It's All Downhill

Epiphany 5A

Matthew 5:13-20

February 5, 2020

St. Matthias

           This week I skied – DOWN a mountain – on the snow – and I went faster than I thought I probably should, and a couple of times almost didn’t stop when I thought the same thing.  We had this ski instructor whose name was Jim and he had been skiing down much larger mountains for many years.  For 3 days he tried to teach Stefanie, Josh, Phyllis and me how to do it.  We’d been skiing before.  We weren’t very good.  On the first day we skied on what they call the BUNNY slopes and we remembered things like how to go and stop and turn and get up when you fall down.  Skiing is backwards – you want to lean back when you are supposed to lean forward – lean left when everything feels like you should be leaning right – and at first it makes absolutely no sense to dig the edge of one ski into the snow while keeping the other one flat.  It makes no sense if you think about it – but you can’t – and instead you just have to trust and believe that if you do it that way – you will ski.

           Anyone who has ever gone to Church, listened to the scriptures, and come to Communion has likely asked themselves, HOW DOES this faith stuff work?  And Jesus gives us the answer in the Sermon on the Mountain.  When we show mercy, when we love one another, and when we help someone in need – then the Grace of God fills our lives to overflowing and we know the Peace that passes all understanding.  You just have to do it.  There is that unmistakable feeling that seems to glow in our hearts and it is almost indescribable – but we know beyond a shadow of doubt that God is here – all around us – and we can proclaim that IT WORKS!

           It’s like that feeling I get when we see Stefanie, Josh, and Lydia - our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.  We were with them this week in Colorado and had a wonderful time.  And now I am already counting down the days until we get to see them again.  I keep one of those countdown timers going on my iPhone.  I can’t describe the excitement in mere words, but its there. 

           It’s like the feeling I get at Camp McDowell.  We were there just yesterday for Diocesan Convention and every time I go I just know beyond all understanding that I believe in God and God loves me.  It’s why we say that Camp McDowell is God’s backyard and Camp McDowell is the way the world should be!

           And it’s that same feeling I get when I come here to St. Matthias and I really do understand what we mean when we say that WE BELIEVE.  It’s as if all the words in the world can’t really describe what we are feeling at that moment.  I feel it when we gather at the 8:00 am Eucharist for a group hug at the Peace.  I especially feel that feeling on 2^nd Sunday’s when we worship together and then pack Beans and Rice to feed the world.  In my heart – not just my head – but in my heart this is the time when I know what it truly means to call myself a Christian and to proclaim that WE BELIEVE.  It is the best feeling in the world – because I know that God loves me.

           Jesus said to the crowd gathered that day on the side of the mountain that we are the SALT of the EARTH.  We are the PEOPLE of GOD.  But what if we don’t feel like it?  PERHAPS there are times when we come and experience God’s presence here and in our lives and we proclaim that WE BELIEVE and then less than 24 hours later it’s Monday morning and we find ourselves wondering, “WHAT HAPPENED?”  How do I carry this Peace that I find at St. Matthias with me Monday through Saturday?  How do I NOT lose my SALTINESS?  Jesus answers the question in the very next verse, “DON’T HIDE THE LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL!”  Take what you find right here at St. Matthias or Camp McDowell or wherever you find God and take it with you all through the week and every day.  Don’t hide that light within you.  Live St. Matthias every day! 

           So how do I do that.  PRAY!  You know how!  You do it every Sunday right here.  Use the prayer in the BCP that we say every Sunday, ALMIGHTY GOD UNTO WHO ALL HEARTS ARE OPEN.  Look at the scripture insert – there is a different prayer every Sunday.  Or simply sit quietly and know that you are in the presence of God. 

           Next, LOVE!  Go out there and love someone – anyone.  Be nice to people.  Smile.  Send someone a card, call them on the phone, start your own personal prayer list.  If you have put someone on the Church prayer list then I expect you to be praying for them every day as well.

           And then, GIVE THANKS!   If you do you will soon know that God is with you on Tuesday as well as Sunday.  You will experience the Peace that passes all understanding and the very Grace of our Savior at home and work and Walmart just like you do at St. Matthias or Camp McDowell.  After a while you may well find yourself counting down the moments.  You will feel SALTY and Your LIGHT will SHINE Monday through Saturday and on Sunday.  Live St. Matthias!  BELIEVE.  It’s all downhill and much easier than skiing.  AMEN.