses our neighbors…a large stone in the structure that deprives others of healthcare or a living wage or the simple dignity of personhood. Look! Look at where you are and what you are doing! Acknowledge the power and wealth you possess and examine the ways you use that power and wealth. See the reality of where you are in relationship with God and with your neighbor! 

For example, I am a member of CURVES, a women’s gym here in town. As a result of Governor Corzine’s recent budget initiatives, memberships in health clubs and gyms are now taxed. Not surprisingly, the owner of my gym composed a letter to the governor, arguing for rescinding the tax in the interests of public health, and she left a stack of them on the counter for members to sign. I read the letter and considered her arguments. I am fully aware of the benefits to our economy of healthy citizenry. Finally, however, I decided that most of the people who attend gyms and health clubs can afford the extra cost; while, hopefully, those taxes will serve citizens who are not so well off, in the form of health care or housing subsidies…or other ways of caring for those whom Jesus called “the least of these.” Of course, I don’t KNOW precisely how those taxes will be used, but I support social programs that may benefit from them. Now, you may agree or disagree with me; my point is, Jesus wants us to be conscientious about how we live, always keeping in heart and mind those who have less than we do. 

Jesus calls us to examine our current reality because he wants to draw us to himself. He wants to be the center of our lives, sure and solid and sacred. We are called to build up his body on earth, in all its diversity, forming ourselves, with our neighbors, into a society that serves the common good. The Spirit of God within will help us to be and to do just that.  

Perception and reality. For years, that old professor held the land of Oz in a universal misperception, wielding a power—however beneficent—that was not real. His humble subjects ultimately found their love and courage and wisdom and home within themselves…the place where we understand the Spirit of God to dwell. 

Let us be aware.

May God help us to see with new eyes and to perceive with wise hearts.And, finally, by the grace of God, may we apply ourselves to that sacred reality…the kingdom of God in our midst.

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