No Need for Tribalism

Easter 6C-25
Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago

The words we read today are among the last spoken by Jesus to the disciples. He is preparing them to carry on without him. Life is about to radically change for them—again. His death will be a shattering experience, one that will shake the foundations of their lives. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you” Jesus said. (John 14:27a)

They will learn all too quickly the peace Jesus gives does not bring an end to conflict, or tragedy, or loss, or finitude, or mortality. Jesus was not giving the disciples peace and quiet, or a little vacation, or rest and relaxation. No. Instead, they will discover the peace that Jesus gives comes despite hardship, struggle, conflict, and disruption.

Let’s remember what had just happened that night. Jesus’ gift of peace comes as Judas is preparing to betray him, a few hours before his enemies will arrive in force to arrest him and execute him. And still, even in that moment, Jesus not only senses peace, but also gives peace to others (David Lose). As Paul wrote to the Philippians, this peace “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

This is not peace as the world gives, but only as God can give it. This is peace for when our dreams don’t come true, when the plans we set for ourselves are changed, when doors are slammed in our face, and for when new doors are opened.

This peace, this unbreakable shalom, connotes contentment, fulfillment, and a profound wellbeing from basking in God’s pleasure. This peace comes from being held tightly to God’s bosom and joined there with the One True Undying Life we share in Christ Jesus. Peace.
Jesus’ explanation of this makes him sound a bit like Master Yoda in Star Wars. “If you love me, you will keep my word, and my father will love you, and to you we will come and a home with you we will make.” (John 14:23)

No. The peace of Christ is not the absence of conflict, but the assurance that life’s storms do not have power to undo us. What’s more, this peace of Christ comes with the presence and counsel of the Advocate to guide the disciples and the new church in the right direction. The Hebrews called this holy presence Ruach, or breath. They also called it ‘Sophia’ or wisdom. The Chinese called it ‘Chi.’ Muslims named it ‘Al-ruh.’ Hindus have named it ‘Shakti.’ The Christian scriptures use many names for this in-dwelling presence of the divine spirit: Counselor; Comforter; Baptizer; Advocate; Strengthener; Sanctifier; Spirit of Christ, Spirit of Truth; Spirit of Grace; Spirit of Mercy; Spirit of God; Spirit of Holiness; Spirit of Life.

The famous 19th Century English philosopher and political economist, John Stuart Mill once lamented his father’s decision to exclude any religious instruction from his early education because it was a waste of time, his father had said. Yet Mill declared he felt his soul had been starved. Without the guidance of a personal God known through prayer and faith, he likened himself to a “well-appointed ship, but with no sail.”

Without a means of locomotion, no ship can safely put out to sea. Yet, many attempt to navigate life with nothing to propel them. They are drawn by the siren songs of popular culture, or of racism, nationalism, bigotry, or Empire. In the Tragedies of ancient Greece, the siren would begin to sing and everybody in the audience knew the entire cast of characters was doomed.

‘My peace be with you. A home in you we will make,’ Jesus said. Paul set sail from Troas and planted a new church in Phillipi. Lydia listened from beside the river and responded to the gospel. John envisions a tree of life with leaves to heal the nations in the city of God, the New Jerusalem.

That night, his last night, amid betrayal, violence, and death, Jesus blessed the disciples with peace. Jesus offered them his life. He offered them union with God in Christ. He offered them the Holy Spirit. He opened the door and invited them to find shelter in one another. This is the dwelling place into which we welcome little Joseph Ysidro Clauson today.

Unlike the lonely ship without a sail John Stuart Mill described himself to be, we in the church are united in Christ like the great wooden beams Noah lashed together to build the Ark. We lift one another above the waves. See. We have become living members of the body of Christ, belonging to one another and to God. We subsist in God like light subsists in flame. Be still and know God’s way of falling in love with the world and everything in it. Awaken from the illusion of separateness. Open to communion. Open to the radiance of the world soaked in grace. See. All the angels are here! The deathless presence of those who have crossed over are here! The communion of all the saints is here.

There is no need for tribalism. No need to argue with or against people of other religions or no religion. Imagine God’s love on the analogy of a light shining through stained glass windows. Each living being, each culture, each religion, reveals some of the light, always in a different color. (Jay McDaniel, 12/27/20)

We know this because the peace of Christ is our eternal dwelling place. This peace encircles and protects us wherever we go. God’s indwelling peace widens from the inmost depths of our soul to encompass all people who trust in God’s shalom. It is a home-making peace to comfort the grieving, warm the hearts of those who are afraid, to be a light in the darkness, a source of healing for the nations, and to end the fever-dream of nationalism, patriarchy, racism, and Empire.

This is why we are here. This is how we do what we do. Here at Immanuel, we strive to be a living sanctuary of hope and grace like the saints of old. We do this by welcoming each other to the Lord’s Table, by welcoming children and families throughout the week who need a place to play, to talk, to connect, to share resources, or get some help with their homework. We do this now also by making a home for the hunted.

Each week throughout the Easter season, we have celebrated God’s love for us, “on the way, at the table, and to the end.” Come. Abide. Take shelter. Welcome the gift of God’s peace within you (14:27). Come. Abide. Be filled again with the Spirit of Ruach, Sophia, Al-ruh, Shakti, and Chi. Receive again new life in Christ Jesus. May the triune God come now, a home in us to make. “The peace of the Lord is among us right now, so open yourselves to receive it” (The Peace of the Lord, ELW # 646). May the peace of the risen Christ be with you always.