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June 15, 2008, Father’s Day

Matthew 9

“Were the Twelve Dads?”

 

When you think about it, it’s rather amazing how LITTLE we know about the disciples. 

 

Simon Peter was a fisherman. It’s clear that he assumed the leadership position among those directly chosen by Jesus. We know he had a mother-in law whom Jesus cured of an illness so he was married. Legend has it that he was crucified in Rome – upside down at his own request because he wasn’t worthy to die like his Lord.

 

Pete’s brother Andrew was also a fisherman. He was the one who invited Peter to come and see Jesus. He was present at the feeding of the 5000 and dared to mention about the boy having some bread. According to tradition he was crucified on an x-shaped cross which later appears on the flag of Great Britain representing Scotland, whose patron saint is Andrew.

 

The last of the fishermen were James and John. They were called the “sons of thunder” because of their fiery personalities. John is often identified as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Tradition says he’s the author of Revelation, written as an old man in exile on the island of Patmos. Old is a nice word.  He’d had have to have been around 100.

 

There are others like Philip who when first told about Jesus asked whether anything good could come out of Nazareth.  Since he was reading a book under a tree tradition has declared him to be someone studying to be perhaps a rabbi.

Bartholomew is just a name. We are told nothing about him although there’s a story that says he was a missionary in Egypt, Persia, Armenia and India and was martyred by being skinned alive. He’s the patron saint of tanners. 

 

Thomas is the doubter – the one who wouldn’t believe the resurrection unless he saw the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side. Early histories say he died a martyr in India.

 

Matthew had been a tax collector – thus not a popular guy and probably a crook since he could legally hassle extra money out of someone. He became a redeemed disciple preaching especially to Jews who had not accepted Christ.

 

James the son of Alphaeus? He’s only a name.  Some think he may be James the Younger – a name listed in another gospel. Younger can also mean shorter. The same is true of Thaddeus.

 

There was another Simon, a man from Cana, who is sometimes referred to as a Zealot which means he had a strong sense of nationalism.

 

Judas Iscariot? Him we know.  He betrayed Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane.

 

What I find amazing and definitely comforting is that while we know so little about them Jesus knew their hearts. Jesus saw what others couldn’t see and he gave them authority and endowed them with gifts. They were ordinary men but in time they would turn the world upside down. I can tell you I’ve known every one of them intimately and I’m not Methuselah.

 

Peter, f  or me has suddenly become a man I so admired – Tim Russert.  He was a strong leader who humbly won respect for his honesty, fairness and his respect for all whom he met.  He reached the top of his profession but never was too busy to share his deep Catholic faith.  His love of town and family and his father inspired all to a better life.

 

Andrew would be Ruth to me. Her charismatic style of worship made me uncomfortable. Yet it was her prayer in tongues that God used to open my heart to ministry

 

James, the son of thunder, that’s Pastor Ann.  She has a passion for the unconditional acceptance that Jesus gives to people regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. That passion can only come out of someone who really loves the Lord. You have to think around her.

 

John – the beloved disciple? That could be so many people.  I think of Martini Anna, until a few years ago one of our homebound who trusted the Lord through 99 & ¾ years of living. She lost her merchant marine husband in a North Sea WWII torpedo attack. She raised 3 kids without insurance because they didn’t find his body. She lost one daughter to cancer but never lost her faith.

 

Philip?  Remembering him asking “if anything good could come out of Nazareth” I think of my son, Philip– one of the funniest, inquisitive, learned and most justice minded people I’ve ever known.  He’s a worship asst, and president of Immanuel, Kingston. He’s also a super dad.

 

Gus is Matthew NOT because he was a former crook, but because of his skill for handling money AND his passion for the Lord that prompted him as Immanuel’s president and treasurer to use it wisely and generously and to believe that anything less than tithing is a lack of faith. It was tough to get his support. One had to earn it but when they did, he was a friend for life. When we left Kingston, I remember this often pompous man in tears pointing to Pastor Gary and saying, “I’ve know a lot of the pastors here.  This man was the best.”

 

James, the 2^nd one – well that’s Doris Teekah from my congregation in Queens. Doris left her entire family and her country of Guyana when they disowned her because she left the Hindu faith and was baptized. She could be counted on to faithfully and quietly worship and also to speak up when an injustice was done.

 

I knew a man named Bill LYKE. I really liked Bill Lyke. He was president of Immanuel Kingston when that church wrestled the decision to leave the Missouri Synod for the new Lutheran church body. He was a plumber – had exema all over his arms from the chemicals he worked in. He didn’t graduate from high school but he was by far the wisest man I’ve ever known. He lost half his family in the split but never regretted the decision of faith he had led that congregation to make. He’s Thaddeus.

 

Judas Iscariot? That’s Clarence – who while no betrayer did have his fall. He was a tremendously successful business man who saw it all go in a blink of an eye. It took him a few years to get over his bitterness but with a wonderful wife and church he came back to the Lord.

 

But notice I didn’t mention Simon?  Sitting here there’s so much we don’t know about each other. There’s so many men sitting here who don’t do a lot of personal sharing but are trying to be faithful in this tough world that has so little respect for concepts like grace and forgiveness and sensitivity and justice – a world that laughs at the idea that Christians are called to “take up the cross and follow.”  I suspect there are some dads out there who are a faithful, quiet Simon.  You won’t be written in history books but you have the peace in your hearts of knowing you are a disciple of Jesus and you took the lead in bringing your family to the Lord.  I salute you.  God has given you a precious, difficult calling in fatherhood. God has also given you all the gifts you need. May the Spirit bless you with wisdom and strength and may you always rejoice in your ministry of parenting.