"For everyone born, a place at the table,

To live without fear, and simply to be,

To work, to speak out, to witness and worship,

For everyone born, the right to be free.

And God will delight when we are creators of justice

And joy, compassion and peace:

Yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice.

Justice and joy."

- Shirley Erena Muray

Since today is the fourth of July, the day we commemorate the founding of our country and celebrate our roots as a nation, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the foundations of our faith and to celebrate our roots as a faith community.

What do we mean by the term foundation or roots?

Paul, though he is reacting to a set of very specific concerns within his first century context, has something to offer us today in regards to our roots as a faith community. While often misunderstood, he was certainly a foundational figure for what would become the Christian Church.

In the excerpt from Galatians that is our lectionary text for today Paul reminds us that our spiritual community is rooted in a particular practice and a specific vision.

1) We reap what we sow. Not unlike the Buddhist concept of karma. Therefore, Paul says "Do not grow weary in doing good." The foundation of faith is integrity. Even more specifically, it was rooted in a way of doing community that was inclusive and welcoming of those who had previously been second-class citizens.

In the first century Greco-Roman world in which Paul lived Judaism had a certain amount of respect granted it by the larger pagan community. They were respected because they had an ancient religion, and that had a certain amount of cache for the culture. And they were respected for their ethical ideals and behavior. There were often Gentile supporters of the local synagogue, Paul refers to them as God worshipers, who participated in the community of faith without being full members themselves because they may not have kept kosher and they, if they were men, were not about to undergo circumcision.

Paul argued vociferously that such God worshippers should be welcomed into the community of faith without the requirements of kosher eating or of circumcision. He advocated for a more inclusive practice that welcomed everyone to the table as equals. This is what got him into trouble with other Jewish followers of Jesus who had a more conservative approach.

The principle that practice matters, that we need to live and act with integrity, is certainly foundational for any community of faith. We are not a spiritual community because of our belief statements, rather we are a spiritual community because we seek to practice love and justice. One's practice is intimately related to one's vision.

2) What really matters is a new creation. This seems to me to be the core of his argument throughout his letter to the Galatians. His argument for an inclusive fellowship is based on a radically inclusive vision of God.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul writes, "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"

Paul viewed Jesus as the path to the unity that God intended for humanity.

Paul expressed this vision in an ancient baptismal formula he quotes in Galatians;

This was a radically new conception of the community of faith as a new creation that would know no social distinctions or hierarchies based on religious custom, economic class or gender. In this regard Paul was being true to the vision of the historical Jesus. He was also reinterpreting a much more ancient vision of new creation.

There is a beautiful passage about this new creation found in the writings of the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 65 God speaks to the people through the prophet saying,

The vision of a new creation is not just about a transformed life for individuals, it is about a transformed world, healed of it's injustice and violence. It expands to include not just all people, but all creation.

The roots of our spiritual community today are planted deep in this vision of social justice and inclusive love. This ancient promise of a new creation seeks ever-new expression within communities of faith throughout history. And I believe that it is an exciting time to be living and serving in the church today as we create our own interpretation of this sacred vision.

Introduction to the Lectionary Reading

Paul's letter to the Galatians is regarded by scholars to be genuine. This morning's excerpt is the closing of the letter. Throughout the letter Paul argues for the inclusion of Gentiles within the Jewish community of Jesus' followers without the requirement that they keep kosher or, if they are male, that they be circumcised. So when he speaks about the flesh here he is specifically referring to a particular piece of flesh that was causing a lot of controversy back then.

You may also notice a tone of defensiveness in this reading. That would be very observant of you!

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap everlasting life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want ot make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised - only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of Jesus, God's Anointed One, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor un-circumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule - peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.

May the grace of our Sovereign, Jesus Christ be with your Spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.