"Show Off"
a condensed version of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.

PODCAST of "Show Off"

This Morning's Scripture reading is:
Matthew 23:1-12

Look at me – the center of attention

I’m a show-off

I admit it – there’s something wired into me that

Sure, I don’t walk around town begging people to notice me, nor do I try to be the one who gets all the honor at community dinners. I don’t care if people use a proper title when talking to or about me, either.

But I have to admit – I like wearing the pastor’s robe – I like the looks of respect people give when they see it.

Let me tell you a couple of stories that stick with me about wearing the robe.

  1. I spent some time as a chaplain at Bensenville Home in Bensenville, Illinois. Most often I cared for folks in the wing that provided additional care for people with dementia – Alzheimer’s disease, senility and other illnesses that affect memory. Two things that folks there recognized, however, were songs and the pastor’s robe. When I’d sing "The Old Rugged Cross," "Amazing Grace" or even "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" folks' eyes would light up and they would participate in singing – even if they wouldn’t do anything else. When I’d come and visit wearing a pastor’s robe, folks would immediately call me "Father" and would humbly receive communion. The robe brought with it a respect born out of strong memories that weren’t taken away by disease.
  2. My youngest son, Andrew, when he was about 4 years old, told me he wanted to be a pastor. Flattered, I told him he could be anything he wanted to be. I told him I liked being a pastor. In my mind I thought something like, "Wow – he sees how people’s lives are changed by the ministry I’m doing. By brilliant kid has noticed altruism and wants to follow in my footsteps!" Then Andrew continued. "When you go up to the guy and you tell him what you want to do – Is that when they give you the clothes? My burst ego was comforted by my laughter.

The robe. Folks look at it and show it respect. Folks look at it and are comforted. A 4-year old child looked at it and thought it looked pretty cool.

I think it looks cool too. Today I like the contrast of the black robe with the white stole for All Saints Sunday. And I know – at least on an intellectual level – that wearing this robe is supposed to be a symbol of humility – being humble. It is supposed to communicate a sense of reverence to God. I wear it because I think folks get a sense of comfort seeing the robe as opposed to formal business attire. And my mom bought me my robes and most of my stoles.

But the robe – and the stoles-- are only a symbol of a memory in folk’s lives.

Those who look at the robe with respect probably experienced a person who showed things like love, compassion and kindness. Those who look at the robe as something that looks cool – maybe they experienced an overwhelmingly cool person wearing the robe, too.

That’s been my experience with the robe. But I know that there are others. Some folks respond to a robe with fear and anger. Some respond with disdain and disgust. Their experience with folks wearing robes was negative – damaging.

I really do try my best to communicate to everyone that those two commandments we talked about last week aren’t negotiable or bendable. Love God – Love everyone are ways of life that are absolutely – without question – necessary. I also have said on more than one occasion that I see my role as a pastor to point folks toward Jesus and then to get out of the way.

Oh – but I do like to be the center of attention.

I don’t always follow my own advice.

I’m a hypocrite.

Sure – I don’t parade around asking people to bow in my presence. I’m always willing to lift heavy things and to do stuff that isn’t in the job description. I don’t care where I’m seated at official dinners – though I do like the chair here in church.

I recognize, still, that I’m a hypocrite. In our celebrity-obsessed culture, I like being known by others. I like it when folks say nice things about me. I like it when people I don’t know come up and talk to me because they know me. It makes me feel famous.

And look – I’m saying these things not to get a "You’re not a hypocrite" reaction. I’m saying these things because I think we need to really ponder this morning’s reading. I think we need to acknowledge the hypocrisy in all of us about whatever it is we are hypocritical about. And instead of beating ourselves up about it I think we need to trust that God can and does still love us and God can and does still get things accomplished through us. (I know God also gets things accomplished in spite of us – but lets focus on the more positive side for a bit.)

We have one God.

Rabbi does not equal God

Father does not equal God

Teacher or instructor does not equal God

God = God

And God calls us to serve. – Serve God and one another.

Listen to the last two verses of today’s reading – from "The Message" paraphrase:

(Matthew 23: 11-12 TMSG)"Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.

None of us are perfect.

And God can and does get things accomplished through every one of us

Even a pastor who’s a show off.

Close with prayer.

© 2008 Union Congregational Church, All Rights Reserved