Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 17:8–16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24–28; Mark 12:38–44
Choose to Inhabit Your Days!
Dr. Dawna Markova, the Author of “I Will Not Die an Unlived Life: Reclaiming
Purpose and Passion,” was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. In this her book
she tells that “It’s Never Too Late to Live Your Life.” in her words,
“I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible;
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance,
to live so, that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom,
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.”
These words are the sentiments of the woman of Zarephath and the widow at the
treasury with her two coins. They chose to inhabit their lives!
Today’s readings are carved out of the scripture for the Diocese of Idaho. Here we
are talking about the widow, the morsel, the penny, the poor, the suffering, the
struggling, and the list goes on, all of which, some way or another, represent the
church, the community, and the lives we live.
We are now a poor church with a rich history. Even before the incorporation of the
state of Idaho, we had been here. God was here in the mountains and the valleys
before that.
Each week, when I drive around in Idaho, and visit our small and big churches
nestled in the mountains, as I pass these magnificent creations of God, I pray,
Psalm 121:1–2 ESV
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from
the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 148:9–11 NRSV
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things, and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes, and all
rulers of the earth!
God creates out of nothing and works miracles with small things. God doesn’t need
much. God doesn’t need scientific analysis to create us anew. God is looking for
those who are not afraid to open their hearts.
Who are they? We are. We, Episcopalians, are that people.
We live in a state where people get out into nature to climb mountains and canoe
white waters. We live side by side with ten mountains that exceed 11000 ft to
praise God. We stand faithful and tall in small towns like Arco, Glenns Ferry,
Weiser, Shoshone, Jerome, and Placerville, along with the big towns, to praise God,
even as they are. We are that people whom God is looking for.
When we really begin to praise God with hearts in love for one another, God can
work miracles of abundance among us. God can work miracles of greatness when
we are not afraid of our smallness. When you and I can let go of our fears of
money, members, and means, God will provide the money, members, and means
to live by.
What that means is, we can not die unlived lives. Living in faith is living faithfully
every day!
The widow in Zarephath had just enough flour for a loaf of bread for herself and
her son when Elijah asked her to feed him with everything she had. A glass of
water, a morsel of bread, a little oil. These are all what it took for God to provide
her for the rest of her life.
As I get older, I realize that we all live in abundance when we live in faithfulness
and love for one another. We all live in abundance when our fears are not about
our neighbors or living with greed.
Those who darken the doors of an Episcopal Church in Idaho are disillusioned by
unloving institutions that have discarded them because of who they are. Nobody
wants to be institutionalized or churched but belong to a community. Our
neighbors are looking for those who care for the whole person, not just their souls.
We are that community, sisters and brothers. We can share the morsel of bread of
life with them, no matter who they are. We are to become the widow of Zarephath.
We have to become Jesus as he did to Peter, who denied him; Judas, who betrayed
him; and John, who ran away naked.
The people we meet every day are those who are seeking refuge among us. Make it
easy for them to walk in and belong.
Let us make our communities welcoming and accessible with the little we have,
like the widows found in our readings today. Everything we have as Episcopalians is
meant to make the Kingdom come alive! Let us make our worship easier, worship
aid complete, familiar and uplifting music, encouraging and empowering spirit,
enjoyable fellowship, and robust follow-up! Let us live what Dr. Dawna Markova
invites us to do.
“I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible;
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance,
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom,
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.”
So, I invite you not to die an unlived life. Choose to inhabit your days! Amen.
With blessings and Love
Your brother in Christ
