Homily Summary
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Genesis 1: 1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19: 1-7 Mark 1: 4-11
Today is a red letter day for me. A red letter day is a special day that stands out from others, and today is a red letter day because what I share with you has been inspired by today’s psalm. I must honestly say that the psalms do not particularly inspire me, but this one did. Psalm 29 became an inspiration to me because of the scripture translation from a bible called The Message. The typical version often read at services is from the Revised Common Lectionary. This version states, “The Lord shall give strength to his people; the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace”. The version from The Message says, “God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace”. The version from The Message caught my attention, the translation from the Revised Common Lectionary did not.
The obvious question is to ask,”Why?” The answer is this,”In this time of COVID 19 we have become strong because of God”. As a community we have continued to gather under the guidelines of the province, and we continue to do the work of the parish, which in part, is to help and to support others as we best can, and this mandate as helped to made us strong. God has made us strong because he calls us to gather together, and for us to work together for the betterment of all. In its few short words the translation from The Message spoke all of this to me, the other translation simply did not even come close to inspiring me.
On Sunday, at the front of the church I made a display of a pair winter boots with their laces tied up. I also had on display a collection of mitts, gloves, hats, and scarfs that members collected in the month of December to distribute to our schools for the youth who find themselves without these items. The mitts are a visible reminder of how we care for our neighbours, and how we serve our communities. The boots are a reminder that despite COVID and whatever else lies ahead of us in our future, it is time to tighten up the laces and to pull ourselves up by our boot straps to meet the challenges that lie ahead of us. One of those challenges that I identified, is the elephant in the room, it is the diminishing funds that are available from our financial investments, and we are using up the principal from these investments quickly as each year passes by.
The challenges that we face ahead will likely demand that we shift and adapt in our familiar ways of operating. I know that peace and tranquilly are not the typical responses in times of distress, but I take encouragement from Psalm 29 and this Sunday’s old testament reading from Genesis that God, the creator of this world, is also in charge our world and it is this kind of knowledge which brings me peace. Therefore, “God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace”.
Amen
Homily Summary
January 3, 2021
Isaiah 60: 1-6 Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14 Ephesians 3: 1-12 Matthew 2: 1-12
Today we celebrate Epiphany Sunday, the coming of the Wise Men and of the onerous insight that the Messiah has arrived in the form of a baby. The wise men had an epiphany, a moment of pure clarity, what was revealed to them shone as brightly as the star they had followed.
Much of what I share today is inspired by the insights of Paul recorded in his message to the Ephesians. His message is another moment of epiphany. In his letter Paul is sharing personal details about himself. He declares that what he preaches and what he writes about is way over his head, and without God’s help he could not being to comprehend what it is that preaches and writes about. Paul is sharing with us what he knows; that he Paul is to a bridge of insight and knowledge between the believers and non believers. Those who are considered to be the insiders (known as Paul’s fellow Jews, the people of the nation of Israel and who know about the coming of the Messiah), and those who are the outsiders (the rest of the world, known as the Gentiles, those who have heard nothing about the gospel of Jesus). Paul is to share with both sides the revealed messages of Christ. What Paul shares has been recorded in New Testament scriptures such as Ephesians. He also reveals the insight he has gained from personal experiences with us.
Scripture reveals to us the most wondrous, amazing and awesome truths. Scripture can also at times be confusing as it totally challenges us to look deeper into its meaning. We are encouraged to seek like the wise men searched. They eventually found their way to the Christ child, who is the one true God. Let us eventually discover the truths of scriptures as we search for the truths of God.
I will not criticize the paths that others take to understand the one true God. Many denominations and religious faiths exist that proclaim they have discovered and have found their way to understanding the one true God. What I share with you is what I have discovered in my moments of clarity (epiphany) about God, and of how I have came to understand God through my faith in Christ as God’s only Son, the one true God. I can testify that I believe myself to be a better person because of my faith in Jesus as God’s Son. Personally, I think there are many, many good people who are a force for good and they do not share the same faith that I have in Jesus. These good people make the world a better place, just as I am called by Jesus to make the world a better place. Good people exist all around us and they are what Paul would call outsiders. Here is the flip side of what I have just said, even though non Christians make the world a better place I do strongly believe that it is only faith in Christ, those who are Christians, believers in one God, who can work toward righting the world and work toward keeping it from increasing the terrible tilt it has achieved. When others reject the God, or are not even aware of God, they have essentially ignored and walked away from the centre of the world as we as Christians have come to know it. There is too much that is wrong, and much of what is wrong I think, is because God’s people have left God out of their lives and out of their decision making, that regardless of how much good is achieved, there will not be perfection until God is included. They have not allowed Jesus to act as the bridge that connects them with God. We can do all the good we want in our communities to make them a better place, but our communities can only be totally right with the world in all ways, when God is included. Amen.
Homily
December 13, 2020
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8,19-28
This weeks gospel passage is very similar to last weeks. Therefore I struggled to find yet another way to present the message of John the Baptist proclaiming the arrival of Jesus. My scripture translation, from the version of The Message Bible, read like this,
There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
I became intrigued with the words, “He came to show everyone where to look”, and this made me think of John’s task to prepare us for the coming of Christ. At this time of the year many of us are “preparing” for the “coming” of Christmas. We look forward to Christmas every year and we wait for its coming. So, I ask these three questions.
- What are we looking at as we wait?
We are likely looking at our calendars and waiting for such events as Christmas concerts, tree lighting ceremonies, and for the baby Jesus of Bethlehem to arrive. We must stop waiting for baby Jesus to arrive because he has already been born and he has already arrived!
- What are looking for as we wait?
The arrival of the joy and excitement that we feel. Are we looking for these emotions to arrive, or are we waiting for that incredible sense of peace and assurance. The feelings of gift giving create a feeling that is on the surface. Gifts do not create the deep sense of Christmas which we feel and yearn for. The true feeling of Christmas that we feel from time to time, that which we catch a glimpse of every now and then which instills a feeling of Christmas is a response of peace and assurance. You will know what I am speaking of if you can recall those moments that come after the conclusion of our Christmas Eve services. Everyone leaves the church feeling full of peace, and we return to our homes assured that all is well. The true feeling of Christmas becomes a brief moment of experiencing what heaven will be like, I believe.
- What do we see?
It is possible we see Nativity panels and we will witness live nativity plays, but the real essence of Jesus amongst us at Christmas is the help we offer as a community to those who are struggling in times of economic distress. The support that we can offer to those living isolated lives because of COVID 19 which can be eased through a phone call, a card, or by remembering those who are alone. The actions we take to combat negativity as we speak out against those who bully. In these times we are acting on Jesus behalf and we recognize his presence among us.
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The message for the congregation of Thessalonia is also helpful in showing us what to look for. The people of Thessalonica were living in the first century and they were waiting for Jesus to arrive. They were waiting for his coming, and you can compare their waiting, to the waiting we experience at Christmas. We await the messiah’s arrival just as they waited for his return. Paul shared two basic things with them that they needed to do while they waited, which we also can likewise do. 1.) Firstly, they were to be prepared. Paul instructed them how to be prepared by:
a.) Always be rejoicing, to be filled with joy. Joy is infectious and it is like a muscle in our body it must be exercised for it to be useful.
b.) Always be praying. To be continually in prayer is impossible, but Paul was likely advising them to stay connected with God, just like an electrical current that has been looped and comes back to its beginning, throughout our day let us stay connected, looping back to God frequently throughout our day.
c.) Always be thankful. We possess many things, but let us not be fooled by arrogance. We do not own one thing on this earth, or have the right to possess much of anything. The oceans, the mountains, the galaxies, the material things of life which have been extracted from what has been created, are not ours. Paul’s advice is that we are to be thankful for what has been given to us.
To be joy filled, to be in a state of prayer, and to be thankful are actions that describe an act of “being”. Being thankful, being joy filled, being in prayer, are moments in time.
2.) The second basic thing that Paul shared with the people of Thessalonia is that they were to receive the Spirit and that they were never to dampen the influence of the Holy Spirit. To receive the Spirit is to literally receive the breath of life, to receive the Spirit releases vitality and the Holy Spirit will provide the energy that we need for us to keep trying. To receive the Spirit means that will have the courage to adapt to, or to make changes to what must be done. To interject newness is an effective method of transformation endowed by the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist described a social movement, a movement in time that has initiated transformation because the baptism of Jesus released the Holy Spirit. So, when we look for Christmas, what we are looking at, and what are we are looking for? What we see is transformation. Transformation is deeply imbedded into all of our Christmas thoughts and in what we celebrate. Take Scrooge as one example, he was transformed from being a miserly and mean man into someone who was known for his joy and his thankfulness, he became a transformed man.
Christmas Day will come and we will celebrate on that day like no other day in the year, but dare I say that the coming of Christ is yet to be, and a great celebration of Christmas yet to come. As a disciple of Jesus we know there is another Christmas Day yet to come when he arrives upon his return. When this happens may we be found looking, and found waiting in anticipation. Amen.
Homily Dec 2, 2020
This passage from Mark is a very popular piece of scripture. It is used several times throughout the year and it has a a special place as one of the four Advent readings we hear each year. Why? The answer is, “Because of the message it offer us”.
The story for today begins with John the Baptist in the wilderness, but the beginning of this story goes way back, back to the prophets during the time of Malachi. It shines a light on God’s purpose and of God’s intentions. It explains that in almost everything that is set into action by God there is a beginning, and there is to be an ending. This may be hard for us to discern, if we cannot fully see God’s design in action it is hard for us to accept.
If we cannot see the design, or understand the plan it does not mean that we do not have our own part to play in what God intends. Because the plans of God unfold over centuries we often miss what our role is because we can’t see the bigger design, or we become impatient and we want God’s plan to happen now, but apparently this is not how God work’s.
Poem
“In youth, because I could not be a singer,
I did not even try to write a song;
I set no little trees along the roadside,
Because I knew their growth would take so long.
But now from wisdom the years have brought me,
I know that it may be a blessed thing
To plant a tree for someone else to water,
Or make a song for someone else to sing.”
~Unknown~
We are part of the plan that God has designed, as was John the Baptist. John did his part by proclaiming the coming of Jesus, and we are to do our part. We are like the threads of a tapestry, the back of the tapestry does not typically clearly show all of the design. Like a piece of tapestry Malachi had a role in the design of what God was unfolding, but he only knew in part the backside of the tapestry, the part that he could was the role that he fulfilled, the full picture was yet to be completed by others, who also were like the threads of the tapestry.
The story of John the Baptist begins with Malachi. In Malachi’s day the priests were failing, the offerings were blemished, and they offered shoddy and their efforts toward worship were second best, they had grown weary of their duty. God speaks through Malachi and tells Malachi that he is going to send a messenger to clear the way for the arrival of God’s Son. The messenger turned out to be John the Baptist and he prepared God’s nation for the coming of Jesus and he told them that when the promised one arrived a cleansing and a purifying of God’s people would happen.
When the holy people of the past arrived in a community often there appeared to be a change for the good. The message of how Jesus can be an active agent of change acts like a filter, the spoken word is a cleanser. Like water, the act of Jesus in our presence can be an agent of purifying and cleansing.
Jesus’ fellow Jews were very familiar with the ritual of washing as a symbolic washing, and purifying of a person. It was a common practise. If you were not a Jew, it was automatically understood you were unclean because you had never followed any of the Judaic laws. If a Gentile desired to convert to Judaism they needed to complete three requirements. They needed to be made identifiable, sacrifice must be made, and undergo cleansing by baptism.
1.) As a male, be circumcised. This is a mark of a covenanted people.
2.) A sacrifice was to made as an act of atonement, only blood could atone for sin
3.) Be baptized, a symbol of cleansing from the pollution of a past life
Jews were aware of baptism, it was not something new to them, what was new to them was John the Baptist’s expectation they submit to that which only a Gentile was expected to submit to. John was telling that they could no longer rely upon their racial inheritance to be right with God, they needed to submit to the cleansing of a full baptism.
Baptism was also to be accompanied with confession. John the Baptist identified confession as a way of repenting. There are three steps to confession.
1.) First to admit our sins to ourselves, one of the hardest things to do, to humble ones self and to admit to the need to turn ones life around is extremely difficult. The story of the prodigal son is a fine example of how this happens.
2.) Next, confess to those to whom you have wronged. This is likely the hardest of the three steps of confession.
3.) Confess to God, the expression, “God be merciful to me a sinner”, and our General Confession in our prayer books are two ways to express this.
With these elements of cleansing and purifying and the act of confession John became immensely popular. He was charismatic and people travelled out into the wilderness to listen to him and to submit to his baptism. Let’s ask this question, “What was it about John that made people sit up and take notice and to listen to him”?
Where he lived, what he wore, and what he ate all had something to do with it.
These three things were symbolic of the man, the people recognized that he was a man who lived his message.. . .
HIS MESSAGE WAS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE HE TOLD THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY KNEW IN THEIR HEARTS TO BE TRUE.
He confronted the people and they knew in their heart of the hearts that his message was true and they had a decision to make. The people were fully aware that the time of prophecy was now three hundred years past and in now in their midst was prophet. A humble man who pointed to something beyond himself, and to someone other than himself. He pointed to Jesus. John’s baptism would drench them in water, but Jesus baptism would drench them in the Holy Spirit. Water can clean the body, the Holy Spirit can clean the self, clean your heart and your life and become purified and cleaned from the inside.
John’s aim was not to occupy the centre stage but to try to connect us to the one who is greater and stronger than he. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan of reconnecting us to God. God’s plan began when Adam and Eve when they were removed from God’s presence, the beginning of John the Baptist’s involvement began with Malachi, a baptism of the Holy Spirit began with Jesus. There is still an ending to come to God’s plan and our part in God’s plan until he returns is to become messengers like John the Baptist, we are to prepare the way fo the Lord in whatever ways we can, even though we don’t know the full plan, or know when it will exactly end, but we do have a part to fulfill. Amen.
November 29, 2020
Homily Summary Matthew 13: 24-37
Today I share with you what I believe to be one of the most important homilies that I have ever delivered. There is so much to say on the topic, and not enough time to share all that I wish to explain.
Today’s gospel message is filled with symbols that represent many things, the day of last things, the return of Jesus, the restoration of Israel, and so much more. It is very difficult for us to understand the prophetic language that Jesus used and it is just as hard with our scientific minds and our ability to use reason to imagine that Jesus return will be a cosmic event that involve the stars and the trembling earth, etc., etc. I don’t have a hard time in the belief that such an event is going to happen, what I do struggle with is the interpretation that this is “exactly” how Jesus return will unfold, and I am not the only one who thinks this way. Many, many people who are not disciples of Jesus think that we are just plum crazy and delusional if we the literal translation as accurate.
Here is the problem as I see it. Many of us grew up in time that we call the modern age. The modern age is heavily based upon the evidence of truth. The values too the modern age are pretty much black or white, which means that you and I likely have very defined ideas about how others should behave. We grew up in an economy stimulated by industry and commerce. We believe that if you want to get ahead in the world you can do it by pulling up your boot straps, and as we experienced it, to be a volunteer was the community thing to do. Let me make this clear:
WE DO NOT LIVE IN THE MODERN ERA ANYMORE!
Somewhere between the 1960’s and 2021 the post modern era took over. Post modern people have a belief that what is right for me may not be right for you, but that doesn’t make me wrong in what I believe, and it means that I do have to adhere to the same values that you do. In fact post modern people can see where the grey areas are in the black and white and they can easily live in the grey areas. They are not going to tell us how to behave and vice versa they are not going to behave the way we want them to. The chief generator of the post modern economy is the microchip, not industry. Post modern people live lives that are more and more isolated from others, but full of sharing Facebook posts and google searching, and it is hard to find the among the postmodern’s the volunteer spirit that calls out to do for the good of community amongst them. Everything is pretty much open for interpretations that suit the individual, not society. The one thing that has been carried forward into the post modern age is the logic and reason of science, and this is why some people look at us like we have gone past our expiration date when they know we faithfully attend church services.
We have done a poor job in letting people know that such stories as the creation of the world in seven days is a story that helped ancient civilizations to understand God, and how to understand the world around them. I don’t have to believe in a world that was created in seven days to believe in God, or to place my trust in Christ, in and my belief that Jesus is God’s own son. Can I explain with clarity how Jesus and God are one, that one is known as God the Father and the other is God the Son? No I can’t. Do I believe this is true, yes I do, because the evidence that God is real and that God’s presence works in my life through Jesus and through others is evident to me in what I witness.
Therefore don’t be intimidated by thongs that cannot be easily explained, or the option of others. In this post modern era my beef is as valid as there’s.
have so much more to say on this gospel passage and this message, but time does not allow me the opportunity in this letter. Looking forward to when you can return to church and enjoy the fellowship of the congregation and we can enjoy yours. Amen
November 22, 2020
Sermon Homily
Matthew 25:31-46
This Sunday marks the end of the church calendar year and next week the beginning of the new church year. This Sunday is called Reign of Christ Sunday to celebrate the culmination of a year of worship and to acknowledge that Christ is at the centre of the created world and he is King.
Today can be a day to look back and to “Receive our Report Card”; to have an accounting of what we have done.
The Prophet Ezekiel, who was exiled in Babylon wrote an account of how God was displeased with the shepherds of his people. They had been poor shepherds of God’s people and God spoke saying, “I will care for my sheep, for I am the true shepherd of my people”. Ezekiel records that God will lead his people back to Jerusalem and when this is done God’s people will live in peace, they will enjoy abundance, those who are lost will be found, and the people will be restored in their relationship with God. I have always found chapter 34 inspiring. When I was discerning my call to ministry, I would read this passage and say to myself, “I do not want to be a useless shepherd. I want to do what I can do; I do not want to be a disappointment to my God”.
Our psalm expresses thanksgiving and praise and also contains a reference to sheep. We are compared to sheep many times in scripture likely because we are followers and we appear to need careful attention paid to us, so as to keep us out of harms way, or from doing harm to ourselves.
St. Paul is the author of the Book of Ephesians. His opening comment is that he is ever so pleased with the people of Ephesus because of their outpouring of love for others. This passage pairs nicely with what Jesus spoke about in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus clearly states that he wants us to care for those who are thirsty, to feed the hungry, provide shelter for those who are in need of rest, to clothe those who need clothes, care for the sick, and visit the outcasts. He points out that when we fail to see, or to help those in need, we have actually refused to see him. In times of distress and pain we should be able to see where we can help and in seeing where we can help we, we are seeing and doing what Jesus would do if he were here among us. He asks us not to fail and to step in on his behalf.
So, have we passed or failed in the past year to see Jesus and to help. I give us a strong B on our report card. I know that prior to my coming the parish has done wonderful things to care for those in need, but since my arrival in 2017 I will base our report card on the help we have provided since them. Presently our Welcome Table program helps to supplement the needs of those who use the Food Bank. We are also supporters of the Food Bank with weekly contributions of food stuffs. Our help to assist the Alzheimer Society with our Coffee Hour Fundraiser has been an added addition to our efforts. The Nicodemus fund continues to provide emergency assistance for shelter, prescriptions, food and other needed services and items. Our efforts to make St’ Luke’s as accessible as possible to those with ability issues has seen improvements in our sound system with its hearing loop and improved lighting. Just this past month we received government support to install automatic door openers for those with ability impediments. The special Xmas gifts to children and the school mitten program are valued community initiatives and of course, let us not forget our financial support of the Primates Relief and Development Fund. Yes, we deserve a day of congratulations, but let us not feel so good about what we have done that we loose sight of the fact that there is so much more that we can do to help.
Therefore, I follow what St. Paul wrote in Ephesians footstep that we will discern wisely what we are called to do and that we will make intelligent decisions, and of most importance that we will embrace the immensity of God and be followers of His way of life.
Amen
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Genesis 1: 1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19: 1-7 Mark 1: 4-11
Today is a red letter day for me. A red letter day is a special day that stands out from others, and today is a red letter day because what I share with you has been inspired by today’s psalm. I must honestly say that the psalms do not particularly inspire me, but this one did. Psalm 29 became an inspiration to me because of the scripture translation from a bible called The Message. The typical version often read at services is from the Revised Common Lectionary. This version states, “The Lord shall give strength to his people; the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace”. The version from The Message says, “God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace”. The version from The Message caught my attention, the translation from the Revised Common Lectionary did not.
The obvious question is to ask,”Why?” The answer is this,”In this time of COVID 19 we have become strong because of God”. As a community we have continued to gather under the guidelines of the province, and we continue to do the work of the parish, which in part, is to help and to support others as we best can, and this mandate as helped to made us strong. God has made us strong because he calls us to gather together, and for us to work together for the betterment of all. In its few short words the translation from The Message spoke all of this to me, the other translation simply did not even come close to inspiring me.
On Sunday, at the front of the church I made a display of a pair winter boots with their laces tied up. I also had on display a collection of mitts, gloves, hats, and scarfs that members collected in the month of December to distribute to our schools for the youth who find themselves without these items. The mitts are a visible reminder of how we care for our neighbours, and how we serve our communities. The boots are a reminder that despite COVID and whatever else lies ahead of us in our future, it is time to tighten up the laces and to pull ourselves up by our boot straps to meet the challenges that lie ahead of us. One of those challenges that I identified, is the elephant in the room, it is the diminishing funds that are available from our financial investments, and we are using up the principal from these investments quickly as each year passes by.
The challenges that we face ahead will likely demand that we shift and adapt in our familiar ways of operating. I know that peace and tranquilly are not the typical responses in times of distress, but I take encouragement from Psalm 29 and this Sunday’s old testament reading from Genesis that God, the creator of this world, is also in charge our world and it is this kind of knowledge which brings me peace. Therefore, “God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace”.
Amen
Homily Summary
January 3, 2021
Isaiah 60: 1-6 Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14 Ephesians 3: 1-12 Matthew 2: 1-12
Today we celebrate Epiphany Sunday, the coming of the Wise Men and of the onerous insight that the Messiah has arrived in the form of a baby. The wise men had an epiphany, a moment of pure clarity, what was revealed to them shone as brightly as the star they had followed.
Much of what I share today is inspired by the insights of Paul recorded in his message to the Ephesians. His message is another moment of epiphany. In his letter Paul is sharing personal details about himself. He declares that what he preaches and what he writes about is way over his head, and without God’s help he could not being to comprehend what it is that preaches and writes about. Paul is sharing with us what he knows; that he Paul is to a bridge of insight and knowledge between the believers and non believers. Those who are considered to be the insiders (known as Paul’s fellow Jews, the people of the nation of Israel and who know about the coming of the Messiah), and those who are the outsiders (the rest of the world, known as the Gentiles, those who have heard nothing about the gospel of Jesus). Paul is to share with both sides the revealed messages of Christ. What Paul shares has been recorded in New Testament scriptures such as Ephesians. He also reveals the insight he has gained from personal experiences with us.
Scripture reveals to us the most wondrous, amazing and awesome truths. Scripture can also at times be confusing as it totally challenges us to look deeper into its meaning. We are encouraged to seek like the wise men searched. They eventually found their way to the Christ child, who is the one true God. Let us eventually discover the truths of scriptures as we search for the truths of God.
I will not criticize the paths that others take to understand the one true God. Many denominations and religious faiths exist that proclaim they have discovered and have found their way to understanding the one true God. What I share with you is what I have discovered in my moments of clarity (epiphany) about God, and of how I have came to understand God through my faith in Christ as God’s only Son, the one true God. I can testify that I believe myself to be a better person because of my faith in Jesus as God’s Son. Personally, I think there are many, many good people who are a force for good and they do not share the same faith that I have in Jesus. These good people make the world a better place, just as I am called by Jesus to make the world a better place. Good people exist all around us and they are what Paul would call outsiders. Here is the flip side of what I have just said, even though non Christians make the world a better place I do strongly believe that it is only faith in Christ, those who are Christians, believers in one God, who can work toward righting the world and work toward keeping it from increasing the terrible tilt it has achieved. When others reject the God, or are not even aware of God, they have essentially ignored and walked away from the centre of the world as we as Christians have come to know it. There is too much that is wrong, and much of what is wrong I think, is because God’s people have left God out of their lives and out of their decision making, that regardless of how much good is achieved, there will not be perfection until God is included. They have not allowed Jesus to act as the bridge that connects them with God. We can do all the good we want in our communities to make them a better place, but our communities can only be totally right with the world in all ways, when God is included. Amen.
Homily
December 13, 2020
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8,19-28
This weeks gospel passage is very similar to last weeks. Therefore I struggled to find yet another way to present the message of John the Baptist proclaiming the arrival of Jesus. My scripture translation, from the version of The Message Bible, read like this,
There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
I became intrigued with the words, “He came to show everyone where to look”, and this made me think of John’s task to prepare us for the coming of Christ. At this time of the year many of us are “preparing” for the “coming” of Christmas. We look forward to Christmas every year and we wait for its coming. So, I ask these three questions.
- What are we looking at as we wait?
We are likely looking at our calendars and waiting for such events as Christmas concerts, tree lighting ceremonies, and for the baby Jesus of Bethlehem to arrive. We must stop waiting for baby Jesus to arrive because he has already been born and he has already arrived!
- What are looking for as we wait?
The arrival of the joy and excitement that we feel. Are we looking for these emotions to arrive, or are we waiting for that incredible sense of peace and assurance. The feelings of gift giving create a feeling that is on the surface. Gifts do not create the deep sense of Christmas which we feel and yearn for. The true feeling of Christmas that we feel from time to time, that which we catch a glimpse of every now and then which instills a feeling of Christmas is a response of peace and assurance. You will know what I am speaking of if you can recall those moments that come after the conclusion of our Christmas Eve services. Everyone leaves the church feeling full of peace, and we return to our homes assured that all is well. The true feeling of Christmas becomes a brief moment of experiencing what heaven will be like, I believe.
- What do we see?
It is possible we see Nativity panels and we will witness live nativity plays, but the real essence of Jesus amongst us at Christmas is the help we offer as a community to those who are struggling in times of economic distress. The support that we can offer to those living isolated lives because of COVID 19 which can be eased through a phone call, a card, or by remembering those who are alone. The actions we take to combat negativity as we speak out against those who bully. In these times we are acting on Jesus behalf and we recognize his presence among us.
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The message for the congregation of Thessalonia is also helpful in showing us what to look for. The people of Thessalonica were living in the first century and they were waiting for Jesus to arrive. They were waiting for his coming, and you can compare their waiting, to the waiting we experience at Christmas. We await the messiah’s arrival just as they waited for his return. Paul shared two basic things with them that they needed to do while they waited, which we also can likewise do. 1.) Firstly, they were to be prepared. Paul instructed them how to be prepared by:
a.) Always be rejoicing, to be filled with joy. Joy is infectious and it is like a muscle in our body it must be exercised for it to be useful.
b.) Always be praying. To be continually in prayer is impossible, but Paul was likely advising them to stay connected with God, just like an electrical current that has been looped and comes back to its beginning, throughout our day let us stay connected, looping back to God frequently throughout our day.
c.) Always be thankful. We possess many things, but let us not be fooled by arrogance. We do not own one thing on this earth, or have the right to possess much of anything. The oceans, the mountains, the galaxies, the material things of life which have been extracted from what has been created, are not ours. Paul’s advice is that we are to be thankful for what has been given to us.
To be joy filled, to be in a state of prayer, and to be thankful are actions that describe an act of “being”. Being thankful, being joy filled, being in prayer, are moments in time.
2.) The second basic thing that Paul shared with the people of Thessalonia is that they were to receive the Spirit and that they were never to dampen the influence of the Holy Spirit. To receive the Spirit is to literally receive the breath of life, to receive the Spirit releases vitality and the Holy Spirit will provide the energy that we need for us to keep trying. To receive the Spirit means that will have the courage to adapt to, or to make changes to what must be done. To interject newness is an effective method of transformation endowed by the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist described a social movement, a movement in time that has initiated transformation because the baptism of Jesus released the Holy Spirit. So, when we look for Christmas, what we are looking at, and what are we are looking for? What we see is transformation. Transformation is deeply imbedded into all of our Christmas thoughts and in what we celebrate. Take Scrooge as one example, he was transformed from being a miserly and mean man into someone who was known for his joy and his thankfulness, he became a transformed man.
Christmas Day will come and we will celebrate on that day like no other day in the year, but dare I say that the coming of Christ is yet to be, and a great celebration of Christmas yet to come. As a disciple of Jesus we know there is another Christmas Day yet to come when he arrives upon his return. When this happens may we be found looking, and found waiting in anticipation. Amen.
Homily Dec 2, 2020
This passage from Mark is a very popular piece of scripture. It is used several times throughout the year and it has a a special place as one of the four Advent readings we hear each year. Why? The answer is, “Because of the message it offer us”.
The story for today begins with John the Baptist in the wilderness, but the beginning of this story goes way back, back to the prophets during the time of Malachi. It shines a light on God’s purpose and of God’s intentions. It explains that in almost everything that is set into action by God there is a beginning, and there is to be an ending. This may be hard for us to discern, if we cannot fully see God’s design in action it is hard for us to accept.
If we cannot see the design, or understand the plan it does not mean that we do not have our own part to play in what God intends. Because the plans of God unfold over centuries we often miss what our role is because we can’t see the bigger design, or we become impatient and we want God’s plan to happen now, but apparently this is not how God work’s.
Poem
“In youth, because I could not be a singer,
I did not even try to write a song;
I set no little trees along the roadside,
Because I knew their growth would take so long.
But now from wisdom the years have brought me,
I know that it may be a blessed thing
To plant a tree for someone else to water,
Or make a song for someone else to sing.”
~Unknown~
We are part of the plan that God has designed, as was John the Baptist. John did his part by proclaiming the coming of Jesus, and we are to do our part. We are like the threads of a tapestry, the back of the tapestry does not typically clearly show all of the design. Like a piece of tapestry Malachi had a role in the design of what God was unfolding, but he only knew in part the backside of the tapestry, the part that he could was the role that he fulfilled, the full picture was yet to be completed by others, who also were like the threads of the tapestry.
The story of John the Baptist begins with Malachi. In Malachi’s day the priests were failing, the offerings were blemished, and they offered shoddy and their efforts toward worship were second best, they had grown weary of their duty. God speaks through Malachi and tells Malachi that he is going to send a messenger to clear the way for the arrival of God’s Son. The messenger turned out to be John the Baptist and he prepared God’s nation for the coming of Jesus and he told them that when the promised one arrived a cleansing and a purifying of God’s people would happen.
When the holy people of the past arrived in a community often there appeared to be a change for the good. The message of how Jesus can be an active agent of change acts like a filter, the spoken word is a cleanser. Like water, the act of Jesus in our presence can be an agent of purifying and cleansing.
Jesus’ fellow Jews were very familiar with the ritual of washing as a symbolic washing, and purifying of a person. It was a common practise. If you were not a Jew, it was automatically understood you were unclean because you had never followed any of the Judaic laws. If a Gentile desired to convert to Judaism they needed to complete three requirements. They needed to be made identifiable, sacrifice must be made, and undergo cleansing by baptism.
1.) As a male, be circumcised. This is a mark of a covenanted people.
2.) A sacrifice was to made as an act of atonement, only blood could atone for sin
3.) Be baptized, a symbol of cleansing from the pollution of a past life
Jews were aware of baptism, it was not something new to them, what was new to them was John the Baptist’s expectation they submit to that which only a Gentile was expected to submit to. John was telling that they could no longer rely upon their racial inheritance to be right with God, they needed to submit to the cleansing of a full baptism.
Baptism was also to be accompanied with confession. John the Baptist identified confession as a way of repenting. There are three steps to confession.
1.) First to admit our sins to ourselves, one of the hardest things to do, to humble ones self and to admit to the need to turn ones life around is extremely difficult. The story of the prodigal son is a fine example of how this happens.
2.) Next, confess to those to whom you have wronged. This is likely the hardest of the three steps of confession.
3.) Confess to God, the expression, “God be merciful to me a sinner”, and our General Confession in our prayer books are two ways to express this.
With these elements of cleansing and purifying and the act of confession John became immensely popular. He was charismatic and people travelled out into the wilderness to listen to him and to submit to his baptism. Let’s ask this question, “What was it about John that made people sit up and take notice and to listen to him”?
Where he lived, what he wore, and what he ate all had something to do with it.
These three things were symbolic of the man, the people recognized that he was a man who lived his message.. . .
HIS MESSAGE WAS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE HE TOLD THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY KNEW IN THEIR HEARTS TO BE TRUE.
He confronted the people and they knew in their heart of the hearts that his message was true and they had a decision to make. The people were fully aware that the time of prophecy was now three hundred years past and in now in their midst was prophet. A humble man who pointed to something beyond himself, and to someone other than himself. He pointed to Jesus. John’s baptism would drench them in water, but Jesus baptism would drench them in the Holy Spirit. Water can clean the body, the Holy Spirit can clean the self, clean your heart and your life and become purified and cleaned from the inside.
John’s aim was not to occupy the centre stage but to try to connect us to the one who is greater and stronger than he. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan of reconnecting us to God. God’s plan began when Adam and Eve when they were removed from God’s presence, the beginning of John the Baptist’s involvement began with Malachi, a baptism of the Holy Spirit began with Jesus. There is still an ending to come to God’s plan and our part in God’s plan until he returns is to become messengers like John the Baptist, we are to prepare the way fo the Lord in whatever ways we can, even though we don’t know the full plan, or know when it will exactly end, but we do have a part to fulfill. Amen.
November 29, 2020
Homily Summary Matthew 13: 24-37
Today I share with you what I believe to be one of the most important homilies that I have ever delivered. There is so much to say on the topic, and not enough time to share all that I wish to explain.
Today’s gospel message is filled with symbols that represent many things, the day of last things, the return of Jesus, the restoration of Israel, and so much more. It is very difficult for us to understand the prophetic language that Jesus used and it is just as hard with our scientific minds and our ability to use reason to imagine that Jesus return will be a cosmic event that involve the stars and the trembling earth, etc., etc. I don’t have a hard time in the belief that such an event is going to happen, what I do struggle with is the interpretation that this is “exactly” how Jesus return will unfold, and I am not the only one who thinks this way. Many, many people who are not disciples of Jesus think that we are just plum crazy and delusional if we the literal translation as accurate.
Here is the problem as I see it. Many of us grew up in time that we call the modern age. The modern age is heavily based upon the evidence of truth. The values too the modern age are pretty much black or white, which means that you and I likely have very defined ideas about how others should behave. We grew up in an economy stimulated by industry and commerce. We believe that if you want to get ahead in the world you can do it by pulling up your boot straps, and as we experienced it, to be a volunteer was the community thing to do. Let me make this clear:
WE DO NOT LIVE IN THE MODERN ERA ANYMORE!
Somewhere between the 1960’s and 2021 the post modern era took over. Post modern people have a belief that what is right for me may not be right for you, but that doesn’t make me wrong in what I believe, and it means that I do have to adhere to the same values that you do. In fact post modern people can see where the grey areas are in the black and white and they can easily live in the grey areas. They are not going to tell us how to behave and vice versa they are not going to behave the way we want them to. The chief generator of the post modern economy is the microchip, not industry. Post modern people live lives that are more and more isolated from others, but full of sharing Facebook posts and google searching, and it is hard to find the among the postmodern’s the volunteer spirit that calls out to do for the good of community amongst them. Everything is pretty much open for interpretations that suit the individual, not society. The one thing that has been carried forward into the post modern age is the logic and reason of science, and this is why some people look at us like we have gone past our expiration date when they know we faithfully attend church services.
We have done a poor job in letting people know that such stories as the creation of the world in seven days is a story that helped ancient civilizations to understand God, and how to understand the world around them. I don’t have to believe in a world that was created in seven days to believe in God, or to place my trust in Christ, in and my belief that Jesus is God’s own son. Can I explain with clarity how Jesus and God are one, that one is known as God the Father and the other is God the Son? No I can’t. Do I believe this is true, yes I do, because the evidence that God is real and that God’s presence works in my life through Jesus and through others is evident to me in what I witness.
Therefore don’t be intimidated by thongs that cannot be easily explained, or the option of others. In this post modern era my beef is as valid as there’s.
have so much more to say on this gospel passage and this message, but time does not allow me the opportunity in this letter. Looking forward to when you can return to church and enjoy the fellowship of the congregation and we can enjoy yours. Amen
November 22, 2020
Sermon Homily
Matthew 25:31-46
This Sunday marks the end of the church calendar year and next week the beginning of the new church year. This Sunday is called Reign of Christ Sunday to celebrate the culmination of a year of worship and to acknowledge that Christ is at the centre of the created world and he is King.
Today can be a day to look back and to “Receive our Report Card”; to have an accounting of what we have done.
The Prophet Ezekiel, who was exiled in Babylon wrote an account of how God was displeased with the shepherds of his people. They had been poor shepherds of God’s people and God spoke saying, “I will care for my sheep, for I am the true shepherd of my people”. Ezekiel records that God will lead his people back to Jerusalem and when this is done God’s people will live in peace, they will enjoy abundance, those who are lost will be found, and the people will be restored in their relationship with God. I have always found chapter 34 inspiring. When I was discerning my call to ministry, I would read this passage and say to myself, “I do not want to be a useless shepherd. I want to do what I can do; I do not want to be a disappointment to my God”.
Our psalm expresses thanksgiving and praise and also contains a reference to sheep. We are compared to sheep many times in scripture likely because we are followers and we appear to need careful attention paid to us, so as to keep us out of harms way, or from doing harm to ourselves.
St. Paul is the author of the Book of Ephesians. His opening comment is that he is ever so pleased with the people of Ephesus because of their outpouring of love for others. This passage pairs nicely with what Jesus spoke about in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus clearly states that he wants us to care for those who are thirsty, to feed the hungry, provide shelter for those who are in need of rest, to clothe those who need clothes, care for the sick, and visit the outcasts. He points out that when we fail to see, or to help those in need, we have actually refused to see him. In times of distress and pain we should be able to see where we can help and in seeing where we can help we, we are seeing and doing what Jesus would do if he were here among us. He asks us not to fail and to step in on his behalf.
So, have we passed or failed in the past year to see Jesus and to help. I give us a strong B on our report card. I know that prior to my coming the parish has done wonderful things to care for those in need, but since my arrival in 2017 I will base our report card on the help we have provided since them. Presently our Welcome Table program helps to supplement the needs of those who use the Food Bank. We are also supporters of the Food Bank with weekly contributions of food stuffs. Our help to assist the Alzheimer Society with our Coffee Hour Fundraiser has been an added addition to our efforts. The Nicodemus fund continues to provide emergency assistance for shelter, prescriptions, food and other needed services and items. Our efforts to make St’ Luke’s as accessible as possible to those with ability issues has seen improvements in our sound system with its hearing loop and improved lighting. Just this past month we received government support to install automatic door openers for those with ability impediments. The special Xmas gifts to children and the school mitten program are valued community initiatives and of course, let us not forget our financial support of the Primates Relief and Development Fund. Yes, we deserve a day of congratulations, but let us not feel so good about what we have done that we loose sight of the fact that there is so much more that we can do to help.
Therefore, I follow what St. Paul wrote in Ephesians footstep that we will discern wisely what we are called to do and that we will make intelligent decisions, and of most importance that we will embrace the immensity of God and be followers of His way of life.
Amen
