Sermon for October 22, 2023 - The 21st Sunday After Pentecost

Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22

In today’s reading from Exodus, we enter into the midst of an ongoing argument between Moses and God about the shape of God’s relationship with the Israelites. Our reading follows the story of the Golden Calf and can be understood fully only in light of that story, and of the larger story of Exodus.

After bringing the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, God had initiated a special relationship with them, calling them from all the peoples of the earth to be God’s “treasured possession.” God had given them the Ten Commandments, and instructions on building the tabernacle; things that would differentiate God’s people from other nations.

God had even promised to dwell in the midst of the Israelites; and the tabernacle was to be a visible sign of that abiding presence of God. The tabernacle was a sort of portable Mt. Sinai. Just as God’s glory rested on the mountain in a cloud, so would God’s glory fill the tabernacle. God would be present with the people in a real and material way as they traveled through the wilderness.

The problem, of course, is that by the time we get to where our reading picks up today, the people have stumbled, badly. By worshiping the Golden Calf, they have betrayed their relationship with God, and have hurt and angered God. So, right after that betrayal, God changes his mind about the shape of that relationship:

In the verses just before our reading, God said to Moses, “Go, leave this place...and go to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... I will send an angel before you… but I will not go up among you.” (Exodus 33:1-3)

God will send an angel but will not go himself. God will not abandon the people -- he will be true to the covenant made with them at Sinai -- but he will not be present with them in the way originally planned.

That’s where our reading for today comes in. Moses, to put it mildly, is not satisfied with this new arrangement. So, he uses God’s own words against him. Eugene Peterson’s The Message bible translation catches the tone of this exchange well with Moses saying:

“Look, you tell me, ‘Lead this people,’ but you don’t let me know whom you’re going to send with me. You tell me, ‘I know you well and you are special to me.’ If I am so special to you, let me in on your plans. That way, I will continue being special to you. Don’t forget, this is your people, your responsibility.” (Exodus 33:12-13)

Moses is persuasive and God concedes a bit. Moses continues the argument and insists that God be more explicit with God’s promises. Finally, God concedes fully saying: “I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.” (Exodus 33:17)

That God chooses to be in relationship with human beings means that God makes himself vulnerable to the pain that ensues when that relationship is betrayed. But it also means that authentic communication is made possible. Through this argument, Moses models prayer for us, prayer that is not afraid to hold God to God’s promises. Prayer that is not afraid to appeal to God’s love for God’s people. Moses, through this bold prayer, succeeds in securing God’s promise that God will indeed abide with the Israelites throughout their wilderness wandering.

Just like Moses, our prayers matter to God. Each week when we come together, we pray for the universal church, our nation, the welfare of the world, those who have asked for our prayers, and those who have died. Our collective prayers are more than repetitive names and memorized phrases. The words we use, the intention of our hearts, and spending time in silence allow for a conversation with God. Through prayer we can share both sighs of relief and anguish, gratitude and intercession.

A phrase that I pray often is “may we see where we can be an answer to someone’s prayer.” In other words, where can I or we be God’s hands in the world. And that is the question that is before us. For years, our work in the community was reflected in how we served in and through Agape, through the West Broadway Community Services through the ministry of Barbara Shoomski, and again through the affordable housing offered at West Broadway Commons. We have transformed this neighbourhood by our discipleship; but our job is not over. There is still more work to be done. The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers few. So, the question before us is how might we be God’s hands in the world, now and in the years to come? What do you want, what do you desire for this parish? What is your prayer on your heart for this place that you wish to offer to God?

Through our actions and our prayers, we live out our baptismal covenant as we love God with our hearts, our minds, and our souls, as well as loving our neighbours as ourselves. When we gather for fellowship, formation, and worship we embody the Body of Christ. We are refreshed, renewed, and refined by our time as a gathered community. By making a pledge of your time, your talents, and your resources to All Saints you are tangibly supporting all that we do here.

Like Moses, we bring all of ourselves to our relationship with God. The love, anger, gratitude, and fears we have for ourselves and others. And like Moses, we will find that God is present with us throughout this journey and God will surprise again and again. I am grateful for God’s presence in my life, and I am grateful for this parish family. I am grateful that each of you consider All Saints your spiritual home. I am grateful for all the ways in which you live out God’s call on your heart. So much of what we do goes unseen, but everything we do matters as we help bring about the Kingdom of God here and now. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your unique gifts and talents. And thank you for your hard-earned money that you offer to further the mission of God.

It is out of our gratitude to God for all of the blessing of our lives and out of an abundance of gratitude for each of you, that my family and I will once again make a pledge to this wonderful parish. If our stories about Moses tell us anything it is that the character of God always leans toward mercy and grace. And these stories continuously highlight the persistent yearning of God to be with us. And for that I am grateful.