Sermon May 14, 2017 - Confirmation: He Has Called Us Friend

Sermons by Mark

Sometimes the back story is more interesting than the story itself. Such was my day yesterday.
Yesterday my oldest son, Daniel, graduated from Lakeland. He is 41 and has tried college before but this time it stuck and not only did he graduate with a degree in art, he won numerous awards at the final student show, including Best of Show. That’s good.
Also yesterday was the rehearsal for Confirmation. Of course, with careful planning, I would be able to join my teaching colleagues, Bob and Tony, at 10, run through the practice, and get to Lakeland in plenty of time for Dan’s grad. Dan told me first it was at 2. A few days later he said 1. I could still make it.
Friday night, my wife Kathy reminded me that Dan’s graduation was at 10. First I had heard about that. I panicked, then I called Bob and he graciously covered all the bases.
Of course, this was not the end of the story. Later Friday night, Dan informed us that we had to be there at 8:30 because it was at 9. And at 9:30 the graduation commenced. My wife muttered to me that Dan might be “details challenged.”
But let’s not stop there.
I couldn’t find my hearing aid. Being deaf in my left ear, I really need that aid to amplify the decreased hearing in my right ear. We searched and searched. It was not in either of the two places where I put it – not leave it. And so I began to suspect that my granddaughter’s dog – a half Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix, may have been part of the crisis.
After 20 minutes of frantic searching, I found it in my bed. I had put it on my bedside table as I remembered. And apparently the dog was jumping up on the bed and sniffing on the table. Two big no-no’s.
The aid was chewed beyond being functional. So, if you say something to me and I say “huh?” show a little kindness.
Also, no hearing aid means no hearing the speakers, which is why I began my sermon for today on this – the program.
And it is Mother’s Day. Such a wonderful acknowledgment of the woman who is the closest to all of our lives. We could say much about mom’s but at this point, and I do mean much. But in honor of the moms of the Confirmation kids, who gave up brunch to make this all possible on their special day, the kids have a tribute to you and will deliver them to you now. PS – I need them back for the next service.
In our scripture lesson, Jesus invites the disciples into a new relationship. One that is unlike the Rabbi/Student relationship that he has lived with them for their three years together. Now Jesus is saying that in this new commandment, they can go further and deeper and enjoy something even more special.
The new commandment is based on the living power of love. Way before Burt Bacharach to us that “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love”, and the Beatles sang, “All you need is love,” Jesus lived the quality of love in every breath.
Now he is telling the disciples that everything he has heard from God, he has shared it with them. And what he heard from his Father was love.
Jesus seems to be saying that while you can have a love for your servant or your student, there are limitations in those relationships which imply a subservient connection. I can’t be your boss or your master or your teacher and also be your friend. For friendship implies something deeper and more intimate. Think of your favorite teacher or coach. Now think of your best or closest friend. Or think about your parents. What is it that makes those relationships so much more meaningful? Bottom line – it is love.
With each now confirmation class, Tony, Bob and I love to evaluate what group character the class will take on. How will they jell, so to speak. And even in some years, did they jell?
Well this year, as I sat in my office to figure out how this class defined themselves, I realized that I missed a great opportunity. I wished that I had taken a photo of the class on week 1. What I would have observed, I believe, would have been a group of mostly disjointed, single person entities who were largely unfamiliar with each other. I pictured lots of space between the kids. For the most part they were not in any way unified. Just a bunch of kids thrown into a common situation in which they were not very comfortable nor connected.
By Christmas, we saw some familiarity emerging. Especially between Madison and Trevor who sort of, and I mean this totally seriously, displayed for the class how to be friends. The rest of the class also relaxed, and the year went on with more and more crossing of the community and school system boundaries. By January we had to go into “Shut up!” mode to begin a class. The friendships were evident.
We also saw in you a major transition in how you approached your faith. Truthfully, for most of you, Jesus was the main focus of Sunday School, but not really a major part of your life. He was more, I think, historical and religious than he was Lord and Savior. But we saw that melt as the year went on and we saw the Jesus from the Sunday School coloring sheets become a new and living relationship for you.
Jesus changes it all by wanting to be our friend.