The text for the sermon is below the sermon video…
https://www.zionepiscopal.com/Sermon%20Videos/fourth-sunday-after-pentecost-7-3-2022.html
Sermon preached at Zion Episcopal Church; Sunday July 3rd 2022
The Reverend Alan Neale; “Freedom – A Precious Jewel”
Ignore my British accent, I live in a town named after the Commander of the Continental Army in the war of independence and I own a home in a town in which the first “Tea Party” took place (Edenton, October 25th 1774)… as an American citizen I wish you all a happy and glorious Fourth!
On recent Sundays we have heard and read passages from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians – in this book, a sort of primer for his magisterial book to the Romans, Paul talks much about freedom.
He writes that freedom is a precious and costly gift – Galatians chapter 6 “May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”. It is through the awful suffering of the Cross that we gain freedom, that freedom is bestowed upon us.
He writes that freedom is fragile and easily lost – Galatians chapter 3 “You foolish Galatians…”, you are surrendering your freedom. Galatians chapter 5 “For freedom, Christ has set us free. Do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery”.
In Old City, Philadelphia there is Christ Church Episcopal Church. Founded in 1695, its building (probably one of the finest Georgian buildings in America) dates to 1744. It was there that many of the writers of the Constitution rested and worshiped during their mammoth task. The church holds many historic relics… one an English Prayer Book, and where prayers are asked for King George III… someone has scratched out the name in pencil. Such was the care then for freedom; brothers and sisters in Christ, do we observe the same care for our freedoms now… both in Christ, and in State?
In today’s first reading (2 Kings chapter 5) we read of a man renown and famous.
Naaman was captain of the host of the King of Syria, he was successful in battle, he was an honorable man and a man of valor, he was an influential man “in high favor with his master”, he was revered even by his servants taken captive in foreign lands. But despite all this glory, the man was not free… he was taken captive by a disease that would slowly rot his body and alienate him from society. Oh yes, by his great armor he could hide this secret but it wore away, it eroded, his soul.
The story is told of Robert Redford that one day he was talking through a hotel lobby. A woman, with great excitement, saw him and followed him to the elevator. “Are you the real Robert Redford?”. As the doors closed he said, “Only when I am alone.” Naaman gave all appearance that he was free but, when alone, he knew he was bound.
Friends, there is many a family whose appearance is that they are happy, functional and yet, behind it all, they lack a precious freedom.
Friends, there is many a person who gives the appearance of a successful, wholesome life and yet, behind it all, they lack a precious freedom.
Friends, there is many a church that gives the appearance of a spiritual and welcoming community and yet, behind it all, it lacks a precious freedom.
And, friends, there is doubtless many a nation that gives the appearance of a freedom loving, freedom bestowing society and, behind it all, it lacks a precious freedom.
Naaman was such… are we?
In our story from 2 Kings, contrast the life of the young girl, taken captive from the land of Israel.
This young girl, sadly anonymous, is free from anger and resentment. Even though Naaman led the very army that took her captive and now holds her captive in his home, the young girl was so free from anger and resentment that she took time to suggest how her master could be healed, set free from a voracious disease. She approaches Naaman’s wife with this message, “I know a man… who can make him well”. It occurs to me that this is the essence of our ministry as Christians and as a Church… we approach others without favor or prejudice and find ways to let them know, “I/We know a man who can make you free and his name is Jesus!”.
And so the story continues… as it unfolds both the kings of Syria and Israel add confusion and chaos, but then what do we expect from kings!
So very close to the moment of his healing, Naaman starts to retract and recoil from the prophet’s prescription. He becomes angry and resentful that the prophet does not deem to leave his house to meet the mighty soldier; he is swayed by a sense of pride and propriety… why wash in this filthy river? Why not in the clean rivers of my own Abana and Pharpar? And, once again, it is his servants (note with some tender care for their master) who plead the cause for sanity and obedience… and so “he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan… and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean”.
God worked a miracle in Naaman… a miracle that set him free from pride and prejudice, from arrogance and bias, from conceit and bigotry… and set free from that which did him damage and harm, he was set free for service and health.
This past week, front page of the Daily News, I read the story of “Washington’s Big Dog in the Park”. Lincoln, the dog, amazes spectators by his obedience even while unleashed. His owner, Chris Rivenbark, said “the dog respects and trusts his owner’s voice. He listens intently and obeys immediately”.
Friends, we belong to the One who has made us, sustained us, saved us and restores us… we are his, let us respect his voice and listen intently and obey immediately… that we may be free and that freedom may ring and reign in home, in church and in our nation.
Amen