Last EpiphanyFebruary 21/22 20092 Kings 2:1-12Psalm 50:1-62 Corinthians 4:3-6Mark 9:2-9
I am not real big on titling my sermons. Unless the date of a sermon counts as a title. It would not exactly be awe-inspiring to write on the sign on 3 Mile Rd. the sermon title: February 22.
This week though, I have a title for my sermon that’s more than just a date. The title I have comes from a broadcast of a Speaking of Faith, a radio show found online and NPR. In an archived show, The Spirituality of Addiction and Recovery, the host and guest were speaking about a book about spiritual awakening. The author of the book is Jack Kornfeld, and the title: “After the Ecstasy, the Laundry”. “After the Ecstasy, the Laundry”, now that’s a title! The book reflects on the fact that after a moment of ecstasy, there is still laundry to be done. After a moment of insight, after a moment of great awareness, you still have the day to day responsibilities of life that need to be met. When someone has had a breakthrough experience, when someone has experienced a time of great ecstasy, the challenge before them is learning how to integrate that experience into their life. After the ecstasy, the laundry. What a great title for my sermon!!!! The only problem is that I came up with the sermon title yesterday, in the middle of the snow storm, and I really didn’t feel like changing the sign in front of church.
Every year, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday recounts the Gospel story of Transfiguration of Jesus. The transfiguration Gospel is the culmination of our season of Epiphany. Epiphany began with the story of the star with led the wise men from the east to Jesus. The light of Epiphany has continued to shine over the past weeks as the truth of who Jesus was continued to be revealed. Over the past weeks Jesus has been manifested as the beloved son of God, and a man of great prayer. Jesus has been revealed to be one who has power to heal, and cast out demons. Jesus has been manifested as one with the power to forgive sin.In the chapter just before the story of the Transfiguration, Jesus was revealed to be the Messiah, God’s chosen, anointed one; the one that Israel has been awaiting for centuries. Jesus declared however that he would not be a messiah who rules with power from a throne in a palace. Jesus declared that he would be a messiah who would suffer and die. Jesus is a messiah who will rule from a cross.Six days later, on a mountain in prayer. Jesus is transfigured. The face of Jesus shines, his clothes become dazzling white. The starlight which led the wise men to Jesus has now come to radiate from the face, the clothes, the person of Jesus. The manifestations which began at epiphany are now complete. This human face of Jesus now shines with the very presence, the very light, the very face of God. Truly, this a moment of ecstasy for Jesus, Peter, James and John.But, after the ecstasy, the laundry.
After the ecstasy Jesus leads them down the mountain. After the ecstasy Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem. After the ecstasy, Jesus continues his journey to suffering and death on the cross.
The season of Lent, which begins Wednesday is a 40 day journey to Easter. It is a journey which will end in our celebration of the most important events in the history of the world; the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a journey which recalls that the journey through death to resurrection is a journey which Jesus has taken. This is a journey which were are taking as well. Lent begins with a recognition of our mortality, a recognition that one day we will die. Lent begins with the acknowledgement that we are made of the dust of the earth, and that to the dust of the earth we will return. Jesus, shared our humanity completely. Jesus experienced suffering and death that comes to all humans. We rejoice however in the hope that we have been invited by Jesus to journey with him through death, to resurrection. This is the ecstasy, this is the breakthrough, this is good news we celebrate. We who are dust, are promised eternity. We who are human, are invited to share life in its divine fullness. This is the ecstasy of our faith.
Meanwhile, there is the laundry than needs to be done. Lent is the season to do our laundry. Lent is the season where we acknowledge the truth that our world, and our lives are filled with a lot of dirt, a lot of filth. Lent is the season where we acknowledge the truth that we have sinned. As we draw close to the beginning of lent, we ask ourselves: what areas of our life need a good soaking wash? What relationships, what habits need to be cleaned up? What areas of our world and community need cleaning? As we come to the beginning of lent, we consider what we are going to do to be part of this cleansing. How will we, as individuals and as the people of God begin to turn from those sins which soil God’s magnificent creation? How will we turn from those sins which have soiled our life? How will you turn from those things which prevent our faces from shining with the dazzling radiance of God’s love? How will we pray for the forgiveness and the cleansing of the world?After the Ecstasy, the Laundry. After the shining light of Epiphany, the cleansing season of lent. Ah, but dear friends, we enter this season of cleansing filled with the radiant hope, that the bright light of Easter awaits. Yes, after the ecstasy there is laundry. But, after the laundry is finished, when are lives and our world are fully cleansed, there is ecstasy that lasts for eternity.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Natural Church Development
The Vestry has decided to be part of a process named Natural Church Development. In an effort to better acquaint the congregation with NCD, members of the NCD Health Team are answering the following 2 questions: What is Natural Church Development and Why is St. Andrews committing itself to this process? Over the next few weeks the Health Team members' answers will appear in the newsnotes. You can also be part of an online discussion of NCD on our parish blog found on our website. Please pray that through the Natural Church Development process God might release the potential God has placed within St. Andrews.
From Diana Sherman:
NCD
Natural Church Development is a process for improving the quality of the church by focusing on the individuality of that church and by striving to reach the fullest potential of the gifts God has given us.
Rationale for St. Andrew's involvement.
"Our mission as St. Andrew's parish is to reflect God's love as revealed to us by the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to all God's creation."
What better way to do this than to use the gifts God has given us to help our church grow spiritually and to passionately embrace the world around us.
From Jennifer Johnston:
What is NCD?
Natural Church Development is a process that helps congregations assess and improve the health of their church by leveraging their strengths to improve their weaknesses. As its name implies, the process of development is 'natural' - not something processed or artificial - and requires patience and nourishment from the people.
NCD is not something that begins and ends (think of it as healthy lifestyle choices rather than a crash diet)
NCD is not a set of rules or a specific model for churches to follow
NCD is not a membership drive
NCD is not committee run - it involves the entire church family - young and old alike
Rationale for St. Andrew's involvement
St. Andrew's is engaging in this process to ensure the future of the church. Just as parents plan and make decisions that affect the health and well-being of their children, the Church is interested in assessing and improving the health of the church for today's members and future generations.
From Barb Visota:
What is Natural Church Development?
NCD is a way of understanding church health and growth that views the church as a living organism. NCD is a means to improve the quality of our church's overall health by encouraging each individual to grow into the potential God has already put in each of us.
In 1 Corinthians 1:7 Paul tells us, "Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ." Each of us has gifts, even though it may not always be clear to us just what those gifts are. NCD is a process that can help us discover and develop our gifts so that we can live up to our God-given potential.
As we each grow and develop in our relationship with God, our church, as a whole will naturally grow and develop too.
Why is St. Andrew's committed to NCD ?
According to our mission statement: "Our mission as St. Andrew's parish is to reflect God's love as revealed to us by the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to all God's creation."
We are committed to NCD because it is a tool we can use to identify and remove any stumbling blocks that keep us from living out our mission.
We maintain our church building; keep it in good repair and make changes as we go along so that the building can better serve our purposes. NCD is a maintenance program for us as church members. It is a way for us to keep ourselves in good repair so that we can better serve God's purpose. It is a way for us, as members of the living church, to move closer to the Living God, a way to satisfy the longing in our hearts to experience more of what God has in store for us and for our church.
From Diana Sherman:
NCD
Natural Church Development is a process for improving the quality of the church by focusing on the individuality of that church and by striving to reach the fullest potential of the gifts God has given us.
Rationale for St. Andrew's involvement.
"Our mission as St. Andrew's parish is to reflect God's love as revealed to us by the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to all God's creation."
What better way to do this than to use the gifts God has given us to help our church grow spiritually and to passionately embrace the world around us.
From Jennifer Johnston:
What is NCD?
Natural Church Development is a process that helps congregations assess and improve the health of their church by leveraging their strengths to improve their weaknesses. As its name implies, the process of development is 'natural' - not something processed or artificial - and requires patience and nourishment from the people.
NCD is not something that begins and ends (think of it as healthy lifestyle choices rather than a crash diet)
NCD is not a set of rules or a specific model for churches to follow
NCD is not a membership drive
NCD is not committee run - it involves the entire church family - young and old alike
Rationale for St. Andrew's involvement
St. Andrew's is engaging in this process to ensure the future of the church. Just as parents plan and make decisions that affect the health and well-being of their children, the Church is interested in assessing and improving the health of the church for today's members and future generations.
From Barb Visota:
What is Natural Church Development?
NCD is a way of understanding church health and growth that views the church as a living organism. NCD is a means to improve the quality of our church's overall health by encouraging each individual to grow into the potential God has already put in each of us.
In 1 Corinthians 1:7 Paul tells us, "Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ." Each of us has gifts, even though it may not always be clear to us just what those gifts are. NCD is a process that can help us discover and develop our gifts so that we can live up to our God-given potential.
As we each grow and develop in our relationship with God, our church, as a whole will naturally grow and develop too.
Why is St. Andrew's committed to NCD ?
According to our mission statement: "Our mission as St. Andrew's parish is to reflect God's love as revealed to us by the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to all God's creation."
We are committed to NCD because it is a tool we can use to identify and remove any stumbling blocks that keep us from living out our mission.
We maintain our church building; keep it in good repair and make changes as we go along so that the building can better serve our purposes. NCD is a maintenance program for us as church members. It is a way for us to keep ourselves in good repair so that we can better serve God's purpose. It is a way for us, as members of the living church, to move closer to the Living God, a way to satisfy the longing in our hearts to experience more of what God has in store for us and for our church.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Natural Church Development
The Vestry has decided to be part of a process named Natural Church Development. In an effort to better acquaint the congregation with NCD, members of the NCD Health Team are answering the following 2 questions: What is Natural Church Development and Why is St. Andrews committing itself to this process?
Over the next few weeks the Health Team members' answers will appear in the newsnotes. You can also be part of an online discussion of NCD on our parish blog found on our website.
Please pray that through the Natural Church Development process God might release the potential God has placed within St. Andrews.
Will Campbell has submitted the following answer to the questions. What is Natural Church Development?
NCD is a process by which a church can discover its weak points, determine how the limitations keep the church from growing God’s kingdom, and develop and institute a plan to help each member of the church use their God given talents in the most productive way.
Why has St. Andrews committed itself to NCD?
Every church has its weakest point that holds it back from achieving its objective of spreading God’s kingdom. Determining what the weakest point is is only half the battle; we must put the right talents to use so that more people are drawn to God. Extensive research has shown that there are 8 characteristics of healthy, growing churches. Through prayer and hard work, the NCD program will help us discover our weaknesses and point us in the right direction which allows us to be the instruments of God’s word to more of God’s children.
The members of the health team are: Will Campbell, Donna Johnston, Jennifer Johnston, Julianne Day, Barb Visota, Don Davies, Clark Grant, Gordon Finnie, Linda Hoxsey, Diana Sherman, Mike Fedewa
Sermon of February 15, 2009
February 15, 2009Sixth Epiphany1 Kings 5:1-14Psalm 301 Corinthians9:24-27Mark 1:40-45
In his memoir entitled, Squint, Jose Ramirez recounts his life with the disease, leprosy, or as he prefers, Hansen’s disease. Ramirez, who was diagnosed with Hansen’s disease in 1968, at the age of 20, chose the title “Squint” for two reasons. The first is that he recalls, that after he was diagnosed with the disease, he was immediately transported to the last leprosarium in the United States, in Carvel Louisiana. Since, ambulances were for persons who were “living”, Ramirez, considered to be among the living dead, was transported to Carvel in a hearse. He recalls stopping at gas stations, en route, and watching people as they would squint their eyes to peer into the hearse. He also said, that squint was an architectural feature that was used back in the Middle Ages to signify an opening in the back of a church. And it was specifically set up for persons who were considered to have leprosy. Whenever anybody was deemed to have leprosy, they were given the last rights, banished from the community and then forced to come back on Sundays for service. But they could only participate through looking at - through this architectural feature called squint.
Ramirez spoke of the loving support he received in those days from his mother. He remembered the first weekend he was allowed to go home to be with his family. To try to help alleviate any fear that his family members might have had of catching the disease from him, Ramirez recalls that he was marking his silverware, his glasses, and his plates so no one else would use them. When his mother saw him doing this, she burst into tears, and smashed the plates and glasses that he had marked. He was part of her family she said, and she would not allow him to separate himself in any way from others in his family. Her love for him, her embrace of him as part of her family allowed him to overcome the fear and isolation so often associated with the disease.
The disease of leprosy is certainly central in our readings this weekend. In our reading from Kings, we hear the much loved story of Naaman, the Syrian who was healed by the God of Israel through the waters of the Jordan. There is so much human drama in this story that makes this story so marvelous. There is the fact that The Lord was at work beyond the borders of the people of Israel and heals a pagan. There is the young nameless girl who who first speaks of the power of the prophet of The Lord in Israel. There is the anger of the King of Israel, the intervention of Elisha, stubbornness and pride of Naaman, which nearly prevents him from being cured. And there is of course, the cleansing and cure itself. God works through creation, through the waters of the Jordan to bring healing. Even today, it is important to honor the healing powers of creation. Barely noticeable in the story is the fact that Elisha does not come out to see Naaman. No, instead he sends his messenger with the instructions. Why? Perhaps it is because Elisha is afraid. He does not want to risk that he himself might be afflicted with the disease. Perhaps it is because Elisha does not want to be made unclean. Elisha heals Naaman from a distance. Naaman is cleansed of his leprosy, but the isolation of those afflicted with leprosy remains.
Contrast this with the Gospel. The Leper comes and begs Jesus to make him clean. Lepers were isolated not only because of their disease. They were isolated also, because it was believed that the leprosy was a result of their own sin. They were spurned because it was believed that spiritual impurity was the root of their physical impurity. In response to the man‘s cry, Jesus does not send a messenger. He does not keep his distance. Instead, Jesus reaches out and touches the leper. The compassionate touch of Jesus overcomes fear and embraces the man afflicted with leprosy. The compassion of Jesus cured the man physically and spiritually. Jesus reached out and touched the man with leprosy, and overcame the physical and spiritual isolation that afflicted him.
We may not be able to heal the sick by the touch of our hands. As faithful followers of Jesus, we do however have the power to heal persons of their isolation. In our society there are many who are considered by some to be impure, unfit physically or spiritually. In our society there are many persons that we are afraid of. We may be afraid of some with certain addictions, certain physical or mental illnesses. We may be afraid of those who are guilty of certain crimes or sins. We may be afraid of those who have been in prison. We may be afraid of those who act differently than we, who believe differently than we, who look differently than we do. We may be afraid of those who are in any way broken, any way less than whole. In our day people who have lost jobs, often feel cut off from former colleagues. Those who experience divorce feel isolated and alone. Isolation makes difficult times worse. At the root of this isolation is often fear. Our fears too often build walls of division. Our fears too often isolate others. The leper said to Jesus, if you choose, you can make me clean. If we choose, we can over come our fears and bring healing to others.
Indeed dear friends, is it not true that each one of us knows some of the isolation felt by the man with leprosy in the Gospel? We know what it is like to be cut off and separated from others. Each of us know what its like to be broken. Each one of us knows those areas of our life that are less than whole, less than pure. Each one of has those areas of our life that cry out for pity. Each one of us knows what its like to cry out to Jesus, to beg Jesus: “If you want, you can make me clean“. Jesus offers us all the embrace of God’s compassionate love. Jesus offers us all the embrace of God’s healing touch.
We gather, celebrate and give thanks that all are washed in God’s compassionate, and merciful love. We gather, celebrate and give thanks that Jesus has tore down the walls of the squints and invited all God’s children to come together. We celebrate and give thanks that Jesus has smashed the plates and the glasses of our isolations, and invited us all to eat of the one loaf and drink from the one cup. All of us are invited to share in the meal of his body and blood. Our celebration and thanksgiving are complete as the compassionate spirit of Jesus sends us into the world. We go into the world to embrace the suffering, to welcome the lonely, to tear down all walls that separate , to smash all that divides. We go into to the world proclaiming that by God’s loving touch all can be made clean. We go into to world proclaiming that by God’s loving embrace, all are made one.
In his memoir entitled, Squint, Jose Ramirez recounts his life with the disease, leprosy, or as he prefers, Hansen’s disease. Ramirez, who was diagnosed with Hansen’s disease in 1968, at the age of 20, chose the title “Squint” for two reasons. The first is that he recalls, that after he was diagnosed with the disease, he was immediately transported to the last leprosarium in the United States, in Carvel Louisiana. Since, ambulances were for persons who were “living”, Ramirez, considered to be among the living dead, was transported to Carvel in a hearse. He recalls stopping at gas stations, en route, and watching people as they would squint their eyes to peer into the hearse. He also said, that squint was an architectural feature that was used back in the Middle Ages to signify an opening in the back of a church. And it was specifically set up for persons who were considered to have leprosy. Whenever anybody was deemed to have leprosy, they were given the last rights, banished from the community and then forced to come back on Sundays for service. But they could only participate through looking at - through this architectural feature called squint.
Ramirez spoke of the loving support he received in those days from his mother. He remembered the first weekend he was allowed to go home to be with his family. To try to help alleviate any fear that his family members might have had of catching the disease from him, Ramirez recalls that he was marking his silverware, his glasses, and his plates so no one else would use them. When his mother saw him doing this, she burst into tears, and smashed the plates and glasses that he had marked. He was part of her family she said, and she would not allow him to separate himself in any way from others in his family. Her love for him, her embrace of him as part of her family allowed him to overcome the fear and isolation so often associated with the disease.
The disease of leprosy is certainly central in our readings this weekend. In our reading from Kings, we hear the much loved story of Naaman, the Syrian who was healed by the God of Israel through the waters of the Jordan. There is so much human drama in this story that makes this story so marvelous. There is the fact that The Lord was at work beyond the borders of the people of Israel and heals a pagan. There is the young nameless girl who who first speaks of the power of the prophet of The Lord in Israel. There is the anger of the King of Israel, the intervention of Elisha, stubbornness and pride of Naaman, which nearly prevents him from being cured. And there is of course, the cleansing and cure itself. God works through creation, through the waters of the Jordan to bring healing. Even today, it is important to honor the healing powers of creation. Barely noticeable in the story is the fact that Elisha does not come out to see Naaman. No, instead he sends his messenger with the instructions. Why? Perhaps it is because Elisha is afraid. He does not want to risk that he himself might be afflicted with the disease. Perhaps it is because Elisha does not want to be made unclean. Elisha heals Naaman from a distance. Naaman is cleansed of his leprosy, but the isolation of those afflicted with leprosy remains.
Contrast this with the Gospel. The Leper comes and begs Jesus to make him clean. Lepers were isolated not only because of their disease. They were isolated also, because it was believed that the leprosy was a result of their own sin. They were spurned because it was believed that spiritual impurity was the root of their physical impurity. In response to the man‘s cry, Jesus does not send a messenger. He does not keep his distance. Instead, Jesus reaches out and touches the leper. The compassionate touch of Jesus overcomes fear and embraces the man afflicted with leprosy. The compassion of Jesus cured the man physically and spiritually. Jesus reached out and touched the man with leprosy, and overcame the physical and spiritual isolation that afflicted him.
We may not be able to heal the sick by the touch of our hands. As faithful followers of Jesus, we do however have the power to heal persons of their isolation. In our society there are many who are considered by some to be impure, unfit physically or spiritually. In our society there are many persons that we are afraid of. We may be afraid of some with certain addictions, certain physical or mental illnesses. We may be afraid of those who are guilty of certain crimes or sins. We may be afraid of those who have been in prison. We may be afraid of those who act differently than we, who believe differently than we, who look differently than we do. We may be afraid of those who are in any way broken, any way less than whole. In our day people who have lost jobs, often feel cut off from former colleagues. Those who experience divorce feel isolated and alone. Isolation makes difficult times worse. At the root of this isolation is often fear. Our fears too often build walls of division. Our fears too often isolate others. The leper said to Jesus, if you choose, you can make me clean. If we choose, we can over come our fears and bring healing to others.
Indeed dear friends, is it not true that each one of us knows some of the isolation felt by the man with leprosy in the Gospel? We know what it is like to be cut off and separated from others. Each of us know what its like to be broken. Each one of us knows those areas of our life that are less than whole, less than pure. Each one of has those areas of our life that cry out for pity. Each one of us knows what its like to cry out to Jesus, to beg Jesus: “If you want, you can make me clean“. Jesus offers us all the embrace of God’s compassionate love. Jesus offers us all the embrace of God’s healing touch.
We gather, celebrate and give thanks that all are washed in God’s compassionate, and merciful love. We gather, celebrate and give thanks that Jesus has tore down the walls of the squints and invited all God’s children to come together. We celebrate and give thanks that Jesus has smashed the plates and the glasses of our isolations, and invited us all to eat of the one loaf and drink from the one cup. All of us are invited to share in the meal of his body and blood. Our celebration and thanksgiving are complete as the compassionate spirit of Jesus sends us into the world. We go into the world to embrace the suffering, to welcome the lonely, to tear down all walls that separate , to smash all that divides. We go into to the world proclaiming that by God’s loving touch all can be made clean. We go into to world proclaiming that by God’s loving embrace, all are made one.
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