Give Hope

SERMON FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2010 SAINT ANNE’S
PROPER 24C LYDIA HUTTAR BROWN
Genesis 32:22-31, Luke 18:1-8



It was dark in the mine, half a mile underground.

After the deafening roar of falling rock, after the terror of feeling like the mountain was caving in and would crush them, after the silence and the realization they were still alive, it still took hours for the dust to settle and for the 33 Chilean miners to realize they were trapped by a huge rock that blocked their only exit. They gave thanks to God that they had not been in the passageway, on their way to the surface for their lunch break. They gave thanks that they were instead trapped a half mile underground in a huge cavern, and they gave thanks that surely -- almost certainly -- people were looking for them and would find them. They gave thanks and began their active hoping. Persevering in hope. They rationed their little bit of food, to make it last as long as possible. They exercised and sang and told stories and made plans for the future when they would be rescued.

It was dark in the lives of teenagers, in Minnesota and around the country.

Well, at least it felt dark. So dark and lonely and misunderstood that they could see no escape except death. Teenagers who were harassed and bullied because of who they were. And who felt trapped and alone. Without hope, without light, without a future.

It was dark in the forest along the Jabbock River, as Jacob wrestled with the angel.

He wrestled with his doubts and fears, wrestled with God pushing him toward his estranged brother, wrestled with his own inadequacy and mortality. But Jacob didn’t give up. He struggled with all his doubts and fears. He struggled with his conscience. He demanded a divine blessing. He persevered in hope -- active hope --
that his encounter with his brother would be blessed by God.

It was dark in the life of the widow.

Her husband had died. In her time -- in Jesus’ time -- a widow was destitute. No husband meant no home, no livelihood, no money.
So there were moral and social obligations to widows built into the legal code. But this widow was not being served well by the system. A corrupt judge was refusing to make sure her safety net was in place. But the widow persevered in hope. She wouldn’t rest until she got justice,the protection of the law, for the help she needed.

Above the miners, their loved ones were also persevering in hope. Hope that their loved ones would be found, alive. They made a camp above the mine -- Camp Esperanza -- Camp Hope. And nobody gave up.

With Jacob, the angel also persevered in the struggle,and gave Jacob a blessing as the sun came up. It may have been dark in the nighttime, but Jacob was aware of God’s presence with him throughout his struggle. Jacob did not persevere or hope alone.

The widow also was not alone in her persevering hope. She had the law on her side; she had the wisdom of maturity to take a longer view and insist on justice for herself.

Where is Camp Hope for young people who are afraid and lonely? Where is the persevering, hopeful community that will stop at nothing to lighten their darkness?

Churches like St. Anne’s, who believe in the honor and dignity of every human being, must speak louder and reach out more clearly with a message of hope. Bishop Gene Robinson said in a recent blog posting that religion is killing our young people. The religious messages that get into the mainstream media too often fuel hatred and prejudice, even cruelty. We must counteract the messages that come from much of organized religion that adds to the despair of young people. Our message is this:

God loves you, as you are. You are a child of God, created in God’s image. God has great hope for you, and so do we.

Being people of good will is not enough. We have to actively hope, actively struggle and demand a blessing for all people who are trapped, who are in darkness. Especially young people who don’t have the perspective to take the long view.

The Star Tribune recently had a contest for young people to enter their dreams for a better world. Winston Chen, a 5th grader in Eden Prairie, wrote:

I dare to dream of a community where people of all different cultures and religions come together creating a great collage of many colors.
I dare to dream of a community where despair is replaced with hope and fear is overcome by joy.
I dare to dream of a community where collaboration is valued, and everyone is an equal contributor.

Mackenzie Manuel, a 4th grader in Minneapolis, wrote:

My dream for our community is for people to stop violence and get along. … [One] thing I would change is bullying and harassment. Some kids get bullied all the time and other kids see it and don’t do anything. That’s called a “bystander.” If you see somebody getting bullied, you should tell someone because if you don’t it could happen to you! … So remember to always help others out and don’t be afraid to stand up for what’s right.

Olivia Meredith, 3rd grader in Minnetonka, finished her short essay with a poem:

Give hope, watch others beam,
it is easier than it seems.
Pay it forward is the theme,
as a community, we make dreams.


Give hope. Watch others beam. We, as God’s people, are called to persevere in hope and to shine the light of persevering hope for others. For all people. This is our vocation, and it is critically needed now, right now, in our families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and community. Let us be a loud insistent persevering voice, demanding justice for all people, and working, waiting, actively hoping.

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