In the gospel of Mark, Jesus is busy getting good things done, while also seeking balance in his life; not just doing, but being.  Intentionally being, in the presence of God.It reminds me how sometimes our lives, my life, can get out of balance. Caring for others, at the expense of our own health and well-being.Christ Jesus, I believe, is seeking that healthy balance between doing, and being.

I want to revisit some of the teachings I heard at this year’s Tabor Pride Sunday from our friend Kylie Jones-Greenwood (they/them) who was sharing with us what it’s like to be a Queer person of faith in Utah.First I heard from them how important a thing signage is for us as an open, inclusive, affirming Lutheran church in the downtown! They shared how it was seeing the Rainbow Flag outside years ago that gave Kylie and Shem the curiosity to say, “Hey, let’s give that place a try” leading to the gift of their presence here among us today.  We are a congregation that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

The second take away for me was the gift of Kylie’s sharing from their personal experience what it’s like, and what it takes,to authentically show up as a Queer person in Utah.I recall how they so clearly shared that for them, being Queer is three things:  Joyous. . . .  Exhausting . . . and Enraging.

Joyous to be recognized for the beauty of their authentic Selfhood.Exhausting to have toconstantly educate others as to their pronouns, and navigate the public’s ability to not be distracted by their personhoodin their professional context. Enraging to find the Utah legislature, year after year,traumatizing the LGBTQ community with bills that would take away the most basic human dignity.

And finally I heard Kylie’s charge to us as their chosen faith community: to be upstanders and not bystanders in our daily lives, speaking out when a Queer person is being bullied, ignored or othered in our presence.Showing up in public and in our workplaces, to be a moral compass in society in the name of Christ.

I recall Kylie calling on us to “step up, so that queer folk may step back.”Because the energy it takes to be authentic in Utah, is exhausting work.I remember them saying that when straight, cis-gender people, publicly step up to be advocates and allies,Queer folk can then step back to recuperate and renew and rest, and recover the balance that everyone needs. The balancethat our Lord seeks to model for us in the gospel of Mark.

Mark says He leaves the synagogue where he’s beenspeaking with authorityand receiving push-back from the Powers for doing so.Then they go to Simon’s house, where Simon’s mother-in-law is bed-ridden with an infection and fever. Jesus immediately enters fully into her need.  She’s made well.Word spreads.  Until by evening the whole city (!) was at the door for Jesus’ attention and response!Is this Superman?

Christianity teaches that Jesus was fully God, and fully human, at the same time.         A paradox. But in my experiencesometimes Christians don’t fully embrace that this is as a paradox: two opposites that cannot exist at the same time and place, but are absolutely represented in the person of Christ Jesus.It’s not logical, normal, or ordinary. We’re not supposed to be able to get our heads around it. Because it’s meant to be a mystery.And human minds usually want to process mystery in rational ways today so that the mystery gets resolved, and goes away.That’s the influence of the 16^th c Enlightenment on western religion.  So Christians often today will read Scripture like a Marvel comic book where Jesus is really just Superman disguised as Clark Kent:God disguised as a human being.

But the paradox of our faith is that Jesus is as human, as mortal, as you and me.  Hunger, thirst, exhaustion, emotional and physical suffering, rage and compassion, -- the whole of what it’s like to be a human in an imperfect world – Christ Jesus is all of that.And, at the very same time, not that. 

It’s not supposed to make sense. But it’s all part of the story we get to learn from, and grow from.And by the end of that day Mark describes, Jesus is spent.I hope hearing that Christ himself was utterly spent, can be affirming for you.Superman was never spent. (Unless he was around a toxic substance that didn’t come from Earth.) Superman doesn’t get exhausted or out of balance.  But Jesus does.

My friend, the Rev Steve Klemz, loves to recall that some of the best advice he was ever given on his ordination day came from a mentor who said, “Now Steve,  for the rest of your careerI want you to repeat after me: ‘I am not Jesus’  ‘I am not Jesus’ . . . .”

Reminding ourselves,all of us followers,that we aren’t called to be Super-humanbut to live authentic lives in Christ’s name as followers of the one who dwells in the mystery of divine paradox; that’s what I’d like you to hear.And our friend and fellow traveler in Christ, Kylie Jones-Greenwood has eloquently described for ushow stepping up so others can step back, is holy work.It’s stepping up to give respite for those who need it.Because in authentically human lives, it’s respite that leads to renewal, for everyone.

Does Jesus experience others stepping up, so he can step back?The gospel of Mark says early the next morning he gets up before everyone elseto hike out to a space far from human activity. And there he prays; sits intentionally as a human in the presence of God. Just being not doing.  Maybe he would have stayed there all day and the next according to what his body was telling him?We’ll never know. Because who comes looking for him?His disciples.  Simon and company, saying,“Where have you been?  You didn’t tell anyone where you were going! You need to be where we can always find you!Don’t we have things to do, places to go, people to see? What are you doing out here in the middle of nowhere?”

Does Jesus experience others stepping up, so he can step back?I hope that seeing this draws your heart a little closer to the mystery of Christ.  And I wonder if simply pondering that interaction might yield insight for you? That and repeating the mantra of Pastor Klemz’s mentor, “I am not Jesus” . . .  nor am I supposed to be” . . .

Even Jesus sought balance in his life.

Having been a Lutheran pastor for awhile I’ve found myself around folks who were raised with what I call the “MidwestMind-set.”The Midwest Mindset doesn’t like to admit it needs help.  With anything. Because it doesn’t want to draw attention; thinks of everyone who must have it worse;and doesn’t want to be an added burden to another’s life. Just keep plowing the field day in and day outand don’t ask anyone for help doing it.The Midwest Mindset.I still discover it today, in the way people continue living their lives.And I witness what it does to authentic human beings with good hearts not asking for help. Maybe looking for help for others’ sake, but not seeking it for themselves.I don’t think that was what Jesus is trying to model. I find him asking for help.  For balance:  “Will anyone stay awake with me?” he says in the night of his betrayal.“Will anybody step up, so I can be as human as you?”

Are we allowing ourselves to do that, even with “all of Simon and company” on our heels?We heard how life-giving that is from our friend Kylie.To be the ones who step up. . . . and the ones who step back.In both of those ways, I think we will find God’s amazing grace at work.

Peace and balance be with you all!            Pr David