Sermons

October 18, 2009

“Take Refuge”

Psalm 34; Mark 10:46-52

Rev. Cerna Castro Rand

On January 20, 1993, Maya Angelou recited her poem, “On the Pulse of the Morning,” for the inauguration of President William Jefferson Clinton. Maya Angelou is lifted up as one of the great voices of contemporary black literature. Her words cut through the race, class, religious, and diversity divisions that humanity – and that means you and I – have put up as seemingly insurmountable barriers. She is only the second poet to read at an Inauguration in the history of the United States. The first time a poet was to read Robert Frost recited his poem, “The Gift Outright.” This was at the Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy on January 20,1961.

As an aside, Mr. Frost had originally planned to read a newly composed poem entitled, “Dedication.” That day there was a blinding glare from the snow-covered ground and he could not see his text. So, he set aside the manuscript and recited from memory in a full voice his well-known poem, “The Gift Outright.”

Maya Angelou is only the second person to recite a poem at an inauguration. Her most famous poem and autobiographical book is I Known Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Following are excerpts from “On the Pulse of the Morning,” recited by Maya Angelou, January 20, 1993 at the Presidential inauguration of President William Jefferson Clinton.

Maya Angelou:

The river sings and sings on.
There is a true yearning to respond to
The singing river and the wise rock.
So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew,
The African and Native American, the Sioux,
The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek,
The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheikh,
The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher,
The privileged, the homeless, the teacher.
They hear. They all hear
The speaking of the tree.

Hear now Psalm 34:22: “The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”

The Psalmist captures the inclusion that is the Body of Christ. It is this great mysterious Body in which “They all hear the speaking of the tree.” All. All. Here in this Body is room for all and none are left out. Amidst taunting, being excluded, beat up, thrown out it is here in which the LORD has made a refuge for all who suffer. Refuge is for any who suffer whether it be silently, in pain, put on a “church” face and pretend everything is alright when it is anything but that. Thank you LORD for refuge.

Maya Angelou:

Today, the first and last of every tree
Speaks to humankind. Come to me, here beside the river.
Plant yourself beside me, here beside the river.

The beggar at the side of the road:

Jesus and his servants, the disciples, and by this time large crowds were making their way through Jericho towards Jerusalem, 20 miles south west. When they arrived at the edge of the town there is a beggar whom is amazingly named in Scripture even with his lowly place as a non-person – a beggar and blind. Bartimaeus is even given a lineage as the son of Temaeus; Mark having translated the Semitic Hebrew into Greek. He is continually sitting at the side of the road and at the edge of Jericho that leads out of town. He is not at the gate and certainly not in the town square.

Yet there is hope in the refuge of the LORD:
“The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” (Ps. 34:22)

Maya Angelou:

Today, the first and last of every tree
Speaks to humankind. Come to me, here beside the river.
Plant yourself beside me, here beside the river…
Here, root yourselves beside me.
I am the tree planted by the river,
Which will not be moved.
I, the rock, I the river, I the tree
I am yours--your passages have been paid.
Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need
For this bright morning dawning for you.

Now, Bartimaeus shouts and cries out for mercy. When people in the crowd try to hush him, he cries out even louder. When there is a lot at stake, you are not too concerned about propriety. In this “parade” of a large group of people making their way from the outskirts of Jericho to Jerusalem. What happens when Jesus hears the blind beggar who is shouting, “Son of David?” Amazingly, amidst the chaos of the journeying throng, Jesus stops, stands still and calls for the blind beggar. From what was chaos on the road, in the middle of it all, Jesus stops.

The Psalmist of 130 writes of deep affliction: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O LORD, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.”

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear (are in awe) of him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” (Ps. 34:7-8)

Maya Angelou:

Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes,
Into your brother's face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning.

“Take heart, he is calling you.” This sounds like a call of the earlier disciples fishing, walking the road, and being ready to say “yes” to the call of Jesus. Hoping that Jesus would notice him, Bartimaeus even threw off his cloak and ran over to Jesus. Would we have the courage to let go of what is our “safety-net” and dare to step into unknown “lands”? Have you noticed how the homeless who shake cups on the street are dressed, especially in the winter? Some might have a warm coat, which is most likely a threadbare blanket wrapped, or semi-wrapped around them. Can you imagine throwing perhaps a garment such as this, even before knowing that Jesus would respond to your request? What faith! Calling out. Being called back. Releasing the most valuable object and becoming totally vulnerable. Giving the utmost respect to the one on whom all the rest of your life depends – saying teacher – rabbouni.

Psalm 34:4 “I sought the LORD and he answered me; and delivered me from all my fears.”

Have you not prayed and prayed on your knees, on the floor, in silence, crying out and you wonder – “Where is God?” The Psalmist write that the LORD answered him. So why does God not answer me? God has not turned away from you no matter how dried up your prayer life must seem. God is with you at all times and places. The Spirit of God prayers for you with the prayer of Christ when you are too weary and the words have become lost. I wish I had an easy answer for you. We can take comfort in knowing that it is in the LORD that we can take refuge. God is our safe place. God is where we are comforted. Where we are encouraged when it seems hopeless.

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear (are in awe) of him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” (Ps. 34:7-8)

Bartimaeus makes his request for sight to Jesus. How is he cured? By his faith. “Go; your faith has made you well.” Then guess what he does? Unimaginably he joins the crowd and goes to Jerusalem. He shows courage to become vulnerable to the unknown, courage to as boldly for what he wants, and courage to venture into another new journey. He is now a disciple amidst the crowds going to Jerusalem, not knowing what awaits the throng there.

Can we be that type of disciple? Do we have the courage of this blind beggar? Faith, walking where we are called, and following the one who goes onto Jerusalem. He knows what awaits for him. May we be the disciple of Bartimaeus. The least of these is the greatest of all. We wonder at the faith that Jesus saw in this man. We wonder.

And one more time: Maya Angelou:

Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes,
Into your brother's face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning.

“Taste –
      And see –
            That the LORD –
                  Is good;
                        Happy -
                              Are those who
                                    Take refuge in him.”
                                          (Ps 34:8)
                                          Amen.

Rev. Cheryl Magrini
First UMC Chicago Temple
October 24, 2009