Sermons

One of things we never have to see anymore is the dark. A few years ago, I was able to do a night hike at Raccoon Creek State Park, we learned to walk toe to heel to navigate roots, rocks, and more without a flashlight in sight. Without the hindrance of artificial lighting, our senses heightened - the world felt more alive - we could hear new natural sounds that we hadn’t noticed before, and in just 15 minutes our eyes adjusted to the dark, where we suddenly could see an actual sky full of stars. It was a surreal moment to appreciate creation and the beauty woven throughout it.

Since then, I have become increasingly aware of how light can interrupt the darkness. Streetlights on every corner of our neighborhood, phones in our hands, and the glow in the sky from local commercial and industrial facilities. We never have to fear being in the dark.

We are also never “in the dark” when it comes to information. We have news, research, and every kind of media available at our fingertips. It almost feels as if it is possible to know more than everything. Notifications make sure we always know what is going on anywhere in the world at anytime of the day. Once again, we never have to fear being in the dark.

We have this innate fear of darkness, and use it to symbolize what is unknown or dangerous. Our fear has allowed the modern world to do everything it can to eliminate darkness.

Yet are we missing something by never experiencing darkness? Could there actually be some good in the darkness? Where can we see God working in the darkness?

In this week’s Gospel reading, we hear about what the disciples have been talking about,

“Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.”

The disciples do a very human thing, they try to figure out who is the best, the most successful, the person who should have the spotlight shined on them. Often, we all find ourselves in this place -like the person who wins the race, the best artist, the person with the winning cookie recipe, the top salesperson, the honor roll student. We all have a desire to be great.

But Jesus doesn’t affirm their desire to be the greatest. In fact, he’s pointed out what they’ve missed, what they didn’t see. How they are actually in the dark.

And how does Jesus do this? He picks up a child from the edge of the room and centers them. We often think of kids as the center of our churches, community, and families, but when it comes to power, we rarely center them. Even today, we don’t often take a child’s input on how to do things, for instance, children don’t get appointed to our church council or elected into public office, yet are impacted by the decisions made. They don’t get a voice or vote, they are left in the dark. So Jesus’ action here is not only remarkable two thousand years ago but for today as well.

Jesus is reminding us in this passage, while the world pushes us to be in the spotlight, our call is actually to welcome those in the shadows, but just how do we do that?

Jesus instructs the disciples with “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

So we welcome people, but what does that mean?

In the original Greek, dechomai is used, and while welcome is a good translation, it also can be seen to mean graciously receive. We are to take in people, embrace them into our community, it's more than just smiling and saying hi, Jesus is calling us to be fully inclusive.

And this can be a challenge. We have different needs when it comes to being included, it means accepting cultures, bodies, brains, and backgrounds that are different than our own. It may sometimes mean being inconvenienced, like serving new foods or changing spaces to accommodate. Yet, when we see those who have been left in the dark, we can see the full body of Christ grow. We can value the gifts and experiences people bring to our lives. When we let people in and love them from the darkness, we get to see the true beauty of God’s kingdom like a sky full of stars.

And for those of us who have experienced or are currently experiencing life in the darkness, remember: God loves you, God has you, and you are always included. Even when humanity fails to see you, God hasn’t. God doesn’t need a flashlight or the internet to find you and embrace you, God knows exactly where you are.

Amen.