I can predict the future – yes I can. I can even read minds! Don’t believe me? Here’s my prediction –in just a few seconds you’re going to think it’s mighty early in the morning for the deacon to be asking stupid questions. Ready? Here’s my question: Are you going to be watching the Huskers play tomorrow?
That’s about what I expected – all of you who expect to be breathing tomorrow will be watching the game.
Now let me double down on that stupid question bit. Are you going to be making watching the bowl game a party of some sort – at least having snacks, food, drink?
Again about what I expected – all of you with mouths will be having something fun to eat and/or drink during the game. But now let’s try a different sort of question – How many of you can, since you’ve earned a degree from Lincoln call the University of Nebraska your alma mater – your academic mother? That’s quite a bit fewer, isn’t it? And let’s try one more question – have any of you played football for the University in Lincoln?
So all of you who answered no to that last question – why all the fervor regarding the game tomorrow? Some of these parties are going to be as elaborate, as expensive, as the party for a graduation, a confirmation, a baptism – but you and most other party goers are not a full-fledged member of the Nebraska football “family”.
Or are you? Are you, by some process, by birth, by residency, part of that family by a form of adoption?
Well guess what – through another, sacred form, you are all adopted. I’ve seen many of the adoption certificates – even signed a few myself. That’s quite a privilege, since they’re written in His blood. You know whose name is listed as the adopting father, right? Jehovah, Yahweh, God. And you know who’s listed as the adopting mother, don’t you? That’s her kneeling there next to your newborn baby brother.
It’s through baptism we’re brought into this family, and it’s around this table that we gather for a sacred Meal, a celebration full of rejoicing each Sunday. Enlightened by the Word of God, fed by True Food, we leave here – and then what?
We’re going to show we’re adopted members of Husker Nation tomorrow by wearing red, by cheering and celebrating each Nebraska score – even when the players can’t hear us, can’t see us. What are we going to do to show that we’re adopted members of God’s family to the people who can see us, can hear us?
I’m not going to tell you “you need to go out and preach”. I’m not going to tell you “you need to go out and work miracles”. I’m not going to tell you “you need to go cheer like you would for a Husker victory”. You need to do what God made you to do, and He didn’t tell me what that was. You’re the one He told it to – and so you’ve got a little work to do.
Tomorrow, I’ll be that God doesn’t get – at least in Nebraska - anywhere near the cheers that the Huskers get. That’s OK, and not just because He’s big enough to take it. Sometimes we don’t need to cheer God, but rather just do as Mary did and reflect on God’s deeds in our hearts. I had a good example of this on Thursday.
I got a call to sit at the bedside of a person near death. This parent, this spouse, this child had received the last rites, and the family could not bear the waiting anymore. They needed rest, they needed food, they needed release from the waiting. And so I came, sat by the bedside, and read to this inert, barely breathing form.
After a few minutes that form animated. She removed her covers, sat up in bed, and began to walk. I took her hand, and led her out to the corridor – out into the corridor and into gasps from staff. They offered her some milk, which was quickly consumed, and then we sat down and they offered her a bowl of soup and a spoon, which she took and began to eat.
When she was about done with that soup, her father and brother came in, expecting to be greeted by the mortician. Instead, they were greeted by the sight of their loved one eating. This gift – a gift far greater than a Husker touchdown, far greater than a Nebraska victory, was met not with cheers, but with quiet wonder. We helped her to the couch, and there her father held her – held her and held the mystery, reflecting - much as Mary did - deep in his heart.
So that’s my simple charge to you today. Don’t go out and cheer God – He’s got all the praise He needs. Don’t go out and set a table full of food for God – He’s about to give you Food you cannot make yourself. Just take the gift of your adoption - your adoption out of slavery, your adoption as a child of God – take that gift deep into your heart, hold that mystery there and listen.
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