Exodus 3:1-15
Matthew 16:21-28
Part of our focus as we gather as a parish community today is the beginning of a new school year. At the 10:00 service we are blessing backpacks and the students who carry them and praying for everyone who is involved in the process of education.
At first glance I thought today’s Gospel reading might be relevant to the beginning of a new school year—especially from the students’ perspective. Jesus talks about how he is going to undergo “great suffering” and he mentions carrying your own cross. But that really isn’t an appropriate use of Jesus’ words.
As we do focus on the commencing of another new school year it is a time to think about aspirations, dreams. It is a time to look forward to the person God is calling each of us to become. Education is a process of formation that shapes and grows us into who we are called to be. For children, of course, one part of who they are called to be is functional and productive members of society. And part of the role of education is to help them grow into their vocation as citizens. It also helps them grow towards their own individual vocational dreams and aspirations. Helps them become who they want to be when they grow up.
Who do you want to become? No matter what your age; no matter whether you think you are already “grown up” or not… As you look forward, who do you want to become. The question for the moment is not so much “What do you want to do?” As it is “Who do you want to be?”
If part of your answer is Christian, then I remind you, no matter what your age, that Christian Formation is absolutely necessary. That’s how you become a Christian. That’s how you grow into your identity and vocation as a Christian. Life-long Christian Formation.
Thinking about dreams and aspirations reminded me of an iconic TV commercial. I was a bit shocked to discover that it aired 20 years ago (!) but many of you will remember it. It had a very catchy song… “I Want to be like Mike.” I want to be like Mike. Even if you are too young or don’t remember the commercial itself, you know who Mike is. Especially here in Chicago, you know who Mike is. Michael Jordan.
I want to be like Mike. The commercial did not so much play upon the affluence and fame that come along with being Michael Jordan, although it obviously would not have been effective without that context. But it was mostly about his wondrous grace and skill. His ability to make seemingly miraculous dunk shots. And the sense of joy with which he played the game. Not bad aspirations for anyone: to be grace-full and skill-full and to find joy in your vocation. Sadly, of course, very, very few people can realistically aspire to be like Mike. Even with Gatorade.
But I’m wondering… What if the same advertising genius that created that commercial were to focus on Moses?
I want to be like Moses may not have quite the same ring, but it is a very good aspiration for kids and for all of us. I want to be like Moses. I want to become like Moses. And Moses, if you think about it, does some pretty cool things. Things I would like to do. It is unlikely that he was skilled at dunking a basketball, but he saw a burning bush and talked with God as flames sparkled and danced in the bush, but did not consume it. Moses parted the Red Sea. That’s a neat trick. He was a mountain climber. He helped free God’s people. He helped others escape slavery.
I want to be like Moses. He had a close, spirit-filled, enthusiastic relationship with God. He did a lot for God’s people. I want to be like Moses.
At first glance that may seem about as likely as me being like Mike. For any of us to aspire to be like Moses may seem about as unreasonable as aspiring to be like Michael Jordan.
It’s easy to think of Moses as having special qualities, of being remarkable, exceptional, different from most of us. More spiritually gifted than we are.
But think about what we really know about Moses. He was abandoned by his mother at birth. We know why, but did he? As a child? There were no safe haven laws back then. She put him adrift in a river! He was brought up in foster care. In his case, it turned out to be pretty cushy foster care, but still he was away from his family, his culture, his people. Maybe not so unlike people today who deal with complicated parenting and family situations.
Later on, in today’s vernacular, he made a bad life decision. He killed a man. True, the man he killed was an Egyptian slave master, but that doesn’t change the fact that, in uncontrolled anger, Moses took another human life.
He fled that situation and now he’s doing an entry-level job working for his father-in-law.
When he talks with God in the burning bush, Moses is not eager to serve. He is reluctant. He is adamant that he does not have “the right stuff” for the job. He has no special skills or personal qualities that equip him for God’s service.
Finally, he does grudgingly say OK. OK, God. This is your show, but I will be a part of it. This is your team, and I guess I want to be on it.
Moses, unlike Michael Jordan, does not have any special talent. He is not extraordinarily religious or remarkably equipped to serve God. There is nothing about Moses that is any different or better than any one of us. So if we want to be like Moses, we can be.
If we want to be like Moses, we can be. Nothing stands in the way of that aspiration.
We can have the same enthusiastic, intimate relationship with God that Moses had. We can do wondrous things to free and help the people that God loves. We can be like Moses.
All we have to do is stop for just a minute when God speaks to us. Just for a minute. Stop to listen when God speaks your name. In the middle of whatever you’re doing, stop just for a minute. And then trust God just enough to say, OK, this is your show, God. You don’t have to trust God infinitely or extravagantly… Trust God just a bit, just enough, to grudgingly say, “OK, God. I’ll try, with your help. I’d like to be a part of your show. Fill me with your spirit. Use me as you will. And always to your glory.” I want to be like Moses. Amen.
