Homecoming
Jeremiah 23:1-8
November 24, 25, 2007

You may have heard the story about the four brothers, Milton, Marvin, Michael, and Melvin. They lost their father at an early age, and their dear mother worked hard to get them all through school. They all graduated and moved to various parts of the country and became extremely successful. Several years later one of them suggested to the others that they all show their gratitude to their mother by giving her substantial gifts. Milton had a big, new home built for her. Marvin had a very expensive theater built into the house. Michael called his Mercedes dealer and had a brand new car delivered to her. Melvin was more creative. He knew how their Mama used to love to read the Bible, but wasn’t able to anymore because she couldn’t see very well. He met a preacher who had taught a parrot to recite the entire Bible. The patient pastor took ten years to teach the bird the Bible. The preacher explained, “All you have to do is name a book of the Bible, the chapter and verse—and the parrot will recite it.” Melvin said, “That’s perfect—and money is no object here.” So after parting with half a million dollars for the parrot, Melvin had the bird delivered to his Mama. Not too long after, they all gathered at Mama’s grand, brand new home, for their annual Thanksgiving celebration. After dinner, the brothers were curious about what Mama thought about her gifts. She was very candid and honest with them. Mama said, “Milton, this big ol’ house you built is so huge—and I only live in one room—but I have to clean the whole thing.” “Marvin, you gave me this big ol’ theater with 50 seats in it—but all my friends are dead; I’ve lost my hearing and I’m nearly blind—I’ll never use it.” “Michael, I’m too old to travel, I stay home, I have my groceries delivered—I can’t drive anymore.” “But Melvin, you were the only one to have some good sense.” “You gave some thought to your gift—thank you.” “The chicken was delicious.”

I don’t know whether you had chicken or turkey or parrot for Thanksgiving—but I hope your celebration was a good one! At Thanksgiving, perhaps more than during any other holiday, our thoughts turn toward home. Travel experts tell us that more people travel during this four-day weekend than during any other time of the year. And the number one destination is ... home. I also don’t know who gathered around your Thanksgiving table. But if your family operates like many families, you made pacts or agreements before you gathered together. Some of you have a list of certain topics that are not to be discussed. There are touchy subjects that are not to be touched. And what are two of the touchiest topics? Religion…and…politics. Has anybody ever said, “Now, honey, please don’t share your thoughts about the candidates.” “Don’t bring up the governor’s race again.” “And, dear, don’t mention that subject ever again.” “You remember what happened last Thanksgiving.” “Poor ol’ Aunt Harriett—she’ll never recover.”

THAT’S WHY JEREMIAH DOESN’T GET INVITED TO TOO MANY THANKSGIVING DINNERS. He isn’t afraid to talk about religion or politics. In fact, he makes folks feel even more uncomfortable. He isn’t afraid to talk about religion and politics. Over 2500 years ago, the prophet Jeremiah took jabs at Judah’s leaders. He criticized the rulers who were slowly selling out his country and his people to the powers of the Babylonian Empire. If you check out the previous chapter, you’ll see a sample of his hit list. Jeremiah itemizes the mistakes of Judah’s misguided monarchs. And when he says, “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep,” he isn’t horsin’ around!

The prophet cites the ancient symbol of a shepherd for a king or ruler. But he makes it very clear that these shepherds have been inattentive, irresponsible, and insidious! Fortunately, that is not the end of the story. Jeremiah proclaims that God will gather all the remnants from “all the lands” together. God will bring them safely back to their “fold,” their homeland. Under God’s care the flock will flourish! God will raise up new shepherds to replace the ba-a-a-d ones! The prophet predicts a time of restoration and renewal! He shares a vision of hope! “The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when a righteous Branch will rule over God’s people!” “The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when God’s wandering, wondering, wayward people will find their way home!”

HOME…WHAT THOUGHTS OR IMAGES COME TO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD? HOME… In the scripture we have heard today, there seems to be a strong tie to the “land—returning to a place, the homeland.” But there are other perspectives and insights to consider… From Psalm 90: “O Lord, you have always been our home; before you created the hills or brought the world into being, you were eternally God, and will be God forever.” Another has said, “Home is where the spirit is and where it hopes to be.” From John’s Gospel, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my word, and God will love you, and we will come to you and make our home with you.” Another person reflects: “The first and last promise of the Bible is that God will be with us.” “The Holy One shall be our God, and we shall be God’s people.” “When we are with God, we are already at home, even while en route.”

James Magaw shares another perspective: “Home is not a perfect word.” “Its meaning has been marred by those who abuse and manipulate.” “But God’s grace raises it to a new level of being.” “The home of faith is not a place where we have to go—it is where we want to go. “This home is not the reward of those who deserve it—it is the haven for those who need it.” “Home—here is where we, and all God’s family, belong.”

Some of you are fans of Anne Lamott; she has written a new book, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith, which offers help to scattered sheep and exiles today—even within our own families. Lamott speaks of her relationship with her young teenage son, Sam, and their participation in church. She admits that Sam does not like going to church, but she makes him go anyway. She writes, “Why do I make Sam go?” “Because I want him to.” “We live in bewildering, drastic times, and a little spiritual guidance never killed anyone. “I think it’s a fair compromise that he has to come to the place that has been so important to me. “I want him to see the people who loved me when I felt most unlovable, who have loved me since I first told them that I was pregnant, even though he might not want to be with them. “I want him to see their faces. “He gets the most valuable things I know through osmosis. “Also, he has no job, no car, no income—he needs to stay in my good graces. “While he lives at my house, he has to do things my way. “And there are worse things for kids than to have to spend time with people who love God. “Teenagers who do not go to church are adored by God, but they don’t get to meet some of the people who love God back. “Learning to feel love back is the hardest part of being alive…“While I can feel Sam’s agonized resistance to attending church, I know there is some nourishment for him there—there is real teaching. “And a prime parental role is to insist that your kid get real teaching. “Showing up is the lesson. “The singing is the lesson, and the power of community. “I can’t get this to him in a nice package, like a toaster pastry or take-out. “So, I make him come to church with me.”

Home… On Monday, November 12, I had the honor and privilege of taking Rev. Mary Beth Guy “home” to Ohio. It was the first time I had traveled the route she traveled so often. It was the first time for me to see some of the cities and tiny towns she had talked about. It was the first time I wandered around her parents’ house—seeing her senior picture on the wall in the middle of her other two sisters, examining the knickknacks and furniture I had heard her describe, sitting in Shadow’s chair—perched by the porch where the birds feasted and frolicked at the feeders. Tiverton Cemetery is located a few miles north of Mary Beth’s parents’ home, a place where many of her family members are buried. And it is “out in the country”—atop a hill that provides a beautiful, scenic view of the surrounding woods and farmland. Most of the day had been overcast, with an occasional drizzle. But just as we gathered around her gravesite, the clouds parted. The sun brightened the hillside and brought out the radiance of the trees in their fall attire. It was just another graceful, serendipitous, “coincidence” that seemed to honor this faithful servant who brought the Light of God to so many people during her lifetime. As we concluded our time on the hilltop, I said, “We can only imagine the homecoming celebration that has been prepared for her!” “Well done, good and faithful servant, family member, colleague, and friend! Welcome home!”

Home… Is it a building, a place, a patch of land… Is it being in the presence of parents, family, community, God… Is it here or there, now or then… I think the answer is…Yes. And the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when all of God’s people will come home.