Sermons & Meditations

Isaiah 43:18-25; Mark 2:1-12
Presented February 19th, 2006, by J.D. Kline
The Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

In 1989 South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu traveled to Jerusalem, a visit that included time at the Holocaust Museum. Having visited the museum myself, I can attest that it can be an emotionally wrenching experience, nearly overwhelming the visitor with one vivid reminder after another of the Holocaust period’s utter disregard and contempt for one’s fellow human beings. When asked by the media to share his reactions to the museum, Tutu spoke of it as a shattering experience. But then he went on to add that the Lord whom he serves, himself a Jew, surely would have asked, “But what about forgiveness?” Having previously expressed concern for the way Palestinians are treated, Tutu found himself the target of intense anger and animosity from many in Israel, charged with anti-Semitism. Graffiti labeling the archbishop as a Nazi pig was even sprayed upon the walls of the cathedral in Jerusalem that was hosting him.

Tutu learned firsthand a painful truth, that talk of forgiveness frequently raises the ire of many in our world. For some, talk of forgiveness is equated with appeasing one’s opponents, letting them off the hook without their taking any responsibility for broken relationship. For others, forgiveness is viewed as a sign of weakness, with vengeance, rather than forgiveness, seen as leading to higher moral ground. But might there be an alternative way of understanding and experiencing forgiveness?

This morning’s Gospel lesson offers yet another example of persons having difficulty with forgiveness. Indeed, some in the crowd openly criticize Jesus for speaking of forgiveness. “How dare this fellow speak like this?” grumble some of the legal experts to themselves. “It’s blasphemy! Who can forgive sins except God?” (Mark 2:17, translation by Tom Wright).

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saiah 40:21-31; Mark 1:21-29
Presented February 5th, 2006, by J.D. Kline
The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Not long ago, I received via email the story of a mouse who looked through a crack in the wall of the house where he lived, and saw the farmer and his wife open a package. The mouse wondered, quite hopefully, what sort of food might be contained in the package, but was devastated to discover that, instead of food, the package contained a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse shouted in warning, “There’s a mousetrap in the house! There’s a mousetrap in the house!”

The chicken clucked and scratched, and then responded, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.” The pig was a bit more sympathetic, but suggested that “there is nothing I can do but pray. Be assured,” said the pig, “you are in my prayers.” The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you, but it’s really no skin off my nose.”

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