19th Sunday After Pentecost

Luke 18:1-8

Today we got to hear a trio of wonderful biblical stories about the power of persistence.  Now I tend to think that persistence is a highly underrated trait in the church and in the world.  The ability to stick to a task even if it is repetitive, hard or shows little or no sign of success.  The commitment to continue with something for extra ordinary periods of time or the decision to stay faithful to a something even when new and different choices arise is something we often fail to value in our fast-paced world.

Instead we tend to be attracted to charismatic people and big splashy events.  These sorts of things tend to be the ones that get noticed and talked about, promoted and lifted up.  This is definitely true in the media, but also often at our jobs and in our communities and even in our church families.  We tend to notice and remember the person who gets up front and speaks, the large-scale fancy events, the CEO, the priest, the leader.  But in reality, this is almost never where the actual work gets done.  For every big attention getter there are 20 more working quietly behind the scenes, plodding away doing the day in day out work of the kingdom.  Showing the kind of dogged persistence that actually makes the world go round.

And this is the kind of work and life that our bible readings highlight today.   Because the life of faith isn’t primarily about big flashy life changing events.  Though we may have some of those too.  But about the day to day living that makes up a Christian life and the persistence it requires to keep on living a faithful life year after year.

So the scripture calls on us today as followers of Christ to show persistence in our lives of faith.  Paul tells us in second Timothy remain faithful, to be persistent in our life of faith whether we see immediate results or not, whether times are favorable or unfavorable, perhaps especially when times are unfavorable.  Because God is going to act.  God is already acting.  Not always on our timeline or in the ways we expect, but God is acting and God is working through those around you, even if neither you nor they are aware of it.

We see the fruits of this persistence in the story of Jacob from Genesis, where Jacob wrestles with God on the riverbank.  Even as the struggle goes long into the night.  Even after he is injured and has no hope of prevailing, Jacob will not give up until he receives a blessing from God.  And what a blessing it is.  Jacob receives and new name and becomes the father of a great nation.  He has 12 sons who grow up to found the 12 tribes of Israel and he finds everlasting favor with God.  But even so, watch the last line.  Jacob may be blessed but he leaves limping.  For one still cannot leave an encounter with the living God and walk away unchanged.

And finally look at our Gospel story from Luke today.  This poor widow speaks up for herself, even though by society’s standards she should remain silent, even though she sees no outward signs of hope, even though she sees no results.  Yet God works through the most unexpected of people.  Through this corrupt, unfaithful and unscrupulous judge, God still grants her justice.  Because she never gave up.

Jesus reminds us today through the witness of scripture that this is what church work is all about.  The small things.  The day to day work.  The simple acts of service.  The little things that don’t appear to be making a difference but end up being life changing or even world changing.  Because yes God can and does work though big splashy things.  Through miracles and sudden epiphanies and earth-shaking events.  But that is not all, or even most or really barely any of the work he is doing in the world.  Because God works primarily through the faithful witness of his people.  Through us, through our messy sometimes broken, sometime awe-inspiring lives to build his kingdom.

Truly the kingdom of God is not built on grand gestures but on the way that we are persistent in loving one another, worshipping God, sharing the good news and caring for the poor. 

I feel like this is a particular strength of the people here at St George’s.  Witnessed of course by the fact that most of the congregation isn’t here this week and instead will be downtown cooking and serving food to those in need.  As you have done for decades faithfully year in and year out.  And today those people will feel the love of God and be fed in body and soul because little St George’s way out here in Milford remains persistent in its love.  Because you all stood out in the heat at Milford Memories and collected money, and brought in clothes and plastic bags and got up early and cooked maybe not this year but at some point over the decades. And if not this thing than so many other moments over the life of this congregation.

It’s not big fancy programs and splashy advertising, loud charismatic speakers or semi-miraculous events, that truly build the kingdom of God.  It’s ordinary people persistent in faithfully living the gospel. 

And I will say that this church is one that really excels in exhibiting this kind of persistent faithfulness.  It is filled with people who faithfully gather to worship and share sacraments together.  Who pray for each other and eat together and throw great parties.  Who share God’s gracious love with their neighbor through so many different powerful outreach activities.  Who care for one another and visit each other and find ways to include all our friends even the ones who don’t officially belong to the church, who check on each other and joke with one another and love each other. 

Those are the things that really matter in making a church that builds the kingdom of God.  Those are the things that really make a difference in people’s lives.  Some churches might be bigger and cast a wider net, but few are deeper. 

So hear me today that your work in the world.  All the otherwise unseen and unnoticed moments.  All the acts of kindness and perseverance and care.  All those things matter to Jesus and to the world. Well done good and faithful servants.  This is how the kingdom of God is formed.  Amen.