11th Hour Preacher Party: Who Are You? What are you Doing Here? Edition

Good morning, gals and pals!  I heard a story a couple of weeks ago that is influencing my sermon preparation this week:

A rabbi was wandering through the forest one evening.  As he was praying and walking along, he lost his way and found himself in front of a military base, where a guard brought him out of his reverie by shouting, "Who are you?  What are you doing here?"  The rabbi replied, "How much do they pay you?"  "Why do you ask?" the guard wondered.  "Because," said the rabbi, "I need someone to ask me those questions every day.

I don't know why, but as I think about the gospel reading from Matthew today, and especially the promise that we are salt and light in our communities, I think about these questions.  When I think about the challenging questions of the prophet Isaiah, "Is this not the fast I choose....?", when I think of the words of Paul, "I chose to know nothing among you except Christ and him crucified..." I think about these questions. 

Who are you?  What are you doing here? 

I don't know about you, but I need someone to ask me these questions every day. 

So, what questions are you asking this morning, as you work on sermons, prayers, children's sermons, bulletins, family events, baptisms, cleaning the house, etc.?

I have blueberry pancakes for breakfast, just because I like 'em.  And orange juice.  And fair trade coffee, with vanilla.  I'd also like to direct you to a great discussion of the texts here. Come and share you questions, your food, your brilliant light and tasty salt.