Genesis 31: 45‐49; Hebrews 10:25 Toi, Toi, Toi September 7, 2014 Rev. Lou Nyiri

By show of hands who knows what the three word phrase Toi‐Toi‐Toi means?

Who here knows what the phrase “” means?

How about “Good ?”

I’m told that theater people are a superstitious lot.

They even go so far as not mentioning the name of a specific Shakespearean play when performing it because of some associated with the many productions of said play…and I learned that by mentioning the name of the play one evening in the Dairy Queen on Steinwehr Avenue only to have two theater people & GPC members quickly tell me to never mention that name aloud again when referencing a production of it – rather refer to it as “That Scottish Play.”

Now don’t just think that it’s theater people who are a superstitious lot – think about the sports fanatics out there – I hit 3 for 4 the night I didn’t shave – so, I’m not shaving again because I’ve got to do everything the same to keep the winning streak alive.

Knock over a salt shaker and who here hasn’t taken a pinch of sodium‐chloride from the spill and tossed it over his shoulder.

Okay, before you think this sermon is about , let me get to the transition point – I heard about Toi‐Toi‐Toi in a National Public Radio segment about words specific to certain jobs or jargon specific workplace references.

Toi‐Toi‐Toi is a pre‐performance phrase which opera singers say to one another as they are about to go on stage.

It’s like good luck – but without saying good luck – because to say good luck brings bad luck and a poor performance.

So, the three word phrase is spoken to a performer as he/she is preparing to go on stage while the one who speaks it spits over one’s shoulder as a sort of punctuation on the warding off of the devil.

Now the transition – as I heard this my mind started thinking about us as Christians and what is some of our specific Christian jargon – what makes us Christian – and then I started thinking Page 1 of 4

about what may be our Christian greeting or words of good luck – and that took me down the rabbit path of blessing – specifically how do we say “good‐bye” and “hello” to one another – which brought me back to this concept of blessing…

You see, I think that one of the things which make us uniquely Christian is that we gather for a purpose – we gather to be reminded who we are and why we do what we do.

We gather in order to go & serve – only to return again to be reminded we are in this together.

So, in essence, then the way we part ways is important.

Which brings us to our two texts this morning.

The Genesis passage is often referred to as the Mizpah Benediction – after the spot where Laban and Jacob parted ways – let’s recall a bit of the history in the simple fact that Laban has been had a time or two by Jacob and he is in a sense protecting himself with this parting of ways – in these words Laban speaks what is in a sense a two part treaty: 1. Interfamilial relationships – in effect, they ask God to keep watch over them when they are personally unable to keep track of one another. 2. Land boundaries which both parties are to recognize as inviolate.

They are parting ways and agreeing to disagree agreeably.

So, this blessing in the way these two part is as one text puts it “not all that positive.”

However, the fact that these two individuals, Laban and Jacob, after deception upon deception, could part in peace, however strained the relationship testifies to the work of God.

However, being ever the optimist, I like the words of this Mizpah Benediction “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are absent one from the other.” for I believe that in the story of Laban & Jacob – while they may be closing a door they could possibly being doing so in a way that leaves the door unlocked so that one might be able to open the relationship back up – they leave a sense of hope for reparation – they speak words of true blessing in that while we’re not together the Lord be with you and watch you…until we are together again.

Which brings me to our second text this morning, Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, 10:25, “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

This verse connects closely to the preceding verse, 24 – which reads, “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.” The writer is asking the readers to consider – or as one theologian has put it “to think mutually about a matter.” Page 2 of 4

And while provocation typically has a negative connotation, in this instance it is a positive one – for the word can also be translated “pester.” As the youngest brother of two sisters, I have a bachelors degree in pestering. Of course, what they call pestering, I affectionately refer to as “playful prodding.” We are called to playfully (or perhaps prayerfully) pester one another into good works. To wake ourselves up from a slumber of inactivity and to arise from our apathy that we might become the body of Christ at work in this world.

That is why kick off Sunday is such a big deal. And that is why we gather. We’ve had our time away. We’ve gone on our vacations. Now we’re back. Some churches call this Sunday when their programs begin again “Homecoming Sunday.”

Whatever you call it – it’s good to be together again after a summer away – It’s good to gather to be reminded whose we are and what we’re called to do in this world.

It’s good to get away…It’s even better to come home and kick‐off into a new year.

And that’s why we gather to be reminded That’s why we sign up for Small Group studies. That’s why we go to Christian Education opportunities & Sunday School Classes.

We do not neglect to get together so that in our assembling – in our worship – in our acts of mutual support like fellowship & Christian Education – we can encourage one another to acts of love and good deeds.

By Scott Black Johnson Senior Pastor I like how one pastor in our denomination has put it:

A friend recently summed up his faith like this: "I believe in God. I am curious about Jesus. But honestly, I can do without the Church." The English Romantic poet Robert Southey once offered a similar, but somewhat more caustic sentiment: "I could believe in Christ if he did not drag along with him that leprous bride of his— the Church."

Ouch.

We all know the Church is far from perfect. Down through history, the bride of Christ has made her share of mistakes—some of them downright terrible. We are not surprised (are we?) when people say they want to pursue their spirituality free of communal baggage. Page 3 of 4

In the classic New York‐in‐autumn movie, Hannah and Her Sisters, Woody Allen’s character, Mickey, believes he will soon die. Seeking spiritual comfort, Mickey decides to give Christianity a try. He visits a priest. After a brief conversation, Mickey walks away with an armload of books. He plans to absorb the core of Christian faith by reading these books. Mickey’s approach to spiritual enlightenment is efficient. It also avoids any potential awkward brushes with a religious community.

It does not require that he sit next to a stranger in worship. There is no obligatory small talk over roast chicken at the church supper and no holding hands in the vestry praying for someone’s sick mother. Mickey’s books represent a tidy, fairly safe way to encounter God. There’s just one problem: the consistent testimony of our tradition is that God does not want us to figure this stuff out alone.

Like a shepherd, God nudges us together. The Spirit tugs us out of isolation and gathers us into community—into a place where we can hang on to each other and care for neighbors in need.

Gathered together, this community—the Church—becomes a visible sign of God’s sacred intentions for the world.

Who are we? How are we supposed to treat each other? How are we supposed to engage the world?

Well, quite simply, these are the questions we answer – together – so, it’s good to see you here & it’s good to be on this journey with you!

Amen & Amen!

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