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The Hidden Brought to Light Today, among other offerings, we enjoy the Mass in G of Franz Schubert. Shubert's music remained a hidden gift to the world for the first part of his life. Although his father taught him music and created a string quartet in which Franz played the viola, the shyness of the young man caused him keep his music to himself. Finally, his friends convinced him to share his works, even with Antonin Salieri, a premier composer of operas and friend of Haydn and Beethoven. Throughout his life, frustration, rejection, and failure caused Schubert to retreat to the safety of the teaching profession and hide his gift. But there were always others who encouraged and arranged and a hidden gift was brought to light. We enjoy part of that gift today. Hidden talent brought to light. The gospel of Luke reminds us of the temptation to hide lights under a basket or a bed or a bowl. Such activity would likely set the basket or bed aflame to the detriment of the house or cause the light to go out, having been starved of needed oxygen. In these instances, hiding has prevented the light from doing its work. Rather, teaches Jesus, we are called to place the light on a stand so that it lights up the whole room, to bring forth the gift so that all can enjoy it. Rowan Williams, Archibishop of Canterbury, which means that Williams is the head of the worldwide Anglican communion of churches, one of which is the Episcopal Church in our nation and community, writes about the purpose of the church. "A well-functioning Christian community is going to be one in which everyone is working steadily to release the gifts of the others." ("In God's Company", Christian Century, June 12, 2007) We are all greatly gifted and called to bring forth these blessings from ourselves and from others. Hidden gifts brought to light. Last Saturday, more than forty people met to continue to discern God's call to us as a congregation. The whole process of discernment has included many and much: many of us have taken part in it and much prayer has been offered, that the Holy Spirit of God would lead in this seeking. As was reported last week, those gathered - as a result of many and much - sense that this congregation has several core values - gifts that we wish to enjoy and share with one another. Spiritual growth, openness and acceptance, mission and outreach, and passionate worship begin to suggest the contours of this call from God. These hopes and dreams, these invitations and imperatives will be refined in their articulation, forged into a vision statement, and used as the light that draws us forward into the future where God would call us to live. Hidden call brought to light. The temptation is to keep the hidden hidden, to place the light under a bed or a bushel basket or a bowl. Christ calls us to place the hidden talent and gift and call upon a lampstand so that call can see. Spiritual growth will require that we be intentional about participating in Bible study and prayer and worship and all of the other spiritual disciplines available to us. Open acceptance will challenge us to set aside all that divides us from those of different cultures, other economic classes, strange ideas and to genuinely Soon members of our youth choir will be leaving for New England to share their music with others, even as our chancel choir offers Schubert's music to us today. One of the joys of being in a choir is to be found in the opportunity to make music, but not alone. Through such experiences, the hidden is often brought to light. More than one recording artist testifies that their musical gift first found expression in church, in a choir. A writer reminds us that life is God's gift to us and what we do with it is our gift to God and we might add, to God's world as well. Christ calls us to so let our light so shine before others that others will see good works and give glory to God. In this manner of life, the hidden will be brought to light. Thanks be to God. Amen. June 17, 2007 |
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First United |