Today the US (well, maybe just my little bubble here in the DC metro area…but you know, it seems like everyone) is all aflutter with the visit of Pope Francis to Washington, DC.
Traffic is diverted. Stores shelves have been cleared of the holy trinity of (natural and man-made) disasters (bread, milk and toilet paper). DC residents are staying home, or lining parade routes.
News media is doing back to back coverage of this scientist and pastor from Argentina who happens to have a visible job (even though his job doesn’t include overseeing most of us—well, there is a theological and pastoral discussion here, but moving on…).
Pope Francis has been Pope for a little over two years. In that time, he’s been discussed in the US, to be sure. His manner and approach has seemed a breath of fresh air, even though many point out his views don’t reflect much change from previous popes. He’s cool though. We like him.
But we didn’t care this much till he showed up. SHOWED UP!!!
Yes, we and Zacchaeus share much in common. Jesus was great and all, but it wasn’t until Jesus decided to show up at Zacchaeus’ house that Zacchaeus’ life began to really change. (Luke 19:1-10)
It is a rule of human interaction that showing up tells us what matters to someone. The anecdotal evidence of this in our own lives and in society is legion.
The parent who doesn’t show up at a child’s game.
The romantic partner who skips out on a planned date.
The friend who doesn’t come when a friend is in need.
Showing up matters. And it makes a difference. Because we can’t be part of what is happening if we don’t show up. Even in a world where technology gives more options for connecting, being present (even if on the other end of a video chat) matters. Even with those technologies though, and maybe all the more so because of them, it matters to us when someone shows up. Because it tells us we matter.
Showing up is more than being physically present, but it starts there. We’re not all worked up and excited about Pope Francis because he’s Facetiming with us. We’re excited because he showed up.
Have you ever expected someone to show up but they never did? And later, they offered no explanation, or simply said they got busy, distracted, etc. How did you feel? I bet you felt unimportant. I would guess you felt that you mattered a little bit less than you had previously thought.
Showing up matters.
We know this because we know how it feels when someone else doesn’t show up for us.
At Arden, we’re walking through a sermon and study series using Jim Harnish’s book A Disciple’s Path. This series looks at what it means to be (and grow as) a disciple of Jesus Christ, using the five elements of the membership vows in the United Methodist Church: prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
This Sunday, we’re looking at presence.
Showing up.
Showing up as a disciple of Jesus Christ means being present with our brothers and sister in Christ. It means being part of worship. And study. And fellowship. And service.
Showing up matters.
It matters to our brothers and sisters in Christ. And it matters to God.
We live in a world where we’re expected and/or choose to show up many places. Where and when we show up says a lot about our priorities.
Because we have so many places to show up, and because most of us feel guilty at one time or another about where we’ve shown up and where we haven’t, we hesitate to pick on someone else’s showing up-ness.
That is well in the spirit of Jesus’ commands which basically say: Worry about your own shortcomings, and stop pointing out other peoples’. You’ve got enough on your plate dealing with yourself.
Here’s the thing though. It does matter.
Here is what I’ve seen at church after church, and in account after account:
Yes, people connect with you more (in good times and in bad) when they actually know you…when you’ve made time to show up at worship.
People who are part of a small group at church (like a study, class or group like a choir) tend to feel far more loved and connected in their church.
People who show up at church see their pastor more; and their pastor, in turn, is able to support and encourage them more (than if they don’t cross path regularly).
People who are active parts of a faith community are more consistently able to grow in their understanding of and relationship with God.
You may not always powerfully experience God is worship, but I will guarantee you that you will experience God more often if you are part of the gathered community.
John Wesley's entire life and movement was based on the view (shared by Pietists of all stripes) that being a disciple of Jesus Christ is about more than just showing up. I agree. But it starts with showing up.
So no…Communing with God is nature isn’t enough. Meeting God on the golf course isn’t enough. Watching a great preacher on TV isn't enough. Because it’s not showing up.
You know who showed up?
Jesus.
He showed up when he gathered with his disciples.
He showed up to preach to the crowds.
He showed up to heal those who were suffering and in pain.
He showed up for you. On a cross. On Calvary.
He showed up early one Sunday morning. Except what was awesome was he didn’t show up where we expected him to. You see, his absence meant all the world. He was not in the tomb.
He showed up to his followers. The ones he showed up to first? The ones who had shown up for him.
Showing up matters.
