SERMON FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY APRIL 1, 2010                   BY LYDIA HUTTAR BROWN

ECUMENICAL WORSHIP WITH SPIRIT OF HOPE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY, SAINT ANNE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AND IGLESIA TIEMPO DEL MILAGRO

John 17:20-24   1 Corinthians 11:23-26            John 13:1-15

In the spirit of April Fool’s Day, I’ll start with a joke.

Doug Pagitt, pastor at Solomon’s Porch in Minneapolis, recently posted this story on his Facebook page:

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off.
So I ran over and said, “Stop! Don’t do it!”
“Why shouldn’t I?” he said.
I said, “Well, because there’s so much to live for!”
He said, “Like what?”
I said, “Well, are you religious or atheist?”
He said, “Religious.”
I said, “Me too! Are your Christian or Buddhist?”
He said, “Christian.”
I said, “Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?”
He said, “Protestant.”
I said, Me too!
Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?
He said, “Baptist!”
I said, “Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?
He said, Baptist Church of God!”
I said, “That’s great, me too! Are you Original Baptist Church of God or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?”

He said, “Reformed Baptist Church of God!”
I said, “Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?”

He said, “Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915!”

I said, “Die, you heretic scum!” and then I pushed him off.

It’s a joke — but it’s funny because, like all good humor, it has a kernel of truth in it.

In the 2,000 years since Jesus prayed his prayer, that all his followers would be one, and he and the Father are one, Christianity has become more and more fragmented.

We have found more and more items of faith or doctrine or practice or form of worship that we disagree on.
And too often, those disagreements become large enough in our imaginations that they divide us.
Christians stand opposed to one another, and criticize – even undermine – each other, because we disagree over the meaning of the sacraments, … or over what is the most important part of the Bible … or even how to read the Bible … or what it means to be saved …

Jesus prayed that all his followers would be one.  Would be united.
He didn’t pray that they would agree on everything, but that they would stand together and recognize that they are brothers and sisters, children of the one true God.  And he told them — he tells us — to love one another.  Not agree on everything, but LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

We are all MEMBERS of Christ’s body.
Various parts, different from one another, but all essential and all connected.

In the scripture we just read, Jesus told his disciples to repeat this meal, this last supper — to remember him.  To re-member him.  To make him whole again — not dismembered, fragmented, but Re-Membered.

Our coming together tonight is a witness of unity, in a broken and fragmented world.  When the world looks at the followers of Jesus, which brings him more honor?
That they would see groups estranged from one another because of their insistence on being right?
Or that they would see people who love each other and find ways to support and encourage each other, working together to bring Good News to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind — people who proclaim and work for the kingdom of God?

Let us be a sign to the world of Christ’s love.
Let us Re-Member Christ, and together be his Body.