Preached at Calvary Episcopal Church, Stonington, CT, while I was serving a summer internship. I have learned much at Calvary Church and it was great to have the opportunity to preach there.
Throughout this past week I have been reading and reflecting on the scripture lessons as I prepared to preach today. These particular lessons have some difficult words to hear, I think, but words that enlighten us to an understanding of discipleship. Not just any discipleship, but Christian discipleship. And not just any Christian discipleship, either, but Christian discipleship in community. For me, these words are timely indeed, as I have recently joined the community of Calvary Church, the community of Stonington and its surrounding area. I think, perhaps, these words are timely for all of us as we enter the summer season on the CT shore and we experience a time when our habits can change, our community can change, and our focus on living together as Christian disciples can change.
Today is June 22 and if it were any other day of the week than a Sunday, we would be celebrating the feast of Saint Alban. Saint Alban is remembered as the first martyr of the British Isles, living some 1700 or 1800 years ago. A Roman soldier, living in a small town about 20 miles north of London, Alban heard a knock on his door one evening. After opening the door, he discovered a Christian priest standing at his doorstep. The priest was running away from the local Roman authorities who hoped to make an example of him by executing him for not pledging allegiance to the Emperor. Although a Roman soldier, Alban took pity on the priest and allowed him to hide in his house. During the few days that the priest stayed with Alban, the two had long discussions about the Christian faith and Alban became a Christian follower. During these days, the two unlikely roommates formed a new Christian community because every time we gather we are in community. The Roman authorities finally showed up at Alban’s house and Alban put on the priest’s cloak to trick the authorities and protect the priest. Alban was taken away, prosecuted, and when he refused to deny his Christian faith, was sentenced to death. Alban’s final confession to his executioner was so powerful that he converted the man, and so both were put to death when the executioner refused to kill Alban. Both men in this story showed incredible courage and fortitude and made decisions that, fortunately, very few of us will ever have to make. But the words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel account still speak to us and still challenge us in our journey of discipleship to Christ.
I mentioned earlier that some of the words of this morning’s Gospel lesson are difficult to hear. I think some proof of this is captured in the fact that Jesus cautions his disciples 3 times: “Have no fear of them;” “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;” and “Even the hairs of your head are all counted, so do not be afraid.” I can remember times as a young boy or even times in the Navy when I wasn’t really afraid until someone in authority kept telling me to not be afraid…maybe I had something to be afraid about, but I was just too naïve to notice or to understand. Jesus fully understands the difficulties inherent in the life of Christian discipleship and he also understands the temptation to back away from those challenges and take the easy, well traveled road. Of this road, Jesus says, “Whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.” Difficult words for us to hear, but again, “do not be afraid,” says Jesus. The Gospel lesson continues with more disconcerting news about family relationships and a caution about the priorities of one’s focus of love. “Whoever loves father or mother, son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” More difficult words to hear, but again, “do not be afraid,” says Jesus. Finally, we are told that “whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” “Do not be afraid,” says Jesus. Do not be afraid because we are Christian disciples in community. Do not be afraid because although the words of Jesus may challenge our understanding of a loving family and community, the truth of His words only deepen and strengthen the love of family and community. Do not be afraid because Jesus’ challenge to us is the very heart and soul of what it means to be Christian disciples in community.
Thomas Jefferson, a man of incredible intellect and ability, whose accomplishments throughout his life include President of the United States, founder of the University of Virginia, and author of the Declaration of Independence, was also author of a book entitled, “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.” Jefferson, a self-proclaimed Christian, but a man also deeply rooted in the scientific and reasoned thinking of the Enlightenment, authored this book as his reasoned understanding of the life of Jesus. The book became known as “The Jefferson Bible” and is a compilation of the four Gospel accounts, but without miracles, without “superstitions” (as Jefferson would call them), and without any hint that Jesus was anything more than simply the most moral man that ever walked the face of the earth. Although there is much to admire in a collected work of Jesus’ morals and system of ethics, Jefferson’s account presents us with soothing words of moral piety and strips clean the rocky road that is the way of the cross. This morning, we worship before the cross and remember that the cross is not only the sign of the Risen Christ, but serves to remind us of our lives as Christian disciples; Christian disciples in community.
William Temple, former Archbishop of Canterbury and Anglican theologian, describes the life of discipleship with a wonderful analogy. Temple creates an image of an oval with two foci, or two points of focus. One point is our personal desires and the other point of focus is God’s will for us. We continue to live our lives from our own point of focus (because we are sinners), but the life of Christian discipleship is a prayerful journey that hopefully moves us closer to the point of focus that is God’s will. As our point of focus draws closer to God’s point of focus, the oval slowly becomes a circle. Temple acknowledges that the two points will likely never completely overlap in our imperfect, human existence, but that certainly is the goal for all Christian disciples. I think Temple’s image is exactly what Jesus is telling his disciples at the close of our Gospel reading today, “Those who find their lives will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” Those who live their lives from their own perspective, from their own point of focus (without any desire to search for and move towards the focus that is God’s will), will never discover the joy that comes from approaching the unity of focus and the perfect circle of Christ. However, those disciples that take up their cross and search for the focus that is God’s will for them will find the joy of Christ’s love; they will discover the love of father and mother, of son and daughter, of neighbor and community, but they will discover this love in the context of and from the focus of Christ.
The story of Saint Alban concludes with the journey of the priest, who was so upset about the news of Alban’s death he journeyed out in to the community to discover if the news was true. The news was true and the authorities found the priest and he suffered the same end that Alban met. The journey of Christian discipleship is not always the easiest journey; not always the smoothest road to travel, but do not be afraid. We travel the road with Christ; we travel the road together, in community. The words from our Gospel lesson, which may seem so hard to hear, are words that teach us, strengthen us and unite us in community. If we neglect these challenging lessons, we risk turning discipleship into personal piety; we risk leading our lives from our focus and not Christ’s focus, and we risk living lives that do not consider the cross of Christ. As our collect for Guidance in the Prayer Book says: “We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but remember that we are ever walking in your sight.”
Amen
Monday, June 23, 2008
"Preparation for the a life of Discipleship" - 7th Sunday of Pentecost
This sermon was preached on 4 May 2008 (at Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill), on the 7th Sunday of Pentecost, Year A.
This morning, we gather together on the 43rd day of this Easter season. Why state the day so precisely you might wonder…the 43rd day of the 50 days of Easter. I begin in this way because this past Thursday was the 40th day of Eastertide: the day we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus Christ; and this coming Sunday is the celebration of Pentecost: the culmination of the Easter season and the celebration of the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples. As we stand in between these two important days and draw close to the end of this Easter season, we can be easily drawn toward the exciting events of Pentecost. But today; today we hear the equally exciting story of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. Today we reflect on the work accomplished by Christ as he prepared his disciples in those first 40 days; the work He works in us even today; the work that prepares us for a life of discipleship in Christ.
Throughout the Easter season our first reading has been a scripture lesson from Acts. This morning, our lesson is selected from the beginning of Acts and, not surprisingly, we hear the account of the Ascension of Christ. The lectionary begins the lesson with verse 6, but we gain additional insight by reading verse 3: “After Jesus’ suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3) In this verse, we learn that Jesus was resurrected and returned to teach and prepare his disciples for 40 days. The author of Acts wants us to understand the patient and intentional teaching Jesus provided to his disciples: 40 days holds great meaning in the Bible. Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai as he received the 10 Commandments and Jesus spent 40 days in the desert prior to beginning his earthly ministry. We, too, have spent the last 40 days of this Easter season hearing the stories of the early Church: Peter’s confident proclamation of Christ and the conversion of thousands of believers; marvelous and miraculous works by the Apostles; the tragic stoning of Stephen; and Paul’s inspiring speech to the Athenians regarding Christ’s reconciling work in the world. So, is that all we need? 40 days of careful study and we’re ready to graduate; ready for the fulfillment of Christ’s mission on earth?
If we ask this question, we are in good company. 40 days after the resurrection of Christ, we find the disciples asking Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” Interesting question. As many biblical commentaries point out, the disciples’ question does reveal that they understood the restorative nature of Christ’s mission. However, their emphasis on the time of the restoration and their failure to even wonder what role they might play prove that their understanding of discipleship was still growing. In other words, their question to Jesus was the age-old classic, “Are we there yet?”
Jesus responds to both elements of the disciples’ question: “is this the time” and “will you, Jesus, restore the kingdom.” Regarding the time, “it is not for you to know the times or the periods,” says Jesus. The English might appear to mean time, as measured by the clock or the calendar; and the periods, as measured by the changing times of the year or perhaps the passing of generations. But the Greek holds far greater meaning than the English might imply. Time or “chronos” in Greek is the chronological time of human history; and the periods, or “kairos” in Greek, is God’s time, God’s rightly ordered periods set in God’s time. These two words, taken together, mean that Jesus’ response is the ultimate, “don’t worry about it…discipleship is not measured by time.” Regarding the second element of the disciples’ question, (will you, Jesus, restore the kingdom) Jesus does not directly answer the disciples. He responds by pointing toward the empowering action of the Holy Spirit on that first day of Pentecost. Jesus tells the disciples they will be His witnesses and foretells of the great mission field that will spread to all ends of the earth. Jesus’ followers are identified by many names in scripture: disciples, apostles, and friends. But here, Jesus prophetically calls them witnesses, which is “martus” in Greek and has a range of meanings: a witness in a legal manner; a witness in an ethical manner; or a witness serving as a follower of a way of life – one who displays a genuine commitment, even to death. From the Greek “martus” we derive the English word martyr, meaning “to die for one’s cause.” Jesus called his followers witnesses because he understood the courageous and faithful life they had been called to lead. Discipleship may not be measured by time, but discipleship does require the faithful actions of a witness. Discipleship requires the power of the Holy Spirit and the strength and courage of Christian witness.
On September 11, 2001, Archbishop Rowan Williams was visiting Trinity Church, Wall Street, NY. In his short book, “Writing in the Dust,” Archbishop Williams presents some personal reflections about the fateful events of that day and the days that followed. In one particular section, the Archbishop reflects on the risks and honor that society gives to its heroes: those willing to risk everything for the success of the cause, whatever “that cause” might be. He continues his reflection with a description of the simple, yet courageous actions of the NYC police officers, firefighters, and security members throughout that frantic day; calmly providing direction to those around them, pointing people toward safety. Archbishop Williams writes, “It puts a different perspective on heroism for a moment. It tells us that heroism is not always bound up with drama, the sense of a Great Cause, but is something about doing what is necessary for a community’s health and security. For most of the time, this will be invisible.”[1] Archbishop Williams continues, “Some people, in other words, practice living in the presence of death; not courting dramatic immortality through a cause, but as part of what will or may be necessary to serve the social body.”[2] Archbishop Williams’ thoughts capture much of what we need to understand about Christian discipleship. Although there are certainly some folks who will serve in far-off places and perform difficult tasks for the benefit of others; all of us are invited to serve each other; invited to serve the community; invited to serve the world in the simple, yet courageous actions of the ordinary, which often may appear to be invisible, but are, in fact, so powerful. Williams also implies what Jesus tells his disciples explicitly: the times and periods are not for you to know…discipleship doesn’t work by the clock. In other words, take action today because action is part of your Christian witness. Take action today, because people are in need, today. Take action today because we do not know the times or the periods of God’s plan for us.
Finally, our reading from Acts closes with the entire group of Jesus’ family and followers devoting themselves in prayer. Prayer provides dialogue with Christ. Prayer forms us and shapes us and opens our hearts to others. Evelyn Underhill, the early 20th century author and mystic, reflects on the words of Christ in one of her retreats, “‘For this came I into the world: to do the will of Him who sent me.’ That is the stated purpose of Christ, His saints, and His followers. It means courage, generosity, and patience if the job is to be done.”[3] Underhill provides us insight that a prayerful life leads to continued relationship with Christ and grants the disciple what they need: courage, generosity, and patience; the practical tools for any Christian witness. Corporate and individual prayer is the practice that allows us to grow in our understanding of how to serve Christ and others. Prayer is the method of learning that takes us beyond the 40 days of initial preparation.
Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of God? Lord, are we there yet? Today, we live in the tension that we are both here and not here. We live in the now, but not yet. We live in the now because Christ has been resurrected, the first fruits of those who have died (1Cor 15:20). But we also wait, and until Christ returns, coming in the same way as he ascended to his Father in heaven, we are his witnesses. As witnesses of Christ Jesus, may we devote ourselves to prayer, be empowered by the Holy Spirit and serve God, loving and serving others as Christ has prepared us during these 40 days of Easter.
Amen.
[1] Rowan Williams, “Writing in the Dust: After September 11,” Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002, 43.
[2] Williams, “Writing in the Dust,” 43-44.
[3] Evelyn Underhill, “The Ways of the Spirit,” New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 1990, 156.
This morning, we gather together on the 43rd day of this Easter season. Why state the day so precisely you might wonder…the 43rd day of the 50 days of Easter. I begin in this way because this past Thursday was the 40th day of Eastertide: the day we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus Christ; and this coming Sunday is the celebration of Pentecost: the culmination of the Easter season and the celebration of the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples. As we stand in between these two important days and draw close to the end of this Easter season, we can be easily drawn toward the exciting events of Pentecost. But today; today we hear the equally exciting story of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. Today we reflect on the work accomplished by Christ as he prepared his disciples in those first 40 days; the work He works in us even today; the work that prepares us for a life of discipleship in Christ.
Throughout the Easter season our first reading has been a scripture lesson from Acts. This morning, our lesson is selected from the beginning of Acts and, not surprisingly, we hear the account of the Ascension of Christ. The lectionary begins the lesson with verse 6, but we gain additional insight by reading verse 3: “After Jesus’ suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3) In this verse, we learn that Jesus was resurrected and returned to teach and prepare his disciples for 40 days. The author of Acts wants us to understand the patient and intentional teaching Jesus provided to his disciples: 40 days holds great meaning in the Bible. Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai as he received the 10 Commandments and Jesus spent 40 days in the desert prior to beginning his earthly ministry. We, too, have spent the last 40 days of this Easter season hearing the stories of the early Church: Peter’s confident proclamation of Christ and the conversion of thousands of believers; marvelous and miraculous works by the Apostles; the tragic stoning of Stephen; and Paul’s inspiring speech to the Athenians regarding Christ’s reconciling work in the world. So, is that all we need? 40 days of careful study and we’re ready to graduate; ready for the fulfillment of Christ’s mission on earth?
If we ask this question, we are in good company. 40 days after the resurrection of Christ, we find the disciples asking Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” Interesting question. As many biblical commentaries point out, the disciples’ question does reveal that they understood the restorative nature of Christ’s mission. However, their emphasis on the time of the restoration and their failure to even wonder what role they might play prove that their understanding of discipleship was still growing. In other words, their question to Jesus was the age-old classic, “Are we there yet?”
Jesus responds to both elements of the disciples’ question: “is this the time” and “will you, Jesus, restore the kingdom.” Regarding the time, “it is not for you to know the times or the periods,” says Jesus. The English might appear to mean time, as measured by the clock or the calendar; and the periods, as measured by the changing times of the year or perhaps the passing of generations. But the Greek holds far greater meaning than the English might imply. Time or “chronos” in Greek is the chronological time of human history; and the periods, or “kairos” in Greek, is God’s time, God’s rightly ordered periods set in God’s time. These two words, taken together, mean that Jesus’ response is the ultimate, “don’t worry about it…discipleship is not measured by time.” Regarding the second element of the disciples’ question, (will you, Jesus, restore the kingdom) Jesus does not directly answer the disciples. He responds by pointing toward the empowering action of the Holy Spirit on that first day of Pentecost. Jesus tells the disciples they will be His witnesses and foretells of the great mission field that will spread to all ends of the earth. Jesus’ followers are identified by many names in scripture: disciples, apostles, and friends. But here, Jesus prophetically calls them witnesses, which is “martus” in Greek and has a range of meanings: a witness in a legal manner; a witness in an ethical manner; or a witness serving as a follower of a way of life – one who displays a genuine commitment, even to death. From the Greek “martus” we derive the English word martyr, meaning “to die for one’s cause.” Jesus called his followers witnesses because he understood the courageous and faithful life they had been called to lead. Discipleship may not be measured by time, but discipleship does require the faithful actions of a witness. Discipleship requires the power of the Holy Spirit and the strength and courage of Christian witness.
On September 11, 2001, Archbishop Rowan Williams was visiting Trinity Church, Wall Street, NY. In his short book, “Writing in the Dust,” Archbishop Williams presents some personal reflections about the fateful events of that day and the days that followed. In one particular section, the Archbishop reflects on the risks and honor that society gives to its heroes: those willing to risk everything for the success of the cause, whatever “that cause” might be. He continues his reflection with a description of the simple, yet courageous actions of the NYC police officers, firefighters, and security members throughout that frantic day; calmly providing direction to those around them, pointing people toward safety. Archbishop Williams writes, “It puts a different perspective on heroism for a moment. It tells us that heroism is not always bound up with drama, the sense of a Great Cause, but is something about doing what is necessary for a community’s health and security. For most of the time, this will be invisible.”[1] Archbishop Williams continues, “Some people, in other words, practice living in the presence of death; not courting dramatic immortality through a cause, but as part of what will or may be necessary to serve the social body.”[2] Archbishop Williams’ thoughts capture much of what we need to understand about Christian discipleship. Although there are certainly some folks who will serve in far-off places and perform difficult tasks for the benefit of others; all of us are invited to serve each other; invited to serve the community; invited to serve the world in the simple, yet courageous actions of the ordinary, which often may appear to be invisible, but are, in fact, so powerful. Williams also implies what Jesus tells his disciples explicitly: the times and periods are not for you to know…discipleship doesn’t work by the clock. In other words, take action today because action is part of your Christian witness. Take action today, because people are in need, today. Take action today because we do not know the times or the periods of God’s plan for us.
Finally, our reading from Acts closes with the entire group of Jesus’ family and followers devoting themselves in prayer. Prayer provides dialogue with Christ. Prayer forms us and shapes us and opens our hearts to others. Evelyn Underhill, the early 20th century author and mystic, reflects on the words of Christ in one of her retreats, “‘For this came I into the world: to do the will of Him who sent me.’ That is the stated purpose of Christ, His saints, and His followers. It means courage, generosity, and patience if the job is to be done.”[3] Underhill provides us insight that a prayerful life leads to continued relationship with Christ and grants the disciple what they need: courage, generosity, and patience; the practical tools for any Christian witness. Corporate and individual prayer is the practice that allows us to grow in our understanding of how to serve Christ and others. Prayer is the method of learning that takes us beyond the 40 days of initial preparation.
Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of God? Lord, are we there yet? Today, we live in the tension that we are both here and not here. We live in the now, but not yet. We live in the now because Christ has been resurrected, the first fruits of those who have died (1Cor 15:20). But we also wait, and until Christ returns, coming in the same way as he ascended to his Father in heaven, we are his witnesses. As witnesses of Christ Jesus, may we devote ourselves to prayer, be empowered by the Holy Spirit and serve God, loving and serving others as Christ has prepared us during these 40 days of Easter.
Amen.
[1] Rowan Williams, “Writing in the Dust: After September 11,” Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002, 43.
[2] Williams, “Writing in the Dust,” 43-44.
[3] Evelyn Underhill, “The Ways of the Spirit,” New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 1990, 156.
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