HOMILY – 29^TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – B

FURMAN UNIVERSITY  -  OCTOBER 22, 2006  -  8:30PM

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

Die hard part 2006,  in every way,  a story with a calling.

Die hard part 2006.  The Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity.  Sounds like a beginning or end to any one of a hundred action movies where the villain nearly dies trying to make things right.  Whether you are watching Bruce Willis, Bruce Lee, or Bruce Almighty.  The good guy always gets nearly torn to shreds and we watch him persevere.  Women too, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, all function in the same way.  It’s Die Hard – Part 2006.

But a much more intriguing story is Jesus.  He actually goes down.  More like an Indie film where the unpredictable is allowed to happen.  Jesus leads, there is nothing more important than the common good, than the truth, than justice and it is bigger than He is.  In this story it is the truth that will die hard, justice will not be going down, come what may to Him.  It is the story of hope and it can play in you and me today – Like in the movies when we know Bruce or Cameron will not be dying at all - Justice will “Die Hard” with us on the job.”

In every way.  Part of the picture is Jesus standing for something, part of the picture is Jesus standing WITH someone.  Jesus stands for us.  He suffers and dies.  He shares everything with us – even the worst things.  Though we will never suffer as much as He because He was innocent and rejected, innocent and beaten, innocent and killed.  He is with us in every way and more.

A story with a calling.  Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu tells the story of a double murder in the city of CapeTown South Africa.  A woman’s husband is burned alive by the order of a policeman for rallying black people to resist the minority racist government.  The next day her son is burned alive, we learn, on the same spot to show anyone even connected to the rally will be stopped. 

Ten years later, after Apartheid and the freeing of Nelson Mandela she has her day in court.  Officer Johannson is there and the case is made by both lawyers.  After the trial work finishes, but before sentencing, silent throughout the trial, Mrs. Tumbala is asked by the judge if she would like to say anything.  She says that she would like to say only three things.  One can only imagine what they would be as she finally sits just 7 feet from her husband and son’s murderer.

She says, “I would like officer Johannson to tell me where he burned my husband and boy so that I may go and collect whatever may be there of the ashes.  I would also like officer Johannson to know that I forgive him.  And I would like him to come and visit me often because I am a lonely woman now in need of company.

After a pregnant and holy silence someone began singing “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound…”  The court joined in before being called to order by the judge.

You see, there is a justice that is God’s and we are called to it.  There is a way that comes from the experience of an eternal God who is for all.  To Mrs. Tumbala officer Johannson was a member of the body of Christ by Christ’s choosing.  She decided to follow Jesus – come what may.  It changed the lives of all who witnessed and heard of it.  Perhaps you too.

“The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.  To give His life as a ransom for many.”

We get in the Lord chair, become the judge, rule and ask for status.

“It shall not be so with you”  says the Lord…