Trinity VIII- Matthew 7:15-21

 The Gospel for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity contains two important warnings from our Lord. The first warning is Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." The second is Matthew 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Sometimes, these verses have been viewed as general warnings about corruption and hypocrisy among believers. And that is partially true. All Christians should be careful to avoid spiritual and moral corruption.  However, in these verses, our Lord is focusing on a more specific issue: the danger of corrupt religious leaders who endanger God's people, His sheep.

Human beings need leaders in various areas of life, including the area of religion and faith. Yet, false prophets and other corrupt religious leaders have been a problem throughout human history. They were a problem for ancient Israel, for Jews and Gentiles during Christ's time, and for the Christian Church at many times in history.

Although corruption has been an ongoing human problem, corrupt leadership seems even more of an issue in our time. The moral corruption of secular and religious leaders often gains attention, especially when it involves financial or sexual immorality. Such corruption can be very disheartening, especially when corrupt leaders claim to be Christians. Nevertheless, our verses point to an even more serious problem than financial or sexual misconduct. By speaking of "false prophets," Jesus is pointing beyond personal moral failings to serious matters of false teaching. We may think many example, including Christian and non-Christian teachers and ministers. Of course, any religious leader who misbehaves may create scandal and need to repent, but a person who promotes false teachings is even more dangerous for the flock. Those Christian leaders who reject the truth of Scripture, the Creeds, and the Commandments are wolves hiding within ready to mislead and devour Christ's flock. 

The faithful must beware of the danger, but we must not despair. Jesus Christ is still our great and good shepherd who watches over us from heaven and assists us through the Holy Spirit. He offers us His grace through Word and Sacrament. And although corrupt leaders do cause much damage, they do not endure forever. God limits the damage caused by evil, and He continues to raise up good leaders among the faithful remnant of His people. So let us persevere in faith and in hope!

Trinity VII- Romans 6:19-23

The Gospel for this Sunday is from Mark 8:1-9, an account of the miraculous feeding of the four thousand. Christ's miraculous feedings can always remind us of His power and of the human need for both physical and spiritual nourishment. This time, however, I decided to focus on the traditional Epistle from Romans 6:19-23.

This selection continues the theme of Christian freedom that was emphasized in last Sunday's Epistle. Through Baptism, we have been united with Jesus Christ. We have died and risen with Him. Although fallen human beings are mired in uncleanness and sin, through the work and grace of our Lord, we have been given new life. By grace, we can now become "servants to righteousness" (Romans 6:19). Sin remains as long as we are in this world, but it no longer has to reign in the lives of believers. As Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."   

Because of Christ, there is the hope of deliverance from slavery to sin. This deliverance, rooted in divine grace, begins in this world as we are united with Christ through repentance, baptismal grace, and faith. We are freed from the domination of sin and given the grace to bear the fruits of holiness. We remain weak and imperfect sinners in this world, but we can start to change and produce good fruit. This is a gift of God, and it points us toward another gift of God- eternal life through Christ. Eternal life is life lived in fellowship with God through the grace of His Son. Eternal life begins in this world with a faithful response to grace, and it reaches its fullness in the world to come.

Trinity VI- Matthew 5:20; Romans 6:11

 On the Sixth Sunday after Trinity, the Gospel begins with Matthew 5:20: "Jesus said unto his disciples, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.'"  How can this be? The Pharisees were noted for their pursuit of legal righteousness. How can the disciples of Jesus even hope that their righteousness might exceed that of the Pharisees?

We see the answer in the following verses, Matthew 5:21-26. In these verses and throughout the Sermon on the Mount, it becomes clear that our Lord is talking about more than a mere external obedience to the commandments of divine Law. While obeying certain rules can help restrain evil and provide guidance for good behavior, external obedience is not sufficient. Following the rules is not enough because true righteousness involves inner attitudes. God wants us to turn from sin and be renewed inwardly in faith, hope, and love each day. And such repentance and renewal only come through divine grace manifest in Jesus Christ. 

In other words, Matthew 5 refers to the same spiritual renewal discussed in Romans 6:3-11. The only way for fallen human beings to be righteous is through union with Jesus Christ, a union which takes place through Baptism and Faith. This renewal begins with the grace of Christian Baptism, but in our fallen condition, we need new applications of grace until the end of our earthly pilgrimages. Many aspects of life and experience can be associated with renewal, but notably, it occurs through hearing and reading the Word, participating in the Lord's Supper, and constant prayer. Day by day and week by week, we must continue dying to sin and being "alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:.11) Only the righteousness that comes through living faith in Jesus Christ truly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees!

Trinity V- Luke 5:1-11

 The Gospel for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity is Luke's account of the call of some of the apostles (Luke 5:1-11). Several Galilean fishermen had a poor night of fishing, and Jesus guided them to a great catch.  Jesus uses this encounter to call the fishermen to follow Him. The great catch of fish becomes a call to catch people for the kingdom of God. It is a call for commitment and a challenge to have faith..

The miraculous catch of fish still applies to us. It reminds us that Jesus Christ is the holy Lord of creation who still works in amazing and surprising ways. The miracle is a call to discipleship and  the ministry of gathering people for the kingdom of God. We have a vocation to follow Jesus in all things and to share in His mission of seeking people for God's kingdom. The specifics vary according to our personal situations and talents, but all of us are asked to contribute to Christ's mission. Like those Galilean fishermen, despite our fears and hesitations, let us respond in faith.

Trinity IV- Luke 6- Human Judgment

 This Sunday's Gospel from St. Luke 6 is from the Sermon on the Plain, a section similar to the Sermon on the Mount in St. Matthew. The selection contains many significant sayings of our Lord. One of them is very famous- “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged” (Luke 6:37). This important Christian principle has not always been easy to understand or to apply. On the one hand, it reminds us that human judgments are imperfect, especially when it comes to evaluating the attitudes, faith, and intentions of other people. We recognize that human beings often misjudge others.  We may jump to false conclusions or be harsh. Even the best human judgments about another person are limited and fall short in some respects. So, we seek to have humble and open minds regarding other people and their standing before God.

On the other hand, in practical terms, we know that human beings must make certain judgments about health and safety. Even in moral and spiritual matters, people must make some practical daily judgments. Both individuals and societies need to make decisions to protect themselves from unwise and bad behaviors. This reality is recognized by Jesus Himself in John 7:24. There, our Lord says, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” 

Thus, the verse about not judging from Luke 6:37 should be understood wisely and sensibly. Christians must not judge hastily or unfairly. We must not judge harshly or unmercifully. And we must not presume that even our best human judgments always live up to divine standards. However, we must value divine revelation and promote high moral and spiritual standards. We must humbly ask for divine help to follow righteous standards ourselves and encourage others to do the same. We seek to be merciful, fair, and reasonable in our opinions about human beings and their behaviors. Above all, we strive to treat others as we would like to be treated.

St. John the Baptist- 24 June- Luke 1

The feast of St. John the Baptist is significant on the calendar. In the secular context, it is associated with San Juan in Puerto Rico, with St. John's in Newfoundland, and with the holiday of Quebec Province. On the church calendar, the feast is six months before Christmas Eve, a deliberate arrangement that points to the coming of Christ. The Gospel from St. Luke 1 recounts the birth of the prophet, the naming of John, and his father Zacharias' hymn, the Benedictus. 

The meaning of the day's Gospel is nicely summarized in Cranmer's 1549 collect. John was sent to prepare the way for the Savior by preaching repentance. John is also an example of speaking the truth, rebuking sin, and holy suffering. So, on this day, we recall a saintly biblical example. Yet, there is more to this commemoration. John points beyond himself to Christ. This celebration of John's life and ministry also looks ahead to Christmas and reminds us of Christ's Incarnation for our salvation. 

Trinity III- Luke 15:1-10

 The Gospel from Luke 15:1-10 contains two brief parables: the lost sheep and the lost coin.   A shepherd who loses one sheep out of a hundred and a housewife who loses one coin out of ten make great efforts to recover what has been lost. And when they do recover the lost sheep or coin, they rejoice greatly. These parables illustrate the divine attitude toward sinners. God cares for every soul, no matter how insignificant that person might seem. He searches for the lost, and He and all of heaven rejoice over every soul recovered.

These parables apply to us. We all belong to God, but at different times or in different ways, we get lost. Yet, each of us has great value to God, and He keeps seeking us. He offers us His amazing grace in Word and Sacrament; He takes the initiative even when we are unaware. If we have already been found by Him, we should be grateful to Him and live accordingly. If we are still wandering like lost sheep, we should be aware of God's desire to find us and accept His mercy.  We should always be aware of the divine grace that seeks us, and we should respond in humble gratitude. We should also acknowledge that the same divine grace is seeking the people around us.

Trinity II- Luke 14:16-23

In this week's Gospel from St. Luke 14:16-23, our Lord tells a parable about a feast. He uses the comparison of a feast to illustrate God's gracious invitation into His presence and the human tendency to resist and reject divine grace. Many of those invited to the feast despise the gracious host's hospitality and offer plausible-sounding excuses. The host knows that there are others who will gladly accept, and he promises that the ungrateful will not benefit from his hospitality.

Of course, the parable of the ungrateful guests is about redemption and the kingdom of heaven. Throughout history, and especially in our time, many people have rejected the offer of divine grace. They make all sorts of excuses, great and small. They always seem to have extenuating circumstances for every avoidance or rejection of God's invitation to fellowship with Him. However, by their excuses, they really harm themselves, not the divine host. 

God is the gracious host who takes the initiative. He invites us into fellowship with Him. If we refuse His grace, we may offend Him, but He can always find other guests who will be grateful. Every day and every week, God invites us to spend time with Him. He asks us to read and hear His Word and pray, both privately and publicly. He also invites us to the Lord's Supper. God wants us to accept His hospitality and fellowship with other guests, but we human beings are often ungrateful. We look for excuses to refuse divine grace and deprive ourselves of great blessings. So, let us examine ourselves and re-order our priorities while there is time. Let us accept the grace that God offers and respond in gratitude.

Trinity I- Luke 16:31

 This Sunday's Gospel from Luke 16:19-31 contains the Parable of the Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus.  (The rich man is sometimes called "Dives" from the Latin for "rich.") This passage brings us several themes, including the importance of compassion and the nature of the afterlife. In rereading the passage this week, another theme was noticeable. In Luke 16:31, the Gospel concludes, "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." 

This statement highlights the basic human spiritual and moral problem. God has created human beings to be spiritually and morally responsible. He expects them to love Him and their neighbors. In His mercy, God has provided and still provides revelations of His expectations. In nature, in the Mosaic Law, and in the prophets, the divine expectations are clear for those willing to see and hear. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has revealed His expectations even more clearly. Moreover, He has revealed the possibility of repentance, faith, pardon, and renewal after human failure. God offers redeeming grace. 

Unfortunately, human beings are often like the rich man in the parable. They ignore both divine expectations and divine grace. They persist in hardness of heart. They continue in their selfish sinfulness. Not only are they immoral, but they are also unspiritual. Their attitude is the central problem. They are not open to divine holiness, love, or grace. They have no transcendent faith. Their confidence is in themselves and their earthly status or possessions. And such hardened attitudes have eternal consequences.

Fortunately, such a sad state can be remedied. Sinful and selfish human beings are offered grace. In His mercy, God can change them and soften hardened hearts. With God, all things are possible. People can turn from sin, and faith can arise in unexpected ways. All humans (even a poor Lazarus) are sinners who can develop humble and faithful attitudes through the divine grace revealed in Jesus Christ. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to believe this good news!

Trinity Sunday

 Among the great commemorations on the church calendar, Trinity Sunday is rather new.  It did not become a general feast on the Western calendar until a papal decree in 1334. The origins of the observance can be traced back to the 900's in what is now Belgium, and it became widespread in northwest Europe. As the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas à Becket required the commemoration throughout England. In medieval English liturgical traditions, this Sunday was so important that it gave its name to the remaining Sundays of the church year. This way of naming Sundays during the summer and autumn continues in the traditional Books of Common Prayer. 

 Certainly, the Christian doctrine of the Trinity is based on many passages in the Scriptures, and it is expressed in the decrees of the ancient Ecumenical Councils. It is the first of the Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion: I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.  Anglicans have also affirmed the Trinity through the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. Such creedal affirmations are very important. They deserve more attention in our Christian instruction and devotion than they often receive. They are safeguards against much of the shallow theology that tends to permeate contemporary religious bodies. 

At first glance, the Gospel from John 3:1-15 may not seem closely related to high theological reflections on the theme of the Trinity. Nevertheless, the theme of being born again does have Trinitarian associations. For most Christians, a practical devotional approach to the doctrine of the Trinity is often more meaningful than theological abstractions, regardless of their truth or profundity. In John 3, we see the mystery of the Trinity at work in the context of personal salvation. Those who are born again through Christian Baptism and Faith are adopted as children of God, the heavenly Father. We look to Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, as the source of new and eternal life. And God the Holy Spirit grafts us into the Body of Christ, enables us to call God "Father," and continually gives us new life.

Pentecost (also known as Whitsunday)- John 14:26

 Pentecost is a great Christian celebration based on Scriptural accounts of the descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). The name comes from the Greek word "fifty." This title was first applied to the Jewish "Feast of Weeks" that occurs fifty days after Passover. Later, the Church applied the name to the fiftieth day after Easter. (Another English name for this day is "Whitsunday," and it comes from the northern European custom of administering Baptism to white-robed candidates at this time.) 

The Gospel for Pentecost Sunday contains the verse John 14:26:"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsover I have said unto you." This verse provides important guidance for Christ's followers about the work of the Holy Spirit. The verse can be summarized in three points. 

1) The Holy Ghost comes from the Father in Christ's name: The work of the Spirit is inseparable from the saving work of the Father and the Son. Although distinct, the redemptive work of the three persons of the Holy Trinity must not be separated. The Holy Spirit comes to enliven the eternal truth already contained in Scripture.

2) Although the work of the Holy Spirit often touches human emotions, it is not primarily emotional. Our verse indicates that the work of the Spirit is primarily instructional; that is, the Spirit mainly comes to teach Christ's disciples. The true teaching of the Holy Spirit among Christians is not separated from previous divine revelation. It continues to witness to and apply Scriptural truth.

3) As the Holy Spirit teaches Christians, it does not bring a new message. Instead, the Spirit brings to remembrance what has already been revealed in the words of Jesus. Thus, if Christians "feel" that the Holy Spirit is telling them something, they need to examine their feelings in light of the truth of the whole Biblical revelation, especially in light of Christ's words in the Gospels. In other words, anything that is truly spiritual must be consistent with what Scripture already teaches us about the Father and the Son.

Sunday after the Ascension- John 15

 The Sunday after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ is related to several Christian beliefs and themes. It is a basic expression of the broader Christian message. This time, let us focus on the opening words of this Sunday's Gospel. John 15:26-27 says, "When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness..."

Note the Trinitarian theme related to the Ascension. The Gospel speaks of the Spirit who comes from God the Father and testifies of the Son. This is a beautiful summary of the Christian perspective on revelation and redemption. Christ's Ascension prepares the way for Pentecost. The risen Lord's physical departure from ordinary earthly contact with His followers allows the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, to come in a new and more powerful way. 

Yet, this sublime truth is not all; the message of the Ascension is not just abstract and heavenly. There is also a specific implication about the way Christ's followers are to live in the world. Our Lord tells His disciples that they shall bear witness. If we who follow Christ know something of heavenly truth, we are not to hide it. We are to share it in word and deed. Yes, Christ's Resurrection, His Ascension, and the Descent of the Holy Ghost are great events in salvation history. But we are not merely to bask in glorious reflection. We are called to active mission in the world.

Ascension Day

 This year, Thursday, May 14,  is Ascension Day, the fortieth day after Easter. While it may be understandable that many working people cannot make it to a church service on a weekday, it is not excusable when professing Christians do not even know what day it is. Clergy and teachers need to do a better job of instruction. Believers should be familiar with passages such as Acts 1:1- 11 and Luke 24: 49-53. Christ's Ascension into heaven is a basic New Testament teaching, and it is a central affirmation of the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds. In addition, thinking of the Ascension of Christ to the Father's right hand helps us better appreciate the Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord. Christ's ministry continues from heaven. Our crucified and risen Lord has taken His perfect human nature into heaven, and from there, He watches over us and intercedes for us.

The Collect of the Day:
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
     [It is fitting that the 1928 BCP rubrics direct this Collect to be said daily throughout the Octave.]

Rogation Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

 Yesterday was the Fifth Sunday after Easter, commonly called Rogation Sunday in the Anglican tradition. The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day have been called Rogation Days. These days seem to date from the sixth century at Rome where Christian prayers for crops were appointed. Early processional litanies were associated with this observance, and other prayers of supplication were included during times of disaster. At the time of the English Reformation, the Rogation Days continued to be observed. In 1544, Thomas Cranmer first published the English Litany (based on Medieval and Lutheran sources). Although the Litany was originally said weekly, the Rogation Days were notable occasions for saying or singing the Litany in procession.

Books of Common Prayer from 1549 onward continued to include the Litany petition "that it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth so that in due time we may enjoy them." There were also other prayers related to nature and weather, and the American Prayer Book has incorporated a collect, epistle, and gospel on this theme (see !928 BCP, pp. 261-263).

Although many modern people are far removed from the agricultural cycle of life, we should continue to be aware of and pray for the natural cycle that provides food and sustains earthly life. Furthermore, as we  approach Ascension Day on Thursday, it is also appropriate that we be especially aware of Christ as our heavenly Intercessor and Mediator. So on these days and every day, let us pray for both natural and spiritual needs in Christ's name, in His spirit, and for His purposes.

Easter V- Rogation Sunday- John 16:23-33

On traditional Anglican calendars, the common name for the Fifth Sunday after Easter is Rogation Sunday. The term "rogation" comes from the Latin verb rogo, rogare. This is one Latin term for asking or praying. It is used in the Latin version of John 16:26, "that I will pray" (rogabo). Rogation Days go back to the early centuries of the Italian church, and this Sunday and following week days became times to emphasize prayer, especially Christian prayers for good crops.

The traditional Gospel appointed for this Sunday (John 16:23-33) is also appropriate for the Sunday before the Ascension. The theme is in the words, "Whatever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you" (16:33b). This bold claim has sometimes been misunderstood as an automatic guarantee of desired results. Using Christ's name in Christian prayer is an ancient and laudable practice, but the verse is not a simple liturgical formula. Christian prayer must never be seen as some sort of magical manipulation of divine power. Rather, we truly pray in Christ's name when we approach the Father in a Christlike attitude. This is the attitude of Christ in Gethsemane: "nevertheless not what I will but what thou wilt" (Mark 14:36b). What the Father gives us is through our union with Christ and in accordance with His great purposes of redemption. When we pray with a humble, faithful, and spiritual attitude, God does greater things for us than we limited human beings can imagine or comprehend.

In sixteenth-century England, the Rogation Days continued to emphasize prayers for agriculture. Although many modern people are far removed from the agricultural cycle of life, we should be aware of and pray for the natural cycle that provides food and sustains earthly life. In addition, as we approach the commemoration of Christ's Ascension, it is good to have a heightened awareness of Christ as our heavenly Intercessor and Mediator. All our prayers should be offered in Christ's name, in His spirit, and for His purposes.