Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves, Witty as Rabbits

The Reverend Christopher Hogin

Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves, Witty as Rabbits

Matthew 9:35-10

The Episcopal Church of the Ascension

June 18, 2017

            People often ask what’s my favorite book? Well, there is book one everyone in the human race should read. It’s called Watership Down, by Richard Adams. In this novel, written for children, Watership Down makes bold socio-political and theological statements.  Ironically, the book is not even about humans, it’s about rabbits.

            The story begins in a peaceful warren called Sandelford. One day, a timid rabbit called Fivel has a vision. He sees a disaster befalling the community. He tells the elders that the entire warren must vacate or face destruction. The elders ignore him to their ultimate detriment.

Undaunted, a small group of rabbits leave the warren striking out on their own to find a promised land. They go out into the wilderness making themselves vulnerable to predators. During the journey, they encounter several rabbit warrens. The first consists of a group of well-fed rabbits. All their needs are met, but there is a hollowness in their soul. Something is not right. They lack wit: a basic survival skill rabbits need to survive. We later find out that the warren is situated in a field where there is plenty of food—but there is a catch. The food provided by man is actually bait designed to snare the rabbits.  Essentially it’s a welfare state where rabbits exchange freedom and liberty for the security of having their needs met.

            The next warren encountered goes to the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s a fascist state called Efrafa. Like the previous warren, the rabbits give up their liberty for the purpose of safety, but governed by a dictator. The rabbits live long and safe lives, but they no longer live. Like those in the welfare state, they are no longer rabbits.

            Both the fascist and the welfare state warrens share one thing in common: neither acknowledge the rabbit king, or God. The rabbits who strike out on their own retell the stories of their God, the rabbit king. By doing so these stories help them survive in an uncertain and dangerous world. The rabbit king (or God) bonds the community together. They trust one another, and in doing so they never lose sight of what it means to be a rabbit. When confronted with a dangerous more powerful enemy, such as the fascist warren, they defeat the dictator by using rabbit wit. When tempted by a complacent welfare state, they see through the illusion of safety, recognizing it for what it is—a trap.

Theologian Stanley Hauerwas of Duke Divinity, wrote a famous article about Watership Down. He writes, “The stories of El-ahrah (The Rabbit King) define what a rabbit is supposed to be, how he is supposed to use his gifts to survive in a hostile world. When rabbits lose contact with these stories, they form societies which are ultimately self-destructive.”

Most of us long for easy happy lives. We don’t like pain and we don’t like challenges. We want to be safe and lulled into a sense of security. The problem is that when we have easy lives, there’s a tradeoff. We can lose out on what it means to be human. We can lose out on our primal instincts of facing and confronting whatever is afflicting us, and then finding a creative solution. By doing so, we grow in body, mind and spirit.

Here’s the thing: we live in a dangerous, volatile, and uncertain world not unlike the world the rabbits of Watership Down. Jesus recognizes that in our Gospel reading today. He doesn’t hold any punches, and doesn’t make any promises that the life you and I live will be easy. If anything, it will be quite the opposite. We face dangers each and every day, from getting into our car in the morning, to crossing the street.

As Jesus says in Matthew’s Gospel, we are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” When Jesus commissions his disciples, he says, “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Jesus is not only talking to his disciples he’s talking to us.

And sometimes Jesus assumes a maternal air, giving us comfort and hope, embracing us like a mother. Other times he speaks to us as a father, like he does in today’s Gospel (which is appropriate as we celebrate father’s day). He essentially says, “Children, it’s rough out there! It’s a broken world. There will be family betrayal, you will be persecuted from time to time. You will be harassed and will feel helpless. Stay strong! Never forget who you are! Most importantly, endure!” As a father, he says, stay strong, be tough, and endure. I am with you.

What is difficult in your life right now? What is causing you pain, or disappointment, or fear? What is it? Think about it. Whatever problem or disaster you are encountering, remember it’s an opportunity to learn. It is an opportunity to dig deep within—to use our wits, and to draw upon thousands of years of survival techniques we as humans acquired from God. Don’t shy away from whatever it is that’s afflicting you right now. Instead of lamenting, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this? How can I creatively solve my problem?”

Let us take a cue from the rabbits of Watership Down. Let us not be complacent in our troubles or in our brokenness. God came into our lives to help us survive. God gave us this church because God recognized we need one another as we go out into the world. Like the rabbits of Watership Down, we will only survive by cleaving to God, and one another, which helps us grow and become stronger.

Finally, this is a sending off Gospel, which is appropriate. It is appropriate because today we send off two of our beloved parishioners, Paul and Mary Lee Bergerone. Both have served this church for over forty years. Mary Lee as a physical therapist, deacon, and priest. Paul, as a professor and historian. He served on the vestry and taught classes. You both have played an important role here in the growth and development of this church. As you move forward in this new life, know that you are loved and supported here by your Ascension family. God is with you, and so are we.

                                                                                    Amen