The Amazing Race

Seeing all people as extraordinary and amazing

Lk. 23:35-43 

           The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”  Even the soldiers jeered at him.  As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”  Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”          

 

          People are amazing.  And I’ve met some pretty amazing people in just three years here at Immaculate Conception.  I’ve learned that what makes someone amazing is that they see things differently, and they see things that other people cannot see.  For instance, Eileen Teagle can see things I cannot see.  When I first arrived here as pastor, I wanted to arrange the furniture and pictures in my office, and I personally would have just shoved everything up against the walls and hung the pictures close to the ceiling.  But someone suggest Eileen would have a better idea, and she did, making my office warm and welcoming – and heck now I never leave my office!  Eileen sees things that others miss. 

          Another extraordinary individual is Ben Keating.  He plays the trumpet so well that he’s applying to the prestigious music school in New York City called “The Julliard School of Music.”  Ben doesn’t just see music as notes on a page, but music for him is alive and sensual and it dances and it laughs.  On the other hand, the only thing I can play is the radio.  Have you ever heard of Zane Chunn?  He has won virtually every award both nationally and internationally for cowboy mounted shooting.  He rides a horse and simultaneously shoots pistols and rifles at targets and he does it in lightning speed.  And by the way, Zane is only 19 years old.  Zane sees what other riders miss, they literally miss it!   

          Can I brag for a moment on Russ Bragg (pun intended)?  Lots of men love to grill steaks and burgers and hot dogs.  But I don’t know anyone who has a smoker like Russ does: his smoker is about the size of the north entry of the church!  Russ sees cooking differently from other men: he sees it as a service to others.  Last week I talked with Lawson Hembree and asked him to make a donation to Trinity Junior High because his children attended that school.  He explained that his family would likely help, but first he wanted to teach his children the importance of philanthropy.  He’s worried that the next generation, the so-called “Centennials” (that’s what they’re calling the generation that’s following the Millennials), don’t appreciate the need to give to charitable causes.  Lawson sees money differently, not just as a right for me but as a responsibility to you.  Amazing people see the world differently from the rest of humanity. 

          In the gospel we meet another amazing man, the Good Thief, who was crucified alongside of Jesus.  He, too, sees what others miss.  According to Church tradition he is often referred to as St. Dismas. What is amazing about Dismas is his ability to see who Jesus really was, namely, a king.  As he hangs on the cross on Jesus’ right side, he says to our Lord: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  He saw Jesus entering his own kingdom like a conquering hero on a white horse, and St. Dismas wanted to be part of that parade.  But just like Eileen and Zane and Ben and Russ and Lawson, Dismas sees what others missed.  The rulers didn’t see Jesus kingship; the soldiers just jeered at him; even the other thief only mocked Jesus asking for a miracle.  You see, St. Dismas was given the gift of faith and he saw that, what to all the world looked like a common criminal, was really the King of kings about to enter his glory. 

          But I believe that faith not only helps us to see who Jesus really is – a king – but it also helps us to see who each other really is – a child of God.  I don’t know if you watched the presidential debates.  Most of it was pretty pathetic and puerile. But there was one brilliantly beautiful and blissful break.  At the end of the second debate, a spectator asked both candidates: “Would either of you name one positive thing that you respect in one another?”  Everyone in the audience exploded into applause (so they had to say something nice).  Hillary answered that she respected Trump’s children and obviously their own success says a lot about Trump himself.  For his part, Trump said, “She doesn’t quit.  She doesn’t give up. I respect that.”  What a wonderful question that was!  The spectator was really asking: can you see each other with the eyes of faith?  Can you see anything good in each other?  Can you see each other as children of God?  And for a fleeting second (it was just a second), they could see each other as a child of God, like St. Dismas could see Jesus as the Son of God.  Amazing people see things that others miss. 

          My friends, people are amazing.  And I’m not only referring to Eileen and Zane and Russ and Lawson.  But I mean everyone on earth, and each person without exception.  And if you’re having trouble seeing that, then I suggest you ask God for more faith.  Why?  Because faith helps you not only to know who God is, but it also helps you to know who man is.  Faith shows you that all people are amazing.  So, let me ask you: is there anyone that you think that is not amazing?  Do you think your former boss who fired you is not amazing?  Do you think your ex-spouse who divorced you is not amazing?  Do you think your elderly mother who blames everything on you is not amazing?  Do you think Donald Trumps is not amazing?  Do you think Hillary Clinton is not amazing?  Do you think I am not amazing?? (Don’t answer that last question.)  Yes, people are crazy and selfish and wicked and lazy and sinful.  But they are still a child of God, and Jesus still suffered and died on the Cross for each of them, too.  Jesus thinks each one of those people is pretty amazing, amazing enough to die for. 

          Have you ever watched that reality television show called “The Amazing Race”?  I’m not a fan of reality TV shows, but this one intrigues me because it’s not just a race to see who completes all the challenges and comes in first.  It also introduces the contestants to the world’s cultures and peoples, and by extension, introduces the television audience (you and me) to others cultures and languages and customs.  When I think of the title of that show, “The Amazing Race,” I don’t just think about a trek across the world, but I also think about a trek across humanity.  In other words, the most “amazing race” is really “the human race.” And with a little more faith, you could see that. 

          Praised be Jesus Christ!