First we listen, then what?
This Sunday the Lectionary has us looking at one of most well-known Old Testament stories, at least well-known in churchy circles, namely, Moses and the burning bush. The New Testament has us in Romans and Matthew.
At first I didn’t know what to do with the passages. This past week has been difficult if you value the musical and/or cinematic work of Peter Cullen (look him up), Tim Curry, and especially perhaps, Dolly Parton.
I couldn’t escape the outpouring of grief and stories of Dolly Parton’s philanthropy and genuine care for people writ large. I wasn’t trying to escape anything, but I spend less time online than many (most) people I know, so for me to be as aware of her passing virtually as soon as it was announced was unusual. My bonus Mom has always had an especial fondness for Dolly Parton so “on her behalf” if nothing else, I paid attention.
Why am I talking about an entertainer on this blog? What does she, or any celebrity, have to do with Genesis and Romans? I am by no means well aware of everything Dolly but it’s the Bible that says you will know people by their fruit. Moses began to listen to God because there was burning but not burning up bush in front of his eyes. I don’t know if there was anything dramatic that caused caused Dolly Parton to start listening to God but I suspect there wasn’t; what is obvious is that she listened and then acted on what she heard.
That’s the “then what.” We begin to listen to God at some point. For some folks there is a dramatic moment that they began to listen, many people have shared with me that they cannot remember a time when they weren’t aware of God and that God might be speaking to them. The point is less when the listening began and more of the “then what?” Moses became the deliverer of the people of Israel. Dolly Parton became some who gave, completely free of charge, more than 300,000,000 books to children to help them develop a love of reading and to help them become literate. That isn’t a typo, she paid for more than three hundred million books to be delivered to children. Someone online said a very interesting thing, to paraphrase their words, “Dolly Parton could have been a billionaire by letting her money make more money but instead she spent her money.” I am pretty sure she spent her money the way she did because of who she listened to.
Fair warning, this sermon is longer than most, it clocks in at a bit more than twenty-one minutes. I hope you give it a listen regardless and as always, let me know what you think as you are inclined and able. Should I preach about celebrities more often? Never again? Anything is welcome.
Blessings,
