Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church

Of all the saints days we commemorate in the church, Saint Mary Magdalene sounds the most jarring, doesn't it? Seems the most unusual, the most unlikely, the most out of place, the most... well let's just say it: wrong. But that's what makes this day so right. Mary reminds us that we are all unlikely saints. A saint is someone God has taken hold of and says: forgiven, free, mine! And that makes Mary Magdalene the perfect saint.

What is it today that causes some to be offended, scandalized, at the God who only wants to come and give His gifts? Perhaps one reason is our belief in equality -- that everyone should be treated equally. And perhaps at some times and in some ways that is important and true. But not always. Because love doesn't treat everyone the same. Love takes into account who a person is and what a person needs and acts accordingly. Parents know this. Well so, too, with God.

Sometimes our names tell people what we do. Kids know what Bob the Builder does. Adults know what to call Len the Plumber for. And John the Baptist... yeah, he baptizes. He wasn't always called John the Baptist, though. First he was just John. John would not have the name of his father, for he was not following in the footsteps of his father. He would follow in the footsteps of another from Israel's history -- Elijah. So with the coming of John the Baptist, the page turns from the Old Testament to the New. From prophecy to fulfillment.

There are things in this world that we can see, and things in this world that we cannot see. Things visible and invisible. So now here's the question: How do we understand and interpret this reality? What does it mean? Is it good or bad? Well, only by the word of the One who knows. The One who not only sees the visible and the invisible, but is the maker of all things visible and invisible. It is only by the Word of God that we can interpret -- correctly -- the things of this world and life.

In the Holy Gospel we heard today, we hear Jesus speaking from His heart. He is mere hours from being lifted up on the cross, to lay down His life for His friends, for His enemies, for you and me, for all people. So, Jesus gives us God's Word, God's powerful Word and promise, to do three things, we heard today -- three things that we need. First, Jesus gives us the Word to keep us from the evil one. Second, Jesus gives us the Word to sanctify us. And then third, Jesus gives us the Word to make us one.

It's great to be able to help people, but not even Jesus Himself healed everyone. We read story after story of towns where Jesus was, and He was healing people, but the next morning, He's gone -- He's on to the next town, leaving behind people who had wished for healing, but were not healed. You see, it's not just about healing -- it's about preaching. Preaching that the Word of God is now fulfilled in this man, Jesus of Nazareth.

There was a march in Washington a week or so ago. You might have heard about it. It was called the March for our Lives. But long before there was a March for our Lives in Washington, there was a March for our Lives in Jerusalem. And whether or not you think the march in Washington was worthwhile, accomplished anything, or will ultimately do any good, I'm not really here to talk about that. But the march in Jerusalem... that's why we're here today. Because that did accomplish something -- it accomplished the greatest good of all time.