Eyes Front

A little bit later this morning, we will “inaugurate” three new vestry members and two new wardens to serve in leadership roles in the parish. It is that time of year. There is, of course, another inauguration that will take place in a few days. I have voted now in nine presidential elections, so I’ve had at least some vested interest in that many presidential inaugurations. I was even living in the DC area in ’89 when the first Bush was inaugurated. I didn’t go. A great many people seem to perceive this inauguration of Barack Obama to be president as having much greater import than any other in recent history. That is the perception. I think there are a variety of reasons for that perception. The fact that he is a person of color is very significant, but that is not the whole story. There is a broad, sweeping sense of newness, a sense of the potential for change of unprecedented scope. It’s worth remembering that this inauguration is not a positive event for everyone—some of that is related to race and some of it is not. But almost everyone seems to feel that this is a singularly significant inauguration… this is a new beginning of unique magnitude.

It’s got peoples’ attention. More peoples’ attention by far than any other inauguration I can remember. And this inauguration has people looking towards the future. Many with hope; some with fear; some with expectation; some with excitement; some with anxiety. Because change was the very keystone of this election, people are looking forward wondering what sort of change really lies ahead. Everyone is looking towards the future. I happened to learn yesterday that there is a military drill command, “company, eyes left.” When that command is given in a marching column every eye, every head (except one) snaps to look left. Now, it is as though every person in America has heard the command, “people of this nation, eyes front.” Eyes front. Look forward. Different individuals’ feelings may be complicated and mixed, but everyone has eyes to the front, looking forward towards the future.

I happen to think that looking forward is a good thing. For the people of a nation, and for the Body of Christ.

As an individual looking towards the future of this nation, what do you see? What changes do you anticipate in the world as it directly impacts your life? What do you hope for? What do you fear? What is your role in shaping that future? Remember, it is not just about what your country can do for you… as another President once said… it is not just about what your country can do for you or about what your country may do to you in the future. For all of us, it is always also about what we have the ability and the opportunity to do to be this country in the future. Maybe the future holds your inauguration into a new or more responsible role as a citizen. Maybe one of the things that will change is you. As you focus eyes front, what positive change can you help make real?

As Christians, regardless of what’s going on in the nation, we should spend a good bit of our time with eyes front, looking forward in time. If we want to be followers of Jesus, if we want to be with Jesus, we need to look forward. That is where Jesus will be. If we are to follow Jesus, we must look forward to find him and to find our way to him. And he will always be there. He will always be there! For Christians, as we look forward, the one thing that matters more than anything else will never change. No matter what our next step may be, Jesus will be there ahead of us, reaching back to lead us forward. Absolutely no matter what else may be going on as the future unfolds, there is one thing we can always look forward to. The constant presence of Jesus in that future. Eyes front. Jesus will always be there.

Whether the days ahead offer new opportunities or financial challenge, Jesus will be a part of those days, never abandoning us. Whether the future around us brings breathtaking change or just more business as usual, Jesus will be there to lead us steadily Godward. Whether tomorrow brings you personally very good news or very bad news, Jesus will share it and bless it. Whether the next words you are to say are songs of celebration or struggling whispers of confession, Jesus waits to listen and love. As long as you keep eyes front, you will see Jesus there.

I recently read this anecdote about a job interview, for a job that obviously had some Christian connection.

The job interview was going well, until his interviewer asked, “Tell me about your walk with Jesus.”

The candidate replied without hesitation, “Every place I go, Jesus seems to have arrived there first.”

As he answered the question, he could see the interviewer’s eyes glaze over. What was expected was an affirmation of personal piety. There was a long, painful silence, then the reply. “I’m not sure I understand. Tell me more?”

“Of course. You see, it’s been clear to me since I first met Jesus that he’s present in the world everywhere I go… It’s God’s world. Jesus Christ is God’s presence in the world.”

“Fine, fine,” the interviewer broke in. “What I want to hear about is your walk with Jesus.’

“That’s what I’m talking about. My walk with Jesus doesn’t depend on how good I am or how prayerful I am – only on God’s presence in Jesus Christ. That has nothing to do with me. That’s the work of God.”

The subject was changed. The interview ended. The interviewer did not want to be told that Jesus is alive and well in the world. He wanted to hear the affirmation that when we are good enough and pious enough, we bring Jesus into the world, not the other way around. The story of Christmas… [and Epiphany is] that God in Christ comes to us whoever we are wherever we are.
(Edward Stone Gleason: The Prayer-Given Life)

Eyes front. No matter who you are or where you are. Jesus will be there.

If we weren’t having a big national inauguration this week, the political press would be busy speculating on the upcoming state of the union address. It is that time of year, too, a time not just for looking forward, but also a time for reflection on the past and taking stock of the present. It is that time for the nation and for us as the people of this parish. Today is our annual parish meeting. Some parishes and rectors expect a state of the parish address on the occasion of the annual meeting. That has never been my custom. Most of what’s usually included in such a speech is in the written annual reports. Your reports about your life and ministry in this parish. I have worked to make those as complete as possible. You should read them.

But on a deeper level, if you were to press me, “What is the state of the parish? As the Body of Christ, who are we, how are we doing?” I would answer your questions with other questions: “What is the state of your soul?” What is the state of your soul? And, also very important: “How rich is your communion with other Christians, especially those who are this particular community of faith?” These things are the measure of this community’s state of being as the Body of Christ. We are more than programs and budgets. We are souls, and the faithfulness of our souls and the strength of our communion with one another are the true describers of the state of the parish. So, what is the state of your soul? How rich is your interconnectedness with your fellow Christians? Your answer defines the state of the parish. You are the parish.

The state of your soul and the strength of your communion describe this parish community. So what do you think? Do you despair of a parish community that is no better than the state of your soul? Do not despair. Do not despair. Eyes front!

Yes, it is about our souls and our communion, but it is not about our ability to transform souls or our ability to create communion. It’s about God’s desire and God’s ability and God’s power to transform souls and create communion. It doesn’t take our piety to bring God into the world. This is God’s world. We are God’s people. We are God’s parish. Parish, eyes front! Jesus is there. When Nathanael in this morning’s Gospel reading lifted his eyes forward, he saw Jesus there and Jesus said to him, “Brother, this is just the beginning.” Quite an inauguration day for Nathanael.

Parish, eyes front. Jesus is waiting there, looking for us, ready to lead and transform us. Let us place our hope and our confidence in him. Be confident. Be confident in God’s presence and God’s power. That’s all we need. That’s all that matters. Eyes front. Jesus is there.