Over the Rainbow or Here and Now: Ed Webking and Kingdom of God
Begin by reading: Matthew 25:31-40
Dr. Ed Webking was a man after my own heart. Perhaps that’s why we enjoyed long conversations at The Penny over coffee, sometimes lunch and always dessert. We shared a love of Judy Garland, sweet treats, a similar political bent and our faith, among other things.
In that beautiful song Jaimee just shared with us, the words speak of a place where skies are blue, where troubles melt away, and where dreams come true. This place is spoken of only in a lullaby and it is an unreachable land that lies, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
It sounds lovely, doesn’t it? A place of blue sky and no trouble, where dreams really can come true? I’m sure there have been times in our lives when many of us have wished such a place did exist so that we could go there, even if only for a little while. A place where the dreams that we dare to dream really do come true.
Like Jesus, Ed was a teacher. It was in his blood. Ed loved teaching. The scripture we heard from the Gospel of Matthew comes near the end of a series of teachings Jesus offered his followers not long before his arrest and, ultimately, his death. It is a teaching about a world much different from the one in which Jesus lived. A world much different from the one in which we live and yet, Jesus is not speaking about a place that is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or even a place we might think of as “heaven.” Jesus speaks of the world as it would be now if we, you and I, were living in the way God calls us to live right now.
It is not enough to merely speak about the way things ‘should’ be, or to loudly and emphatically proclaim that our politicians need to do more to help those who are hungry and thirsty; those who lack shelter or healthcare. It is not enough to wring our hands and pray for the change that will bring God’s realm to fruition.
Jesus’ words call us to a life of faith in action. His words call us to actively make a difference in the lives of those around us today and everyday by making sure that those who are hungry and thirsty have food and drink; that those who are alone do not remain strangers; that those who need shelter have a place to call home; that those who are sick are cared for; and that those who are in prison are not forgotten. Jesus tells us that as we do these things for even one of the least of his family, we do it for Jesus himself.
Ed’s was a life of faith in action. A life that made a difference, every day, for so many. It started at home with a deep love of family- first for his mom and his siblings, and then for his own family- his children and grandchildren. Then, like the ever widening circles from a drop on the surface of still water, Ed’s care for others moved outwards into the world.
His care moved outward to his students through his teaching. And how many of us know about the students –who made it to university but couldn’t quite afford rent- who were offered a place to live in the Webking home and a place at the family table as the stranger was welcomed in? And they didn’t remain strangers for very long. Ed developed friendships with some of his students that lasted a lifetime. There was always a welcome at the Webking home and some meeting or other happening on any given evening.
Ed’s first question was always, “What can I do for you?” With the exception of a politician or two, Ed never had a bad word to say about anyone and encouraged others to find the best in people and focus on that. Ed put his deep faith into action by contributing to the community and putting the needs of others first, not to get recognition or accolades but simply because he believed it is everyone’s duty to contribute to society and be a good citizen. Through his strong work ethic, generosity, authenticity and life of service to others, Ed lived out Jesus’ call to live in God’s way and to make the world a better place, right here, right now. Just like Jesus, Ed understood that God’s promise of life in all its fullness was not just a dream to be found in some unreachable place or that it was something we could experience only upon our arrival in heaven. Like Jesus, Ed understood that God’s promise of new life was something that we could have here and now, and that it was up to each of us to live in a way that would make God’s promise of food and shelter, care, equality and love, not just a dream, but a present reality for all.
Friends, we believe as people of faith and Spirit that when a person dies, as Ed Webking died, that person meets their God face to face. We will all experience this one day. What words were spoken or exchanged when first they met we do not know, but we need not know, for we are confident that the God who welcomes the stranger, who calls us to care for even the least of these, who loves us unconditionally and who offers us the promise of new and eternal life, will be the one who meets Ed and welcomes him home. And knowing this, and trusting in this God alone and in nothing else, we can in confidence place Ed in our hearts into the eternal, loving, merciful, and life-giving care of God. Amen.