Readings from the Message for the Closing Ceremony of Camp
1 John 3:1 – 3
Matthew 6:25 – 34
This sermon was preached by Fr. Daniel London at Camp Living Waters at Cookson Ranch in Blue Lake CA on Friday July 26, 2024. Camp Theme: “Everyday Superheroes”
This week, we’ve learned about four inspiring real-life superheroes: Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry, Betty Kwan Chinn, Sister Jacqueline from the Community of the Transfiguration, and Greta Thunberg. Bishop Curry used his superpower, which was his preaching voice, to proclaim God’s love and to remind us that if it’s not about love, it’s not about God. Betty Kwan Chinn literally lost her voice as a young girl in China during the Cultural Revolution but then discovered her superpower when that gray bird encouraged her to get up and never give up so that she could share God’s love with others by providing housing for the houseless, food for the hungry and hope for the hopeless. Sister Jacqueline reminded us that on the Mountain of the Transfiguration, God said, “Listen! Listen to my beloved Son Jesus Christ who teaches us to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.” Finally, Greta Thunberg used her voice, as a young girl, to speak truth to power, criticizing some of the most powerful political leaders in the world, saying, “How dare you prioritize your greed over care for the planet!” She reminds us that we are not only called to love God, our neighbors, and ourselves, but also the planet.
What are some themes and values that are shared among these superheroes? What are some themes that connect them?
I want to highlight two themes.
First, I want to highlight the theme of service, as Bishop Megan emphasized yesterday. Bishop Curry serves the Church. Betty Chinn serves the poor. Sister Jacqueline and her community serve the hungry and disenfranchised. And Greta serves future generations through her climate activism. Remember: although many superheroes wear capes, Jesus did not wear a cape, but a what? A towel! A towel to wash his disciples’ feet, as a servant. He said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve.” Clergy (deacons and priests and bishops) wear these garments called “stoles,” not because they were stolen but because the word originates from the Greek word stola which means “garment.” Many people believe that these originally functioned as liturgical napkins (orarium) or towels for ministers to use in serving others: to dry off people’s feet after washing them or even to wipe sweat of their brow after working. So, these are symbols and tangible reminders of a minister’s commitment to serve others. What tangible symbols might help remind you of your commitment to serve others? Service to others is essential to being a superhero.
Finally, on the first day of camp, Mother Geri told us that we have no labels for each other here, but we all share this most important identity: our identity as beloved children of God. All real-life superheroes find their true inspiration from their ultimate identity as beloved children of God. All other identities are temporary and transitory. They’re good, but they’re all secondary to your ultimate identity as beloved children of God. Part of your identity is not only that you receive God’s love as God’s beloved, but you are loving. When we love others, we tap into who we truly are. And one helpful way to tap into our identity as beloved and loving is by getting in touch with our sixth sense. We have the sense of sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. Our sixth sense is our heart sense, which we activate by simply placing our hands on our hearts and noticing what that feels like. Let your heart guide you in finding creative ways to love God, your neighbor, the planet, and yourself. And in doing so, you will become a real-life superhero. Amen.
DANIEL DeFOREST LONDON 