I suspect that all of you have heard this common expression. That expression is: "What goes around, comes around". What this expression means to me is that others will probably treat us in similar ways to the way that we treat them in this life. Or said another way, a person pretty much reaps what they sow in their interactions with others. If one treats others with respect, friendliness, kindness, generosity and tolerance, usually, others will treat us in similar ways. Alternately, if we ignore, abuse, or treat others in uncaring, selfish, or unkind ways, I have found that others usually act in similar ways towards us. Perhaps you have discovered this same truth. This is summed up for us so well for us in the words of the golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

In today's Old Testament reading, King David found out the truth of this message in a very painful way. As you heard, David was attracted to Bathsheba, the wife of one of his top generals, Uriah. He was attracted to Bathsheba and then committed adultery with her. After doing this David arranged to have Uriah killed in battle so that he could marry Bathsheba and add her to the list of his many wives. Through these lustful and murderous actions, David, alienated many including those in his army, those in his court, those in his family and many of the people of Israel. But David also offended God. After these evil acts, the life of David was never the same. Instead of glory and joy much of David's later life was filled with unhappiness. This unhappiness included a number of tragic events including the death of his child by Bathsheba and the revolt and later death of his son Absalom.

I think it is very interesting to note that God forgave David for his sins with Bathsheba and Uriah. But most of the others around David did not. This is summed up when God said to David through the prophet Nathan. "Yahweh for his part, forgives your sin;….." . But others caused David much grief and sorrow for the rest of his life because of these sinful acts. Most of those close to David would not forgive or forget. Perhaps that is the way things are for all of us in this life. Perhaps this is one of the things that Jesus tried to get us to better understand-to understand that forgiveness of others is a blessing to us as well as to those we forgive. This is summed up for us in the words of Jesus in the Lord's Prayer when we say, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive the trespasses of others." I must confess to you that it took me many years of my adulthood to begin to understand this truth about life.

In reflecting on these thoughts I asked myself, is there a better way for us to live our lives? Rather than focusing on the sins or trespasses of others, should we be thinking and acting in different ways? We are given a clue by the Apostle, Paul in today's reading. Paul said, "I implore you therefore to lead a life worthy of your vocation". Our Bishop Spong says the same thing in a different way. He says, "Become all that you can be, and help others become all that they can be!"

I believe, along with Bishop Spong, that by living in these ways we can change the world around us for the better. I believe also that such living will support each of us and those around us in fulfilling our individual destinies.

Paul also explained further how we can live our lives together more productively, with more peace and with more joy. Paul said, "Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness, and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one body and one Spirit, ….." or expressed another way, we are one with all humanity and all of creation.

When all on the earth fully understand and accept these truths expressed by Jesus and Paul, our lives here can begin to reap the rewards of such living. Instead of focusing in a negative way on the differences between us we can focus on the blessings of these differences. I strongly believe that one of the major things that make America great is its diversity of its people who have come here from all over the world. We have been enhanced and enriched as a Nation by the knowledge, customs, and strengths brought here by others from all parts of the earth.

I will close today with an example, that for me, summarizes very well many of these thoughts. As most of you know I have had the privilege of serving as your Deacon here at St. Thomas for more than 30 years. And among those duties I have served as Deacon at the funeral services of most of those who have died here during that period. And I have concluded, based on my knowledge of those who have died, that as a general rule, one can tell what kind of life a person has lived based on the number of people who attend that person's funeral service. One can pretty much tell in this way the extent to which that person lived an outgoing, generous, tolerant, unselfish, loving, forgiving, and caring life.

Also one can pretty much see the measure of peace, joy, and love that was present in the lives of these persons based on the way they lived their lives.

The truth of the teachings of Jesus and Paul about the way we are called to live our lives seem so simple. It is a shame that it is so difficult for us to understand these truths and apply them fully in our lives, just as it was for David.

Instead, think of how we collectively could change the world for the better as well as enjoy our lives more fully, if we could more closely live our lives just as Paul did and just as Jesus did!

Amen