Homily for Proper 7 B - June 24, 2012

My brothers & sisters, who is Jesus in your life?  It might sound like a silly question, but it's much more profound that one would think.  

In our first reading, David's fame grows and his rivalry with King Saul grows bitter.  Prior to this moment, David has stunned Goliath with a sling stone and killed him with his own sword.  Abner, the commander of the army, brings David to Saul.  As things progress Saul makes him commander of the army (because of his many military successes) but when the people sing that he is ten times superior to Saul in his accomplishments, Saul becomes very jealous.  In today’s passage, Saul attempts to kill David, but is unsuccessful.  

The side note that an evil spirit from God comes to Saul has a couple possible meanings.  One is the common belief of the day that nothing happened in the world without God’s permission.  It may also be a literary symbol for God removing his favor from King Saul and putting it on David.  

In our passage from 2 Corinthians we see Paul still defending himself against wild accusations.  Paul describes himself as authentic.  He accuses the Corinthians of being guarded or two faced in their relation with Paul.  In contrast, Paul states that he has been open and honest.  

In our selection form Mark’s gospel, we see Jesus calming the storm.  The disciples, as Mark often portrays them, don’t quite get it.  Mark frequently portrays Jesus as mysterious and the disciples as having trouble figuring him out.  Prior to this Jesus was teaching the crowds from a boat, with the crowds along the shore, he now suggests to the disciples that they “go across to the other side.”  That is, to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  A flotilla of boats follows, but they scatter before the storm.  As the storm builds, Jesus is “asleep”: he has complete confidence in God and in utterly unconcerned.  To ancients, the sea symbolized the powers of chaos and evil.  Jesus commands it to be still: only God can control nature.  The disciples are amazed and stunned by Jesus’ demonstration of power.  It’s all too much to believe and they simply cannot tag\ Jesus with a clear description.  

This all reminds me of a story, Nine year old Joey, was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school.

"Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelite out of Egypt.  When he got to the Red Sea, he had his combat engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely.  Then he used his Com' Link and called for air support.  They sent bombers who blow up the bridge and all the Israelite were saved."

"Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.  "Well, no, Mom.  But if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

Many things that are real, are hard to believe because they are just too far out of our experience.  Other things truly are incredible.  The disciples were clearly overwhelmed by their experience in this story of Jesus calming the storm.  But, at one moment or another they had to come down with a personal decision about who Jesus is.  We in our spiritual lives can benefit from asking the same question even though we are already believers.  At different points in our lives we need different things from Christ to support and encourage or even challenge us.  Sometimes we need Jesus as our refuge and sanity in the craziness of this life.  Other times, he is the mentor and guide we most trust and love.  Yet other times, he is the one who boots us back into action.  

The more we are conscious about the ways we experience Jesus, the better we can focus our efforts to grow in the fullness of our Christian lives.  

So my friends, who do you, say Jesus is?

Homily for Proper 5 B, June 10, 2012

There is a wonderfully simple quote attributed to Martin Luther King Jr. that we really need to take to hart today: “Faith is taking the first even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

This quotation puts into simple words the profound truth of what it means to be Christian people.  Wither we experience God call within our community or our individual lives, God never seems to give us the complete picture.  We are often asked to start the journey and trust God for the rest. 

In the first reading today, Samuel is asked to anoint a King for Israel; he is loath to do it.  This breaks tradition and violates, as far as he sees it, the covenant with God.  But God himself is telling him to fulfill the request.  He can’t see how this will end but he steps forward none the less. 

In our second lesson, Paul speaks about his hardships and the greater glory to be experienced in God’s Kingdom.  Even though he cannot see how it will all work out, he keeps his focus on the next life and urges his readers to do the same. 

In our gospel story today we see people having trouble putting faith in Jesus.  The miraculous things they witness (that is to say their experience of God’s presence) are simply overwhelming.  It is easier to write these things off as black magic or trickery than it is to admit that God could be doing something new.  This can often be true in our own 21st century lives.  We like to write off the mysterious as a hoax or some kind of dilution.  Or, even if a person is a believer they can deny the experience by telling themselves: “God couldn’t possibly do that...” - or be “calling me to some kind of ministry” – “I’m not good enough to teach a class” -  “serve at the altar,” or...

Our life of faith is most often inhibited by our own lack of vision or lack of willingness to be lead by God into something we cannot see or understand.  We really want to see the whole staircase and not just the next couple steps.  Yet we are rarely able to see God’s hand that far ahead of ourselves. 

But our ancestors in faith testify to us that we must take those steps just as they did.  Samuel did anoint Saul as King and begin the next era of Israel's history.  Paul did faithfully preach the gospel and found new communities to the end of his days.  And some of the people who saw and heard Jesus did accepted him for who he really was/is.  We live the life of faith because they not only believed but took action as God lead them forward.  Now it is our turn and we must also take steps forward, trusting that God will lead us safely up the staircase! 

Homily for Trinity Sunday, June 3, 2012

As abstract as it seems, today's feast of the Holy Trinity really does have practical implications for our Christian lives. 

Our first reading today is the call of the Prophet Isaiah.  He is bothered by his sinfulness but discovers that God is quick to purge him of that.  The then generously responds to God's generosity by volunteering to be God's messenger.  The year is 742 BC; Assyria is expanding its empire and has its sights set on Israel and Judah.  God accepts Isaiah's offer, and tells him that most people will reject God's message, preferring traditional (corrupt) ways.  But a small number will accept it.  Most will be destroyed, even the faithful will endure difficult times but God will be with them and bring restoration. 

In our second reading, Paul has told us how Christian experience is dominated by life in the Spirit rather than by the desires of the flesh, or self‑centeredness.  Christians are still subject to suffering, to bearing crosses and affliction, but not to eternal condemnation.  Not being condemned, we have hope.  Heeding the Spirit, we are children of God; we have a new relationship with God.  When baptized, we do not lose freedom (become salves of Christ) but are adopted by him.  As his children, we are heirs with hope for the future. 

In our Gospel story, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit to Nicodemus.  He is a prominent Pharisee and teacher and comes to Jesus to ask him questions.  He comes secretly because a man of his stature could not be seen consulting a radical like Jesus.  He has understood from Jesus' miracles (signs) that Jesus is from God.  But Jesus tells him that he has not yet understood the main point: to see the kingdom of God, spiritual rebirth is required.  Nicodemus misunderstands: he thinks Jesus is speaking of biological rebirth.  Jesus goes on to explain that being born from above requires being baptized.  Flesh and spirit were seen as constituents of life, of which spirit was the life‑giving force.  Further He explains that many things can be seen only in their effect; such is birth in the Spirit. 

My brothers and sisters, today we have readings that mention the three persons in the trinity: The Father calls Isaiah, Paul talks about the gifts we receive in the Spirit through the Son, and Jesus himself describes the mysterious character of the Spirit. 

In seeking to understand the way they experienced God in their lives, Christian thinkers covered a lot of ground in the first four centuries.  In essences, the struggle was: how do you reconcile the one true God of Judaism with the Christian experience of knowing Jesus as Divine Messiah, the Father he frequently spoke of and the Divine Spirit that filled the Christians. 

The first serious attempt to settle the matter can be seen in 325 at council of Nicea.  The creed we profess each Sunday was further refined into its final form in 381 at council of Constantinople.  

In short the classical Christian belief is that the Father, Son and Spirit are co-eternal, con-substantial and co-equal.  Co-eternal meaning that the three existed together before creation and will exist for all time.  Con-substantial, they are all made of the same God-stuff.  Co-equal, they are all equally divine. 

What does this mean for our practical, spiritual lives as 21^st century Christians?  We can realize that God is free to relate to us in any manner we need.  As a perfect Creator-parent, always ready to support and encourage.  As an older sibling (or mentor) who has been through "it" before and will help us find the way.  Or, the mysterious spirit of the Divine who breathes life into us.  From abstract to concrete, God can (and will) meet us were ever we need and guide us into being the fullness of our personal potential. 

Homily for Pentecost 2012

My sisters & brothers, we continue the mission of the Church as we celebrate our spiritual roots. 

The famous AValley of Dry Bones@ story we started out with is a dramatic and powerful promise of resurrection for God=s people.  It comes to us from the prophet Ezekiel who was both a prophet and a priest.  His ministry began before the conquest of Judah in 587 BC, and continued during the exile in Babylon.  This book is the foundation for both Jewish and Christian visionary or apocalyptic literature, e.g. Revelation.  The prophet's message to the exiles is clear: he assures his hearers of God's abiding presence among them, and he emphasizes God's involvement in the events of the day, so that Israel and all nations will know who really is God.  He brings a dispersed and discouraged people, a message of hope.  Hope that God will restore them to their homeland and the temple. 

Our second reading today is the Pentecost story from Acts.  The way Luke puts it (the time Acame") shows that Pentecost is a milestone in the story of salvation, using similar language to his introduction of Jesus birth and ascension.

Look at the manner in which the Holy Spirit comes: the sound is Alike the rush of a violent wind@ and then, Adivided tongues, as of fire.@  Luke attempts to describe the event in human terms, but it is never possible to explain a divine mystery.  All we can do is say what it is like.  The coming of the Holy Spirit is the gift inaugurating the final stage of salvation history; this era leads up to the end of time.  The Spirit=s arrival is in fulfillment of Christ's promise.  The Spirit is the launching pad for the church=s mission.  

Today=s gospel picks up the story after the Last Supper, Jesus continues to tell the disciples about the mission they are to undertake and promises The AAdvocate.@  This advocate is the Holy Spirit; who is described as the Aspirit of truth.@  The Church too is to witness, to work with the Holy Spirit, by living the life that Christ made possible.  Thus, continuing Christ=s work in the world. 

Today we celebrate both the arrival of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.  It is also the beginning of the mission to make disciples of all nations.  We see this in the example of Peter preaching on the spur of the moment.  This celebration is referred to as the birth of the church because Jesus has finally left his disciples, by ascending to the Father.  The waiting time for the Spirit has come to fruition and they have been filled with all the spiritual gifts needed to begin there work of establishing Jesus= church in the world. 

Historically, the early Christians did not start out seeing themselves as a new church.  They saw themselves as Jews who knew the Messiah had come, and set about proclaiming that message.  It was not until the year 70 that they fully broke away from Judaism as an independent religion. 

The lead up to this began with the Jewish establishment persecuting the Christians as heretics.  During this time, the Zealots in Israel mounted a full scale rebellion against Roman occupation.  The Roman response was for an army to make a complete sweep of Israel.  Subduing the country again and utterly destroying the city of Jerusalem and the Temple within it.  This destruction was the final blow to the Christians.  It forced them to realize that they were about something completely new. 

Pentecost is the spiritual root of this realization which simply took time (and traumatic events) for people to figure out.  So, we today celebrate Pentecost as the birth of the church; because Christianity=s spiritual roots started with this event! 

So, what about our own day and age?  To continue the mission started by our ancestors in faith (to live in the Holy Spirit as they did) we must continue our discernment and development process.  Through prayer and conversation, we will be able to more clearly see God=s call to us in 2012 and put that call into action! 

6th Sunday of Easter B, May 13, 2012

At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness.  "Isn't it true," he bellowed, "that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?”  The witness stared out the window, as though he hadn't heard the question.

"Isn't it true that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?" the lawyer repeated.  The witness still did not respond.

Finally, the judge leaned over and said, "Sir, please answer the question."

"Oh," the startled witness said, "I thought he was talking to you."

Loyalty and trust worthiness is important in our Christian lives. 

In our first reading from Acts, the issue of welcoming the uncircumcised (non Jews) into the Christian Church is addressed as having been predetermined by the Holy Spirit.  Peter has been bidden to visit Cornelius, an officer of the Roman army of occupation stationed in Caesarea.  Both have had visions; in Peter=s case, he has been advised not to worry about what meat a Jew can eat per Mosaic Law (and whether he can visit a Gentile home.)  Peter visits Cornelius and his household: Amany had assembled.@ Peter tells them that God has shown him not to distinguish between Jews and non Jews.  Cornelius, a devout man who reveres and prays to God, tells Peter about his vision of God=s agent who told him to send for Peter.  Cornelius says: ASo now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.@ 

Peter preaches and the Holy Spirit comes, as a Agift,@ on all present, Aeven on the Gentiles:@ to the surprise of the Jewish Christians Awho had come with Peter.@ The pouring out of the Spirit and baptism are closely associated in Acts; here baptism follows the coming of the Spirit.  Peter=s rhetorical question moves the important conversation: we Jewish Christians received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; now these Gentiles have received it, so surely they can be baptized.  So they are baptized B not by Peter, but under his authority. 

In our reading from 1 John, we hear that believing in Jesus, loving God through doing his will is to conquer the evil in this world.  That is to say, we are filled with God=s grace through our love of Christ and our following of his example and teachings.  This, empowers us to overcome the evil that encroaches on our lives. 

In our gospel story, John further develops the theme of last week, abiding in Jesus as branches abide in the vine.  John makes the point that Jesus has loved his disciples as the Father has loved him.  The disciples are to continue to love him, by being obedient to his Acommandments.@ 

We remain or abide in Jesus, by remaining loyal to him, his teaching and example.  The example of Peter in the first reading illustrates this: he follows Jesus instruction to spread the message, he even discerns (through the Holy Spirit) Jesus ongoing (or new) instructions and takes the message to outcasts that he might not have gone to otherwise.  He even accepts the Holy Spirit’s example, guiding him to do away with the usual requirements of making a person become a Jew before they become Christian!  He is responsive to God on many levels. 

In other words, Peter fulfills the work and role he was given by God.  He lives in both the word he heard from Christ, what he has read in the Scriptures, and he listens to God=s ongoing promptings.  Adapting where he is called to adapt and fulfilling his role in God=s plan. 

My sisters and brothers, let us do likewise!

Homily for 5 Easter B

My sisters & brothers, our Christian mission is to produce good thing for the Kingdom of God. In our reading from the book of Acts, we heard the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian; it is the beginning of his missionary journey. Though we have little documentary evidence other than this story, we do know that Christianity was established in Ethiopia very early. Our reading is in the part of Acts where Luke (the author) tells of the spread of the Good News to non Jewish people in the Middle East. Prior to this story, he tells us about carrying the gospel to Samaria. Jews rejected Samaritans because they had a different principal place of worship and scriptural tradition. Now we hear of the conversion of another outcast, a eunuch. According to the laws in Deuteronomy, a eunuch could not be admitted to the assembly of the LORD.  For people of the 1st century Ethiopia represented the extreme limits of the known world. Our second reading from the first letter of John, gives us a lesson in humility. We are not the prime movers in our relationship with God. It doesn’t start with us seeking out God. Rather it begins with God loving us and revealing His love by sending his Son into the world (and into our individual lives). We then can respond to this outpouring, so that we might have life through Christ. John then reiterates his view of the primary commandment, if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is perfected in us. To claim to love God wile hating one's brothers or sisters, is hypocrisy. If one dose not love the brother or sister they have seen, they cannot love God, whom they have not seen. In our Gospel story today, we hear a poetic reminder that we must be productive followers. The individual Christians who are ineffective risk being cut off, were as those who are productive will be aided by God's power. The vine and branches symbol of our relationship with Jesus the Christ has many important nuances. We all know that the branches are an extension of the root stock or trunk of a vine or tree. The function of the root stock is to draw water and nutrients from the soil and distribute it to feed the entire plant. Each branch uses the nutrients to produce flowers, fruit and finally the seeds. As a symbol, this talks about Jesus as having the role of giver of nourishment and his followers the role of production. We are then responsible to carry out the work of growing and producing the good things of God's Kingdom. In our century it means that we first draw spiritual strength from God. There are many way to do this: study the Word, share in the sacraments, pray privately, etc. We then use the spiritual strength we gain to extend the church's positive influence in the world. This also has several dimensions. The many things we can do to invite new people into our church: advertising, personal invitations, etc. It also involves the things we can do to extend the hand of compassion to those experiencing hardships: giving to charitable drives like St. Andrew's children's clinic, and the chaplain's foot locker - and most especially, giving of our time and skills. In this dynamic way, we keep our selves alive as productive branches of Christ our vine!

Homily for 5 Epiphany B

My sisters and brothers, do we have strong enough Christian credentials?

In our reading from Isaiah, God reminds the evil doers that they cannot hide from Divine justice. He sees & knows all. This is dramatized by God speaking through the prophet in a direct address to the people. Can anyone measure God’s domain in human terms? So how can you think you can tell God what to do? Surely he decides what is just; surely he is the source of all “knowledge” and “understanding.”

In our Corinthians reading, Paul further illustrates his view that we should accommodate others for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. He also defends himself against challenges to his apostleship. He has written that, whatever others may think, he is an apostle for he has seen the risen Christ and he has brought many to him, especially at Corinth. However, rather than risk that asserting his “rights” as an apostle might become an “obstacle” to faith for new converts, he will not insist on his rights. Nothing must get in the way of telling, the good news. He has brought people to Christ by becoming as one religiously with them: he has behaved in a way not to give offense to prospects for conversion, to establish communications with them, respecting their customs. He has voluntarily restricted the freedom he has in Christ, making himself “a slave to all.”

In the reading from Mark’s gospel we see Jesus furthering his mission by healing Peter’s mother-in-law and “many others.” That she serves them as a show of hospitality, illustrates that she is completely and immediately cured. Many gather around the doorway of the house to see his miracles. The evil forces recognize his power over them but he intends to show himself as God’s agent later, so he does not “permit the demons to speak” Finally He withdraws to be alone to commune with God. This is another theme that will repeat itself in Mark’s telling of Jesus’ story.

In essence, Mark is going about establishing Jesus’ credentials as prophet and healer. We have various ways of establishing our authenticity. We have picture ID, usually a driver’s license, sometimes a corporate ID badge or military ID. We also have various kinds of professional credentials: State licenses to practice law or medicine; a reputation gained through getting our work published, etc. We even sight long lists of accomplishments.

In Jesus’ day one might be known as a Rabi in the school of X, or of Y. Later Christian teachers credentialed their work by attributing them to a master teacher or apostle of the faith: Paul, Peter, John, etc. Part of Jesus reputation as a uniquely powerful teacher and healer came from the ease he had at doing miraculous things. Often he did not more than give a command or touch someone. Rather, than using elaborate rituals or noxious smelling concoctions.

Nevertheless, what are our credentials as Christians? The time we spend in prayer, public worship, doing good and caring things for others? Are you satisfied with your Christian Resume? A friend of mine once posed the question to a group of us sitting in a pub talking erudite theology. If Christianity were outlawed tomorrow, would there be enough evidence to convict you?