Citizenship
March 30, 2014 | Patrick Preheim
One of the major themes in 1st Peter centers on “life in exile” (David Bartlett, “1st Peter” in the New Interpreters Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes (vl XII), p. 241 ). Peter, in fact, addressed the communities receiving the letter as “exiles” (1.1) and twice more calls them such (1.17, 2.11). I am sensitive to this kind of language because until earlier this month I too was an exile and alien on the Canadian prairies.
Most of you know that my new birthday is now March 12, the day I became a citizen in this fine country of Canada. Perhaps I should have worn a bison robe or a beaver hat or a maple leaf boutonniere this morning in celebration of my new status, but no sense flirting with national idolatry so early in my Canadian infancy. A number of people have asked about the affect of the experience upon me. I am somewhat surprised to report that the events of March 12th left an impact. Interestingly, I no longer feel like guest worker. No one has suggested as much or made me feel like a foreigner, and yet in the back of my mind I have always been aware of the fact that I don’t belong in the same way as most. Secondly, I feel emboldened to take a more active role in civic life. To this point I have had a nagging concern that if I question a government policy or say something controversial in a sermon (or even get a speeding ticket for that matter) immigration Canada might have just shown up on my doorstep with notice of deportation. Sure, the authorities still could become upset with me, but now they no longer can ship me south. As a Canadian citizen I have the right to rot in a Canadian jail, and that feels good. I natter on about citizenship stuff because it relates to our book of 1st Peter.
According to 1st Peter, citizenship in Jesus is the antidote for Christians feeling exiled and alienated. Isn’t that a beautiful concept? In Jesus, we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people (2.9) regardless if we are American or Canadian or whatever. We don’t need to worry about the national identity on our papers. Citizenship in Jesus offers a passport from God which allows a person to live with courage and act with gentleness regardless the political nuts making policy. I would like to have thought that in the last 6.5 years I understood and lived courageously while gently offering a defense of the hope that is within me. And yet my elation at finally becoming Canadian combined with my latent fears of deportation hint at a faith still a little too sensitive to the powers of the world. Perhaps such was the case for the audience of 1st Peter. It is into this sometimes competing, but often compatible, context of citizenship identity that 1st Peter was written. How do we navigate these tricky international waters in which we are called to “honour the emperor” (2.17) and also live a faith which might make us prone to suffer at the hands of the emperor (there are, by the way, 15 uses of the term suffer in 1st Peter)? The text of 1st Peter offers a few clues designed to help us keep the Christian ship on course.
We remember the salvation story of which we are apart. 1st Peter is saturated with Old Testament allusions. Earlier I mentioned the term “exiles”, and guess what—this is a thoroughly Old Testament phrase. Only 1st Peter of the N.T. books uses the word exile. “Exiles” described the Jews who were deported to Babylon. In case we missed the connection Peter concluded the letter by offering a greeting from a sister congregation in “Babylon” (5.13). Five times Peter described the congregations as “chosen”, just like Israel was chosen by God. Peter named Jesus as the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 (2.21-25) and liberally drew upon other Isaiah passages. In this Old Testament imagery Peter linked the Christians with the ongoing salvation history of God. If we feel as exiles and aliens, we are not the first. If we are suffering for living God’s light in dark times, we are not the first. It is through such people and acts of integrity that God brings salvation to the world. To empower Christian congregations fearful of immigration officers and executioners Peter reminded them that like Israel and Jesus they beloved, chosen, Holy. It is a comforting and inspiring word—for them and us.
To stay on course we remember our baptisms. 1st Peter wove baptism images into his letter at several points. In chapter 2 he encouraged them, like new born infants, to take spiritual milk and grow into salvation (2.2). Being “new born” or “born again” was a typical phrase describing people who rose from the baptismal waters (note the John 3 conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus --“you must be born again”). In chapter 3 Peter used the term baptism and equated it to Noah’s ark; it is like being saved from the flood (3.18-21). In chapter 5 Peter implored the people, “clothe yourselves with humility”—the phrase “clothing oneself” would have been an allusion to the new cloak a person would put on as they rose naked from the baptismal cistern. Baptism is important. In baptism we unite with Jesus. In baptism we identify with the sin of the world and the sin in ourselves and publically declare that there is something better. In baptism we say yes to God’s way in the making of better. It is a defining moment that when remembered can help us get grounded and sometimes hit re-start. Clothing ourselves in Christ at our baptism brings with it specific freedoms and responsibilities as citizens of God’s holy nation. I will say a bit more about that, but first I take us back to my citizenship experience earlier this month.
It is hard to imagine a Wednesday afternoon sermon from a citizenship judge, and yet that is what we got. I have new appreciation for all those who sit through sermons while minds drift off to thoughts of all else which comes after a sermon. The citizenship judge, our presiding minister that day, did a reasonable job. He talked about rights and responsibilities. As Canadian citizens, we now have certain rights. He was thinking of the freedom to peaceable assembly, the freedom of association and the freedom of religion. As a Canadian I also have certain responsibilities; things like obeying Canadian laws, serving on a jury and voting. These rights and responsibilities are, I think, not so different from our life in Christ.
In Christ we have freedoms and rights. Our union with God in Christ assures us access to an Advocate (Jn 14.17), and this is really important should a foreign nation detain or imprison us. Our union with God in Christ assures us that our earthly death will give way to resurrection. Our union with God in Christ assures us that we, too, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, beloved of God regardless what others say. This is really good news and should give us a deep felt peace be we a permanent or increasingly impermanent resident. The responsibility we carry is imitation of Jesus. We won’t do it perfectly, but perfection is not the point. The important piece is stepping out on the Jesus Way. And it is amazing what happens to us and through us in this decision to follow after Jesus. I think Peter would say that in the following after we will find the balance of honouring the Emperor and honouring God. To encourage us I now offer a few examples of the people among us who are working at the imitation of Jesus.
This past Tuesday evening was the end of year gala for Venture Club. Each time I attend this event I am moved to humble gratitude. The kids who come through the program take away much more than flannel pajamas or a wood cut Christmas tree. They take with them a deeper sense of God’s love of them, an awareness of a religious community, and an idea of personal virtues. So many from this congregation gave of their time and talent to allow this ministry to happen—aliens and exiles gently and reverently testifying to the hope that is within us.
In a visit earlier this month with Dave Fowler I learned that he has become the primary contact for an aunt who has moved into Saskatoon. He is her only family in town. In addition to managing the mine, Dave now also takes care of his aunt fielding phone calls, making visits, preparing legal documents, managing finances, etc..,. He is one of the many apart of the sandwich generation who are caring for an older and younger generation. Aliens and exiles gently, reverently, and without fanfare testifying to the hope that is within us.
A few months back I learned from Bruce Craven of his daughter Sarah’s involvement with a high school organization called Change It. Sarah was willing to share a bit of her story, but has come down with a cold and asked me to read in her place. “I’m involved with the Change It club at my school. The Change IT club organizes fundraisers and activities to raise awareness and support for a variety of causes. One of our big projects this year was a Hungry for Change campaign we ran in October. This project was to collect food from students in the school to donate to the food bank. I was also part of a small group that went door to door on Halloween and trick-or-treated for the food bank. We ended up collecting over 700 food items. It was amazing to see people so willing to help out others in need. I found it so uplifting to be a part of this project and helping other Saskatoon families in need of support.” Aliens and exiles gently, reverently, and without fanfare testifying to the hope that is within us.
Last week Matt Love was recognized by CBC for his teaching at Aiden Bowman. I have asked Matt to share briefly with us this morning about his work.
(Matt Shares)
Aliens and exiles gently, reverently, and without fanfare testifying to the hope that is within us.
There is no one best occupation or situation or country in which to exercise our citizenship in God’s Holy Nation. What we have are the circumstances of the life around us. All good works on behalf of God’s kingdom proceed from a good spirit; and it is the later that is all-important. Meister Eckhart has been quoted as saying, “People ought not to consider so much what they are to do as what they are; let them but be good and their ways and deeds will shine brightly” (Robert Ellsberg, All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time, p. 137). So, let us be faith filled citizens. Let us tend to the spiritual life which will keep us firmly rooted in God’s Holy Nation and let us be attentive to the opportunities to share in word and deed with those living around us in this country of Canada. Amen.
