“Mindfulness not Perfection”
Psalm 19:7- 14 read responsively and Matthew 5:38-48
May 23, 2010 – Pentecost
Sermon series on being Mentally Healthy
Preached by Linda Jo Peters, Pastor
INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE
We all strive for perfection in some aspect of our lives: our work, study, homes, bodies, relationships and service. But we all fall short of perfection. The Psalmist knew that God’s law was perfect, but he was not, so he sought God’s acceptance. Note acceptance is one of the attributes of mental health that we all need, plus love and forgiveness that we also seek from God.
Psalm 19:7- 14 read responsively
7The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
8the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. 11Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. 13Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Matthew 5:38-48
John Purdy writes:
What are we to make of Jesus' call to his disciples to practice such radical ethics in personal relations? Some have charged that this is a "counsel of perfection," which dooms anyone who tries to follow it to failure, guilt, and endless remorse. Such critics rightly argue that the chief bar to right behavior is self-hatred. Therefore why add to that burden by laying on human demands for goodness that is clearly beyond us? For a few who hanker after sainthood, the vision of such perfection may shine like a halo. For the rest of us it looks more like a crown of thorns.
Rev. Purdy is right that this is a tall order, but I do not think Jesus is asking us to be perfect but challenging us not to settle for less than our best.
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, “Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
SERMON
Here we are on Pentecost, the birthday of the church, when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower these very disciples to live perfect lives. I know striving to be perfect is not good for our mental health, but neither is giving up the effort to fulfill God’s call.
Maybe we need to consider what Jesus s asking of his disciples. What he means by being perfect. The Greet word for perfect τέλειος (te'-lā-os) means “nothing needs to be added,” it is complete or mature. Becoming complete or mature is good for our mental health. But we reach it not by striving for some imagined perfect state but the on going practice of mindfulness. One meditation teacher defines mindfulness as: "paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally."
This may sound simple, but mindfulness is a skill that takes practice to cultivate, maintain, and could once again lead to an unhealthy desire for a perfect model. That is why mindfulness is non-judgmental even of ourself.
Have you ever driven for miles and not been able to recall the trip. Your brain was on auto pilot. Only when a crisis happens, such as a car pulling suddenly in front of you, do you become mindful. But auto pilot is how we sometimes live in other aspects of our life. It is not good for relationships, especially our relationship with God. When we are on auto pilot, we ignore all that God has given us and we arrive at our destination and thinking that we got there ourselves. If we were mindful during our journey, we would see all that is good, beautiful, true and worthy of love. Instead we see and do what we have always done. Living life on auto pilot is unhealthy for our mental health or our life together as a church. The Holy Spirit awakens us to what is important. Hopeful it does not take our lives crashing into a wall to make us mindful. Being open to the Holy Spirit is the best mental health care we can have. Being filled with the Holy Spirit produces a sense of peace and joy. Last week we were energized by the amazing participation of our youth. The Holy Spirit filled our hearts and minds. Today we receive the Pentecost offering that is dedicated to children at risk, youth and young adults in the church. Here we can respond with the grace of the Holy Spirit to make a difference in our world. Paul writes, “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.”
We need to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit who helps us be mindful of God’s will for our lives. Remember I said it takes practice to become mindful. Let’s practice by taking a deep breath through your nose, holding it and then letting it out through your mouth. Do that three times. Now listen for the sounds around you. Pay attention to your own breathing. Let the sense of touch become your focus. What is the air like on your skin? Can you smell anything? Now ask the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within you. Be patient. The in dwelling of the Spirit cannot be rushed. Let it fill your whole being with joy and love. Now slowly open your eyes asking the Spirit to reveal beauty, goodness and love around you.
I pray you open your eyes filled with the Holy Spirit every day. No more auto pilot living. Live fully in the moment relishing all that is good. Amen.
Resources:
Adapted from: http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=420&C=267 “Returning God's Call: The Challenge of Christian Living” by Rev. John C. Purdy
Psychologist and mindfulness meditation teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn see: http://www.jimhopper.com/mindfulness
Acts 13:52
I Corinthians 2:12
