Eric’s Sunday Sermon: Perfection Is Not Allowed

Please bear with me for a moment as this will seem self-aggrandizement. But it is much ado about something important. Now if that reference in tongue and cheek escapes you – no big deal just go with it. I do not know anyone that reads Shakespeare anymore.

A Sermon is clearly this kind as well as a preacher from a pulpit. It is a presentation of something deeper to spark discussion and further inquiry. It is a “lecture” on moral issues coined in a couch of spirituality.

Here is the Sticky Wicket Part.

How do I get across a notion here without seemingly being just an egoist?

Now I just happen to be perfect for such a role. Former trial attorney, you know the one that gives case winning closing arguments to the gallery, the judge, opposing councilors and the ever sacrosanct Jury. Then time coaching and teaching sports. Then the time as an adjunct in American College in Puebla. Teaching my own children and more. Then the time as a preacher. And then as a lecturer in Vietnam. Doctorate and BS in Philosophy. Theology since reading Thomas Aquinas and including up to Wesley and Luther of course of course. A little translating the Bible from Latin into Latin Vulgate because anything less would have broken my Jesuit father’s heart. My reference was a 1907 version. Given to my dad for eighth grade graduation.

I do not live like most of you. I live in clouds of no import at all. I opine without citation of the normal kind.

Bible thumpers on one hand revile me. Those that think that anything to do with a church is evil hate me. I do not do the philosophy of theology and Christ. Love is not an emotion as I have come to believe. Love is devotion and a state of mind.

I preach to those that understand my connection and their connection with the Bible. For instance as laid out above a bible reader would know that devotion is loving God and the state of mind is loving even your enemies for it is not their state that gets you to love, it is your state. (I could go: Mathew 22: 36-40) But what is the point in that, in these “sermons”? That is not my calling. And as an additional thought here, we can begin together to see all of us can be love not just those following a particular path.

Or should I cite where the notion of the first stone thrown is? Or do I need to remind you that the best wine through faith is served last. Do I need to remind you about the camel and the eye of the needle. Must I quote Mary and Martha, must scripture about Lazarus be laid. If you have ever been to a church wedding or not you know about Paul and love, where it is at, where it ain’t?

But do not worry I am as much beat up by those who know the only way to know and that they are the ones who know and not me. (sorry for that sentence but it is properly done) None of these have parishioners on a weekly basis. They just cannot cotton my questions that we work through together. I know that Joel Osteen brings in huge audiences and I have been and they are uplifting and wonderful. I am just like a normal guy, about 300 parishioners a week. But there are a lot that actually say something helpful to me when I shake their hand outside of our church of love. Yes that is metaphorical but so much of spirituality is.

There are four things you might want to do. Run rapids, Jump out a fine airplane. Go to each continent. Marry a spouse from another hemisphere continent. Raise at least two children. Fly to New York on the same day you surfed and skied. In southern California or in Northern Az like Flagstaff and Sedona. Hide when someone is shooting at you. (OK avoid the Congo or whatever it is known nowadays, like Bombay and Saigon)

Two of my buddies who were as crazy as I dove off and died. We just do not buy into that is wrong. Call me a fringe and I do not care my honorary aunt and big sister made doilies with fringe that was the art. I like the kick ass fringe then the tight in the middle. Yes my unforgivable brain just explained outer folk as fringe needle point. But the one of my buddies dove of a bridge with no chance. The other on a dare out a 3 story window and Mardi Grais. New Orleans is made to let go. Maybe even to your tethers here. But God they are in my heart and there is room for more.

I am lost. And I want to stay that way. I want to be like those who are saved. No really. A good half of our homeless hope to get better. Get better first is a bed and food. Don’t you ever preach to a hungry child or mom. First your outer garment must come off and then our danged fancy sweater and then our shirt.

So now, my broken bones even with my wonderful wife and child and three other children and more than a handful of Siblings. Tell my true colors. I only beg for understanding of others and have no desire to be understood by others but to be questioned by them. Do not hang out at my coffee shop unless you want to lay more than your money on the table. No wallflowers allowed – except at the next table.

Let us strut our stuff and go get them this week.