This year, my associate priest, Rev. Donne Puckle preached last Sunday (Nov. 20, 2011). I don't have a written copy to post here; he didn't write out his homily. The following, shared for your reflection, is one of mine from 2008.
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Compassion is the law of God.
It is important that we understand the context of Ezekiel’s ministry as a prophet. He was sent by God to prophesy against Israel’s kings, who had abused their authority and exploited their subordinates. Although the prophecy is couched in a lot of metaphors, its meaning is straight forward. God will reverse the evil done by the bad human shepherds (kings, royal officials, etc). He will seek out and rescue his people from wherever they have been scattered and restore them, to Palestine; he will care for them - providing just and caring leadership.
In today’s passage from Ephesians, Paul covers a lot of territory. Given our other readings today, we need to focus on his view of God the Father giving Christ to the church as ruler over all things. The church is one in Christ and thus is able to share in Christ’s exaltation, Christ being the complete embodiment of God, who is in the process of filling (making good) all things.
Our gospel today is probably Jesus’ most pointed and powerful parable. The message is clear, what ever you do to/for the lowliest members of society, you do to Christ. And Christ will judge accordingly.
Jesus did not invent this law of compassion. God revealed it through both the prophets and the law of the old testament many generation before Jesus. The Old Testament prophets give us the fullest development and illustration of what this Divine calling is about and Ezekiel’s example today is one off the more pointed.
What Jesus did do, was extend this law from its begging as the way you relate to your own people, country men, etc.; to the way we must relate to all human beings. He extended who is covered in this Divine Law. We see this most clearly in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Today’s gospel dramatizes just how important it is in Jesus’ eyes.
As a parish there are many things we do to live out this law as a community. We support Salvation Army, the Chaplain’s Footlocker, Forgash house, CANTOR, Imago Dei and many other programs I can’t even begin to list here and now. We have also responded generously to each other when need arose. The love here is grate and it is a testimony to the authenticity of the faith we profess together.
Let us never grow tired of carrying forward God’s command to care and help.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Homily for Proper 28 A, November 13, 2011
My sisters and brothers, it is vital that we embrace and fulfill the mission God gives us.
In our first lesson today we saw God working through the prophetess Deborah to answer his people’s cry and free them from oppression. Following the death of Joshua, Israel lead by 12 successive judges, charismatic leaders raised up at times of national crisis by the spirit of God. Judges honestly admits that Israel does not control all of the Canaan; because they “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD,” they were subjugated by other peoples from time to time.
“Deborah” is the fourth of the judges but is different from others. She acts as God’s spokeswoman in matters of national importance and societal disputes but leaves military leadership to Barak. She orders him, in God’s name, to assemble troops drawn from northern tribes on Mount Tabor. There, God will draw the enemy, and will give Israel victory. The following verses describe the battle. Due to a heavy rainstorm or to the “Kishon” River overflowing its banks (or to both), Sisera’s chariots become mired in the mud, and his troops panic. Sisera and all his troops are killed. Israel is once again free.
In the second lesson we heard Paul reminding us: you cannot know when the Day of the Lord will come! So, keep awake and sober, be ready, for God has planned salvation for you through Christ.
In the gospel lesson, we heard the Parable of the talents! Notice that the one who is punished does not receive condemnation for his poverty or any lack of ability. He was given responsibility according to his ability just as the others. He is punished for his lazy, cowardly, do nothing attitude. That is, for not using the abilities he has. The one who made a small prophet was given the same blessing (entering his master’s joy) as the one who made the greater prophet. And, given greater responsibilities according to his ability.
Yes, God both rewards generously and is a stern judge. God expects us to be good stewards of his gifts and to use them for the mission of growing his Kingdom. God does not want to see us let our gifts go unused and the Kingdom go stagnate.
It reminds me of a funny story:
Three nurses appeared before St. Peter at the pearly gates. St. Peter said to the first, "Tell me what you did on earth."
Said she, "I was a birthing room nurse. I helped bring hundreds of precious babies into the world."
"Enter!" said St. Peter. Then he turned to the second. "And how about you?" he asked.
She replied, "I was a trauma unit nurse. I helped save hundreds of lives of people involved in terrible accidents."
"Enter!" cried St. Peter, and turned to the third.
"I worked for an HMO," she admitted. "Over the years I saved my company hundreds of thousands of dollars by refusing extended care to people who were trying to bilk the system."
"You may enter!" said St. Peter.
"You really mean it?" asked the nurse incredulously.
"Yes," replied St. Peter. "You've been pre-approved for three days."
My brothers and sisters. Fulling our mission for Christ is not about doing greater things than any one els. Its not about achieving some personal best. Its about doing the good that presents itself to be done. Using our skills, knowledge and energy to spread the Kingdom of God as the opportunity arises.
In our first lesson today we saw God working through the prophetess Deborah to answer his people’s cry and free them from oppression. Following the death of Joshua, Israel lead by 12 successive judges, charismatic leaders raised up at times of national crisis by the spirit of God. Judges honestly admits that Israel does not control all of the Canaan; because they “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD,” they were subjugated by other peoples from time to time.
“Deborah” is the fourth of the judges but is different from others. She acts as God’s spokeswoman in matters of national importance and societal disputes but leaves military leadership to Barak. She orders him, in God’s name, to assemble troops drawn from northern tribes on Mount Tabor. There, God will draw the enemy, and will give Israel victory. The following verses describe the battle. Due to a heavy rainstorm or to the “Kishon” River overflowing its banks (or to both), Sisera’s chariots become mired in the mud, and his troops panic. Sisera and all his troops are killed. Israel is once again free.
In the second lesson we heard Paul reminding us: you cannot know when the Day of the Lord will come! So, keep awake and sober, be ready, for God has planned salvation for you through Christ.
In the gospel lesson, we heard the Parable of the talents! Notice that the one who is punished does not receive condemnation for his poverty or any lack of ability. He was given responsibility according to his ability just as the others. He is punished for his lazy, cowardly, do nothing attitude. That is, for not using the abilities he has. The one who made a small prophet was given the same blessing (entering his master’s joy) as the one who made the greater prophet. And, given greater responsibilities according to his ability.
Yes, God both rewards generously and is a stern judge. God expects us to be good stewards of his gifts and to use them for the mission of growing his Kingdom. God does not want to see us let our gifts go unused and the Kingdom go stagnate.
It reminds me of a funny story:
Three nurses appeared before St. Peter at the pearly gates. St. Peter said to the first, "Tell me what you did on earth."
Said she, "I was a birthing room nurse. I helped bring hundreds of precious babies into the world."
"Enter!" said St. Peter. Then he turned to the second. "And how about you?" he asked.
She replied, "I was a trauma unit nurse. I helped save hundreds of lives of people involved in terrible accidents."
"Enter!" cried St. Peter, and turned to the third.
"I worked for an HMO," she admitted. "Over the years I saved my company hundreds of thousands of dollars by refusing extended care to people who were trying to bilk the system."
"You may enter!" said St. Peter.
"You really mean it?" asked the nurse incredulously.
"Yes," replied St. Peter. "You've been pre-approved for three days."
My brothers and sisters. Fulling our mission for Christ is not about doing greater things than any one els. Its not about achieving some personal best. Its about doing the good that presents itself to be done. Using our skills, knowledge and energy to spread the Kingdom of God as the opportunity arises.
Homily for All Saints/Souls
My sisters & brothers, some are enjoying the fullness of God’s kingdom. Others, like us, still wait for their turn. Though Christ, we share full communion with all of them.
There are two very important details for us to draw from our first reading. First is the encouragement to seek the gift of Divine Wisdom. Or, ask God to fill you with God’s own spirit. The Old Testament ideas are interchangeable and the basis of our understanding of Jesus’ teaching about the Holy Spirit.
The second detail is that The Spirit/Divine Wisdom is described feminine imagery. We 21st century Christians tend to get so wrapped up in Jesus conversations about the Father, that we forget the deeper teaching of the God’s nature. God is neither male nor female but far more than both. This awareness starts in the Old Testament and has been consistently carried forward thought Christian history. It is important that we not lose sight of this, that we do not reduce God to some lowest common denominator.
Our second lesson brings up an important question for the first generation of Christians. They understand that the destiny of the faithful who are alive at the end of time is to be with God, but what about those who have already died? Remember they expected the second coming to be very soon. We know from 2000 years of history that it’s not happening soon.
Paul addresses their concerns about the faithful who have died. Christians have a certain hope: because we believe in the crucified and risen Christ, through him, God will bring those who are asleep into his company, the same as you and I.
Today’s gospel story is a parable about a master who leaves his household for a time, and suddenly returns. If, while he is away, his servant lives a godly, ethical life, they are “blessed” when the master returns. On the other hand, if they, realizing that the master is delayed in returning, misbehaves and lives a life of debauchery, they will be excluded on the master’s return. In fact, they will be caught in the act, because the master will return when least expected. Jesus is speaking in an allegory, about the relationship between how we live now and what our fate will be at the Second Coming; the master stands for Christ.
Our celebration today of All Saints and All Souls, revolves around the Christian belief that in Christ we have a spiritual connection with all the virtuous people who have gone before us. All Saints and All Souls days celebrate the final fulfillment of God’s promises of a holy paradise and the foretaste we experience now as God’s people. Do you remember Jesus’ preaching; the Kingdom is at hand, even among you? Today we celebrate that what Christ announced is true and our unity with Christ and one another extends not just to other believers in this life but in the life to come as well.
This awareness, that we share intercommunion between the living and the dead in the Body of Christ, is was far older than the Middle Ages. The patriarch John Chrysostom, who died in 407, says that a festival of All Saints was observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Constantinople at the time of his episcopate.
Today, we join this tradition in celebrating our vast spiritual family, in Christ.
There are two very important details for us to draw from our first reading. First is the encouragement to seek the gift of Divine Wisdom. Or, ask God to fill you with God’s own spirit. The Old Testament ideas are interchangeable and the basis of our understanding of Jesus’ teaching about the Holy Spirit.
The second detail is that The Spirit/Divine Wisdom is described feminine imagery. We 21st century Christians tend to get so wrapped up in Jesus conversations about the Father, that we forget the deeper teaching of the God’s nature. God is neither male nor female but far more than both. This awareness starts in the Old Testament and has been consistently carried forward thought Christian history. It is important that we not lose sight of this, that we do not reduce God to some lowest common denominator.
Our second lesson brings up an important question for the first generation of Christians. They understand that the destiny of the faithful who are alive at the end of time is to be with God, but what about those who have already died? Remember they expected the second coming to be very soon. We know from 2000 years of history that it’s not happening soon.
Paul addresses their concerns about the faithful who have died. Christians have a certain hope: because we believe in the crucified and risen Christ, through him, God will bring those who are asleep into his company, the same as you and I.
Today’s gospel story is a parable about a master who leaves his household for a time, and suddenly returns. If, while he is away, his servant lives a godly, ethical life, they are “blessed” when the master returns. On the other hand, if they, realizing that the master is delayed in returning, misbehaves and lives a life of debauchery, they will be excluded on the master’s return. In fact, they will be caught in the act, because the master will return when least expected. Jesus is speaking in an allegory, about the relationship between how we live now and what our fate will be at the Second Coming; the master stands for Christ.
Our celebration today of All Saints and All Souls, revolves around the Christian belief that in Christ we have a spiritual connection with all the virtuous people who have gone before us. All Saints and All Souls days celebrate the final fulfillment of God’s promises of a holy paradise and the foretaste we experience now as God’s people. Do you remember Jesus’ preaching; the Kingdom is at hand, even among you? Today we celebrate that what Christ announced is true and our unity with Christ and one another extends not just to other believers in this life but in the life to come as well.
This awareness, that we share intercommunion between the living and the dead in the Body of Christ, is was far older than the Middle Ages. The patriarch John Chrysostom, who died in 407, says that a festival of All Saints was observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Constantinople at the time of his episcopate.
Today, we join this tradition in celebrating our vast spiritual family, in Christ.
Back on Blogger
Alleluia! I've gotten technical issues resolved and I'm back on Blogger....
More to come! Thanks for hanging in with me.
More to come! Thanks for hanging in with me.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Homily for Proper 14 A,
My sisters and brothers, let us seek the Lord even in the most unexpected places.
In our first reading we have the conclusion of Elijah’s flight from the people who want to kill him. He has traveled far through the wilderness and nearly died of thirst and starvation. Mysteriously aided by an angle, he now arrives at Horeb, “The mount of God.” Though various phenomena, such as wind, storms, earthquakes, fire, herald the God’s presence, they do not constitute the actual presence of God. Who, like the mysterious silence, is perceivable only in the soul.
In the second reading we heard, Paul makes the rhetorical point, no one will bring Christ down from heaven, or up from the dead. Christ is with-in all who confess him. He goes on, “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek,” there is one Lord of all, who is generous to all that accept him.
Our gospel is the familiar story of Jesus walking on the water. But the miracle story can obscure for us some of the subplot, or “story with in the story.” Prior to Jesus feeding the 5000, he received news that John the Baptist was killed by King Herod. He tries to find a privet place to grieve/pray but the crowds follow him. Now he finally gets his privet time to pray and then catches up to this disciples by walking across the water to their boat. The point of the miracle story is that nothing is beyond the power of God and that Jesus is the one! Which the disciples proclaim.
An interesting side note, the comment that this happened, “early in the morning” (v. 25) is a bit of translator’s license. The Greek word indicates that it took place “before dawn.”
As Elijah traveled to reach safety with God; Jesus traveled to find solitude and support in his Father- we also must put effort into seeking God in our lives. God does not impose himself on us. But He is close for all who seek Him. And seek Him we must. However, as we seek God we must be prepared to encounter Him in unexpected ways: Elijah found him in silence and stillness rather than in examples of power. Jesus in the solitude that followed an unexpected ministry opportunity. The Apostles found him in a shocking manifestation of power as Jesus approached them walking on a storm tossed sea.
Four or five years ago, I shared a poem with you about my encounter with God, back in Kansas City, wile walking one of our dogs. I am going to share that with you again as an illustration of what I’m driving at.
Husky
God if you made this Siberian Husky I'm walking
Friendly and loving to a fault
yet ready to pounce on any squirrel.
Tale curled high with excitement
oblivious to the frigid water he walks through
wile snow drifts down to catch in his fur.
If you made this husky,
sniffing the ground diligently
with a mound of snow flakes on his nose.
Powerful enough to drag our eight-year-old,
on her belly, through tall summer grass
and gentle enough to kiss her crying face.
Who welcomed me home
with a dance and a howling rooooing song
who now gases out the window with me, wile I pray.
Then O Lord, you are awe inspiring indeed
loving and frightening
the power-filled creator taking playful joy in his work.
Loving and forgiving
with out end
yet just and terrible in accusation.
Giver of deadly blizzards
and soft warm breezes
deserving of respect, devotion and love.
My brothers and sisters, we simply need to make a point of praying each day and keeping an open mind and heart for God’s blessed surprises.
In our first reading we have the conclusion of Elijah’s flight from the people who want to kill him. He has traveled far through the wilderness and nearly died of thirst and starvation. Mysteriously aided by an angle, he now arrives at Horeb, “The mount of God.” Though various phenomena, such as wind, storms, earthquakes, fire, herald the God’s presence, they do not constitute the actual presence of God. Who, like the mysterious silence, is perceivable only in the soul.
In the second reading we heard, Paul makes the rhetorical point, no one will bring Christ down from heaven, or up from the dead. Christ is with-in all who confess him. He goes on, “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek,” there is one Lord of all, who is generous to all that accept him.
Our gospel is the familiar story of Jesus walking on the water. But the miracle story can obscure for us some of the subplot, or “story with in the story.” Prior to Jesus feeding the 5000, he received news that John the Baptist was killed by King Herod. He tries to find a privet place to grieve/pray but the crowds follow him. Now he finally gets his privet time to pray and then catches up to this disciples by walking across the water to their boat. The point of the miracle story is that nothing is beyond the power of God and that Jesus is the one! Which the disciples proclaim.
An interesting side note, the comment that this happened, “early in the morning” (v. 25) is a bit of translator’s license. The Greek word indicates that it took place “before dawn.”
As Elijah traveled to reach safety with God; Jesus traveled to find solitude and support in his Father- we also must put effort into seeking God in our lives. God does not impose himself on us. But He is close for all who seek Him. And seek Him we must. However, as we seek God we must be prepared to encounter Him in unexpected ways: Elijah found him in silence and stillness rather than in examples of power. Jesus in the solitude that followed an unexpected ministry opportunity. The Apostles found him in a shocking manifestation of power as Jesus approached them walking on a storm tossed sea.
Four or five years ago, I shared a poem with you about my encounter with God, back in Kansas City, wile walking one of our dogs. I am going to share that with you again as an illustration of what I’m driving at.
Husky
God if you made this Siberian Husky I'm walking
Friendly and loving to a fault
yet ready to pounce on any squirrel.
Tale curled high with excitement
oblivious to the frigid water he walks through
wile snow drifts down to catch in his fur.
If you made this husky,
sniffing the ground diligently
with a mound of snow flakes on his nose.
Powerful enough to drag our eight-year-old,
on her belly, through tall summer grass
and gentle enough to kiss her crying face.
Who welcomed me home
with a dance and a howling rooooing song
who now gases out the window with me, wile I pray.
Then O Lord, you are awe inspiring indeed
loving and frightening
the power-filled creator taking playful joy in his work.
Loving and forgiving
with out end
yet just and terrible in accusation.
Giver of deadly blizzards
and soft warm breezes
deserving of respect, devotion and love.
My brothers and sisters, we simply need to make a point of praying each day and keeping an open mind and heart for God’s blessed surprises.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Homily for Pentecost, 2011
My sisters & brothers, how will we respond as we are renewed in the Holy Spirit?
In our first lesson God shares with the elders of the people the same Spirit that was given to Mosses. The griping of the people has set this whole scene in motion. They are tired of eating manna every day and complain, wanting the foods they used to have in Egypt. Moses turns to God. He is overwhelmed by the constant requests from the people. God in turn instructs Moses to commission 70 elders to be his assistant. They are blessed by God with the Divine spirit and their immediate response is to make some kind of ecstatic utterance. Being momentarily overwhelmed by God’s Spirit.
Our second lesson marks a mile stone in salvation history, the Pentecost event. The coming of the Holy Spirit is the gift inaugurating the final stage of the salvation story; this era leads up to the end of time. The whole book of Acts is about mission, about speaking, proclaiming, the good news to people everywhere, in language they can understand; Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit is the driving force behind this work. Today’s story sets the stage for what follows. The disciples are filled with the Spirit, and immediately begin to tell the story of Christ. Clearly the event was both mysterious/mystical and empowering.
In our gospel story, Jesus is appearing to this followers after his resurrection. In John’s version of the story Jesus gives the Spirit now, rather than later. But the punch line remains the same. As he has been sent into the world with the Father’s authority, so he now sends out the disciples and the whole Christian Church after them.
We too are blessed and sent! Our being baptized into Christ means that we, like the first disciple, receive a Spirit of holiness that will sooner or later move us to missionary work. That might mean feeding the hungry, teaching a class, welcoming new comers or putting an Episcopal Church bumper sticker on your car. One way or another it means sharing, or spreading around, the gift we received in Christ. This is the universal mission of Christians. It is both a gift and a challenge given by the Holy Spirit.
I’ve mentioned before that getting our building done and payed for is part of our mission. It provides space for the ministries we need ourselves, and ministries we can offer to others.
Today, as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, we need to be open both to refreshment in God’s Spirit and Renewal in our calling to serve!
In our first lesson God shares with the elders of the people the same Spirit that was given to Mosses. The griping of the people has set this whole scene in motion. They are tired of eating manna every day and complain, wanting the foods they used to have in Egypt. Moses turns to God. He is overwhelmed by the constant requests from the people. God in turn instructs Moses to commission 70 elders to be his assistant. They are blessed by God with the Divine spirit and their immediate response is to make some kind of ecstatic utterance. Being momentarily overwhelmed by God’s Spirit.
Our second lesson marks a mile stone in salvation history, the Pentecost event. The coming of the Holy Spirit is the gift inaugurating the final stage of the salvation story; this era leads up to the end of time. The whole book of Acts is about mission, about speaking, proclaiming, the good news to people everywhere, in language they can understand; Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit is the driving force behind this work. Today’s story sets the stage for what follows. The disciples are filled with the Spirit, and immediately begin to tell the story of Christ. Clearly the event was both mysterious/mystical and empowering.
In our gospel story, Jesus is appearing to this followers after his resurrection. In John’s version of the story Jesus gives the Spirit now, rather than later. But the punch line remains the same. As he has been sent into the world with the Father’s authority, so he now sends out the disciples and the whole Christian Church after them.
We too are blessed and sent! Our being baptized into Christ means that we, like the first disciple, receive a Spirit of holiness that will sooner or later move us to missionary work. That might mean feeding the hungry, teaching a class, welcoming new comers or putting an Episcopal Church bumper sticker on your car. One way or another it means sharing, or spreading around, the gift we received in Christ. This is the universal mission of Christians. It is both a gift and a challenge given by the Holy Spirit.
I’ve mentioned before that getting our building done and payed for is part of our mission. It provides space for the ministries we need ourselves, and ministries we can offer to others.
Today, as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, we need to be open both to refreshment in God’s Spirit and Renewal in our calling to serve!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Homily for the Feast of the Ascension
If you have not heard the expression, you certainly have had the experience: “Hurry up and wait.” The stories of Christ that we hear today always make me smile. Jesus is giving us the classic “hurry up and wait” scenario. You are my witnesses to the very ends of the earth, to transform the world to faith. But first, stay here and pray for the Holy Spirit . . .
Our first reading today comes from Acts. This book is the sequel to Luke’s Gospel. Here he tells the story of Jesus’ ascension to heaven and the prediction that Jesus will return in the same way at the end of time. From here the waiting for the Holy Spirit begins. It is not surprising that those present expect Israel to be restored to independent national status. Nevertheless, Jesus’ answer shows the first phase of restoration to be of a different nature (Spiritual). When will it be finished? By what times and by what steps, he simply does not say.
In our second reading Paul relates some objectives of our shared lives in Christ. By God’s grace we are to attain a maturer knowledge of God in three ways:
In the Gospel story we just heard, Jesus gives his last commission to his followers and his last instructions. Proclaim repentance and forgiveness in Jesus’ name to all nations. But, first, wait here until you are filled with the Holy Spirit. In essence he charges the disciples (and other followers) with preaching the good news to all people. They are his “witnesses.” The Holy Spirit will be with them, as God promised.
So, we get ready for the mission but wait for the Spirit . . .
Like the first disciples, we must begin our journey by praying for a renewal in the Holy Spirit. As we make our physical journey from this Sunday to the Next, our journey to Pentecost, we need to make the spiritual journey a very intentional endeavor. Praying daily for renewal in the Spirit. Praying for the grace we need to accept and enact or part of the mission to share the good things we have received in Christ.
In the last few months my studies brought me to some very new demographic statistics about religion in America. Fifty percent of our population has no religious affiliation what so ever. The vast majority of that 50% have been unchurched for multiple generations. We can no longer afford to sit here as today’s readings go by us and assume that the mission of Christ is done in the USA. We are not the Christian nation that we once were. We who believe in and follow Christ, must hear the Holy Spirit’s renewed call and move the mission of the Church forward in whatever way we can.
So, in the next week, I call on all of us to pray for the grace of renewal in our faith. Asking God to help us see more clearly the role he has in mind for us at St. Stephen’s.
Our first reading today comes from Acts. This book is the sequel to Luke’s Gospel. Here he tells the story of Jesus’ ascension to heaven and the prediction that Jesus will return in the same way at the end of time. From here the waiting for the Holy Spirit begins. It is not surprising that those present expect Israel to be restored to independent national status. Nevertheless, Jesus’ answer shows the first phase of restoration to be of a different nature (Spiritual). When will it be finished? By what times and by what steps, he simply does not say.
In our second reading Paul relates some objectives of our shared lives in Christ. By God’s grace we are to attain a maturer knowledge of God in three ways:
- In spiritual growth as those whom God has called
- The “glorious inheritance” of the Jews that is being shared with the Gentile Christians
- Experiencing the tremendous power of God as he works in their lives
In the Gospel story we just heard, Jesus gives his last commission to his followers and his last instructions. Proclaim repentance and forgiveness in Jesus’ name to all nations. But, first, wait here until you are filled with the Holy Spirit. In essence he charges the disciples (and other followers) with preaching the good news to all people. They are his “witnesses.” The Holy Spirit will be with them, as God promised.
So, we get ready for the mission but wait for the Spirit . . .
Like the first disciples, we must begin our journey by praying for a renewal in the Holy Spirit. As we make our physical journey from this Sunday to the Next, our journey to Pentecost, we need to make the spiritual journey a very intentional endeavor. Praying daily for renewal in the Spirit. Praying for the grace we need to accept and enact or part of the mission to share the good things we have received in Christ.
In the last few months my studies brought me to some very new demographic statistics about religion in America. Fifty percent of our population has no religious affiliation what so ever. The vast majority of that 50% have been unchurched for multiple generations. We can no longer afford to sit here as today’s readings go by us and assume that the mission of Christ is done in the USA. We are not the Christian nation that we once were. We who believe in and follow Christ, must hear the Holy Spirit’s renewed call and move the mission of the Church forward in whatever way we can.
So, in the next week, I call on all of us to pray for the grace of renewal in our faith. Asking God to help us see more clearly the role he has in mind for us at St. Stephen’s.
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