Sermon preached by The Rev. Fredrick A. Robinson
The 18th Sunday after Pentecost
One of the best movies of all time is It’s a Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart. Jimmy Stewart plays the part of the head of a Savings in Loan that is about to go under. Over the years it has helped many of the people of his community in building their businesses and in other ways as well, but the economy has fallen on hard times, people can’t pay back their loans, and the Savings and Loan to which Stewart has devoted his life is about to fail.
Stewart is depressed and even contemplates suicide. An angel appears to him, and in Dickensian style shows him what his community and his family would have been like if it had not been for him. The town villain, who wanted to control everything, would have been able to do so had it not been for his little Savings and Loan, his wife would have remained single, his children would not have been born. Life would have been much different and ever so much worse off had it not been for him.
He is brought back to the present a new man, grateful for his life, his family, and his community. No more thoughts of suicide, no more depression, and with a renewed commitment to living life to the fullest.
It’s a Wonderful Life reminds us (And if you haven’t seen it, you can see it around Christmas time every year. It is shown almost around the clock, it seems, at that time of year, for Christmas is the time in which the movie is set) that we have influenced others in ways we cannot begin to imagine. It reminds us that the good that we do for others does matter, even though it may not be apparent at any given time, and that that good has a cumulative effect. One good deed enables someone to do another good deed, which then enables several others to do good deeds. It’s like a stone thrown into a still pond, creating ripples that eventually touch every part of the pond.
The story has a good end. His friends rally around him and they come up with enough money to save his Savings in Loan from falling into the hands of the villain. What would have happened if Stewart had actually put an end to it all when he was at his low point?
I am reminded of It’s a Wonderful Life because of today’s psalm, one of the most beautiful psalms of praise in the Bible. David, to whom the psalm is attributed, must have been in a pensive mood when he wrote it, contemplating the greatness of God, feeling very much his littleness within the vastness of the universe. “O Lord our Governor, how exalted is your name in all the world…When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, What is man that you should be mindful of him? The son of man that you should seek him out?” David answers his question this way: “You have made him but little lower than the angels; you adorn him with glory and honor; you give him mastery over the works of your hands; you put all things under his feet.”
While David was king, he certainly experienced some very low points in his life, yet he has come to the conclusion that this life is a glorious life and that our response should be to praise God and give him thanks.
We are about to enter into a season of stewardship. I first of all want you to know that I am thankful to God for you all, that I am deeply impressed and humbled by the generosity and devotion of this parish. You have an effect in this parish and in this community that none of us can fully know and appreciate, but I know in my heart that it is so.
With that in mind, I want all of us prayerfully to discern what God is calling each of us to give back to him and to his Church of our time, talent, and treasure. Last year we did an in-depth study involving our entire parish, which resulted in the development of a strategic plan. That plan states clearly not only what we believe, but also what we believe we are called to be and to do in response to that belief. And we believe all of us are called to be involved in each of four areas, within the context of each of us being committed to being present in worship, in this Eucharistic fellowship, at least every Sunday when it is possible.
What are these four areas? The first is Christian Formation, in which we are called to involve ourselves in learning about our faith and ever growing into our Christian vocation. Take your place in some form of Christian formation.
The second is Service to Others. Each of us should find ways to serve one another and our community, whether it’s volunteering at Resurrection House, or Caritas, or serving as a host at our receptions. Take your place in service to others.
The third is Sharing Christ. We all need to learn to articulate the faith that is in us, that others may be brought to Christ. Every now and then someone will say to me, “But if we all do this, where will we put the people?” It’s almost as if some people think we are like the Field Club with a limited number of membership spots. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not a club and we are called to bring others to Christ, and of course that includes introducing them to his family, the Church. There is plenty of space for all of the people you can bring here, and if that means adding more space, then we’ll do it. Take your place in sharing Christ.
Fourth, Caring for One Another. We are a family, but we are a large family. We need to make sure that everyone feels loved and cared for, and the only way that can happen is if each of us goes out of our way to make sure that it does. Is a member of the parish sick? Don’t leave it up to someone else to notify the rector. When someone is absent from a committee meeting or a class or other group, don’t let that absence go unaccounted for. That person may be in the hospital or something might have happened in her or his family that we should keep in our prayers and perhaps even provide some help with. Don’t ever assume that the priest has been told! Take your place in caring for one another.
I want each of you to go over to Gillespie Hall after mass and look at many of the things that are begging for involvement. Each of these four areas is represented in our Ministries Fair. Some of you are involved greatly already. I would still like for you to go to the Ministries Fair. Not only will you learn more about this wonderful parish, but also you can contribute to the endeavor by sharing your own experience.
Finally, I want each of us prayerfully to consider what we are intending to give of our treasure. This year is going to be a challenge. Some of us are without work. Many have incomes that have been drastically reduced. But some of us are doing fine. Whatever your situation is, I hope you will give in accordance with your ability, and that you will do it with a cheerful heart. Imagine what your life would be like without Redeemer. Imagine what this community would be like without this great parish that has served Sarasota for over 100 years. Give thanks to God and respond by giving your time, talent, and treasure.