C. Eric Lincoln - "The Beauty of Being One" (October 7, 1979)
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Transcript
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- | Duke University Chapel service of worship, | 0:03 |
October 7, 1979. | 0:06 | |
(organ music) | 0:10 | |
(choir singing) | 5:16 | |
(organ music) | 6:32 | |
(choir singing) | 7:04 | |
- | You may be seated. | 10:50 |
I greet you this morning, this beautiful morning | 11:01 | |
in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. | 11:04 | |
This is the day which the Lord hath made. | 11:09 | |
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. | 11:13 | |
Let us pray together now the responsive prayer | 11:19 | |
of confession and concern for others, | 11:23 | |
which you will find printed in the bulletin. | 11:27 | |
Let us pray. | 11:31 | |
Lord, you made the world and everything in it. | 11:33 | |
You created the human race of one kind | 11:38 | |
and gave us the earth for our possession. | 11:41 | |
(audience responding) | 11:46 | |
Lord, we have been divisive in our thinking, | 11:54 | |
in our speech, in our actions. | 11:57 | |
We have classified and imprisoned one another. | 12:01 | |
We have fenced each other out by hatred and prejudice. | 12:06 | |
(audience responding) | 12:13 | |
Lord, you mean us to be a single people | 12:19 | |
ruled by peace, feasting in freedom, free from injustice, | 12:23 | |
truly human men and women responsible and responsive | 12:29 | |
in the life we lead, the love we share, | 12:35 | |
the relationships we create. | 12:39 | |
(audience responding) | 12:45 | |
Lord, pour out among us the tongues of your spirit | 12:51 | |
that we may each burn with compassion for all who | 12:56 | |
hunger for freedom and humanness, | 13:01 | |
that we may be doers of the word | 13:05 | |
and so speak with credibility about | 13:08 | |
the wonderful things you have done. | 13:12 | |
(audience responding) | 13:16 | |
Amen. | 13:29 | |
Our scripture lesson for today is from the | 13:34 | |
12th chapter of the Epistle of First Corinthians. | 13:37 | |
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit. | 13:48 | |
And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. | 13:54 | |
And there are varieties of working, but it is the same God | 14:00 | |
who inspires them in everyone. | 14:06 | |
For just as the body is one and has many members | 14:12 | |
and all the members of the body, though many are one, | 14:16 | |
so it is with Christ. | 14:20 | |
For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body, | 14:25 | |
Jews or Greeks, slaves or free | 14:29 | |
and all were made to drink of one spirit. | 14:33 | |
Here ends today's scripture lesson. | 14:38 | |
All praise and glory be to God. | 14:41 | |
Amen. | 14:44 | |
- | So this is the era of the celebration of the self. | 15:11 |
The more we despair of systems and institutions, | 15:17 | |
the more often the failure of alliances and coalitions, | 15:22 | |
the more certain the inability of cabbles and clicks | 15:29 | |
to deliver us from the confrontations which overwhelm us | 15:35 | |
and threaten us with non being. | 15:39 | |
The more predictable is the retreat | 15:42 | |
into the fortress of the self. | 15:46 | |
And this retreat, which is so characteristic of our times, | 15:52 | |
begins with the withdrawal from contact. | 15:56 | |
The avoidance of the stress | 16:02 | |
of intercourse with other human beings, | 16:07 | |
the abandonment of negotiation, | 16:11 | |
the premature conclusion that we are up against a wall | 16:16 | |
and that the wall is somehow | 16:21 | |
the people out there, the nasty, | 16:25 | |
despicable people with whom | 16:30 | |
we have to deal in our daily grace. | 16:33 | |
And then we conclude that since the wall is not going | 16:38 | |
to crack according to the diagram of our personal interests, | 16:41 | |
and so we simply withdraw. | 16:48 | |
We suddenly discover the beauties of ethnicity, | 16:53 | |
the satisfactions of racial identification, | 16:57 | |
the hideous chauvinism of the rituals of tribalism | 17:02 | |
and we consider ourselves as saved | 17:08 | |
by the reinforcement of the psychological clones conjured up | 17:13 | |
behind these walls of race or ethnicity | 17:17 | |
or religious denomination | 17:21 | |
or whatever social entity it is into which we have retreated | 17:22 | |
from the necessity of dealing with the larger world. | 17:28 | |
But are we saved? | 17:34 | |
Probably not. | 17:38 | |
The racial or the ethnic or the tribal or the | 17:40 | |
denominational clones which represent our new security, | 17:44 | |
turn out not to be clones at all. | 17:49 | |
They may be white like us or black like us or Methodist, | 17:54 | |
or Democrats or whatever, but in the final analysis | 17:58 | |
they turn out to be people. | 18:03 | |
People. | 18:06 | |
And we still have to deal with them just as we would | 18:07 | |
have to deal with those others from whose presence | 18:12 | |
we have sought to withdraw. | 18:17 | |
They will oppose us. | 18:21 | |
They will love us. | 18:24 | |
They will hate us. | 18:27 | |
They will misunderstand us, just like those other people | 18:29 | |
out there in the larger world. | 18:34 | |
Just like those other people we found to be inconsequential | 18:38 | |
to our destiny and to our sense of fulfillment. | 18:43 | |
And so the next step is to make the final, | 18:48 | |
the absolute retreat into the fortress self. | 18:51 | |
And there we indulge ourselves with all the narcissistic | 18:56 | |
fantasies and hedonistic self rewards | 19:00 | |
which are symptomatic of our sickness. | 19:04 | |
But if God is merciful, sooner or later, | 19:08 | |
we discover that the fortress self | 19:13 | |
is not a fortress at all. It is a barricade. | 19:18 | |
It is a barricade behind which | 19:23 | |
we have committed self imprisonment. | 19:25 | |
We find that we are self removed from the world of reality | 19:30 | |
and from the bittersweet promise of human intercourse. | 19:36 | |
There was a man whose name was Nicodemus, | 19:40 | |
who when he heard that Jesus was passing his way, | 19:43 | |
climbed up into a sycamore tree to get a better | 19:45 | |
perspective on the world down below. | 19:48 | |
But Jesus' advice to Nicodemus was to come down, | 19:51 | |
come down in the press of the crowd | 19:56 | |
and get the dust of the road on your feet. | 20:00 | |
We are never as distinctive, | 20:05 | |
never as remote, | 20:11 | |
as we might like to be. | 20:14 | |
Paul's reminder to the Galatians of his age | 20:17 | |
and of ours is that, in the final analysis, | 20:21 | |
there is neither Jew nor Greek. | 20:26 | |
There is neither bond nor free. | 20:29 | |
There is neither male nor female. | 20:31 | |
We are all one. | 20:35 | |
We are one and our oneness is the | 20:38 | |
distinctive beauty of being human. | 20:41 | |
We are one, and this is the | 20:46 | |
crown ingenious of God's creation. | 20:49 | |
We may be of many faiths, but there is but one God, | 20:54 | |
and though there be many nations, there is but one humanity. | 20:58 | |
Though we're revel in the spectrum of diversities | 21:03 | |
which distinguish us as members of this race or that, | 21:07 | |
this culture or some other, and though we celebrate | 21:11 | |
every available nuance of human expression to establish | 21:15 | |
our wanted individuality, our separateness as persons, | 21:19 | |
human individuality can only be confirmed | 21:25 | |
in the context of human negotiation and human intercourse. | 21:30 | |
There is no way, there is no way for man | 21:36 | |
to survive as man | 21:41 | |
apart from his relation to his fellow man. | 21:44 | |
There is no way in which man can be human | 21:49 | |
all by himself. | 21:53 | |
We are one, and one we will be, | 21:56 | |
created by one God through one will or one substance, | 22:01 | |
many members of one body working together, | 22:06 | |
each according to his gifts | 22:11 | |
toward one end and one destiny. | 22:13 | |
And the recognition of our oneness is our | 22:17 | |
love and appreciation for one another. | 22:21 | |
Lord, let me love. | 22:27 | |
Let loving be a symbol of grace that warms my heart | 22:31 | |
and let me find thy loving hand to still me when I tremble | 22:36 | |
at thy command to love all humankind. | 22:41 | |
Lord, let me love though love may be the losing | 22:46 | |
of every sacred treasure I possess. | 22:49 | |
Lord, make my love the pattern of thy choosing | 22:52 | |
and let thy will dictate my happiness. | 22:58 | |
I have no wish to wield the sword of power, | 23:02 | |
I want no man to lead at my command, | 23:05 | |
nor let my critics feel constrained to cower | 23:09 | |
for fear of some reprisal at my hand. | 23:14 | |
Lord, teach me mercy. | 23:18 | |
Let me be the winner of every man's respect and simple love, | 23:22 | |
for I have known thy mercy, though a sinner | 23:28 | |
whenever I have sought thy peace above. | 23:33 | |
Lord, lead me love the lowly and the humble forgetting not | 23:36 | |
the mighty and the strong, and give me grace | 23:40 | |
to love those who may stumble. | 23:44 | |
Nor let me seek to judge of right or wrong. | 23:48 | |
Lord, let my parish be the world unbounded | 23:52 | |
by any vain pretense of race or clan. | 23:57 | |
Let every hateful doctrine be unfounded | 24:03 | |
and make thy love | 24:09 | |
a love of man for man. | 24:12 | |
Let us pray. | 24:16 | |
Oh gracious Heavenly Father, we bow to thee | 24:18 | |
in thanksgiving and gratification for the | 24:21 | |
many blessings though has showered upon us. | 24:25 | |
We are especially grateful | 24:29 | |
that we are members of that great aggregation | 24:32 | |
which was created in thine own image | 24:37 | |
and wherever man may be throughout the world on this Sunday, | 24:40 | |
would though plant in each soul and in each heart | 24:47 | |
the recognition that we are of one body, of one image, | 24:52 | |
that we belong to one Father, created through one love | 24:58 | |
in Christ's name. | 25:03 | |
Amen. | 25:05 | |
- | On this Lord's Day, which we as Christians throughout | 25:20 |
the world celebrate as worldwide communion Sunday, | 25:26 | |
may I, in the name and in the spirit of Christ | 25:32 | |
extend to you this invitation. | 25:37 | |
Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love Him | 25:40 | |
and who desire to live in peace and love with one another. | 25:47 | |
And so my friends in Christ, | 25:53 | |
may the peace of the Lord be with you. | 25:54 | |
(audience responding) | 25:59 | |
As forgiven and reconciled people, | 26:01 | |
let us now in these moments ahead | 26:05 | |
offer ourselves and our gifts to the Lord our God. | 26:07 | |
Amen. | 26:13 | |
(organ music) | 26:22 | |
(choir singing) | 27:05 | |
Be seated please. | 33:52 | |
Let us offer to God this prayer | 34:03 | |
of thanksgiving and consecration. | 34:05 | |
Let us pray. | 34:08 | |
Lift up your hearts. | 34:10 | |
(audience responding) | 34:13 | |
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. | 34:15 | |
(audience responding) | 34:19 | |
- | Oh God, it is right that we should | 34:23 |
always and everywhere give you thanks and praise. | 34:26 | |
Only you are God. | 34:30 | |
You created all things and call them good. | 34:32 | |
You made us in your image. | 34:36 | |
Even when we rebelled against your love, | 34:40 | |
you did not desert us. | 34:43 | |
You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our God | 34:46 | |
and King and spoke to us through your prophets. | 34:51 | |
Therefore, we join the entire company of heaven | 34:56 | |
and all your people now on earth | 34:59 | |
in worshiping and glorifying you. | 35:02 | |
- | Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, | 35:07 |
heaven and earth are full of your glory. | 35:12 | |
Hosanna in the highest. | 35:16 | |
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. | 35:18 | |
Hosanna in the highest. | 35:22 | |
We thank you, Holy God, that you love the world so much | 35:24 | |
you sent your only son to be our savior. | 35:29 | |
The Lord of all life came to live among us. | 35:33 | |
He healed and taught people, ate with sinners | 35:36 | |
and won for you a new people by water and the spirit. | 35:39 | |
We saw His glory. | 35:44 | |
Yet He humbled Himself in obedience to your will, | 35:46 | |
freely accepting death on a cross. | 35:49 | |
By dying, He freed us from unending death, | 35:53 | |
by rising from the dead He gave us everlasting life. | 35:56 | |
We remember that on the night in which He | 36:01 | |
gave himself up for us, the Lord Jesus took bread. | 36:02 | |
After giving you thanks, He broke the bread, | 36:06 | |
gave it to his disciples and said, | 36:10 | |
Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. | 36:14 | |
When the supper was over, He took the cup. | 36:21 | |
Again, He returned thanks to you. | 36:25 | |
He gave the cup to His disciples and said, | 36:28 | |
drink from this, all of you, | 36:32 | |
for this is the cup of the new covenant in my blood | 36:35 | |
poured out for you and many for the forgiveness of sins. | 36:39 | |
When we eat this bread and drink this cup, | 36:44 | |
we experience anew the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ | 36:47 | |
and look forward to His coming in final victory. | 36:51 | |
Christ has died. | 36:55 | |
Christ is risen. | 36:57 | |
Christ will come again. | 36:59 | |
We remember and proclaim with gratitude, Holy God, | 37:02 | |
what your son has done for us in his life and death, | 37:05 | |
in his resurrection and ascension. | 37:08 | |
Accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving | 37:11 | |
in union with Christ's offering for us | 37:16 | |
as a reasonable and holy surrender of ourselves. | 37:18 | |
Send the power of your Holy Spirit on us, | 37:22 | |
gathered here out of love for you and on these gifts. | 37:26 | |
Help us know in the breaking of this bread the presence of | 37:31 | |
Christ who gave his body and blood for all people. | 37:35 | |
Make us one with Christ, one with each other and in one | 37:39 | |
in service to all people through your son Jesus Christ | 37:44 | |
with the Holy Spirit in your holy church. | 37:49 | |
All glory and honor is yours God Almighty. | 37:52 | |
In unity with Christ and with each other, we pray. | 37:57 | |
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, | 38:02 | |
thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth | 38:08 | |
as it is in heaven. | 38:11 | |
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our | 38:13 | |
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. | 38:17 | |
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. | 38:22 | |
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. | 38:27 | |
Amen. | 38:32 | |
Because there is one loaf, we, many as we are | 38:35 | |
are one body for it is one loaf of which we all partake. | 38:42 | |
When we break this bread, is it not a means | 38:53 | |
of sharing in the body of Christ? | 38:55 | |
When we give thanks over this cup, | 39:02 | |
is this not a means of sharing in the blood of Christ? | 39:05 | |
And so my dear friends, in these moments just ahead | 39:12 | |
we offer to you the body of Christ, which is given for you, | 39:14 | |
and the blood of Christ, which is shed for you. | 39:21 | |
The members of the choir will come first and make | 39:25 | |
two concentric circles around the table of our Lord. | 39:27 | |
The ushers will then assist you to and from | 39:31 | |
this communion table. | 39:34 | |
We invite all who gather in the name and in the spirit | 39:36 | |
of Christ to come and receive as our Lord | 39:39 | |
has invited us so to do. | 39:42 | |
And may the blessing of God be with you as we | 39:45 | |
break bread and share the cup together. | 39:47 | |
Amen. | 39:50 | |
(organ music) | 40:03 | |
Jesus said, I am the vine, ye are the branches. | 46:19 | |
By their fruits, you shall know them. | 46:24 | |
Arise dear friends and go in peace and may the love | 46:27 | |
of Christ which is of the first fruits be with you | 46:30 | |
and show forth from you through Christ our Lord. | 46:34 | |
Amen. | 46:39 | |
(organ music) | 46:49 | |
(choir singing) | 49:54 | |
That you love one another as I have loved you. | 54:52 | |
Now, dear friends as in Christ as we have received | 54:58 | |
the body and blood of our Lord and have received again | 55:02 | |
the gifts of His love, arise and go in peace | 55:06 | |
and may the peace of God be always with you. | 55:10 | |
Amen. | 55:15 | |
(organ music) | 55:19 | |
(choir singing) | 58:34 | |
The way, the truth and the life. | 1:03:12 | |
Now, dear friends, arise and go in that way. | 1:03:15 | |
Understand that truth and know that life | 1:03:20 | |
through Christ who loves us. | 1:03:24 | |
Amen. | 1:03:28 | |
(organ music) | 1:03:31 | |
(choir singing) | 1:07:28 | |
Paul writes, and now abides faith, hope, love, | 1:12:04 | |
these three, but the greatest of these is love. | 1:12:08 | |
Now dear friends in Christ, having received again | 1:12:13 | |
the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, | 1:12:15 | |
go and share that love in His name and in His spirit. | 1:12:18 | |
Amen. | 1:12:22 | |
(organ music) | 1:12:40 | |
(choir singing) | 1:15:51 | |
John writes, for God so loved the world, | 1:19:36 | |
He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him | 1:19:42 | |
should not perish but have eternal life. | 1:19:46 | |
Rise, beloved, and in that assurance may you and we all | 1:19:50 | |
go forth knowing that the Lord, our God does love us | 1:19:54 | |
and is with us, and knowing that we may | 1:19:58 | |
share that love with others. | 1:20:02 | |
In the name of our Lord Christ, Amen. | 1:20:05 | |
As these persons are seated, there may be some | 1:20:15 | |
in the congregation who will want to receive | 1:20:19 | |
the bread and the wine where you are. | 1:20:21 | |
If so, there are two ministers who will come | 1:20:25 | |
and offer you the bread and wine where you're seated. | 1:20:29 | |
If you will simply identify yourself so that they | 1:20:34 | |
may share the sacrament with you in these moments. | 1:20:37 | |
(organ music) | 1:20:46 | |
- | Will you join me now in the prayer | 1:22:43 |
of thanksgiving and commitment. | 1:22:45 | |
You have given yourself to us, oh Lord. | 1:22:52 | |
(audience responding) | 1:22:56 | |
Your love has made us a new people. | 1:22:59 | |
(audience responding) | 1:23:03 | |
Your glory has filled our hearts. | 1:23:08 | |
(audience responding) | 1:23:12 | |
Amen. | 1:23:16 | |
(organ music) | 1:23:18 | |
(choir singing) | 1:23:41 | |
- | As we have received the blessed gift of the body and blood | 1:26:41 |
of our Lord in the name and spirit of Christ, | 1:26:45 | |
may I now offer you this blessing. | 1:26:50 | |
The grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, | 1:26:55 | |
the love of God and the fellowship and communion of the | 1:27:00 | |
Holy Spirit be with you and with those whom you love | 1:27:04 | |
this day and forever. | 1:27:10 | |
(choir singing) | 1:27:17 | |
(organ music) | 1:28:45 |