Readings:
Psalm 46
Isaiah 40:28-31
Revelation 7:9-17
John 11:21-27
Sermon:
In the ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, there is a riveting scene where Odysseus, anxiously trying to find his way home after ten years of war and ten years of wandering, meets the spirit of Achilles, that great warrior killed at the end of the Trojan War, in the midst of Hades. It is a painful encounter, with Achilles surrounded by the spirits of those brave men who gave their lives in that conflict, once in the flower of their youth and strength, now mere wraiths wandering eternally, as if in a bad dream from which they can never wake. Achilles sums up his unhappy existence to Odysseus: “I would rather be the lowest slave among living men instead of a King among the Dead.”
If this were all our brave men and women who have given their lives for our country had to look forward to, it wouldn’t be much of a reason to celebrate their memory every year as we do today on Memorial Day. It would be kinder to let them be forgotten, to let their families forget their faces rather than picturing them wandering as disembodied ghosts for all of eternity. If that version of the afterlife was true, then there truly would be nothing worth sacrificing one’s life for, since it would all end in futility and hopelessness.
As Christians however, we have been given a great gift, not just the gift of salvation and eternal life, but the gift of hope in this life. Since Our Lord went to the gates of death and broke them open, we need no longer fear the grip of death as something that tears us from everything dear to us; rather as St. Francis of Assisi wrote in his famous hymn, death leads the child of God back home, following the path that Christ Himself went down for us.
This is not to say that we glorify death and do not value life, rather it means that as St Paul says, we do not mourn as those who have no hope. We suffer from the loss of our loved ones but we do not despair of their eternal fate. We can look forward to the day when we will be reunited and never separated again, enjoying their company and fellowship throughout all the ages.
And so, with this perspective, it is very meet and right to celebrate the memory of those who followed Our Lord’s example and laid down their lives for those they loved. We can thank God that our country has always had its share of men and women who thought it worthwhile to protect the liberties we enjoy, even at the cost of their own lives, serving not as slaves at the bidding of a tyrant, but as free people freely choosing to place their lives at the service of their nation. May God continue to bless our nation and make us worthy of the sacrifice of so many of its best lives.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Episode 41: 5/21/09
Readings:
Psalm 91
Ezekiel 1:28-3:3
Hebrews 4:14-5:6
Luke 9:28-36
Sermon:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
Ephesians 4:11-13
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
For Ezekiel it had to have been a frightening thought…
In the quiet of his surroundings a voice would cut through the darkness and speak to him. He would be called by the Lord to go forth into the land to preach and teach the Children of Israel, to call back a rebellious people to the God of their Fathers, the God that delivered them from the hands of their captors and their slave masters. Though he knew the Lord and that the power of His might was great, it had to be an overwhelming task to him.
Men, great men, men he would have considered greater than he, had been sent to do the same before him, only to be spurned, to be outcast among their people, to, at times find death at the hands of those they were called to minister to. He would have known of the misery and the pain that overtook the soul of Jeremiah, of his cries and his lamentations as he witnessed the evil of his people, and the captivity at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. Before Jeremiah he had, undoubtedly learned of the martyrdom suffered by Isaiah at the hands of Manasseh for his faithfulness to God’s word and the wickedness that overcame his people.
The challenges he would suffer, he had to know, were to be great. They would try his very soul and cast his spirit amidst a great and overwhelming battle, a tempest that would threaten to overtake him.
The fact that it was amidst the Babylonian Exile and Captivity couldn’t have given him confidence either. The Chaldean Kings, inclined to their idolatry and their violent ways to those who did not bow before the feet of their gods, would more than likely threaten his task handed down to Ezekiel from the Lord. They knew not the God of Isaac and Abraham, the God who gave unto His people Moses to deliver them from the hands of the Egyptians and they did not fear Him. Why then would they treat His Prophet with any thought or regard?
The road ahead, filled with obstacles and trials, would not be a simple one or an easy one. But then God, in calling him, would make no illusions that it would somehow be anything but an arduous journey.
But then so it’s been for the Saints of every age…
Standing for truth and righteousness, standing for the sanctity and the purity of God’s word and will has never been a simple or an easy task, regardless of the age, regardless of the world or the nature of civilization around us. The natural inclination of man is sinful, prone to iniquity and transgressions, and opposed to the will of God, the Heavenly Father. Those who stand for Him and for that deliverer sent upon us to offer our salvation, Christ Jesus, face opponents and opposition that try their very soul that they may continue in their unrighteousness believing there is little to no accountability for their actions.
Yet, despite this, God still calls us, each and every one of us, to do the work of His Kingdom, to spread His word and His message unto the world. Christ came to die for all humanity, to conquer sin, death and the Devil that all may stand before the throne of God and be judged as righteous as His redeemed children, bought in the blood of the lamb. Regardless of the challenges, regardless of the road ahead, regardless of the adversity and the trials we may face it is our task, as it was the calling of Ezekiel, to go forth to a rebellious people and proclaim the word of God.
Yes, we will face hard, harsh opposition, we will face pain and hardship, with the voices of those around us mocking or deriding us, threatening and trying to cause us harm. Ours though must be to know that God lives and that, come what may, come what must, He stands beside us, shielding us and protecting us, equipping us with all we need to do the work of His will here on earth.
Forever faithful to him, ours must be to listen to His calling, to trust in His mercy and to abide in His love and compassion, seeking His will and His desire for our lives in all that we are and all that we do, withholding noyhing of ourselves from Him. We must know that the works of His Kingdom are for all of His children, and that when Christ tells unto the Apostles “Go ye unto all nations” he means all of us, all believers, all of God’s children, that we may prepare for the harvest of souls.
Abide therefore in the Gospel message, ever seeking, ever listening, to His calling, never shrinking from the tasks He places before you, but rather being a vessel for His divine will and plan. Place your trust in His hand, believing in His promises that He will never leave you like a sheep to the slaughter, but that He will walk beside you giving you the strength and endurance you need to run the race, and to dwell amidst His grace.
Live for His calling dear brothers and sisters, knowing that He has a plan for you and for your life and that He will open all doors necessary to make it happen. Countless saints have endured more than we will ever know for the sake of His word and still, knowing what they would face, they went forth according to His word, knowing He was there with them throughout it all. A loving father to all His children, His promises still stand today if we have faith in them.
Therefore, hear His call to go forth and give all you are, all you can to the tasks He has for you in your life. It is then that you know, even in facing affliction and trial, tribulation and pain, you have lived a life worth living.
Now may the peace of the Lord that transcends all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus even unto life everlasting. Amen.
Psalm 91
Ezekiel 1:28-3:3
Hebrews 4:14-5:6
Luke 9:28-36
Sermon:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
Ephesians 4:11-13
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
For Ezekiel it had to have been a frightening thought…
In the quiet of his surroundings a voice would cut through the darkness and speak to him. He would be called by the Lord to go forth into the land to preach and teach the Children of Israel, to call back a rebellious people to the God of their Fathers, the God that delivered them from the hands of their captors and their slave masters. Though he knew the Lord and that the power of His might was great, it had to be an overwhelming task to him.
Men, great men, men he would have considered greater than he, had been sent to do the same before him, only to be spurned, to be outcast among their people, to, at times find death at the hands of those they were called to minister to. He would have known of the misery and the pain that overtook the soul of Jeremiah, of his cries and his lamentations as he witnessed the evil of his people, and the captivity at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. Before Jeremiah he had, undoubtedly learned of the martyrdom suffered by Isaiah at the hands of Manasseh for his faithfulness to God’s word and the wickedness that overcame his people.
The challenges he would suffer, he had to know, were to be great. They would try his very soul and cast his spirit amidst a great and overwhelming battle, a tempest that would threaten to overtake him.
The fact that it was amidst the Babylonian Exile and Captivity couldn’t have given him confidence either. The Chaldean Kings, inclined to their idolatry and their violent ways to those who did not bow before the feet of their gods, would more than likely threaten his task handed down to Ezekiel from the Lord. They knew not the God of Isaac and Abraham, the God who gave unto His people Moses to deliver them from the hands of the Egyptians and they did not fear Him. Why then would they treat His Prophet with any thought or regard?
The road ahead, filled with obstacles and trials, would not be a simple one or an easy one. But then God, in calling him, would make no illusions that it would somehow be anything but an arduous journey.
But then so it’s been for the Saints of every age…
Standing for truth and righteousness, standing for the sanctity and the purity of God’s word and will has never been a simple or an easy task, regardless of the age, regardless of the world or the nature of civilization around us. The natural inclination of man is sinful, prone to iniquity and transgressions, and opposed to the will of God, the Heavenly Father. Those who stand for Him and for that deliverer sent upon us to offer our salvation, Christ Jesus, face opponents and opposition that try their very soul that they may continue in their unrighteousness believing there is little to no accountability for their actions.
Yet, despite this, God still calls us, each and every one of us, to do the work of His Kingdom, to spread His word and His message unto the world. Christ came to die for all humanity, to conquer sin, death and the Devil that all may stand before the throne of God and be judged as righteous as His redeemed children, bought in the blood of the lamb. Regardless of the challenges, regardless of the road ahead, regardless of the adversity and the trials we may face it is our task, as it was the calling of Ezekiel, to go forth to a rebellious people and proclaim the word of God.
Yes, we will face hard, harsh opposition, we will face pain and hardship, with the voices of those around us mocking or deriding us, threatening and trying to cause us harm. Ours though must be to know that God lives and that, come what may, come what must, He stands beside us, shielding us and protecting us, equipping us with all we need to do the work of His will here on earth.
Forever faithful to him, ours must be to listen to His calling, to trust in His mercy and to abide in His love and compassion, seeking His will and His desire for our lives in all that we are and all that we do, withholding noyhing of ourselves from Him. We must know that the works of His Kingdom are for all of His children, and that when Christ tells unto the Apostles “Go ye unto all nations” he means all of us, all believers, all of God’s children, that we may prepare for the harvest of souls.
Abide therefore in the Gospel message, ever seeking, ever listening, to His calling, never shrinking from the tasks He places before you, but rather being a vessel for His divine will and plan. Place your trust in His hand, believing in His promises that He will never leave you like a sheep to the slaughter, but that He will walk beside you giving you the strength and endurance you need to run the race, and to dwell amidst His grace.
Live for His calling dear brothers and sisters, knowing that He has a plan for you and for your life and that He will open all doors necessary to make it happen. Countless saints have endured more than we will ever know for the sake of His word and still, knowing what they would face, they went forth according to His word, knowing He was there with them throughout it all. A loving father to all His children, His promises still stand today if we have faith in them.
Therefore, hear His call to go forth and give all you are, all you can to the tasks He has for you in your life. It is then that you know, even in facing affliction and trial, tribulation and pain, you have lived a life worth living.
Now may the peace of the Lord that transcends all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus even unto life everlasting. Amen.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Episode 40: 5/18/09
Readings:
Psalm 79
Leviticus 25:33-55
James 1:1-15
Luke 9:18-27
Sermon:
When I was a teenager I was constantly arguing with my mother. Many times I would think confidently that I was ahead until I would make the mistake of asking Why? one time too many. Then she would roll out her heavy-duty discussion-ending ultimate appeal-to-authority answer: “Because I am your mother, who carried you in my womb for nine months and went down to death’s door to deliver you. That’s why.”
Although I would roll my eyes at this dramatic account of my coming into the world, it did have the desired effect of reminding me that whatever disagreements I had with my mother, she had done something for me that, combined with her continuing love and care, demanded my trust and respect and obedience.
We see something similar in today’s Old Testament reading. When God commands the Israelites to treat the poor and enslaved among them fairly and humanely, He reminds them that He is the Lord God who brought them out of Egypt into the Promised Land, a summary version of the events of the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, His continuing love and care throughout the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. God reminds His people of these events to show that He is not commanding them out of caprice or as a tyrant, but as someone who has proven Himself worthy of their trust and respect and obedience.
He also reminds them of their recent history in order to inspire in them not a desire for revenge for their sufferings, but something much more radical: a sense of compassion for their fellow man. It’s hard for us as modern people to realize how truly revolutionary these commands were. Even in these difficult economic times, when many among us are losing their jobs and their homes, we do not have to worry about being sold into slavery, along with our families, in order to pay off our debts.
For most of human history, however, the prospect of being enslaved was a realistic fear for people of all classes and countries: the constant threat of war, conquest and capture affected every member of society, from the king and his nobles, who would make valuable hostages, to the merchants and farmers who suffered from the economic devastation following both large- and small-scale conflicts. And even in times of peace, there were natural disasters such as drought or famine, and domestic tragedies such as the death of a husband or father, that could propel families into a life of captivity and bondage.
We see this throughout the Old Testament, for example in the story of the widow who came to Elijah for help when she was overwhelmed by debts and her two young sons were about to be taken into slavery as payment. We see it in the New Testament in Jesus’ parable of the ungrateful servant, who after being forgiven a tremendous debt that he could never repay, in turn showed no mercy to a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller debt. We see it in the words of the prophets who warned Israel that God would judge them for their treatment of the poor and the oppressed, the widowed and the orphaned.
The very idea that the poor and the oppressed, the widowed and the orphaned should be treated humanely and not as cattle in the field comes back to this radical command by God to His people: remember that I brought you out of slavery in Egypt. The whole concept of social justice and human rights was born out of that command.
Our recent history has been consumed with the idea of social justice: reformers struggled for many long years to abolish institutions such as slavery and indentured servitude, and most of our economic safety net, such as social security, disability insurance, bankruptcy laws, came as efforts to protect the poor and oppressed, the widowed and orphaned, the victims of natural or man-made disasters from starving in the streets or languishing in debtor’s prisons. These reformers have often been dedicated Christians and Jews who took seriously God’s command to love their neighbor as themselves.
We have also seen the terrible consequences that have followed when men sought change based on a desire for revenge rather than compassion for their fellow man: the horrors of the Nazis and Communists and Islamic extremists who have sought to remold society in ways God never intended, resulting in the slaughter of millions of innocents and the slavery of millions more. We see it in the terrorists and criminals who take hostages and traffic in human lives, treating them as nothing more than cattle to be bought and sold for money or political concessions.
We may feel helpless to do anything about this, we may even feel that God does not concern Himself with these matters anymore. But this ignores the fact that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that His burning desire is to set His people free, both from the chains of sin, but also from the cruel bonds of human slavery. We may grow impatient, as the Psalmist did when he cried out:
Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"*
Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
(Psalm 79:10)
But as we lift up our prayers on behalf of the poor and the oppressed, the prisoners, the hostages, the modern-day slaves, we must remember that our God is the Lord God who brought His people out of slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land. By His mighty actions in the past, He has proven Himself faithful and trustworthy. When we plead like the Psalmist:
May the groans of the prisoners come before you;*
by the strength of your arm
preserve those condemned to die.
(Psalm 79:11)
we can feel confident that our God is the same God who not only carries us in His arms but has, through His Son, Our Savior, gone down to death’s door to deliver us.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Psalm 79
Leviticus 25:33-55
James 1:1-15
Luke 9:18-27
Sermon:
When I was a teenager I was constantly arguing with my mother. Many times I would think confidently that I was ahead until I would make the mistake of asking Why? one time too many. Then she would roll out her heavy-duty discussion-ending ultimate appeal-to-authority answer: “Because I am your mother, who carried you in my womb for nine months and went down to death’s door to deliver you. That’s why.”
Although I would roll my eyes at this dramatic account of my coming into the world, it did have the desired effect of reminding me that whatever disagreements I had with my mother, she had done something for me that, combined with her continuing love and care, demanded my trust and respect and obedience.
We see something similar in today’s Old Testament reading. When God commands the Israelites to treat the poor and enslaved among them fairly and humanely, He reminds them that He is the Lord God who brought them out of Egypt into the Promised Land, a summary version of the events of the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, His continuing love and care throughout the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. God reminds His people of these events to show that He is not commanding them out of caprice or as a tyrant, but as someone who has proven Himself worthy of their trust and respect and obedience.
He also reminds them of their recent history in order to inspire in them not a desire for revenge for their sufferings, but something much more radical: a sense of compassion for their fellow man. It’s hard for us as modern people to realize how truly revolutionary these commands were. Even in these difficult economic times, when many among us are losing their jobs and their homes, we do not have to worry about being sold into slavery, along with our families, in order to pay off our debts.
For most of human history, however, the prospect of being enslaved was a realistic fear for people of all classes and countries: the constant threat of war, conquest and capture affected every member of society, from the king and his nobles, who would make valuable hostages, to the merchants and farmers who suffered from the economic devastation following both large- and small-scale conflicts. And even in times of peace, there were natural disasters such as drought or famine, and domestic tragedies such as the death of a husband or father, that could propel families into a life of captivity and bondage.
We see this throughout the Old Testament, for example in the story of the widow who came to Elijah for help when she was overwhelmed by debts and her two young sons were about to be taken into slavery as payment. We see it in the New Testament in Jesus’ parable of the ungrateful servant, who after being forgiven a tremendous debt that he could never repay, in turn showed no mercy to a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller debt. We see it in the words of the prophets who warned Israel that God would judge them for their treatment of the poor and the oppressed, the widowed and the orphaned.
The very idea that the poor and the oppressed, the widowed and the orphaned should be treated humanely and not as cattle in the field comes back to this radical command by God to His people: remember that I brought you out of slavery in Egypt. The whole concept of social justice and human rights was born out of that command.
Our recent history has been consumed with the idea of social justice: reformers struggled for many long years to abolish institutions such as slavery and indentured servitude, and most of our economic safety net, such as social security, disability insurance, bankruptcy laws, came as efforts to protect the poor and oppressed, the widowed and orphaned, the victims of natural or man-made disasters from starving in the streets or languishing in debtor’s prisons. These reformers have often been dedicated Christians and Jews who took seriously God’s command to love their neighbor as themselves.
We have also seen the terrible consequences that have followed when men sought change based on a desire for revenge rather than compassion for their fellow man: the horrors of the Nazis and Communists and Islamic extremists who have sought to remold society in ways God never intended, resulting in the slaughter of millions of innocents and the slavery of millions more. We see it in the terrorists and criminals who take hostages and traffic in human lives, treating them as nothing more than cattle to be bought and sold for money or political concessions.
We may feel helpless to do anything about this, we may even feel that God does not concern Himself with these matters anymore. But this ignores the fact that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that His burning desire is to set His people free, both from the chains of sin, but also from the cruel bonds of human slavery. We may grow impatient, as the Psalmist did when he cried out:
Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"*
Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
(Psalm 79:10)
But as we lift up our prayers on behalf of the poor and the oppressed, the prisoners, the hostages, the modern-day slaves, we must remember that our God is the Lord God who brought His people out of slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land. By His mighty actions in the past, He has proven Himself faithful and trustworthy. When we plead like the Psalmist:
May the groans of the prisoners come before you;*
by the strength of your arm
preserve those condemned to die.
(Psalm 79:11)
we can feel confident that our God is the same God who not only carries us in His arms but has, through His Son, Our Savior, gone down to death’s door to deliver us.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Episode 39: 5/12/09
Readings:
Psalm 119:73-96
Leviticus 19:26-37
Romans 13:1-14
Luke 8:16-25
Sermon:
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
The Epistle of St. James, Chapter 2, Verses 14 through 18
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
Faith without works is dead? What does that even mean? We are told in St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians that “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” So then why… Why would we somehow come to believe that faith without works is dead? After all, it is not by our works that we are saved, no man’s deeds alone can earn for them their eternal salvation. This can only come as a free gift of grace from God through the power of His Spirit calling us to the cross of Christ.
Amidst our Gospel lesson today, we hear the answer, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.."
Though it is not of our works that we are saved, though it is not of our actions or our deeds that we find eternal salvation, it is a sure sign that our faith is alive within us.
Faith is an intangible... though we may understand it, though we may be able to feel it, we cannot necessarily define or describe it. All we have to really and truly explain it is the words we find in Hebrews, telling unto us that “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
But what we do know is that is a fire that is lit within us through the power of the Holy Spirit, a light that shines forth from us through the love, compassion and mercy of our Lord, it is torch we carry in the hope that we live our lives drawing closer to Christ and that light that he shone unto the world.
The works of our hands though, the deeds that we do, they represent something that is tangible, and physical, a concrete act that can show what is in our hearts and our souls.
In the Gospel According to St. Matthew we read of life. It’s an image that is carried forth in the writing of the Apostles and in St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. We are told through the vivid illustration offered unto us, that we are grafted, as branches, unto that tree, rooted in the Spirit, held steady by the firm foundation of Christ. We therefore, as those vines, produce fruits… fruits that come from that which we are rooted in. They are “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” From these fruits come all good works and all good deeds, not because of ourselves or our nature but because of the Spirit nurturing and nourishing us in the life of the Lord.
Faith without works is dead because our faith must be based in our works. Light cannot be hidden amidst the darkness, for it is not long before it flickers and fades, that darkness soon overtaking it. The light must be brought from all hidden places to shine as a beacon of God’s great love and Christ’s encompassing sacrifice that it might show forth the path of salvation, the road to righteousness unto all the lost and weary travelers journeying through this temporal existence.
Ours cannot be to live as the hypocrite lives, saying that we have faith and yet showing no fruits of the spirit, choosing instead to abide in unrighteousness and iniquity, in wickedness and sin. Our faith must manifest itself in our lives moving as that intangible force that guides our way to make itself known through the tangible force for good in the world. It must edify and sanctify, it must offer nourishment to the spirit and the soul, it must help the poor and the afflicted, it must abide in peace seeking to end strife, and it must be tempered always by the love that Christ has for all people, the mercy that God shows unto all people.
Seek therefore dear brothers and sisters to show that your faith is alive in you by being vessels of God’s divine compassion, mercy and love. Open yourselves to the works of the Spirit, that it may move you to the greater good, offering yourselves unto your fellow man that the fruits produced through you may offer them strength when they are weak, help when they are in need, solace when they are afflicted and sanctuary when they are troubled. Show forth the light of Christ in your life, striving to imitate him in all ways that you may bring goodness and love, mercy and compassion, into the souls of all peoples through the divine hand of His Gospel message.
It is then that you will know that faith, that transcending, abiding, encompassing faith, is truly alive within you.
Lord, grant this unto us all.
Now may the peace of the Lord that transcends all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus even unto life everlasting. Amen.
Psalm 119:73-96
Leviticus 19:26-37
Romans 13:1-14
Luke 8:16-25
Sermon:
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
The Epistle of St. James, Chapter 2, Verses 14 through 18
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
Faith without works is dead? What does that even mean? We are told in St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians that “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” So then why… Why would we somehow come to believe that faith without works is dead? After all, it is not by our works that we are saved, no man’s deeds alone can earn for them their eternal salvation. This can only come as a free gift of grace from God through the power of His Spirit calling us to the cross of Christ.
Amidst our Gospel lesson today, we hear the answer, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.."
Though it is not of our works that we are saved, though it is not of our actions or our deeds that we find eternal salvation, it is a sure sign that our faith is alive within us.
Faith is an intangible... though we may understand it, though we may be able to feel it, we cannot necessarily define or describe it. All we have to really and truly explain it is the words we find in Hebrews, telling unto us that “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
But what we do know is that is a fire that is lit within us through the power of the Holy Spirit, a light that shines forth from us through the love, compassion and mercy of our Lord, it is torch we carry in the hope that we live our lives drawing closer to Christ and that light that he shone unto the world.
The works of our hands though, the deeds that we do, they represent something that is tangible, and physical, a concrete act that can show what is in our hearts and our souls.
In the Gospel According to St. Matthew we read of life. It’s an image that is carried forth in the writing of the Apostles and in St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. We are told through the vivid illustration offered unto us, that we are grafted, as branches, unto that tree, rooted in the Spirit, held steady by the firm foundation of Christ. We therefore, as those vines, produce fruits… fruits that come from that which we are rooted in. They are “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” From these fruits come all good works and all good deeds, not because of ourselves or our nature but because of the Spirit nurturing and nourishing us in the life of the Lord.
Faith without works is dead because our faith must be based in our works. Light cannot be hidden amidst the darkness, for it is not long before it flickers and fades, that darkness soon overtaking it. The light must be brought from all hidden places to shine as a beacon of God’s great love and Christ’s encompassing sacrifice that it might show forth the path of salvation, the road to righteousness unto all the lost and weary travelers journeying through this temporal existence.
Ours cannot be to live as the hypocrite lives, saying that we have faith and yet showing no fruits of the spirit, choosing instead to abide in unrighteousness and iniquity, in wickedness and sin. Our faith must manifest itself in our lives moving as that intangible force that guides our way to make itself known through the tangible force for good in the world. It must edify and sanctify, it must offer nourishment to the spirit and the soul, it must help the poor and the afflicted, it must abide in peace seeking to end strife, and it must be tempered always by the love that Christ has for all people, the mercy that God shows unto all people.
Seek therefore dear brothers and sisters to show that your faith is alive in you by being vessels of God’s divine compassion, mercy and love. Open yourselves to the works of the Spirit, that it may move you to the greater good, offering yourselves unto your fellow man that the fruits produced through you may offer them strength when they are weak, help when they are in need, solace when they are afflicted and sanctuary when they are troubled. Show forth the light of Christ in your life, striving to imitate him in all ways that you may bring goodness and love, mercy and compassion, into the souls of all peoples through the divine hand of His Gospel message.
It is then that you will know that faith, that transcending, abiding, encompassing faith, is truly alive within you.
Lord, grant this unto us all.
Now may the peace of the Lord that transcends all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus even unto life everlasting. Amen.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Episode 38: 5/11/09
Readings:
Psalm 49
Leviticus 19:1-18
Colossians 1:24-2:7
Luke 6:27-38
Sermon:
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:27-28
Throughout the Scripture readings for today, we see a strong theme of justice, of living rightly with our neighbors. In the passage from Leviticus we see God spelling out the details of the Law that was handed down at Mt. Sinai, the details that would make Israel a nation which would glorify the Lord by its righteous behavior.
In this passage we see that God truly knows the hearts of men and closes several of the loopholes through which fallen human nature would attempt to wiggle. The general principal is given: for example, do not steal. But then He gives specific rules for those situations which He knew some men would consider gray areas: do not defraud your neighbor, do not cheat your workers out of their wages. Do not show favoritism to either the rich or the poor, but judge fairly, based on the truth, not on social status.
These rules seem obvious to us, but as history and current events have shown, they are much easier to follow in theory than in practice. And yet beyond these civic rules, the basis of any good society, the Lord adds an extra dimension: not only are His people to be righteous in behavior, but in attitude as well: do not hate your brother in your heart, do not bear grudges, do not seek revenge. Love your neighbor as yourself, the Lord commands.
This is a difficult command for even the best-meaning person to follow, and time and time again throughout Israel’s history the Lord sent prophets to call His people back to this holy standard of living. And yet time and time again they fell into the practices condemned by God: defrauding the unwary, oppressing the poor and helpless, and selling justice for financial or political gain.
By Jesus’s time, the Pharisees had set themselves up as the ultimate authorities on right behavior and were obsessively focused on the most minute details that governed their everyday life, determined not to be swayed in their pursuit of a holy and righteous life. And yet Jesus repeatedly reminds them that their outward behavior is not the only standard by which they are being judged, but by their heart attitude as well. This was infuriating to them, as they took this as a rejection of not only their efforts but of the Law itself.
Our Lord, as He reminds them and us, did not come to reject the Law but to fulfill it. His life was lived perfectly, not just because of His adherence to every detail of right behavior, but because of His perfect attitude of love in fulfilling both aspects of the Law. When He criticized the Pharisees, it was not to belittle their good behavior and good deeds, but to show that without love, they were no better than the publicans and sinners that they so despised.
And then, just when it appeared that maybe, just maybe, with the proper attention to anger management and self-control and positive thinking, it might be possible to finally live that perfect life that God demanded, Jesus raises the bar even higher, making a demand that is humanly impossible without the help of His Holy Spirit: that we love our enemies and pray for them.
This was not meant to discourage His followers and make them despair, but to demonstrate the incredible love that God has for all of mankind, the righteous and the wicked alike. Our Lord does not excuse the evil that men do or gloss over the hurt and damage that is caused by evil deeds. He does not ask us to pretend that we have no enemies, or that they are not seeking to do us harm. Nor does He even tell us that by being kind to those that hate us, we may cause them to change their ways and repent. No, it is very simple: be merciful to them because God is merciful to us.
In the Psalm we see a man who has set his heart upon gaining wisdom and understanding of God and His holy law. He sees that he is surrounded by wickedness, but instead of despairing, he sees the ultimate futility of those who reject God in favor of fame and riches. Though they may accumulate wealth and goods at the expense of their fellow man, it is to no avail in the end, they will be like beasts that perish, their beautiful homes will be left behind as they waste away in the grave and they will never see the light of day again.
This somber realization should not only make us thankful to God for snatching us away from the grasp of death, but should awaken a sense of compassion for the lost and wicked, not based on a denial of their evil deeds, but on a sense of holy dread that if God had withheld His mercy from us, we too would be sheep destined for the slaughter, our eternal home the land of the dead.
As St. Peter reminds us, it is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and live. And as St. Paul tells us in today’s Epistle, the knowledge of Christ’s suffering and afflictions on our behalf should make us overflowing with love and thankfulness, even in the face of persecution and oppression. Then finally, joined to Christ and rooted in the faith of His saving grace, we can appear before God holy and perfect.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Psalm 49
Leviticus 19:1-18
Colossians 1:24-2:7
Luke 6:27-38
Sermon:
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:27-28
Throughout the Scripture readings for today, we see a strong theme of justice, of living rightly with our neighbors. In the passage from Leviticus we see God spelling out the details of the Law that was handed down at Mt. Sinai, the details that would make Israel a nation which would glorify the Lord by its righteous behavior.
In this passage we see that God truly knows the hearts of men and closes several of the loopholes through which fallen human nature would attempt to wiggle. The general principal is given: for example, do not steal. But then He gives specific rules for those situations which He knew some men would consider gray areas: do not defraud your neighbor, do not cheat your workers out of their wages. Do not show favoritism to either the rich or the poor, but judge fairly, based on the truth, not on social status.
These rules seem obvious to us, but as history and current events have shown, they are much easier to follow in theory than in practice. And yet beyond these civic rules, the basis of any good society, the Lord adds an extra dimension: not only are His people to be righteous in behavior, but in attitude as well: do not hate your brother in your heart, do not bear grudges, do not seek revenge. Love your neighbor as yourself, the Lord commands.
This is a difficult command for even the best-meaning person to follow, and time and time again throughout Israel’s history the Lord sent prophets to call His people back to this holy standard of living. And yet time and time again they fell into the practices condemned by God: defrauding the unwary, oppressing the poor and helpless, and selling justice for financial or political gain.
By Jesus’s time, the Pharisees had set themselves up as the ultimate authorities on right behavior and were obsessively focused on the most minute details that governed their everyday life, determined not to be swayed in their pursuit of a holy and righteous life. And yet Jesus repeatedly reminds them that their outward behavior is not the only standard by which they are being judged, but by their heart attitude as well. This was infuriating to them, as they took this as a rejection of not only their efforts but of the Law itself.
Our Lord, as He reminds them and us, did not come to reject the Law but to fulfill it. His life was lived perfectly, not just because of His adherence to every detail of right behavior, but because of His perfect attitude of love in fulfilling both aspects of the Law. When He criticized the Pharisees, it was not to belittle their good behavior and good deeds, but to show that without love, they were no better than the publicans and sinners that they so despised.
And then, just when it appeared that maybe, just maybe, with the proper attention to anger management and self-control and positive thinking, it might be possible to finally live that perfect life that God demanded, Jesus raises the bar even higher, making a demand that is humanly impossible without the help of His Holy Spirit: that we love our enemies and pray for them.
This was not meant to discourage His followers and make them despair, but to demonstrate the incredible love that God has for all of mankind, the righteous and the wicked alike. Our Lord does not excuse the evil that men do or gloss over the hurt and damage that is caused by evil deeds. He does not ask us to pretend that we have no enemies, or that they are not seeking to do us harm. Nor does He even tell us that by being kind to those that hate us, we may cause them to change their ways and repent. No, it is very simple: be merciful to them because God is merciful to us.
In the Psalm we see a man who has set his heart upon gaining wisdom and understanding of God and His holy law. He sees that he is surrounded by wickedness, but instead of despairing, he sees the ultimate futility of those who reject God in favor of fame and riches. Though they may accumulate wealth and goods at the expense of their fellow man, it is to no avail in the end, they will be like beasts that perish, their beautiful homes will be left behind as they waste away in the grave and they will never see the light of day again.
This somber realization should not only make us thankful to God for snatching us away from the grasp of death, but should awaken a sense of compassion for the lost and wicked, not based on a denial of their evil deeds, but on a sense of holy dread that if God had withheld His mercy from us, we too would be sheep destined for the slaughter, our eternal home the land of the dead.
As St. Peter reminds us, it is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and live. And as St. Paul tells us in today’s Epistle, the knowledge of Christ’s suffering and afflictions on our behalf should make us overflowing with love and thankfulness, even in the face of persecution and oppression. Then finally, joined to Christ and rooted in the faith of His saving grace, we can appear before God holy and perfect.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
