Sowing the Seeds of Love

This is the text I worked from for my sermons (I serve 2 churches) on Sunday, December 17, just two days after the school shooting in Newtown, CT.

Because of the program put on by the very talented children in our Sunday School program, I had intended only to speak a message to our children, although the adults are always welcome to listen in, focusing on the reading from Philippians 4. We were going to talk about rejoicing. That’s why the Hymn of the day was, “Rejoice, Rejoice Believers!”

While our children did an excellent job, and told a glorious story, I don’t think today is a day for rejoicing, given the tragedy that occurred on Friday in Newtown, CT. I have heard from friends and strangers, in person, on TV, through social media, people have asked “How could God allow this to happen?” “Where was God?”

I will admit that I have asked that myself. And I’ve prayed. I still do not understand why. Why would someone feel the need to kill innocents?

But before we ask, “Where was God?, ask “Where were we?”

We are called and commanded by God to love one another; to care for one another, to take care of one another. But we ignore, marginalize and shun those who are different. We feel the need to protect ourselves from those who are different, rather than trying to find out about them. We don’t value human life.

Too often, the life we don’t value is our own. We don’t feel worthy; we aren’t good enough, smart enough, strong enough.

This idea is not natural. It does not come from inside of us. It may grow inside of us, but it is a seed planted by others. What’s wrong with you? It is a seed that is watered by others. Why can’t you be like everyone else? It is a seed that is fed by others. How can you be so dumb-clumsy-careless?

If you are told often enough that you are no good, that you are worthless, eventually you’ll begin to believe it. And if I am worthless, then either you are worthless too, or you are too good for me. When my life doesn’t matter, what do I care about you and yours?

So when we belittle someone, we plant that seed. When we mock someone, we water that seed. when we bully someone, we feed that seed.

But when we remember that every person we meet is a beloved child of God; when we realize that the Almighty breathed life into each individual; when we appreciate all of the children, women and men of the world as an equal human being made in the likeness of the Creator, we remember that about ourselves.

Why did this happen? Ultimately, it has to do with the fact that we do not love each other as we do our selves. Sometimes, too often, we don’t love ourselves.

But “How could God allow this to happen?” “Where was God?”

God has promised us that there will be a time and place where there will be no suffering, no pain, no death. A time where God will wipe all tears from our eyes. That is the time when Christ will come again. A time we remember during this Advent season.

That time is to come, but it is not now. Our world is broken. Our world is hurting. God has called us to heal it; to give of ourselves to fix it; to use our selves to repair it. God wants us to give more of ourselves and what we have to share the love and grace and mercy given to us by God with those who need it. The lost ones. The last in line. The least of these. And the little ones.

Where was God?

God was there. While I don’t know anything about the staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School and their beliefs, I know God was there.

God was there and strengthened the principal and social worker who ran TOWARD the gun fire.

God was there and strengthened the teacher who hid her class in the bathroom and told the assassin that they weren’t there.

God was there in the teachers who sat with their students and told them that they were loved.

God was there in the first responders who ran into a situation where they did not know what they would find. Who now have to live with images they which will never leave them.

God is there in all of the cries and shouts and screams, crying and shouting and screaming with those in pain and loss.

God is there, whispering peace and love into the ears of those who are so shaken that now they cannot hear it, but in hope that a new seed, a bright seed, may be able to grow. God is sharing God’s compassionate love through hundreds of hugs, thousands of voices and billions of prayers.

God is there encouraging people to reach out to one another, to not be alone in their pain and grief.

God is here calling us to act, rather than react. To sew the seeds of love, and not those of disregard; the seeds of hope, and not those of contempt; the seeds of peace, and not those of dissent.

We will not sing the appointed hymn, “Rejoice, Rejoice Believers.” We will save that for another day. But we will sing a hymn that reflects the message of Philippians 4. We will sing “In Deepest Night,” ELW # 699. It is a song that is new to us, but a message that we all need to hear.

We also need to hear the words of Paul: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus.” AMEN.

This video wasn't part of the sermon, but it was on my mind while I was writing this message.

Sowing the Seeds of Love - Tears for Fears