If the kingdom of God could make all the difference to life, how much would we be prepared to give for it?
Everyone knows the feeling of wanting something so much that you would give everything you have to possess it. Very often we experience that feeling in childhood. It isn't absent in adulthood, but we are less likely to accept the terms of such a transaction. However, we often accept a trade-off without realizing it. Many persons have sacrificed everything else in life for the rewards of professional success, for example, only to find that the prize was not worth the sacrifice.
Whenever Jesus begins any statement with the words “the kingdom of heaven” we know that he is trying to express what human life would be like if our thinking and acting more fully reflected God's will for us. In this case, Jesus shows us a man finding a treasure in a field. The man immediately hides it again, sells everything he has, and buys the field. The treasure in the field is our relationship with God. Jesus is suggesting that this is the ultimate great prize in life. How much value are we prepared to put on such a possession? How much are we prepared to pay?
At first glance, Jesus' next story seems the same, but it is very different. In fact, to realize the difference is to be deeply moved. In this story, the merchant looking for fine pearls is actually God, known to us through Jesus Christ – who is in search of each of us. And when he finds one of us, he is prepared to give everything, even life itself, for us! We might take a moment to reflect on the immense value and worth this attaches to us, a worth far beyond what we expect or deserve. To realize who the merchant in this parable really is, is to realize just how much we are loved. Once again, we are faced with a decision. What response are we prepared to make in the face of such incredible love?
In all of the stories or parables contained in today's gospel, we are faced with a very basic truth. Human life is lived in full freedom to make all sorts of choices. But that freedom carries a price. To be truly free is to be answerable for one's choices - - this gives life its essential meaning.
“Grant us the fullness of your grace, O God, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure.”(paraphrased, from a Collect for Grace in daily living, BCP, p. 234).
Grace to you and Peace,
Bob+
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
10 July
Jesus told a story about the many kinds of faith journeys people experience. His image of God is that of a sower striding along a stretch of ground. In long regular sweeps of his arm he throws the seed far and wide. That seed represents all of the many ways in which God communicates with and gives grace to us.
A seed falls on the roadway beyond the soil line. A bird comes and the seed is gone. A seed falls among rocks where there is just a thin layer of earth. It grows but it has no nourishment, so it dies. A seed falls among thorns, struggles to grow, succeeds partially, and is overcome. Finally, a seed falls in good rich earth and there are magnificent results.
In a sense, the whole story is true of each of our lives. From birth to death, God communicates with us, fostering our growth, guiding, inspiring, calling. Because we are human we go through periods and circumstances when we become each of those places in the story where the seed of God tries to grow. We can be the path beyond the soil line. That may be a stage in our lives when other influences, some of them actually evil, can snatch from us any link with God. We can become the rocky ground, a person full of initial enthusiasm. But if there comes a time when our allegiance to God becomes costly in any way, we fade out. We can be the place of thorns. We encounter God. It affects us deeply, but something more attractive comes along and we go in that direction. There are many shiny, tempting options in today’s world to make us do just that. Finally, we can become good soil. We encounter God. We grow in Christ, and we respond to God. God becomes the foundation of our lives. We find that life in Christ can be far more satisfying than those other shiny, attractive options. We pray today that you and I can be the ground which receives the seed, leading to a bountiful harvest, enriching our lives and all those around us. Good news indeed!
Peace,
Fr. Bob+
A seed falls on the roadway beyond the soil line. A bird comes and the seed is gone. A seed falls among rocks where there is just a thin layer of earth. It grows but it has no nourishment, so it dies. A seed falls among thorns, struggles to grow, succeeds partially, and is overcome. Finally, a seed falls in good rich earth and there are magnificent results.
In a sense, the whole story is true of each of our lives. From birth to death, God communicates with us, fostering our growth, guiding, inspiring, calling. Because we are human we go through periods and circumstances when we become each of those places in the story where the seed of God tries to grow. We can be the path beyond the soil line. That may be a stage in our lives when other influences, some of them actually evil, can snatch from us any link with God. We can become the rocky ground, a person full of initial enthusiasm. But if there comes a time when our allegiance to God becomes costly in any way, we fade out. We can be the place of thorns. We encounter God. It affects us deeply, but something more attractive comes along and we go in that direction. There are many shiny, tempting options in today’s world to make us do just that. Finally, we can become good soil. We encounter God. We grow in Christ, and we respond to God. God becomes the foundation of our lives. We find that life in Christ can be far more satisfying than those other shiny, attractive options. We pray today that you and I can be the ground which receives the seed, leading to a bountiful harvest, enriching our lives and all those around us. Good news indeed!
Peace,
Fr. Bob+
Monday, July 4, 2011
3 July
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
These words spoken by Jesus can be such a balm to the soul. I find it especially appropriate that we heard these words today, the Sunday of July 4th weekend. I think of all the soldiers and veterans who are no doubt weary and who carry heavy burdens, both physically and emotionally; and I hope that they know there is rest and healing in Jesus. I pray there are those among us willing to share their burdens. I believe one way to do that is to express gratitude for the profound gift of self each soldier and veteran gives to our military and our country.
I offer thanks and wish blessings upon everyone who keeps our nation safe. And I pray we can all find the rest Jesus promises.
M.E.+
These words spoken by Jesus can be such a balm to the soul. I find it especially appropriate that we heard these words today, the Sunday of July 4th weekend. I think of all the soldiers and veterans who are no doubt weary and who carry heavy burdens, both physically and emotionally; and I hope that they know there is rest and healing in Jesus. I pray there are those among us willing to share their burdens. I believe one way to do that is to express gratitude for the profound gift of self each soldier and veteran gives to our military and our country.
I offer thanks and wish blessings upon everyone who keeps our nation safe. And I pray we can all find the rest Jesus promises.
M.E.+
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
June 26
Earlier in the 10th chapter of Matthew, Jesus is teaching about the commitments we make in family relationships in contrast to the commitment we are willing to make to Jesus.
Jesus is asking that the quality of our love for him should be at least of the same depth and intensity as the quality of our love and commitment for those dearest to us. We will make sacrifices for them. Will we make sacrifices for Christ? We will give of our time to them. Will we give time to Christ? We will do anything in order to strengthen and nourish relationships with those closest to us. Will we do at least the same for our relationship with Christ? Just as we are the only ones who can make these decisions about our human relationships, so only we can decide about the quality and depth of our relationship with Christ.
Finally, in the last verse of today’s gospel reading(Matthew 10:42), Jesus once again implies that the ultimate measuring tool for our Christian faith is through our actions. Loving Christ is not some sentimental concept. Love is obedience to God in Christ. Love is a deed done for another. Love is that reaching out in love and concern for the other.
“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple - truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
Peace,
Fr. Bob+
Jesus is asking that the quality of our love for him should be at least of the same depth and intensity as the quality of our love and commitment for those dearest to us. We will make sacrifices for them. Will we make sacrifices for Christ? We will give of our time to them. Will we give time to Christ? We will do anything in order to strengthen and nourish relationships with those closest to us. Will we do at least the same for our relationship with Christ? Just as we are the only ones who can make these decisions about our human relationships, so only we can decide about the quality and depth of our relationship with Christ.
Finally, in the last verse of today’s gospel reading(Matthew 10:42), Jesus once again implies that the ultimate measuring tool for our Christian faith is through our actions. Loving Christ is not some sentimental concept. Love is obedience to God in Christ. Love is a deed done for another. Love is that reaching out in love and concern for the other.
“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple - truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
Peace,
Fr. Bob+
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
19 June
Deacon Sue's sermon today spoke of beginnings and endings. She is right that beginnings seem to hold so much possibility. But when we think of endings, we tend to think they are closed - final - the way books or movies end. All the mysteries are solved; everything is tied up in a neat bow. Yet both Paul’s conclusion to his letter to the Corinthians and the final words of Matthew’s gospel are not close-ended. Paul makes suggestions on how the Corinthians should continue to live. Jesus commissions the disciples to go and tell the world about him and the Good News. The end is not the end.
Ultimately, Deacon Sue’s sermon was about remembering her beginning here at St. Simon’s more than two years ago and marking this day – the end of her time as our deacon. She goes on to a new beginning and we will continue as a community forever touched and changed by her ministry.
She shared that her favorite part of the service was the dismissal because, even though it marks the end of the service, the deacon is calling us all to go forth to begin anew our work in the world. Let us heed her words.
Thank you, Deacon Sue, and blessings on your new beginning.
M.E.+
Monday, June 13, 2011
12 June
Today Jesus speaks to his disciples and to us of his life being both our window to God and our introduction to the Holy Spirit.
All through these weeks of Eastertide, millions of Christians are reading this gospel according to John. We have been going back over all the things Jesus said to his disciples in the upper room – before he was crucified. Why? Because now we know he IS risen, we can hear them in a new way.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Once again we hear Jesus link love to obedience. Love for Christ is never just a nice feeling. Love abides where there is obedience to Christ.
“He(the Father) will give you another Advocate.” Here is a frequent theme of our Lord. He was saying that his disciples’ relationship with him could not stop at this point - it was only beginning. In fact, the relationship would have to grow all their lives.
And finally, in today’s gospel: Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The key words for me here are: So I send you. “All this time I have been teaching you and preparing you for something. And I am not leaving you to do this alone. I have given you the gift of the Holy Spirit, to inspire you, and strengthen you, and to dwell inside of you. And now you have work to do.” Yesterday, at the meeting with Bishop Victor Scantlebury and all of the Confirmands at St. James’ Cathedral, including our Grace Nykol and Alexander Plummer, the Bishop told the gathering that they would receive a gift of the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by the Bishop in the Sacrament of Confirmation. This was not just going to be a nice occasion, or a sort of rite of passage for them. The confirmands would make promises in the service, to reaffirm their renunciation of evil, and renew their commitment to Jesus Christ, and to follow him as Savior and Lord, all words familiar through the Baptism rite. Now they were being prepared for a life of Christian service. At the laying on of hands, the Bishop prayed: “Strengthen, O Lord, your servant Grace, your servant, Alexander, with your Holy Spirit; empower them for your service; and sustain them all the days of their lives. Amen.”
So, being a follower of Christ means living a life of service to God, and being in a relationship with Christ that will grow throughout our lives.
For Grace and Alexander, newly confirmed; for Emma and Elizabeth, baptized at St. Simon’s this morning; and for Tim, Beth, Audrey, Kathryn and McKenzie, who made their First Communions here this morning; and for all of us – may we feel truly called to service in Christ, and may our relationship with Christ be constantly growing, through the power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
May the Peace of Christ bless you this day,
Love,
Fr. Bob+
All through these weeks of Eastertide, millions of Christians are reading this gospel according to John. We have been going back over all the things Jesus said to his disciples in the upper room – before he was crucified. Why? Because now we know he IS risen, we can hear them in a new way.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Once again we hear Jesus link love to obedience. Love for Christ is never just a nice feeling. Love abides where there is obedience to Christ.
“He(the Father) will give you another Advocate.” Here is a frequent theme of our Lord. He was saying that his disciples’ relationship with him could not stop at this point - it was only beginning. In fact, the relationship would have to grow all their lives.
And finally, in today’s gospel: Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The key words for me here are: So I send you. “All this time I have been teaching you and preparing you for something. And I am not leaving you to do this alone. I have given you the gift of the Holy Spirit, to inspire you, and strengthen you, and to dwell inside of you. And now you have work to do.” Yesterday, at the meeting with Bishop Victor Scantlebury and all of the Confirmands at St. James’ Cathedral, including our Grace Nykol and Alexander Plummer, the Bishop told the gathering that they would receive a gift of the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by the Bishop in the Sacrament of Confirmation. This was not just going to be a nice occasion, or a sort of rite of passage for them. The confirmands would make promises in the service, to reaffirm their renunciation of evil, and renew their commitment to Jesus Christ, and to follow him as Savior and Lord, all words familiar through the Baptism rite. Now they were being prepared for a life of Christian service. At the laying on of hands, the Bishop prayed: “Strengthen, O Lord, your servant Grace, your servant, Alexander, with your Holy Spirit; empower them for your service; and sustain them all the days of their lives. Amen.”
So, being a follower of Christ means living a life of service to God, and being in a relationship with Christ that will grow throughout our lives.
For Grace and Alexander, newly confirmed; for Emma and Elizabeth, baptized at St. Simon’s this morning; and for Tim, Beth, Audrey, Kathryn and McKenzie, who made their First Communions here this morning; and for all of us – may we feel truly called to service in Christ, and may our relationship with Christ be constantly growing, through the power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
May the Peace of Christ bless you this day,
Love,
Fr. Bob+
Thursday, June 9, 2011
5 June
We are almost at the end of the Easter Season. Pentecost is just one week away. It is a time for farewells, final pieces of advice. And that is precisely what we have in today’s Scripture readings. In the reading from Acts, the apostles, as the original group of disciples were known after the Resurrection, have gathered. Jesus tells them, “. . .you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1: 8) In the Gospel lesson, we hear another part of Jesus’ final speech to his followers. He asserts that his followers have understood what he has taught them and they believe that he has come from God.
What strikes me in both of these readings is Jesus’ confidence. He does not say to the disciples, “I hope you will be my witnesses after I am gone.” He states, quite boldly, that they will indeed be witnesses. Jesus does not express a hope that his followers have understood his teachings. Instead, he says quite clearly that they have learned what he has come to teach them. They belong to him—and also to God.
As we move into the Pentecost season, our focus will shift to ministry: the ministry of Jesus’ early followers and our own ministry as modern-day followers of Jesus. I hope that we can take heart from Jesus’ confidence. His faith in that first group of followers and in us. That we can carry the ministry forward, both within the faith community of St. Simon’s and in the many communities of which we are a part in the larger world.
Deacon Sue Nebel
What strikes me in both of these readings is Jesus’ confidence. He does not say to the disciples, “I hope you will be my witnesses after I am gone.” He states, quite boldly, that they will indeed be witnesses. Jesus does not express a hope that his followers have understood his teachings. Instead, he says quite clearly that they have learned what he has come to teach them. They belong to him—and also to God.
As we move into the Pentecost season, our focus will shift to ministry: the ministry of Jesus’ early followers and our own ministry as modern-day followers of Jesus. I hope that we can take heart from Jesus’ confidence. His faith in that first group of followers and in us. That we can carry the ministry forward, both within the faith community of St. Simon’s and in the many communities of which we are a part in the larger world.
Deacon Sue Nebel
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