But today we have three notable readings which tell us so much about the God in whom we believe and consequently about the features of the Christian life including clues about ways of dealing with the current crisis. Deuteronomy speaks of Generosity; 2 Corinthians speaks of Mutuality; Mark’s Gospel speaks of steadfast Faith.

Deuteronomy and its social laws although dating from an agricultural society of long ago nevertheless speak to us today. That model of generosity is still prevalent in Middle Eastern societies both Christian and Islamic. I am often reminded of this as I walk past the local mosque in 29th Street and see the vegetables and fruit in boxes outside for the needy to help themselves to. There are no rules as to who can take it and no questions asked; it is there for the taking for someone is sure to need it. “Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.” Practical charity in the midst of daily demand be it on the street or on the subway is a challenge for even the most generously hearted of us. My advice is have a basic plan for your generosity to the needs that are around us. I give regularly to Holy Apostles’ Soup Kitchen on Ninth Ave. because I know the good work it does in feeding 1100 persons each weekday and providing a selection of other services to its clients. As well I give from my discretionary funds to those seeking help here at the church. I make a quick assessment and respond as appropriately as I can. It is not easy and there are times I feel I have been taken advantage of. But then it is hard to judge people who are desperate for whatever reason. As to those on the street or in the subway it is more difficult because the demand never stops. However I will give to someone who is entertaining on the subway so long as they sing in tune(although I did give something to a guy who sang out of tune for effort but suggested a lesson or two might help). And on your block you might get to know a regular and give to that person. But give we should and as intelligently and thoughtfully as we can. Apart from the local scene a good annual gift to Episcopal Relief and Development is a way of helping need in the wider world.

But in thinking of generosity I want to widen the understanding beyond charitable giving and see it as the way we approach life because we believe that we are recipients of the generosity of God. The Israelites knew that God had been most generous to them in giving them a land flowing with milk and honey and precisely because of that they were to behave generously to each to other and especially to the poor, the needy, the widow, the orphan, the stranger in their midst and so on. It is this attitude of generosity which we need to cultivate in our relationships one with the other both in our immediate relationships as well as in relationships between churches in the Anglican Communion. Think generously of the other, whoever the other maybe.

As Deuteronomy speaks of generosity so does Paul in his Corinthian correspondence. He exhorts the Corinthian Christians to emulate the new Christians in Macedonia whose “abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” To add to his argument he too cites God’s great generosity: “for you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor so that by his poverty you might become rich.” But Paul goes further and elaborates a principle of giving based on Mutuality. “I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.” This principle of Mutuality is helpful one as we consider our charitable giving. While we may be the giver now a time may come we need to be able to receive.

And it is not just a question of money. The principle of mutuality applies to all aspects of Christian life and is the principle of the Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” It is a good principle to reflect on as we consider our life together of the people of God in this place. It includes such concepts of mutuality of respect. If I wish to be respected I must learn to respect others. If I want the support of others I must learn to support them. It is this principle of mutuality which seems to be lacking from the present debates in our church. No matter what side you are on, whether you are a liberal or conservative or somewhere in between, at least respect the views of the other no matter that you may disagree. Show some sense of mutuality, that is that you ultimately belong together as children of God sharing the same faith and hope.

It has been heartening in this diocese with all the criticism of parts of the African church to the Episcopal church that both the diocese as well as some individual parishes have entered into partnerships with several African dioceses for their mutual benefit. Some of you are aware of the relationship between St James Madison Ave and the Church in Malawi. The diocese has a similar relationship with one of the Tanzanian dioceses working on projects for Aids sufferers. These partnerships arise out of a desire for mutuality in relationship. As many of you know when you enter into such a relationship the benefits flow both ways. My concern in the current situation in the Anglican Communion is that there seems to be a lack of mutual respect for the integrity of the constituent churches. One of the English commentators tartly reminded the English bishops that not one of them has ever been elected by the people as Bishop Gene Robinson was in New Hampshire. The same could be said for the bulk of the critical African bishops who are appointed by the various provincial houses of bishops. Nothing of those situations is akin to the proud and healthy democracy and independence of the Episcopal Church which it is appropriate for us to honor and celebrate on this July Fourth weekend because it is intimately related to and is a child of the Declaration of Independence.

If the first two readings speak of generosity and mutuality both of which have something to say to current debates within the Anglican Communion the Gospel adds yet another helpful concept and that is steadfast faith. The account of the healing of the daughter of Jairus, a leader of the synagogue, is in two parts in the text, separated by the healing of the woman with the haemorrhage. Both speak of the faith of two contrasted people: one male and powerful and the other a poor long-suffering woman. Both believe that Jesus is the clue to new life and hope. Jairus approaches Jesus seeking him to lay hands on his daughter who is near death “so that she may be made well and live.” Jairus exhibits an amazing faith in who Jesus is and what he can do. He believes him to be the source of health and life. But as always in human situations there are those who decry such faith: “Some people came from the leader’s house to say, “your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?”

We are always faced with those who see the worst in a situation; who cannot see beyond the immediate to future possibilities. Here the contrast is between Jairus’ faith in Jesus the source of life and those who can only see the dead girl. When Jesus is taken to the girl and says she is not dead but sleeping the professional mourners laugh at him. Their business was death and they were not the slightest bit interested in the presence of Jesus, the Prince of Life. Jairus’ remarkable example of faith is an encouragement to us as we face so many situations be it our own lives, the life of the parish, church or communion, when people speak of death, of failure, or schism and discord as if they believe in it. But that is not for us for we are those baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who share in the resurrection hope who believe God has given us a future who are recipients of the Spirit of Peace and Truth and celebrate all that each time we share in the Holy Eucharist together. It is this steadfast faith exhibited by Jairus in the Gospel passage that we need to emulate in our daily lives and in response to the current crisis in the Anglican Communion. No matter what the situation never lose sight of the fact that our God is the God of Life and calls us to be agents of life and love and hope.

So Generosity, Mutuality and Hope; three pointers to living in difficult and trying times.   Amen

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