Laying Down Our Lives for the Sake of Others

John 12:24-28 (NRSV)

Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
 
"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-- `Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."

We are very close to the beginning of the Fall season.  It actually is my favorite time of year for many reasons. I love the changing colors of the leaves on the trees.   It reminds me of home in Massachusetts when we would occasionally take a drive up towards New Hampshire or Vermont and see the beautiful foliage.  Fall is also thought of as a time of death and dying.  It is the time when all the summer flowers start to wilt and dry up.  The green grass eventually turns brown.  The bears and other animals prepare to hibernate for the long winter.   Later in November we will celebrate All Saints and All Souls.  The Sunday readings will start getting darker as they predict the end times.  The wonder of nature and the reality of life all play their role during the Fall.

In many ways Fall is very much like the Lent and Easter Seasons.  During Lent and Easter we recall that there is no resurrection without the crucifixion.  So in Fall we are reminded without death, there can be no life.  It is no less scary, but it is something every human person will one day have to come to terms with.

The Gospel for today's Daily Office is the story of Jesus arriving to raise Lazarus from the tomb.  In John 11: 17-29 we read how Martha, Lazarus' sister ran out to meet Jesus.   In the course of their conversation Jesus proclaims himself to be the "Resurrection and the Life" (vs. 25), and Martha proclaims her faith that Jesus is the Son of God.   We will not read about Jesus raising Lazarus until tomorrow, for today, the reading ends with Mary the other sister of Lazarus running out to meet Jesus. Do we live our lives as if we believe that Jesus is the Resurrection and Life? 

Today we commemorate Constance the Nun and her companions who are called "the Martyrs of Memphis."  Constance was part of the Sisters of St. Mary.  She and her sisters along with George C. Harris the Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral ministered to and with those affected by the epidemic of Yellow Fever in 1878.   30,000 citizens had fled Memphis in fear, with 20,000 more were left to face the epidemic.  The City of Memphis saw an average of 200 deaths a day.  "When the worst was over ninety percent of the population had contracted the Fever, more than 5,000 people had died." (All of this information is being taken from Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 570).

Constance along with Dean Harris and many others from the Sisters of St. Mary took care of many of the orphaned children and brought comfort to the sick and hope to the dying, though they faced the risk of getting Yellow Fever themselves.  Even a terrible threat such as the Fever did not stop them from being compassionate and welcoming to Jesus as he came sick and dying to their doors.

In the Gospel that is part of Today's Eucharist commemorating Constance and her companions, Jesus said: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also."   We are told that if we are to bear fruit, we must be willing to give up what is most precious to serve the needs of others.

Last night on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann there was a heart warming interview of a Memphis Pastor Steve Stone who is sharing space with Islamic worshipers who are building a Mosque next door to their church.  While all of this crazy stuff is going on about burning Qurans this upcoming Saturday in Florida and apparently another Pastor is going to burn some in Tennessee, here is a real Christian Pastor who is showing real hospitality and Christian Charity to our Islamic sisters and brothers.   There was no animosity between the two individuals in the interview, just a warm acceptance of each other and an appreciation for each other.  That is so much about what the Gospel is about.  When we allow the fear that is in us about others different from ourselves to fall down and die, new and wonderful life in new and wonderful relationships will grow.

In the last few days, there has been a movement to encourage people of all faiths to consider requesting a free copy or buying a copy of the Quran to show support for our Islamic sisters and brothers.  It is not a bad idea.  Perhaps if we can all take time to learn more about the faith of the Muslims we can also help alleviate the dark myths that conservative Christians are spreading about them.  If you would like a free Quran feel free to go to the web page for Gain Peace.

The Church needs to continue to work towards the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and queer communities, along with many other minorities.  The Church cannot be the symbol of unity between people, and show itself to be a model of generosity, hospitality and reconciliation if we do not learn to allow our prejudices to fall to the ground and die.  Sometimes we will be called to lay down our lives for the sake of others as Constance and her companions did.  Some of us will be called to lay down our lives and share our spaces with those that we are not quite comfortable with yet.  Since when is being a Christian totally synonymous with being comfortable?  When our fear and ignorance are replaced by knowledge, acceptance and hospitality as difficult as it can be, then true Charity grows and communities that were once separated from each other can find room to share with each other.

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Proper 18, Book of Common Prayer, page 233).

We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Constance and Her Companions, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 571).

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, page 101).