Peace in Endings and New Beginnings

This sermon was preached my last Sunday as Augie's Intern. John 14:23-29.

I wonder how many times I have said, this is the last time I’ll __________ over the course of the past week. When an end is approaching I always try to savor each “last.” Or at the very least I try to acknowledge the “very last” time I do something. I’ve done this at different points in my life, but never quite as much as when the school year comes to a close. Sometimes it was exciting, I found myself saying things like “this is my last week of being a junior, yeah, summer is here!” Other times it is bitter sweet because the ending is more final, like when I was a senior. I wasn’t ending for the summer only to pick things up again in the fall. When these endings come, my response usually goes something like this. “Oh, this is the last time we’ll gather for a midweek worship” or “this is our last chapel staff meeting” or “this is one of the last times I’ll have the opportunity to have to hang out in the huddle.”

Thoughts and talks about endings usually contain language of the new beginning created by and with the ending. They usually go something like this. “Yeah, it’s summer and I’m off to camp, but this IS the last time we’ll be able to play Frisbee on a sunny Saturday afternoon”. Or “I’m so excited to start my career, I’m done with finals and I’m ready to put my skills and knowledge to work, but I will certainly miss those afternoon naps.”

Endings and new beginnings provide a time for excitement and possibility. They provide reflection on what is ending, the good and the bad. With endings comes grief. As the end and new beginning get closer the feelings cycle faster and faster.

One afternoon before I graduated from my undergraduate program a few friends, fellow social work majors and our professors were gathered at Professor Ross’ house to celebrate the end of our time together. It was a beautiful spring day and the 15 of us were enthusiastically discussing the new beginning for us students. After about half an hour of excitement, after the sharing dinner the conversation shifted. Laura began telling the professors that without their dedication and diligence without their support and high expectations she wouldn’t be as prepared and excited for her new beginning as a licensed social worker. Half way through her third sentence Laura broke down with grief over graduation, over the loss of the life we’d all grown to known and to love.

As I approach the ending of my time serving as Augie’s intern pastor I must admit that I am excited about going back to the classroom to work the questions of life and faith that have emerged this year. I truly love the world of academics and I’m thrilled to have another year of class time before I graduate. But I’m also not okay leaving this place and leaving all of you.

Going away is frightening for not only those of us who are doing the leaving, but also for those who are left. Today in the gospel of John Jesus talks of endings and new beginnings. Jesus tells the ones who will be left what will happen when he leaves.

The good news is Jesus knows that going away is a scary thing. He uses the words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” Jesus comes to those who are troubled with fears, doubts and tears. Jesus comes to us knowing what we need.

The good news is Jesus knows going away is a scary thing, and the excellent news is that Jesus not only knows - he also does something about it. To that I say, Alleluia, praise the Lord, Jesus understands, endings are frightening. Into fears, doubts and tears Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is coming. Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Jesus understands that hearts are troubled and afraid and Jesus responds by giving peace.

Part of the peace is that Jesus never completely leaves. His place is changing. He is getting the disciples ready for when he won’t be literally walking with the disciples. In Matthew he says, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Those are words from Jesus to us. Going away doesn’t mean complete separation. This is part of the peace even with earthly relationships. In many ways relationships are changing, but we are never completely separated. Even if we don’t see one another or this place they are never fully separated from us. We always have memories, and we carry these with us. We have memories of Jesus, and the promises, and we have memories of the past. We have been changed and nothing can take that away from us.

Into these places and memories Jesus speaks peace. Jesus speaks peace in the places of great joy and light, and Jesus speaks joy into places of trepidation. On Friday the word of peace came to me by means of worship. This coming week in the midst of finals peace comes in the form of Midnight Madness at Our Savior’s (that’s 6p-2a tonight and tomorrow). Peace also comes in the classmate who speaks the words of solidarity and encouragement. Next Sunday I pray that peace comes to the seniors in the form of baccalaureate worship as well as in the form of beaming proud parents and in the form of the gauntlet. The peace that Jesus gives comes into our lives at unexpected times in surprising ways.

I conclude with one final example of peace from the life of Horatio Spafford. Horatio was an attorney heavily invested in real estate. In the Chicago Fire of October 1871 he was financially ruined and shortly after, his 4 year old died of scarlet fever. He poured his grief into rebuilding the city and aiding the 100,000 who lost their homes to the fire. Shortly after the fire his wife and four daughters were on a transatlantic ship when their ship collided with another ship. Horatio’s wife survived and sent him a telegram saying, “Saved alone.” His four daughters were killed in the wreck. Upon receiving the telegram he boarded a ship to join his wife. Several weeks later, as Horatio’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the captain said, “I believe we are now passing over the place where the Ville de Havre went down.” Horatio returned to his cabin but couldn’t sleep and said to himself, “It is well; the will of God be done.” Later he wrote the words to “It is well with my soul”, also known as “When Peace like a River”. The lyrics speak to the eternal hope of peace that all believers share, no matter what ending or new beginning comes.

We sing together the old words “when peace like a river attendeth my way; when sorrows, like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well with my soul.” May the Lord bless you with faith to sing these peace filled words in every ending and in every new beginning. Amen.