II Timothy 1:1-14
A year ago, in October 2009, U.S. astronaut Jose Hernandez, after having spent time in space for the first time commented that one of the most memorable experiences was when he looked down at the earth – there were no borders! A map or an atlas shows all the lines and boundaries between nations, but when you actually look down at the earth from outer space you can see it exactly the way God created it: continents, islands, oceans and rivers, mountains and deserts. There are no boundaries visible, not one. It must be a beautiful sight to see, up there in space.
That’s why we put that picture on the bulletin cover, so you can see for yourself. Those lines and boundaries do not really exist, and I can only assumer that is God’s design. It is a beautiful thing when we can see the world as God does.
Lines and boundaries … on World Communion Sunday we gather at the Lord’s table, knowing that in Christ all are welcome, no matter what their background or condition in life. “In Christ there is no east or west, in him no north or south”. The well-known communion hymn is a lot like that view of the earth from outer space; around this table you can’t see the boundaries and borders that are normally drawn between us based on gender, class and status, race, background or origin. There are no boundaries around this table, not one. East, west, north and south, the bread and cup are offered to all. It is a beautiful sight to see, it’s even more beautiful to experience it.
We have come to this table following many different paths in life. Some of us have been here forever. Some of us are very new. Without even trying hard you can see a lot of differences between us. But even with all of the diverse paths that brought us here, at the core of what we share is that we’re here looking to experience the powerful touch of God more fully: God’s healing, God’s peace, God’s love, God’s justice. These are the gifts of God that we want to find, that we never ever want to lose. It’s a beautiful sight seeing such a diverse group of people gathering at this table sharing a common purpose.
So we have the insight that Christ brings peace and unity to the world. It’s an insight we have gained through study of God’s word, in singing the music of faith, in prayer, and in service to others. We have this insight, even though we also see that the world is filled with disunity, and peace is sometimes hard to find. There are struggles and wars, injustice and greed, prejudice and intolerance, desperation and violence. We have this powerful insight of the unity and peace of Christ, but when we are at our weakest, instead of joining with Jesus to overcome disunity, we accommodate ourselves to it. We have this powerful insight when we gather at the table, but we fail to use that power – God’s power - beyond the table when we see opportunities. This is not the beautiful thing we had hoped would grow..
So Paul writes to his friend Timothy. It’s a letter to encourage faith in God and commitment to God’s purposes. It’s a beautiful letter, not because it may be filled with theology and doctrine, but because it is so personal. Paul knows all about Timothy and his family. And the way that Paul writes demonstrates to Timothy and to us that God is trying to touch our lives, not because of your most perfect moments, but because of who you are and what you need.
Paul’s letter seems addressed directly to people like us, the ones who are gathering at the table. The ones who have had a powerful insight of God’s intentions for unity and peace. The ones who can’t seem to hold on to that message beyond the table. In the New Revised Standard Version, Paul writes, “Rekindle the gift of God that is within you”. I like the translation in Today’s English Version, “Keep alive the gift that God gave you.” These are beautiful phrases that put us in touch with God’s intentions for our gathering, for repairing, restoring, renewing, and restarting,
Paul knows that many Christians have lost momentum, have let precious spiritual gifts go unused, have valuable spiritual gifts in boxes at the back of the shelf in the least used closet in the house. We gather around this table, coming form north, south, east and west to rekindle what may have been lost or forgotten. The way we gather at the table is a beautiful thing in such a divided world.
Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Though we see many barriers between people , maybe even helped to establish those lines and boundaries, today the welcoming words of Jesus remind us that that there are no boundaries around his table This feast is for all of you, the body of Christ! Join in it and be glad, for your Lord comes to you this day. Rekindle the gift of God that is within you! It is a beautiful gift, that God has given to us in Jesus the Christ.
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