Uncovering Joy - Making Much of Avery
“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that when astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of you Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.” (Matthew 18:10-14)
Imagine a party thrown for you – a party in which everyone is thrilled - especially that you are there in the middle of things. We must remember that this party already is being thrown and it is being thrown with you as the one right in the middle of all the joy. That is a promise. There is no other reality among the saints of God than to be in that celebration. We are both guests and participants in the celebration. Even as we are the focus of the party, we are just as much ones who enter into the joy of the presence of other guests. The Reign of God is a real community that gathers and makes much of all who come to the party. As that is the case among us there is no one that is outside or far off.
We are a people who know when one is missing. We are not whole when you are not in the midst of us. This is even when people have tried to say you are not welcome or you are not to be one of us. When you are not here at the party – there is no real party like the Reign of God taking shape. In some ways, we are always moving toward wholeness – we will not be complete until all are welcome and joy-filled. This is not a call to a one time action – a task – a demand. Rather, it is a reminder that our life within the Reign of God is an ongoing journey in which joy will continue to be found as those who are not with us are brought into the circle of God’s peaceable Reign.
What is it to be found when lost? To some degree, we probably all have a grasp on that feeling. We may not know when we are in the midst of being lost. Often, we feel it when we are told of others who have been found or when we see it happen right in front of us. Just look around when such stories are told or when a scene in a movie shows the lost - found. Eyes are full...we know that lost-and-found feeling. In those moments, we can put on a veneer of indifference or appear to be disconnected and unconcerned about how lost we have felt or are feeling. The reality of being lost is quite at hand and very real. Sometimes we would rather hide how lost we are feeling than acknowledge our need to be found in the middle of reunions filled with joy.
Each Sunday we place into the liturgy a time with the children who are in worship or down the hall in the nursery. During the sharing of the peace, the children are called forward. Parents leave the sanctuary bringing in the youngest children from the nursery - some of the older children are already in place up front on the stairs leading to the chancel - a more hesitant young one walks hand-in-hand with an older sibling or a parent. As the offering is being taken and the adults are busy with that part of our worship, those of us up front around the chancel steps conspire about the Reign of God.
Most often, the congregation doesn’t know what I am saying to our young saints. They can only see the expressions on the faces of our children and hear some of their responses and comments. We make time at the beginning of the Eucharistic liturgy so that even the youngest saints will be a part of the celebration of joy that is the Lord’s Supper. It sets the tone for the feast just like children who break through the doors of a home during the holidays as family and friends gather for a banquet.
At our early liturgy there are some Sundays when there are no children who feel young enough to come forward – although there have been times when a few adults have come forward. I don’t know if adults come up so much to make me “do a children‟s lesson” or to let them fully hear and experience being the recipients of a word of welcome and joy.
One day at the early liturgy it was just Avery up on the chancel steps. He was brought forward by an older sister. His other sister, Emma, his usual companion, decided to stay in the nursery. I think the lesson that day was something as simple as: Go and give someone you know a big hug and say I love you and then ask them, “What are you going to do now!?!” This worked at the later liturgy but at this first liturgy of the day - Avery took control of the day even before I could assume that I had control. From the time of his first eye contact with me I saw nothing but amazing joy. Avery was up front. Avery with pacifier in mouth and sister in hand was nothing less than a bright light – a bit shy but shining bright.
After a simple greeting and taking a seat next to him to try to engage him in a bit of conversation, he realized that he was in front of everyone. His pacifier came out of his mouth and he pointed out each of sisters back in their pew. Their laughter and waving was contageous. Avery gave his version of their names...and even gave a shout-out to his sister in the nursery - more laughter and big bright smiles. All I could do was smile and point out the other people who were sitting out in the sanctuary. Avery was delighted - so were all the people.
When time came for him to go back to his family I stood up and motioned to the congregation to stand for the singing of the Offertory. As I turned to face them I was a witness to utter joy – smiles – tears – laughter – and a bold singing of “All Are Welcome” as the gifts were brought forward for the Lord’s Supper. What joy at seeing the least among us given a place and to see what that attention and welcome can do to any of us!
Even though it wasn’t planned, making much of Avery placed all of us in that space we all long to be – beloved, shining, thrilled to be present. We never really forget what it is to be found. We never forget what it is to be lost and wandering without a place in which we are a vital part of a whole. Avery’s smile and appearance of utter amazement melted the house. We all know that shine and sense of wonder and thrill of being found and celebrated.
Making much of Avery is not something that must be out of the ordinary. It does not need to be done in a special place and in a special time. It takes place each and every time we make much ado of those around us. The opportunity for joy to be uncovered is presently at hand. We walk within an endless unfolding of joy for we are always surrounded by folks who long to be found and celebrated. Rather than retreat from the world to gain an appreciation of the Reign of God we are already present at the wellspring of joy that awaits us. Such joy is in the thrill of moments where we make much of one another simply by being present and taking note of others.
I remember watching the movie “Milk” and being moved by the sense of being forgotten or forbidden or left outside of the party. I was also moved by the amount of work it takes to overcome what becomes an internal sense of being forgotten, forbidden, and left out. Harvey Milk seemed to have a great sense of being found and welcome and at home even when the world around him would rather have him stay lost in a closet.
The movement in San Francisco to bring the gay and lesbian community out into the light as a vital part of the whole community was an uphill fight. And yet, it was powerful to see that once a person finds that life is a joyous celebration for everyone to experience, joy – as fullness of life – overcomes the powers of darkness that so often attempt to put restrictions on joy – something which is actually quite impossible to do!
TRRR
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