Sermon on John 14:15-21

Pastor Jennifer Garcia

As we start wrapping up our creation care theme for Lent and Easter this year, there’s a lot that still feels heavy.

The world’s problems feel so big.

Climate change and ecological overshoot feel inevitable.

Wars feel unstoppable.

Overconsumption feels overwhelming.

There’s an island of plastic in the Pacific Ocean twice the size of Texas.[1]

Of the 292.4 million tons of Municipal Solid Waste that were generated in the US in 2018, only about a third of it was recycled or composted.[2]And that was one of the more optimistic figures I found.

We breathe in and consume the equivalent of a credit card amount of microplastics at least every year.[3]

In the hard moments, sometimes it feels like the best we can hope for is that things won’t get unbearable before our lives end.Maybe if I can maintain a reasonably comfortable lifestyle during my lifetime, I guess that’ll be okay.

But we know that’s not enough. We care about people who are younger than us. We care about future generations. We care about this beautiful planet we’re blessed to live on. We want our kids and grandkids and great-grandkids to be able to enjoy the natural world we grew up with. We want them to camp in picturesque forests and make sandcastles on clean beaches. We want them not just to survive but thrive. We want humanity to thrive. We want the natural world to thrive. We want the Earth to thrive.

But sometimes that feels like too much to hope for. The world’s problems feel too big to fix. It can feel like it’s all up to us to save the world, and it’s already too late—that all hope is lost. It can feel lonely on this little planet in the depths of space.

When Jesus was giving his farewell discourse in our Gospel reading, he knew his disciples were about to feel alone after his death. What could he say that would comfort his followers after he was gone and give them hope?

And Paul sensed a longing for something more as he was walking around Athens. In our reading from Acts, he gave a speech on a hill named for Ares, the god of war, near the temple to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, which they used as a courtroom.

Hespoke of their religious practice and the way it pervaded their life (including politics, considering the location where he gave his speech). He told them about finding an altar “to an unknown god.” Whether they were just covering their bases or earnestly seeking something beyond their knowledge, Paul wanted to address their desire for something more. What could he say that would be compelling to the Athenians? What would give them hope?

The answer to what could bring hope that both Paul and Jesus gave was God’s presence.

Jesus promised his disciples that he wouldn’t leave them orphaned. He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and inspire them. Jesus said, “On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”Through the giving of the Holy Spirit, his disciples were brought into relationship with the dance of the Trinity.

Followers of Jesus are part of the web of all life, breathed into existence and sustained by God. Though they would certainly grieve Jesus’ physical presence no longer being with them in the same way, his followers would be intimately connected with God beyond any possible separation. They would never be alone.

And the Athenians Paul addressed could be brought into that same communion, never having to wonder what higher power was worthy of their love. This was a God not confined to human constructions, but a creative God beyond our imaginings.God permeates everything—we’re inside God not God inside human made altars, temples, or other holy places.

Far from an “unknown god,” the God Paul worshiped is the Knowing God, intimately present and concerned with everything and everybody that exists. The Athenians could recognize their place in the web of life and relationship with God that Jesus told his disciples about.

In the face of loneliness, grief, and uncertainty, God provided hope.

And God still provides hope, even in the face of the world’s many and deep problems.

It can feel like we humans have messed everything up so badly that God wouldn’t even want to be present in the world, but that’s not how it is. The same God who was present with the disciples and the Athenians is with us in our grief and confusion.

God hasn’t given up on us or this planet, and neither should we.

I usually try not to make a huge deal out of Mother’s Day or Father’s Day at church, because while they’re beautiful and meaningful holidays for many people, they can also be extremely painful holidays for others for a multitude of reasons.

But I do think the image of Mother God or Parent God could be something we need when facing the enormity of the world’s problems. Mother God doesn’t shy away from the pain or danger. Mother God cares for this planet and specifically for you no matter what. There’s nothing too big or scary for us to bring to her. She’s seen it all and loves you anyway. She’s eager to help when we ask and even when we don’t know how or what to ask as we seek to love her creation too.

I found this short poem this week by Fred LaMotte, which speaks to the importance of ordinary people continuing to live in hope of a better world and embodying the love of Mother God:

This planet will not
be healed
by powerful politicians
in big cities
who spend trillions
on a global strategy
that never quite begins.
They also burn
much fuel.
Earth will be healed
by villagers
who sing,
by backyard gardeners
like you,
who walk more slowly
right here,
who feel the green
through bare soles,
speaking fewer words,
cradling
each others anger
like mothers,
awakening
the heirloom seeds
of the heart.

It can feel lonely on this planet, like it’s already too late to hope for something better. It’s okay if hope feels far away. Our Mother God is still with you, holding you in your grief, fear, and confusion.

In the times you do feel hope, share it with others. Our reading from 1 Peter advises to “always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” This was important for people being persecuted for following Jesus. This passage encourages Jesus followers to hold fast to their values and make sure their behavior is beyond reproachin a culture so hostile to their faith.

Our daily life is very different from theirs, but it’s still important to be able to give an account for the hope that is in us. Certainly, being able to respectfully share why Jesus matters to you with someone who doesn’t share your faith is a good thing. And also, being able to share whatever hope you have with each other can help us keep hope alive in challenging times.

We need each other’s hope, because hope isn’t always easy to find. It’s part of why we need community. Today, you might be feeling down, and maybe the poem I shared gave you hope that ordinary people can actually make the world a better place. Tomorrow, I might not be feeling hopeful, so I need you to tell me about your grandchild organizing a tree planting event for their Eagle Scout project.

We need the hope that is in each other. As Jesus told his disciples, we are part of the unity of God, and the Holy Spirit lives in us, comforting and inspiring us with hope for a new day. Let the love of Mother God embrace you, and then wrap your arms around the world.

[1]https://theoceancleanup.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch/

[2]https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/frequent-questions-regarding-epas-facts-and

[3] Total Garbage book