HOLY ATTENTION

Mark 4:35-41: On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

I would like to talk with you for a bit about one of the most ingenious creations in God's world. It is ae very simple thing that we often take for granted because it is such a natural part of our everyday lives, and always has been from the moment we were born, and even before that.

What I'm talking about are those things that we call “boundaries.” A simple way of defining a boundary is to say that a boundary is something that has an “inside” and an “outside.” And the purpose of a boundary is to protect what is “inside” of it... from what is “outside” of it, and vice versa.

Before we are born, our mothers' bodies make up the very complicated “boundary” that surrounds us, that we need to protect us, and manage our development, until we are strong enough to be born.

Perhaps the most common example of a boundary in this very simple sense is the skin of the human body. As a boundary, the skin protects what is “inside” from what is “outside.” If the many organs and systems that are inside of our skin were not protected from all of the elements and objects and forces that are outside of our skin, we could not survive. In fact, we sometimes describe people who are real “survivors” as being “thick-skinned,” and people who are very easily hurt as being “thin-skinned.” Our skin is an important boundary.

Our clothes that we are wearing right now, and the shelter of this church building around us, are also “boundaries” that are protecting us from potentially harmful outer conditions, like too much sun, or wind, or rain.

And it is not just us humans, but all of creation that depends on the protection of boundaries. For example, a bird's nest functions as a “boundary”.... in it the birds eggs can be well camouflaged and more easily defended against harm by predators. The shells of the bird's eggs are a further “boundary” that protect the soft, living contents on the inside, and keeps all of the necessary nutrients accessible so the baby bird can grow.

The ozone layer, up in the sky, is a big “boundary” in our world. It protects our atmosphere from the penetration of too much ultraviolet light from the Sun, which could damage any life forms that were exposed to it.

And even very tiny cells that can only be seen in a microscope have “boundaries” that help manage the relationship between what's “inside” the cell and what's “outside” of it. They have to be permeable enough to let helpful things in and harmful things out, but also firm enough to keep harmful things out and helpful things in. If they are either too permeable or too firm, they're not helpful as boundaries.

The reason I wanted to start out this sermon by saying a bit about “boundaries” is because I wanted to lead us into a more simple and basic way of understanding what a “boat” – like the one mentioned in this morning's gospel text – actually is.

A boat is essentially a boundary. It's main function is to protect what is “inside” of the boat (often people, and cargo) from what is “outside” of the boat (usually lots and lots of water....). People and cargo can only take so much water, before it gets the better of them, so it is necessary that a boat be a very firm boundary. And yet, a boat that is made of wood like the one in today's gospel, still needs to be able to breathe and bend somewhat. If it's boundary is too rigid, it can snap under pressure. The boundary has to be just right... not too flexible, but not too firm either.

When the boundary that we call a “boat” is in good condition, both firm and flexible; it is a truly amazing creation. It enables us, and our goods, to be way out in the middle of very deep waters, and yet still be as dry and safe as if we were on solid ground... Assuming that the water and the weather conditions don't exceed the physical limits of the boat, or the personal limits of our boating skills and our comfort levels.

But as long as those conditions are within normal limits, the boundary of the boat not only protects us very well, it allows us to explore much more of life in this world than we ever could without it. Even if there is turmoil going on “outside” of the boat, in the water, we can usually be at peace “inside” of the boat, because we know that the boundary will do its job.

On the other hand, if the waves going on “outside” of the boat are so great that they are rapidly crossing the boundary and spilling into the “inside” of the boat, we may not be at peace at all. We may well be quite afraid and anxious, and panicking about what to do.

In this kind of situation, we naturally have one primary concern: Is the boundary going to hold, or is it going to be overwhelmed and break down under the stress??? Is the boundary high enough and strong enough to keep us safely protected from all the forces that are on the other side of it.... or not ??? Because in this kind of situation, we know that we don't have control over the outside forces. We can't just snap our fingers and have the water change from turbulent to calm. I know I can't at least...

Today's Gospel says: “A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern [the back end of the boat], asleep on a cushion...” The message that Scripture seems to be sending us here is that, contrary to our natural inclinations, our primary concern in such a situation is not having control of what is happening “outside” of the boat; nor is it with having the perfect boat whose boundaries can hold against any raging tide. On the contrary, what Scripture seems to be suggesting is that our primary concern in such a situation is to be conscious of and attentive to Who is present in the boat with us... What we need more than anything else is that quality of holy attention – being mindful of Jesus' presence in our midst, in spite of everything else that is going on. Jesus is the key to containing the storm and shoring up our boundaries. But the disciples were lacking that holy attention in this story. Instead they were practicing anxious attention.

Anxious attention runs back and forth, over and over again, between the “outside” stressor and the inner “boundaries,” always fearing that trauma is about to happen, because the stressor is too much for the boundaries to hold. So in anxious attention there is turmoil going on not only “outside”, but “inside” as well. Our blood pressure starts rising. We start secreting certain chemicals that provoke a “fight or flight” reaction in us. Anxious attention can really get us moving, but the it gets us moving like a chicken-with-its-head-cut-off. Anxious attention rapidly spirals into a panic that impairs the mind's ability to discern what the most primary concern is. Then we can't make good judgments and decisions. And so Jesus sets limits on their anxious attention and re-directs their hearts and minds to God's presence in their midst.

The Living Christ – when we consciously, deliberately recognize that he is really present in our midst and the Captain of our ship – enables us to cope with whatever situation that God allows to enter our lives. Christ's presence is real whether we recognize it or not, but in order to benefit from his real presence, we have to be conscious of It, actually acknowledging him, attending and listening to him, in our midst.

The great irony in today's Gospel story is that, in truth, it was the disciples who were asleep, not Jesus. They were spiritually asleep because they were not carrying out their primary charge – to consciously, deliberately attend to the reality of Christ in their midst. It's easy to “forget” our primary charge when dramas and crises of one sort or another are capturing our attention. It's easy to lose our Head and start anxiously running around. But trying circumstances are an integral part of the spiritual life. And the challenge they extend to us is precisely not to lose our Head, not to give in to anxious attention, not to lose sight of the Good News that Jesus is right here, right now, in this very same boat with us, resting peacefully back in the stern.

Because that holy attention – being mindful of Jesus' presence in our midst in spite of everything else that is going on – is what makes all the difference. It opens our hearts and minds to divine grace, which changes everything (Mat 6:33). I pray that every time that you enter this sacred space and your attention is drawn back to that altar – that great symbol of the Presence of Jesus resting securely and peacefully in in the stern – you will awaken, more and more, to the reality of Christ in your life.

Every boat or ship needs a captain. In our culture, we are often frightened into believing that we ourselves – and no one else – should be the “captain of our own ship.” We have learned in this world that we have to be afraid of persons who might well use their authority or power in ways that are not in our best interest. We have learned that we have to think critically, and not just follow the leader. And there is certainly a lot of truth in that... but not when it comes to Jesus. Jesus we can trust absolutely, unconditionally. We can allow Jesus to be the captain of our ship, because he is the one who cares for us so completely that he gives his life for us, without even the slightest hesitation or regret.

Trinity Lambeth has been through some turbulent waters. She has struggled to stay afloat financially. She has been without a rector. She has faced conflict and a number of practical difficulties. But through it all, she has never for a moment been without her faithful Captain. The Real Presence of Jesus Christ has never left her, and never will. As long as she is mindful of Jesus' presence in her midst, she will grow, in spite of the difficulties. She will even use the difficulties to grow in grace. By grace, she will firm up her spiritual boundaries in areas where they need to become more firm. By grace, she will make them more flexible in areas where they need to become more flexible. In fact, she is already doing so. She is already becoming, a more secure and life-giving place to be – both for our own community and, for others who are out there, just treading water, hoping that a friendly boat will come by.

As I say goodbye to you all this morning, I am keeping you all in my heart and in my prayers. And also I ask you to pray for me, and for Shaun, and for our ministry. Thank you for the blessing that you have been to me. I wish you all every blessing, as your journey continues.

Amen.