A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen Anglican Church, Summerland BC – Sunday, August 17th, 2025 — The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – The Very Rev. Ken Gray
A woman approached me after a sermon I recently preached in Penticton, quite upset, as I intentionally contrasted the love of the Good Samaritan with the evil intentions and actions of Donald Trump. She said such words were divisive and improper. I responded reminding her of Jesus’ turning of the tables in the temple during that fateful week prior to his crucifixion. I could have shared Jesus’ words quoted by Luke in today’s Gospel:
Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in law. (11:29-12:2)
These are jarring words, repugnant to sociable Anglicans like us, who prefer to be nice to each other and to everyone we meet. They are, however, relevant and real. It’s shocking to me to discover what’s out there now and throughout history — absolutely horrible, cruel life and death situations: South Sudan; the Congo; Ukraine; numerous South American states including Guatemala; and of course, Gaza and the Middle East — so much villainous behaviour arising from powers and people bent on destruction, now, and in previous generations. Listen also to words from the Letter to the Hebrews:
Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
I hope today’s scripture reader in every parish rehearsed the Hebrews text beforehand. I would be quite shocked to stumble through “sawn in two” and “went about in skins of sheep.” Yikes. Such however was the experience of more than one biblical author who witnessed the pain of persecution, the brutal violence known by vulnerable persons, activists, church and community leaders, women and men, Indigenous and settler, all over the globe.
So why write this stuff down, and share it out loud? Non-lectionary churches can simply move on to happier, and easier themes. Such language will hardly bring in the next crowd of believers — unless of course they have witnessed something similar — neglect, abuse, violence. For them, Jesus becomes a fellow sufferer, and a liberator.
Let’s read the Hebrews text through to its conclusion. Thank God, literally, that we hear these concluding words:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith . . .
In other words there is a way through adversity. The way through is inspired by and sustained by faith, faith as small as a mustard seed though of infinite value, power, and effectiveness. There are many testimonies from the saints which attest to such endurance. I want to share one such testimony today, though not from a Christian, but from a Muslim.
If you follow my blog I posted this particular testimony on Thursday. I cannot imagine a stronger witness to Creator’s presence; a stronger expression of human love; a stronger passion for justice and truth; a stronger message to a passive world which either does not care about Gaza or is simply stymied about what to do next. These are the posthumously published words of Al-Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif after an attack on a tent for journalists near al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City a few days ago.
[Extract]
This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice.
First, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Allah knows I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my people, ever since I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and streets of the Jabaliya refugee camp. My hope was that Allah would extend my life so I could return with my family and loved ones to our original town of occupied Asqalan (al-Majdal). But Allah’s will came first, and His decree is final.
I have lived through pain in all its details, tasted suffering and loss many times, yet I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification – so that Allah may bear witness against those who stayed silent, those who accepted our killing, those who choked our breath, and whose hearts were unmoved by the scattered remains of our children and women, doing nothing to stop the massacre that our people have faced for more than a year and a half.
[. . .]
If I die, I die steadfast upon my principles. I testify before Allah that I am content with His decree, certain of meeting Him, and assured that what is with Allah is better and everlasting. O Allah, accept me among the martyrs, forgive my past and future sins, and make my blood a light that illuminates the path of freedom for my people and my family. Forgive me if I have fallen short, and pray for me with mercy, for I kept my promise and never changed or betrayed it.
Do not forget Gaza. And do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith . . .
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