A Humble Life of Character

A Sermon Preached at the Family Eucharist in Honor of My Father Tom Gibson's 90th Birthday

March 9, 2013 

Luke 18:9-14

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ¹⁰‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. ¹¹The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. ¹²I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” ¹³But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” ¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

            Dad and I were talking a couple of weeks ago about his birthday celebration.  When I said that we needed to celebrate this milestone, he dismissed it saying, “Genetics.”   Obviously, genetics plays a part.  His brother Wally lived well into his 90s.  Dad is blessed with good genes, but I believe today’s celebration is about more than good genes or even length of years although, of course, that is the occasion for our gathering.  Our celebration, I believe, is about character, about the quality of Dad’s character.  I believe it is also an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the character of our lives.  The Gospel calls us to live in the character of Christ.

            Today’s Gospel lesson is about humility.  Humility was not a virtue in the Greco-Roman world.  The virtue admired most by the Romans, who dominated the world at the time, was virtus, a Latin word translated as “courage” or “manliness.”  Humility was frowned upon in the macho Roman world.  Much like today, a man needed to promote himself to get ahead.  Christians however believed humility was a virtue, because at the center of life, at the center of all creation was God.  This call to a life of humility, was a call to put God at the center of a person’s life.  This call challenges us in our scientific age where we have pushed God to the margins and put humanity, put ourselves at the center, as the measure of all things.  The Gospel calls us instead to put God -the creator, the sustainer, and the end of all life - at the center of our lives.  The Gospel challenges us to put on the virtues of Christ.

            It is providential in the best sense of the word that today’s Gospel lesson is about humility.  The lesson was appointed by the daily Eucharistic lectionary.  I did not pick it for this occasion.  As I thought about this lesson and reflected on Dad’s life, I realized that in many ways he embodies the virtue of humility.  I have rarely heard Dad boast about his accomplishments.  While preparing the power point presentation for today’s reception, I realized that not one, not two, but all three of his sons thought so much of him that each asked him to serve as best man at his wedding.  Friday, when I told Dad that was a rare tribute, he gently pushed aside my praise saying, “That’s what happened.”

Dad, you have accomplished much in your life.  You were a leader and a scholar in High School and college.  You had a successful career with General Electric.  You provided well for your family.  You served in leadership positions in your church and your community.  You have children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews that love and respect you.  By every measure, you are a success, and, yet, your success has never gone to your head.  You are a humble person.  But, as I have reflected on your life, I have come to realize that you embody other virtues of the Christian faith.

            One that I have come to admire in recent years is courage.  The kind of courage I am referring to is not that admired by the Romans – courage in battle.  I am referring to courage in the face of adversity, the kind of courage Jesus exhorts to his disciples in John 16, when he says, “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution.  But take courage; I have conquered the world!" (John 16:33 NRSV).

In the summer of 2011, Dad developed septicemia.  This illness has a 25% mortality rate.  I imagine it is even higher for someone in their eighties.  Dad was in the hospital for one week and then in rehab for another seven.  One time during a care team meeting, I asked what Dad could do and what I could do to facilitate his recovery.  The physical therapist said that the biggest problem is getting people to do the exercises, but he said that was never an issue for Dad.  He did whatever they asked him.  While he no longer drives and receives some assistance from the VIP program here at Brookwood, today he lives independently.  Every day he rides the recumbent bike for 12 minutes, touches his toes 40 times, and stands up from a chair 40 times.  One time I told Dad that he had made a remarkable recovery.  He modestly said, “I keep trying.”  You do keep trying, Dad.  You have great courage.

            While I could go on and on about your virtues, the final Christian virtue that I have come to appreciate recently in you and one that is often lacking today is balance.  Balance is not, of course, a uniquely Christian virtue.  It was prized in the Greco-Roman pagan world.  Nonetheless, it is also prized in the Christian faith.  Our faith calls us to put God at the center of our lives rather something else, such as work or material possessions that become idols for us.

Dad, you worked long hours at GE leaving home before 7:00 every morning Monday through Friday and coming home at 6 at night, but you rarely worked weekends.  You took time for leisure - sailing, playing shuffle board, and horse shoes.  But you also were involved in your community serving as the Scoutmaster of Troop 4 in Roanoke and on committees here at Brookwood.  You continued to learn.  You constantly read history books.  And you took care of your body.  Every day you did your “huff and puffs,” the Royal Canadian Air Force exercises, in the basement.  You loved nature tracking the weather, bird watching and gardening.  You loved your family going to New Jersey to see them every summer on your vacation.  You enjoyed life, having a good time at parties with friends, dancing with Mom, and golfing with Uncle Tom and your buddies.  And you had a great faith.  You read about the faith, said your prayers daily, devoutly attended worship and served as a lay reader, vestry person, Senior Warden, church handy man and more.  You have had an amazingly rich and full life.  In a world in which so much is out of balance, you have led an incredibly balanced life.

            Dad, you have led a good life in every sense of the word.  In many ways, you embody the virtues of the Christian life.  Today we celebrate not only 90 years, but we also celebrate the great character of your life.  In you, we can see many of the virtues of our faith.  The Gospel today calls each of us whether we are 5 or 90 to grow in these virtues, in the virtues embodied by Jesus Christ.