The Message, September 24, 2023: "A Place for Everyone!" Romans 12:1-8

Author: Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
September 26, 2023

 

“A Place for Everyone”
A Message by Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
Romans 12:1-8

            My mother … Narrator One in our little skit … wrote “Bernie the Bird” in 1997. (The text of the story is attached.) She was the chaplain at the Christian Youth Conference that takes place right around the corner in Ocean Park. The story that we shared this morning was the altered or edited version of the story. The original version that my mother wrote ended with Bernie being kicked out of the flock.

            Wonderfully, that ending did not meet with the approval of the youth. They objected vociferously: “No! It cannot end that way! Bernie cannot leave!”

            Ever the Christian educator, my mother said, “Fine. You write the proper ending for the story.” The youth got to work and submitted a number of possible options for the end of the story. Some were not what we would consider to be Christ-like. For example: Bernie should return and bomb the flock! Thankfully, most of the responses were more compassionate. You heard the beating of their hearts this morning. Bernie the Bird had to stay.

            “Bernie the Bird” could have been written by Paul two thousand years ago, and the message of the story is just as important and needed today. The “present age” to which Paul referred possessed some of the same troubles that we face in our present age.

            Theologian N.T. Wright, in his commentary on this passage wrote, “The world around us loves to force us into disunity.” As much as we long for, and hope for the age to come … God’s Age … we live in this present age. As much as God desires the world to live in unity and harmony, we are still very much divided.

            There are people in this world that seek to define themselves by stating who they are not. That is why so many in our present age create categories of people. These categories help people decide who is the OTHER.

            Black … white … male … female … rich … poor … liberal … conservative … gay … straight … resident … alien … immigrant … and so on. The categories are typically binary. One is clearly acceptable, the other unacceptable. Each category is assigned characteristics that define or explain them, but those definitions are often based upon biases and stereotypes. They are often formed without actually knowing anything about them. The reality is that more often than not, the characterizations are flat out wrong.

            Paul’s letter to the church in Rome was a response to the world’s need to categorize and divide. He told them that they should not allow themselves to be transformed by the world. Rather, those who gather in Christ’s name should seek to transform the world! They are … we are … to be agents of change. They were … we are … to set an example of how to live and love as God intends. They were … we are … to have our minds renewed, make a conscious effort to reject the pressures of the world and live with Jesus Christ as the center of our lives.

            Unfortunately, this teaching is one that we still need to hear today. Tragically, the church of our present age can be found guilty of categorizing and defining those who are OTHER. I do not believe that I need to elaborate. We do not have to search deeply into our hearts, histories, or the daily news to find examples of churches that are kicking Bernie out of the flock.

            As I look around this sanctuary this morning, I see “birds” of every feather. And I love the way that we fly, and dance, and sing!

            However, let me get back to Paul’s letter for a moment. Paul wrote about “real worship.” That reference had nothing at all to do with what happens here on Sunday mornings. As wonderful as they are, according to Paul “real worship” is not about the hymns we sing, the prayers that we offer, or the sermons that I deliver. Real worship is what we do with our bodies … ourselves … in our day to day lives. Real worship sees the whole world as the temple of God. Real worship gives praise and glory to God when we are outside of these walls.

            Real worship is about possessing the mind of Jesus Christ. It is about knowing and doing God’s will. That is what is perfect and pleasing to God. Those are the “offerings” that God desires.

            This morning we are introducing our theme for the year, “A Place for Everyone.” First Parish Church is a flock where all are welcome, where all will find a place to belong, a place where they are loved, and they are safe.

            Now, you may be saying to yourselves, “Pastor Scott … we ARE loving, and we ARE welcoming. We are already doing that.”

            Yes … you are. We are. But there are still those out there that do not know that. There are those out there who are hurting, and who are searching for a safe place. There are those out there that will lump us in with those other churches that do hurt, and do exclude, and do kick Bernie out because he is different.

            Our theme is to remind us to renew our minds. To hear the message again, and again, so that our minds will be one with the mind of Christ. To hear the message again, and again, so that our hearts will be the heart of Christ. Because if Jesus Christ is the center of our lives, our lives will be real worship.

            We brought Bernie back because there is a little Bernie in all of us. We all have places where we are vulnerable. We all can remember pains that we have suffered in the past, as well as pains that we might be suffering in our present. There is a little bird in each of us that just wants a place where we can be loved just as we are.

            And we brought Bernie back because there are little birds out there that need it too. This is Bernie’s flock. There is a place for everyone here. We just have to let them know. Amen.


“Bernie the Bird”
Rev. Jan Hryniewicz, August 1997

Narrator ONE:  Sapphire gazed tenderly at the five eggs nestled in the tidy nest that she and Hubert had carefully built in the early spring. She sighed contentedly and settled down on the nest to keep the eggs warm and safe until hatching time, which would be very soon now. Hubert flew back with a juicy worm to share with Sapphire for dinner.

Sapphire: “I just can’t wait until they all hatch, Hubert! Just think!  Soon we will be a family!”

Hubert: “I must say, I am a bit puzzled about the large, odd-looking egg.”

Sapphire: “I know! I am too!  I do hope it is all right. Sometimes I wonder where that egg came from!”

Hubert: “It is a bit strange, but there is no need to worry about it now. It is time to settle down for the night and get some rest.”

Narrator TWO: Night settled softly on the woodlands and Sapphire and Hubert went to sleep, dreaming of the good days ahead with their family.
Early the next morning, Sapphire felt the eggs begin to stir in the nest.

Sapphire: “Hubert! Come quickly! It is happening! Today is the day our babies will hatch!”

Narrator ONE: Sure enough. One by one the eggs began to wiggle and crack. Soon a little head emerged from one of the eggs and a tiny peep was heard. Then another and another and finally the fourth.  
The nest was alive with four squirming baby birds and a hungry chorus of chirps and peeps!  The happy parents began to care for their new family. 

Narrator TWO: But what about the fifth egg? The odd, large one? What on earth was waiting to be born inside?

Sapphire: “I feel some stirring in the odd egg.  It seems to be struggling. Oh dear, I think something is wrong!”

Hubert: “Perhaps it is not quite ready. Babies come in their own time, Sapphire.  Come now, we have four hungry mouths to feed.”

Narrator ONE: Just when they were starting to seriously worry about the mysterious odd Egg, there was a loud CRACK and eyes appeared.
Another loud CRACK and Bernie the bird was born!

Sapphire: “Oh my! He is different! And look, one of his wings is shorter than the other!”

Hubert: “And listen to the funny sounds he is making! He sounds more like a frog than a bird.”

Sapphire: “Why is he so big?”

Narrator TWO: Sapphire and Hubert studied their new son with worried eyes, while Bernie chirped happily and hungrily … his raspy, deep CHIRP!  Bernie was definitely very different than his sisters and brothers.

Sapphire: “But it does not matter. He is our son, and we will love him anyway, won’t we, dear?”

Hubert: “Of course!”

Narrator TWO: But he was already worried how the other birds in the flock would treat Bernie.  Would he be able to sing and fly?  Would he be accepted?

Narrator ONE: Days passed, and Bernie and his sisters and brothers grew stronger. Soon it was time for them to leave the nest … to learn to fly … to join the flock of songbirds that lived happily in the peaceful woodlands. One by one, the young birds tried their wings and flew their first awkward flights to freedom. It was not long before Bernie’s sisters and brothers flew easily in nice straight lines and glided gracefully to the ground beside their proud parents. 

Narrator TWO: Bernie, however, happily flew in circles in a strange, loopy-loop fashion and executed some amazing crash landings, crashing into his sisters and brothers who were watching Bernie’s strange flight with embarrassed horror!

Hubert: “It is because his wings are different lengths. Bernie will never be able to fly in a straight line and come to a smooth landing.”

Sapphire: “It is all right. You can fly your own way, Bernie! You are wonderful!”

Narrator ONE: Bernie felt proud. He was wonderful. He puffed up his feathers and let out a big, deep, loud CHIRP!

Narrator TWO: “What was that awful sound?” one member of the flock asked.

Hubert: “Oh just a frog hopping by.”

Narrator ONE:   Bernie’s brothers and sisters giggled and moved away from Bernie.  Somehow, Bernie did not feel so wonderful anymore.

Narrator TWO:  There was much for songbirds to do in the forest in the springtime. Flowers and trees were coming to life and the birds enjoyed sitting on the fragrant branches in the warm sunshine. Every day the young birds had flying practice and choir rehearsal. It was important for songbirds to fill the air with beautiful music for the animals and human visitors to enjoy. Life was good for everyone in the flock.  Everyone except for Bernie and his parents.  

Narrator ONE: You see, when Bernie tried to fly in formation, he kept crashing into other birds and trees. He could not fly in a straight line or control his flight pattern.  At choir practice, when all the songbirds were chirping in their sweet soprano voices, Bernie’s deep, raspy baritone made the other birds crazy! He did not fit in, and all the other birds kept reminding him of that fact.

Narrator TWO: “You are a loser, Bernie!” “You cannot fly right!”
Harry: “You sing like a frog!”

Betty: “You do not belong here!”

Narrator ONE: All the birds, even his brothers and sisters make fun of him.  Some of them were even afraid of him because he was loud and different. Bernie was sad. And Bernie was hurt. So, Bernie spent most of his time alone.  He went out into the open meadow and flew loopy loops to his heart’s content.

Narrator TWO:  He dipped and soared and did all kinds of crazy spins until he would collapse on the grass…. laughing and gulping for air.  Bernie would sit on the highest branches and sing at the top of his lungs in his deep, raspy baritone. 
Here in the meadow, Bernie did not feel different.  He felt special and he felt happy.  He could fly freely without crashing into trees and sing without hearing snickers and cries of protest.

Narrator TWO: One summer day, the flock of songbirds had a council meeting to discuss the problem of Bernie who was an embarrassment and an annoyance to the community.  Sapphire’s tiny heart was fluttering nervously. She was so worried about the outcome of this meeting.

Sapphire: “Oh what will happen, Hubert? Bernie cannot help the way he is. It is not HIS fault, it is OUR fault!”

Hubert: “It is no one’s fault, Sapphire. But it is a fact that Bernie is a problem for this community. The current situation is not good for the community … or for Bernie.”

Narrator ONE: Solemnly the songbirds gathered. Bernie was perched on a stump feeling mighty uncomfortable with all eyes on him.  The Elders listened to all the complaints about Bernie’s disruptive behavior.

Narrator TWO: “He insists on flying in circles and doing crazy loops. He bumps into us all the time and makes it difficult for us to fly!”

Betty: “He refuses to keep quiet during choir practice!  He sounds like a frog!”

Harry: “He comes up behind me and makes his horrible CHIRP and scares the feathers off me!”

Narrator TWO: “Bernie is defective.  Bernie is a disgrace!  Bernie needs to be sent away!”

Sapphire: “Maybe Bernie can try harder and learn to be more like the rest of us. Hubert and I will work with him every day.”

Elder: “Yes! Maybe Bernie can change.  We can give him time to try.”

Hubert: “Bernie cannot change. Bernie is the way he is, and WE have to learn to accept him the way he is, or not at all.  Can you live with him the way he is? That is the question.”

Narrator TWO:  Everyone was silent. The Elders gathered together to talk it over. Bernie looked down, feeling ashamed and embarrassed for what he was. A huge tear trickled down his beak and he thought his heart would break. The Elders faced the flock.

Elder: “We have decided … for the good of the community, Bernie must leave the flock.”

Sapphire: “NO! That is not fair! Isn’t there room in this flock for one who is different? Bernie can do things we cannot do.  Bernie is wonderful. He is perfect just the way that he is! In fact … maybe he can teach US something.”

Elder: “Teach US something!? That is a hoot! You must be joking!!”  

Narrator ONE:  All the birds laughed. Bernie looked at his stricken parents. His Mom was crying and his Dad looked so sad. He looked at the community of birds, all-laughing at him…. and suddenly Bernie felt angry! He flew to a low branch, landed with a clumsy flourish and faced the community.

BERNIE: “I am not the problem here. You are! You are afraid of me because I am different. I am glad I am different. You do not understand me because you have never taken the time to get to know me. Why should I have to try and change to be like you? I like who I am. When I hatched, my mother said that I was wonderful, and I believed her. I am wonderful just the way that I am! I like to fly in circles, to do loopy loops! I like my deep voice. My mother is right. I could teach you something!  But now it is too late.”

Narrator TWO: Bernie looked at his mother and father with deep sadness and then he turned away and flew from the gathering, dipping and diving in his unique circular fashion and headed to the meadow to start a new life on his own. 
Before Bernie got out of sight, there was a very loud “NO!” from the usually very quiet Charlotte.  Bernie stopped and dropped in amazement!
Mustering her courage, Charlotte said:

Charlotte: “I do not want Bernie to leave. I love to watch him fly and I think his voice is very interesting.  I would like to be able to fly like Bernie.”

Narrator ONE: The whole community of songbirds turned and looked at Charlotte, shocked at this unusual outburst.  Bernie flew closer and looked at Charlotte with wonder.  He knew that Charlotte was very shy and spent a lot of time alone, as he did. He remembered speaking to her on several occasions. He never dreamed she felt that way and wanted to fly like him.
Then another surprise. Bernie’s sister Betty stepped up and said:

BETTY: “I don’t want Bernie to leave the flock either. We have all been very unkind to Bernie, including me, but he has never been unkind to any of us. It is not his fault that he was hatched different.”

Narrator TWO: Then little Harry chirped:

Harry: “Can you really teach us to fly in circles, Bernie?”

BERNIE: “I can sure try … if I am allowed to stay in the community.”

Narrator TWO: Soon there was a loud chorus of “LET BERNIE STAY!  WE WANT BERNIE!”
The Elders gathered together and decided that most of the community seemed to want Bernie to stay. They gave in and announced that Bernie could stay in the flock.

Narrator ONE: ‘HOORAY,’ everyone chirped!  Bernie flew a special circle of celebration he was so happy!It was not long before Bernie was the leader of the young birds, teaching them to do loopy loops and fly in circles. And the choir now has two-part harmony! Bernie and Charlotte have become best friends. Bernie never forgot that she had the courage to speak up to the whole community on his behalf. She knew what they were doing was wrong.  
The End or really the beginning!!

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