The greatest gift is…our job

February 2, 2025

Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

So, this past Monday I needed to go to a phone repair shop over in Danbury. I arrived a bit early as I thought there might be a line…there was not, but another individual pulled up right after me to have his phone screen replaced. We chatted for a moment about nothing in particular, and once the store opened we both left our phones there and went our separate ways to wait for the hour and a half needed for the repair.

When I went back I ran into the same fellow and again, as the phones were not quite ready and needed some final tweaking to get them back up to speed we again struck up a conversation. He started by asking me what I did for a living. I shared with him that I was a pastor over in Patterson and immediately he was intrigued. He started telling me how he thought I would be a good person to talk with, for I seemed calm and open to him. He then went on to bemoan what he viewed as a lack of empathy on the part of so many individuals. ‘Empathy’ is defined as the ability to see things from another’s perspective and feel their emotions, being able to sense what another is feeling and to imagine oneself in the same circumstances. Empathy is different from sympathy which is defined as feeling pity or sorrow over someone else’s misfortune. He struggled with this for he felt that far too many don’t really try to understand what someone else is going through and as a result tend to keep a bit of a distance.

Which was an interesting start to a conversation ans tied in with a news story I had read on Tuesday morning about the tendency for some to open a conversation and to inquire about another in order to have a chance to share their own thing…to make a pretense of caring only to have a chance to share their own good fortune or personal news. The article went on to say that this reflects a critical need in these times when so many are questioning so much and really do need someone to listen and not just make a show of caring. The article called for really taking the time to listen to one another, to reflect on where they were and to give another the chance to share more deeply and meaningfully…sort of like what my phone repair companion was saying as well.

I continued the conversation in the phone store saying we were in a time when the work of Christians was never more guaranteed than it is now…that the current socio political climate is ‘job security’ in a sense in that there has never been a greater need to cultivate our ability to hear, to really listen and to demonstrate empathy in our quest to love one another.

He responded by opening up and sharing that he was brought up in what he termed a very fearful brand so to speak of Christianity. His dad was quite distant to the kids and his mom was a committed church goer who trundled the kids off to church every week until they were old enough to be able to make up their own minds about faith at which point he pretty much left faith in the rearview mirror.

And I say all this because he really wanted me to understand that there were just things that did not add up for him concerning the notion of a loving God, and a world in such disarray and turmoil. He had a real sense of loss and unfairness in his own life…including parents who stayed together for decades, for reasons unknown to him. He mentioned that his father died without leaving any sort of note for him, and that as the only son of 5 siblings he really did not know if he actually ever loved him or not. He had all the usual questions of why would God allow this or that, why did good people seem to suffer so, why did children have to suffer through illness…life for him seemed so random, so like it was hard to imagine that there was a good God in charge. Not too unlike the sentiment in the opening words of Ecclesiastes where we hear that ‘all is vanity’, that there is nothing new under the sun, that no matter what we do, nothing ever seems to change. The meaning of life was somehow hidden, but he wanted to talk with me.

I told him that all that he had said did seem to be true at times, that indeed there was much about life that did not add up, that did not make sense. I told him that it was fruitless to try and apply logic to the circumstances of life, for sometimes there were no answers readily apparent. And then I shared with him something I had heard years ago that really moved me at the time, and which remains with me as a kernel of wisdom and a guiding principle in how I hear my call as a person of faith.

In this little story it seems that someone was complaining bitterly to God about some of these same perceived injustices. ‘God’, they asked, ‘why is there so much struggle and turmoil, why are so many suffering?’ To which God replied simply, ‘You know, I have been wondering the same thing…’

Well that seems to have really rocked him…he said he had never thought about it from that perspective…it was food for thought for him to be sure. And that is where the words of Paul in our reading for today really came to life for me. In this well known passage, which I am sure all of us are familiar with, and have probably heard read at more than one wedding, we hear the truth that the answer to so much of what we have been talking about is within our own hands, within our own hearts and minds, and within the decisions we make each and every day concerning how to react to what the world has put before us. For truly, if we look closely enough, so much of the hardship and suffering we see or are a part of is of our own making, or at least the fault of others among us. And just as surely, love, real love is the only answer.

 ‘But’, you may rightly reply, ‘love is not easy, to extend or to receive. in fact at times it seems almost impossible’! And while that can be quite true at times, it is no excuse to stop trying, to continue reaching out. For truly that is the very substance of the command which Jesus said is the greatest and most critical one…to ‘love God, and one another as yourself’, to ‘love as God first loved you’…to have mercy, understanding, grace, patience, humility…to really listen because you care and want to know, not solely because you are making conversational noise…’. Slow down and listen, slow down enough to really hear another…for in doing so the Spirit will attune and direct your heart. As we hear Jesus say in John16 and verse 13, ‘ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come’.

I think perhaps that Paul’s words today give some of the best advice as to how to structure our lives and our understanding, for they are very specific in how we are to conduct our relations with and care for others. And throughout the passage he keeps referring to what he terms ‘the greatest of these’…the best and most profound way of being for each other, the way of unconditional and all-forgiving love. It is clear that Paul understands that the change that is needed to move us all to a place nearer to the will and heart of God is truly extensive, and must be taken a step at a time. Truly, until a time when enough are willing to demonstrate that love and not power, sacrifice and not self seeking are the only honest options, it will be difficult to move closer to that ‘day’ we have \been called to reveal. 

I would like to share Paul’s words from the first Corinthians Chapter 13 with you once more, but this time to read it as though he wrote it directly to each of us gathered here. My hope is that, as with our other readings, we might gain both a clearer understanding as well as the boldness and enthusiasm that our Lord is asking of us. Let us listen as Paul addresses us directly…

My dear fellow travelers,

I wish to share with you some of the things I wrote to another Church in Greece so many years ago. I know you are familiar with the letters I wrote to the church in Corinth, but I thought it might be helpful to share those same thoughts with you again, perhaps in terms more easily understood. Feel free to share them for I believe these thoughts and understandings are one of our Lord’s finest gifts to me and something our God wants everyone to know. So here goes…

You know, even though you may be able to speak with words and in a manner that is truly gifted…and perhaps even in a way that seems sent directly from God, and even though you may be able to communicate well with others in this way…if you are not filled with the love of God and guided by the Holy Spirit, it is all for nothing. Words without the power of love will do you no good and are not helpful, in fact they may be even more harmful if they lead to misunderstanding or distraction.

Over the years, many have relied solely on their ability to speak eloquently and persuasively, without the actual blessing of God upon their work. They may even have obtained a following for their efforts. But when the going gets tough and hard questions arise, they are not able to draw on the wisdom and strength of the Holy Spirit, and so fall short of being able to really help others. Fancy talk and fancy phrases without the underlying love of God is really just useless noise. Truly loving words lift up and embrace each one of us.

Other folks claim to be able to see into the future and to predict the outcome of certain events. They claim to be able to prophesy and to speak for God. In truth, when God calls one to be a prophet, they are being asked to stand up and speak the truth in a way that challenges people to look closely at what is going on about them. Prophets are called to speak the truth of God into ordinary every-day life.  If instead someone seeks to put themselves in a place of being able to ‘forecast the future’ they are way off base and not being truthful. Rather, one should always seek to speak the truth of God into the moment, so as to inspire people to turn to God.

Others among you may have been given a gift of being very bright, and appear to be able to figure out and understand a lot of things in this world.  However, even though someone is extremely gifted like this and may be able to understand many mysteries and wonders, even when someone is intellectually blessed, if they use that gift for their own advancement and don’t use it lovingly and with great concern for the needs of others who are oppressed or unloved, then that gift has been wasted.

For every gift of God is given for the purpose of glorifying and revealing God, and to make God’s love for all of his children known to others. If someone chooses to take a gift of knowledge and wisdom and to use it only for personal gain, then that gift doesn’t have the transformative power of grace.

My friends, I am sure you recall when Jesus spoke of having a faith strong enough to move mountains…and that he told his followers they would do greater things then even he had done. It is important to remember that if someone has such faith and is in fact able to do amazing things, still it does not release them from God’s call to do everything they do with the spirit and attitude of servant love.  ‘Amazing faith’ is not really so amazing if that person’s gifts only end up giving them personal fame and a good reputation. God insists that works of faith be done in love, so that those who see them may be drawn closer to an understanding of what it truly means to be loved. 

You see, God gives gifts in order to accomplish very specific ends, and those who receive them must listen for the Spirit’s guidance to determine how and when they should use them. If any of these things are used without the love of God, then they are wasted…they are simply wasted gifts without the power to change peoples lives.

Still others may have decided that they are actually going to live a totally others-centered life…but for the wrong reasons. Those who decide to give away all they have, to empty themselves so completely that they are left with nothing. Those who have decided to do this not out of the Spirit’s urging, but all on their own in order to be thought more highly of by others, giving away all they had in order to look good, or to look ‘religious’. Indeed, our Lord does call for us to live a life of sincere self-sacrifice and care for others, and even to a fault. However that call is given in order to demonstrate God’s love for others, not to promote the ego or reputation of one individual.

Don’t you see? Motivation to serve God must not be about serving oneself. It isn’t about you, but is totally about making God visible and available to all those around you whose lives you are blessed to touch. Offer your life and energy, your devotion and commitment wholly over into the hands of God, for God can surely work a wonder with a life so yielded.

You know my friends that God’s love is very patient. And it is so in order to teach that we too need to be very patient both with ourselves, as well as with each other.  God never tires of trying to teach us how to love…so you also need to extend the same care and persistent love to others.

Be kind to those who you meet up with and do not be envious of what you see someone else has or does. Don’t look at someone and wish that you had the same gifts as they have, for God has carefully ordered our life together in community, and has given different gifts so that all together we reflect the goodness and loving-kindness of our Lord. If everyone had all the same gifts we would not need each other and would not work together as a family very well. Be joyful in your union with God and celebrate each individual’s unique contribution to the work and will of God. Everyone has work to do and a responsibility to participate in setting free and lifting up those who are downtrodden or oppressed.

My dear ones, the love of God is gentle and kind, it is not rude or boastful, but is respectful of others and makes room for each and every individual within the family of God. Therefore it is so important to remember always to cherish one another; for every individual is special to God…every one is a reflection of some aspect of God and needs to be encouraged and allowed to bring their particular gifts and talents to the gathering of community. All of creation rejoices when relationships are healed, and love is allowed to fully bloom.

And so my friends, remember that God’s love is at the heart of everything that is…it just needs to be allowed to show itself. For love bears all things, no matter what may come your way, no matter what may try to change your mind, no matter what may seek to convince you that it is not sufficient…it is still the only answer.

Love also believes all things. It is God’s way of reaching out to each one of us. For God sees each of us as precious, and capable of being a light of hope in the world still too often darkened with hatred, greed, and fear. We each are capable of helping to bring all people into loving community and fellowship, with God, and with each other.

And finally, as the people of God, your lives are to be filled with faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these three is love.  So I say again, love fully and forever.

…love, love again…and love still more…for this will not only confront, but surely defeat all that which is unloving amongst us…

In Christ’s love I remain, paul of tarsus

…amen