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Over the past couple of weeks, I have been mourning the death of a person I didn’t even know. I may have met her once at a conference, but I can’t really remember. Our worlds overlapped in this microcosm called the Episcopal Church, and we clearly knew many of the same people. I think we even lived in Austin, TX at the same time when I was in seminary. But I didn’t know her, like we weren’t even Facebook friends. You may be wondering, why am I grieving?
I’m grieving because Rachel Moriah Jones was a force of God’s love in this world. Dying unexpectedly and suddenly at the age of 45, she leaves behind a motley crew of friends and colleagues who miss her something fierce. Many of my close friends are included in that number. I want to read to you a short excerpt from her obituary.
“Rachel walked with Jesus from an early age and was wholeheartedly dedicated to His message of love. Rachel believed that God was both powerful and quiet, and in a similar vein she lived her life, convicted in the belief that living the Gospel was far more important than reciting it.
Rachel was intelligent, funny, witty, and wise. She was a trusted counselor and advocate to her loved ones, often making them laugh until their sides hurt, regularly leading them to profound realizations about life. Rachel loved strong coffee, good barbecue, cold Dr. Pepper, greasy Tex-Mex, two fingers of bourbon, and lots of things the rest of us might consider mundane.”
As I read through Rachel’s obituary and friends’ remembrances, I started to feel as if I knew Rachel from the legacy she leaves behind. In the back of our minds, I think we all wonder how we will be remembered some day. This is part of being human.
If my husband and I are talking quietly in the kitchen, our oldest son will often stick his head in the room and ask, “Are you talking about me?!” Sometimes we are and sometimes we aren’t. But that is part of our curiosity and concern for how others experience us. This is self-awareness and being mindful of our impact on others.
Another person who gave careful thought to how he would be remembered was James, the brother of Jesus. James is often called “James the Lesser “ and he is the author of a short book called “James” in the New Testament. Despite being remembered as “lesser,” James offers us a strong legacy and powerful teaching in his writings.
Today’s reading from this book talks about teachers and their importance in the life of a community. As I learned about Rachel’s life and witness, sadly after her death, I admire what a profound teacher she was to so many.
She was witty and wise, deeply engaged in the relationships in her life, a disciple of Jesus, and an evangelist for the gospel. Rachel touched innumerable lives through her writing, teaching, and friendship and she leaves behind a powerful legacy.
Likewise, James, leaves behind a powerful legacy himself with phrases like: “Be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. “ “If any think they are religious and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.” “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
These wise phrases and catchy sayings remind me of Kelli’s sermon two weeks ago as she urged us to consider carefully the “tradition of the elders.” What are the sayings, values, and beliefs baked into our being and what legacy do we hope to leave for those who come after us? Is it more than wealth or progeny? More than equity and heirlooms? If not those things, then, what is it?
James the Lesser, brother of Jesus, rose as a leader in the early Christian community in Jerusalem, a community that was comprised of Jews who became Christian. James led them for twenty years- a time in which they suffered famine, poverty, and persecution. Eventually, James, the peacemaker, was martyred.
What we have from him today are these brief words. We have the Legacy of James and his Wisdom. Unlike Paul’s letters that address a particular community and specific issues, James’ letter is a summary of his teachings and wisdom. It is intended for all communities who follow Jesus, even Epiphany Parish, Seattle.
Many of the epistles are teaching theological principles and ideas, but not James. James wants to meddle – he wants to tell you how to live your life and he wants you to consider the legacy you leave behind. James wants you to think carefully about your behavior – what you say – what you don’t say – what you post on social media – how you speak to your friends, co-workers, and family members.
In his speech about the grave responsibility of teachers and taming our tongues, James explores the idea of “perfection” or “maturity.” In Greek, this word is teleios. This word is fairly common and occurs 17 times in the course of the New Testament. Most translations translate teleios as “perfect” or “mature.” but I prefer NT Wright’s translation.
He says, “All of us make many mistakes, a\er all. If anyone makes no mistakes in what they say, such a person is a fully complete human being. The NRSV which we heard read aloud puts it this way, “Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect…” Who is perfect? I know I’m not perfect. Doyt’s not perfect. You’re not perfect. Only Jesus is perfect.
And so, we try. We mess up and we try again. What we are seeking is not perfection, but rather “wholeness” and “integrity.” While we seek wholeness, it is so easy to lapse into a place of feeling fractured and being inconsistent. That happened to me this past week.
I had an evening with my children in which nothing went right. We tried to go for a bike ride, and our bikes needed maintenance that I wasn’t prepared to do quickly. I got frustrated with myself and took it out on the kids.
We tried to attend an event in our neighborhood and showed up at the wrong time because it had been advertised incorrectly, and I griped at the employee. In my frustration, I was fractured and others experienced that.
While I strive to be curious and calm, finding humor in most situations, I didn’t do it that night. I was inconsistent, tense, frustrated, and probably not much fun to be around. I was not setting a good example, nor being a good teacher. I was kind of being a jerk. And so, I repent and will try to do better because I seek “wholeness” and “integrity” and a teleios mindset.
Do you remember the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? That is so wrong. Our words have power and they matter. How we conduct ourselves, what we say, how we react, these are all things that matter in the kingdom of God.
In a world that is unsteady with so many words being carelessly thrown about we get to choose between anxiety and trust keeping in mind that the bad thing is never the last thing. As disciples of Jesus, we are building a world that God has already created and we are trying to live into it. That is what it means to be co-creators with God. We seek God’s Kingdom.
Your words have power. Likewise, the words you choose not to say, also have power. Be prudent in your speech, centering kindness and love, wholeness and integrity. Consider the legacy you are building and the tradition of the elders.
James calls us to life of integrity, where our speech reflects our deepest value and our legacy is one of love and wisdom. Who are the people surrounding you who offer a vivid example of a life lived fully and faithfully, lives that speak of God’s love through both grand gesture and simple joys?
As I consider Rachel Moriah Jones, how much life she packed into her short 45 years, I pray that I can live similarly. Just as Rachel walked with Jesus and was wholeheartedly dedicated to His message of love, I want to do this same.
We are evangelists for the gospel, and it is far more important to live that Gospel in our words and actions than to merely recite it. May we seek wholeness, embrace kindness, and craft a legacy that mirrors the grace and truth of Jesus.
As we go forth, let us strive to be both hearers and doers of the word, building a community where our words and actions contribute to the Kingdom of God.