When we have the Gospel reading tonight at the 5pm service, I might look out into the congregation and see someone who looks like Lazarus. Covered in strips of cloth kind of like a Zombie (if you're thinking about Halloween movies)...Lazarus emerges from the cave. Jesus commands: "unbind him and let him go." Lazarus was dead, but Jesus called him to come out of the cave...to come out of death into life.
This is a great reading for All Saints' Day because it speaks of the eternal life we share with God through Christ. Jesus says, "I am resurrection and I am life" meaning that through him, at that time, Lazarus could live. Just as through Jesus, you and I can live the life of grace now...the life we will know at its fullest after we die to live with God.
And because we share that life with God now, we also share in that life with those we love but see no longer - the saints in heaven. When we say we believe in the communion of Saints we say that we know that we, the saints on earth, are in relationship with the saints in heaven. All Saints' Day is all about connections. Jesus is connected with those who have died; we are connected to Jesus; we are connected to the saints in heaven. Every time we come to the Altar to receive the Bread of Heaven, we know we are connected.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
To Really See
This week's sermon focuses on Bartimaeus and what it means to really see what Jesus and the spiritual life are all about. Bartimaeus was blind; he knew Jesus could help him. Jesus, who went to every one's help, asks that Bartimaeus come to him. And then Jesus asks him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asks, if there could be any question - but it was important for the man to tell Jesus want he really desired. His sight is restored and he follows Jesus without question - unlike Jesus' closest followers who had been arguing about who was the greatest among them.
Bartimaeus regains his sight and immediately follows Jesus. He does not wonder if he should go at that moment or worry about the trip, he is able to see and knows that he wants to be with Jesus. This story is in shape contrast to the accounts we have been reading about Jesus’ closest followers and friends not knowing what to do or understanding what Jesus was trying to tell them. It is ironic that the man who could not see…sees the most even before he regains his sight. He knows who Jesus is what that means for him, the difference Jesus could make for him. Then he regains his sight and follows Jesus. Seeing leads to action. Seeing is not just for its own sake for also for what will come next.
Bartimaeus regains his sight and immediately follows Jesus. He does not wonder if he should go at that moment or worry about the trip, he is able to see and knows that he wants to be with Jesus. This story is in shape contrast to the accounts we have been reading about Jesus’ closest followers and friends not knowing what to do or understanding what Jesus was trying to tell them. It is ironic that the man who could not see…sees the most even before he regains his sight. He knows who Jesus is what that means for him, the difference Jesus could make for him. Then he regains his sight and follows Jesus. Seeing leads to action. Seeing is not just for its own sake for also for what will come next.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Following Jesus Part Two
This weekend's sermon continues to examine what it means to follow Jesus. James and John tell Jesus that they want to share in his glory, but they don't really understand what that means. They want places of honor next to Jesus. But Jesus' glory is another sort of glory - it is a paradox (thanks Brs. from SSJE). Jesus is clear that they will share in his glory whether they understand it or not.
How well do we understand what it means to follow Jesus? These days, many people "church shop" looking for the church that will give them what they want. But really the better way to approach that choice is to ask, "is this the church where I can give the most I have to offer - the gifts that God has given me." You certainly can at St. Paul's on-the-Hill!
What role does hope play in all this? What are our expectations and our desires for our church? (Listen to the sermon tomorrow to hear how the film "Rudy" has to say about hope and who that relates to church - it does really.)
How well do we understand what it means to follow Jesus? These days, many people "church shop" looking for the church that will give them what they want. But really the better way to approach that choice is to ask, "is this the church where I can give the most I have to offer - the gifts that God has given me." You certainly can at St. Paul's on-the-Hill!
What role does hope play in all this? What are our expectations and our desires for our church? (Listen to the sermon tomorrow to hear how the film "Rudy" has to say about hope and who that relates to church - it does really.)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
You are Witnesses
In the Gospel reading tonight for the Eucharist with healing prayers, Jesus tells his follows that they are witnesses to "all these things." (Luke 24:44-48) Those things were the events that changed lives because of all that God had done and was doing to connect with people and give them freedom and fullness of life.
We who follow Jesus today are also witnesses to the power of God in lives and in our communities. Those who attend St. Paul's on-the-Hill are witnesses to our work in feeding the hungry, the way we respect and nurture our children, the way we care for our older and sick members, the welcome that we offer to all, the joy that we share...the list goes on. We are witnesses to these ways that the power of God is active among us.
By sharing who we are as a Christian community, we are able to open up the faith to those who have no idea what we are about or what God is about. So many have negative ideas about church and even about God because of a lack of information about churches like ours, or too much information about churches that are not so welcoming. Do people know that we are about the work of God in the world, the work that we pray communicates the grace of God to all?
Share what you know about God and Christian community in ways that people can understand...people who are not yet in the church. Use words and images that relate to the world we live in today. Tell your story of life with God - not what you think someone else would say or what the priest would say - but what you know to be true about the grace of God, known through the church and in other ways.
We are witnesses. May we be inspired by God to share what we know in ways that will connect with people who do not yet know who we really are as followers of Jesus, who do not yet know God's great love for them.
We who follow Jesus today are also witnesses to the power of God in lives and in our communities. Those who attend St. Paul's on-the-Hill are witnesses to our work in feeding the hungry, the way we respect and nurture our children, the way we care for our older and sick members, the welcome that we offer to all, the joy that we share...the list goes on. We are witnesses to these ways that the power of God is active among us.
By sharing who we are as a Christian community, we are able to open up the faith to those who have no idea what we are about or what God is about. So many have negative ideas about church and even about God because of a lack of information about churches like ours, or too much information about churches that are not so welcoming. Do people know that we are about the work of God in the world, the work that we pray communicates the grace of God to all?
Share what you know about God and Christian community in ways that people can understand...people who are not yet in the church. Use words and images that relate to the world we live in today. Tell your story of life with God - not what you think someone else would say or what the priest would say - but what you know to be true about the grace of God, known through the church and in other ways.
We are witnesses. May we be inspired by God to share what we know in ways that will connect with people who do not yet know who we really are as followers of Jesus, who do not yet know God's great love for them.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Following Jesus
This Sunday at 10:00am Bishop Martin Townsend will be presiding and preaching. He is with us to confirm, receive, and reaffirm six adults. We will also be having our Saturday 5pm and Sunday 8am services, and I will be preaching for those services. My focus will be on "Following Jesus." The Gospel reading this week, Mark 10:17-31, has people asking Jesus how they can follow him and what it means to follow him. The man with many possessions was told that he would have to sell all that he had and give the money to the poor. We hear that the man was upset because he had many things and did not want to part with them. Then Peter makes the statement that he and the other disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus - what would that mean for them? Jesus says that they will gain more than they could ever imagine.
The adults who will be making a mature affirmation of their faith are, by their action, stating that they want to follow Jesus. Confirmation is a sacrament: the outward sign is the laying on of hands by a bishop and the inward grace received is strength for the journey from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus wants us all to follow him. What does that mean to you? What might we have to give up or reorder so that such a journey is possible? What does God want you to have that is more valuable than any material possession?
The adults who will be making a mature affirmation of their faith are, by their action, stating that they want to follow Jesus. Confirmation is a sacrament: the outward sign is the laying on of hands by a bishop and the inward grace received is strength for the journey from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus wants us all to follow him. What does that mean to you? What might we have to give up or reorder so that such a journey is possible? What does God want you to have that is more valuable than any material possession?
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Looking to Job for Spiritual Direction
This weekend's sermon is on the Book of Job. Job was a very good and faithful man, and he was a successful man. But one of the heavenly court of God, Satan, the Accuser, states that Job is only faithful to God because his life is good. What would Job be like if his life fell apart - would he still love the Lord?
Job is a great model for us in that he does question God as to why he appears to be crused - Job loses everything and becomes ill. It is in the truth of his emotions and feelings that God and Job have a really heart to heart conversation. God does answer Job - not in the way Job expected, but that ends up not mattering. What does matter is that Job experiences God, that God does come to him, and that gives Job the hope and peace he needs to handle the ups and downs of life.
Job is a great model for us in that he does question God as to why he appears to be crused - Job loses everything and becomes ill. It is in the truth of his emotions and feelings that God and Job have a really heart to heart conversation. God does answer Job - not in the way Job expected, but that ends up not mattering. What does matter is that Job experiences God, that God does come to him, and that gives Job the hope and peace he needs to handle the ups and downs of life.
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