Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
3rd Avenue at 111th Street
in the historic Lansingburgh section
of the city of Troy, New York
Sermon Links
Lent - Easter Sermon Series 2006
The Third Sunday in Lent
"The Kitchen"
(Perdue Oven Stuffers and the "Ove Glove")
March 19, 2006
Exodus 20:1-17
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
John 2:13-22
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Grace and peace to you from God our Father
and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
For those of you who weren't able to be at worship Ash Wednesday evening or the last 2 Sundays, we're now in the season of "Trading Spaces," looking forward to the "Extreme Makeover" of creation even of our very selves. "Trading Spaces" and "Extreme Makeover" are two very popular TV shows which seek to completely change the living space of the family home. This season I'm going to be doing something a little different. As we examine the meaning and centrality of the Cross in the furniture scheme of our lives, of our living space, our home, we will consider the "Extreme Makeover" of creation that allowed us to be "Trading Spaces" with Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One.
Mark's Gospel constantly points to the Cross as the defining moment of history the time when EVERYthing changed the event upon which all future would be determined, both corporate and personal. The resurrection and all of the power we derive from it would not have "been," had there not been God's action of the Cross. Hence my desire to speak of the centrality of the Cross in the "down and dirty," that is to say, our everyday existence, our daily lives. Consider this as this five-Sunday season of Jesus' "Trading Spaces" with us, taking our place upon the Cross. As such, I continue to mix my metaphors of our daily lives, our living space and our Lutheran "theology of the Cross."
After a long day of wandering the Capital District in search of hmmm what is it I'm supposed to be searching for Bill? - before I even come in the front door, I can smell it mmmmm my favorite broiled chicken Perdue oven stuffer split mmmmmm. Ah, the scent that tells me the evening is going to be a success. Through the front door and the living room and into the kitchen, yes, the kitchen. Like Lansingburgh living rooms, each kitchen tends to be a little different different shape, different styles, different appliances. Some with round tables, others rectangular. Some with microwaves, others with both microwaves and toasters. Some with ranges, others with wall ovens and cooktops. As she checks on the chicken's progress, Carol puts on her left hand, one of her Christmas presents "the Ove-Glove." This, in order not to burn her hand as she takes the chicken to its just desserts? Hmm, dessert isn't necessary when you've got broiled Perdue chicken! Mmmmmm.
In Mark's Gospel we find the people had wandered through their lives, in search of often they weren't exactly sure for what and here comes Jesus putting on the proverbial "Ove Glove" as he feeds first 4,000, then 5,000. Later, in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday, the first day of Passover, while in Jerusalem, Jesus feeds, not thousands, but only 12. Though I don't believe there were any Perdue broiled chickens involved, on all three occasions, the people got not only what they wanted but what they needed, as well.
True, one of my sayings is "and Jesus said 'Where 2 or 3 are gathered, there's bound to be a meal'," but in a way, that's precisely what the sanctuary is a place to find food not food for the stomach that, we'll leave until after worship, in the fellowship hall. No, in this kitchen we come to be fed in a different way getting food for the soul, nourishment to help us get on with our day. We come through the door, hoping that somehow some smell, hymn, lesson, bread and wine, sermon point, window, perhaps even an announcement will cause us to return to our daily lives with the word "mmmmmmm" on our mind and heart.
The kitchen is an important room in the house not just because you get to eat there but, because it's the place where, in the evening, the family gathers together for the meal. Putting the "Ove Glove" aside, at the kitchen table, we go from one to the other, perhaps from left hand to right with the conversation of what has happened throughout the day. Children sharing stories of crayons being eaten, ballgames being played and bus drivers being harassed by teachers and students alike. Parents sharing stories of co-workers and insane drivers on 787. The kitchen is a place where the family learns of both each others joys and frustrations on a regular basis. The kitchen is where those joys can be celebrated and the frustrations addressed. At times it can get loud, at other times, quite wonderful and you go away from your meal and time spent together with the word "mmmmmmm" on your mind and heart.
Throughout Mark's Gospel we find Jesus in the metaphorical kitchen with his family his disciples gathered for a meal but more importantly, for their conversation about the day, Jesus, pointing with his left hand, asking of their needs and concerns. This at the feeding of the 4,000, the feeding of the 5,000, in the Upper Room on Passover and then, Jesus puts aside the "Ove Glove," that is to say, Jesus puts aside that which protects him from all harm, and puts his left hand up, as it is nailed to the Cross; history's kitchen, the place on which we receive the opportunity to share the stories of our lives; sharing our stories of sadness, guilt, anger, frustration; sharing them and being fed by God's love and sacrifice for us.
Here, around this "kitchen" table," we hear the stories of Jesus' life; his compassion, his zeal for God's house, his love, his feeding, his putting aside the "Ove Glove" of protection that he might allow his {left} hand to be nailed to the Cross. Here it is that we gather in thanksgiving for the "Cook of Creation," who provides us with all our needs. Here it is that we gather that WE might listen to each others stories of crayons being eaten and insane drivers on 787 or 2nd Avenue. Here it is that we try to be the family of the "Cook of Creation" by listening to each others stories and pass the food of love and compassion that God has passed to us. At times it can get loud, at other times, quite wonderful and we hope that we can all go away from our "meal" and time spent together with the word "mmmmmmmmm" on our mind & heart.
As you head for the kitchen for your evening meals this week, give thanks for those with whom you are eating and for the food and the fellowship, but also give thanks for this kitchen and the meal of bread and wine, the meal provided by the one who welcomes us with arms outstretched, left hand nailed to the Cross. As you enter your kitchen, remember the centrality of the Cross in the furniture scheme of your life. Consider the "Extreme Makeover" of Creation that allowed us to be "Trading Spaces" with Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One. Now, that is more reality than you'll ever see on ANY TV show. Amen.
The peace of God which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
