Christmas 2019

This Christmas, let us focus for a few minutes on the announcement of the angel to the shepherds. St. Luke 2:10 says, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” The angel’s message “I bring you good tidings” translates two Greek words which could also be translated as “I announce good news to you” or “I proclaim the gospel to you.”

These words mean that Christ’s Birth is the beginning of the preaching of the Gospel. His Nativity is not an isolated event. It is part of the whole story, one aspect of the entire Christian message. This birth cannot be separated from all that Jesus Christ means in His teachings, life, death, resurrection and ascension.

The story of Jesus brings “great joy.”  Obviously, there are hardships in the story. Joseph and Mary are relatively poor people from a small village in an obscure area. At the whim of the Roman oppressor, they have to make a dangerous and difficult journey for several days. At the end, they have to take shelter in a rock formation used as an animal barn. Mary’s labor is real, and there are evil forces in the world plotting to destroy the holy child.

But despite all the humility and suffering that are part of the story, its message is about deep and lasting happiness, an inner blessedness. And this joy is open to all people. The lowly shepherds are merely the first chosen to hear. They are humble representatives of all God’s people through the ages.

Christmas continues to bring us a similar message. The deliverer that we long for still comes in simple ways. Christ comes to us through the unseen Spirit, the Word recorded in ancient tongues, and sacramental bread and wine. This is really good news; these are tidings of great joy. However, the joy of the message is not to be confused with external worldly happiness.

Sometimes, we do not always have the best external circumstances at Christmas. There may be issues of health, of family, or of job. There may be sad memories. We may not have the time or money or energy to celebrate as we wish. We may not be with some of the people we love. But such externals are not the true joy of the season. Christmas is about a deep joy based on our faith and hope in God’s love, grace and mercy. Such a joy can survive in any circumstance- even as it did in a stable among poor oppressed people.

So whether we have a great external celebration with lots of people, gifts, and food  or we just have a simple quiet observance, let us focus upon what God does- how He sends His Son, the eternal Word, to become flesh and dwell among us. God the Father sends the divine Savior among us to save us all from sin and death. This is the Gospel; these are tidings of comfort and joy. Glory to God in the highest!

Advent III 2019

On this Sunday, we often look at the role of John the Baptist, Christian ideas of ministry, or the work of Christ as a fulfillment of prophecies from Isaiah. These themes are good and important. The theme of Christian ministry is a strong one for the third week in Advent, but looking at the readings, I was really struck this week by a subtext, the implied divine nature of the Messiah.

In Matthew 11, when Jesus comments on His ministry and on that of John, He says, "For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee" (Matt. 11:10). This saying includes a quotation of Malachi 3:1 where the Lord God is speaking about "my messenger." This messenger prepares the way for God Himself. So John is a prophet and more; he is the messenger preparing the way for Christ who is Immanuel- God Himself who comes among His people!

Advent I 2019

Excepts from an ecumenical homily for Advent  

Many churches observe the season of Advent, beginning the fourth Sunday before Christmas- which is today. And even if your church tradition doesn’t officially observe Advent, early December is still a good time for reflection and spiritual preparation. The word “Advent” come from a Latin word that means “coming” or “arriving,” and it is good for Christians to think about Jesus Christ coming into the world and into our lives.

We can think of Christ coming in three tenses- past, present and future. Of course, in the past, we think of His coming at His Birth. This is the coming of the Lord longed for by Isaiah and other prophets. It is the coming announced to Mary by the angel Gabriel and pointed to by John the Baptist. This manifestation of God’s Son is what we commemorate in a special way in December. As the saying goes, Jesus is the reason for the season.

It is fitting for us to recall Christ’s historic coming into the world as the divine Word made flesh. We consider all that He did, all that He taught, all that His earthly life means for our redemption. We think of Jesus from infancy to Baptism, to public ministry, to the Cross, to His Resurrection and Ascension. Remembering His first coming is the essential foundation of Christian faith.

Secondly, we think of Jesus the Christ coming in the present tense. Sometimes, we tend to overlook this coming of Christ into our lives. He comes repeatedly. He keeps being born anew in our hearts. Jesus speaks of this ongoing presence a number of places in the Scriptures. 

The whole 15^th chapter of St. John speaks of abiding in Christ. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” In Matthew 28:20, He promises His followers, “and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” In Revelation 3:20, He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Through His Word and through the work of His Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ comes to us many times in many ways. He asks us to be open to Him and allow Him to dwell in our hearts, minds and souls. He asks us to be His body and continue His presence and work in this world as He watches over us and intercedes for us from the Father's right hand.

Thirdly, as we remember Christ’s coming in the past and His repeated coming to us in this present life, we also look to His future coming. Our Lord has promised many places in Scripture that He will come again at the end of earthly history. This is a basic affirmation of all Christians. Christ will come to establish universal divine rule. He will come in mercy and in justice to set this fallen creation right. He will gather His people from all times and places into the fullness of eternal life.

This is a great hope and a strengthening truth for believers. Unfortunately, some Christians have gone a little crazy over the details. There have been wild speculations and unfounded claims. Some have even gone against the Bible by claiming to know the day or the hour. But as our Lord says in Matthew 24:42, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” And so as He adds in Matthew 24:44, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

As Christians, we should always be prepared and be preparing anew for our Lord. We should be humble enough and faithful enough to avoid too much speculation. Instead, we should focus on what we can do as we await the future. And what we can do is to accept the grace available to live in ways attuned to Christ, spiritually and morally.

We do not know exactly when God will bring this world to an end and establish Christ’s full rule. (And we may not be on this earth when it happens.) However, in the meantime, we must continue in faith, hope and love. That is the proper spiritual way to prepare for our Lord’s final coming.

In summary, the days leading up to the observance of Jesus’ Birth or Nativity should be a time of renewed devotion and spiritual preparation. We can think and reflect about the coming of Jesus Christ into the world and into our lives. Christ has come in history 2000 years ago, Christ keeps coming to us again and again, and Christ will come again in final victory and glory. Let us be open to Him in all these ways and live in spiritual preparation each day.

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity 2019

The Scripture readings today are rich and meaningful but the collect for the day is what really grabbed my attention. It says: O GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The core of this short prayer goes back to a fifth-century Roman service book, and it was slightly modified in 1662. This collect clearly points out our human dependence upon God in all things. We can't begin to please God unless He first assists us by His grace. To please God, the Holy Spirit sent by the Father and the Son must both direct, guide, and rule in our inner being. We tend to forget this point and focus on our human efforts. Of course, human effort and responsibility are important, but God is always both the beginning and the end of the whole process of justification, sanctification, and redemption!

Trinity XVII- Ephesians 4- Unity of the Spirit

Today's traditional epistle reminds us of the true basis for unity among Christians. We have many differences in nature, culture, and personal preferences, but certain things are necessary. In Ephesians 4: 2-6. St. Paul exhorts Christian believers to seek "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Christians must walk a fine line between the dangers of doctrinal weakness and intolerance. Not every religious option is acceptable. And even some things that God might overlook are not necessarily edifying. So we must stand up for our convictions. On the other hand, we must be careful about the ways that we assert our convictions. Even in disagreement, we must try to remain kind and charitable. And we should also seek common ground based on the matters that Paul mentions. There is one body- one universal church of Jesus Christ, and one Holy Spirit at work calling all believers to a common hope in redemption. There is one Lord, that is Jesus Christ, God the Son, who suffered, died, and rose to save us. There is one faith, which is both belief in and trust in the Lord Jesus. There is one baptism, the sacrament of entry into the body of Christ through water administered in the name of God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And the ultimate unity is in one God and Father who reigns over all.

Different Christian individuals and groups have distinct preferences and practices. Some of those things are important and some are not important. Some of those things may be more or less edifying for some people. Some of those preferences and practices may have significant theological and/or moral implications. Some matters are easier to compromise than others. On some matters, we agree to disagree. However, on the basics mentioned in Ephesians 4, we need to strive for spiritual unity.

Pentecost 2019

People have said and keep saying many things about the Holy Spirit.  The best way to make a sound statement on the Holy Spirit is to focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ. In today's gospel from John 14:16-17, Jesus says, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you."

In these words of our Lord, we are reminded of the origins of the Spirit's work among believers. The Holy Spirit comes among Christ's followers as a gift from God the Father at the intercession of Jesus Christ. Although Scripture speaks of many functions and gifts of the Spirit, here our Lord stresses two chief characteristics. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter or Helper and our guide in appreciating and applying divine truth. And the Holy Spirit must be distinguished from the spirits of the surrounding world. For the Holy Spirit who comes from the Father and the Son reflects their holy nature with us and in us.

Easter Basics 2019

I have never been a person to travel far from home around Good Friday and Easter. This year, family circumstances meant that I was far from home, and there was no liturgical congregation nearby. Yet, I did have a Bible and a Book of Common Prayer.

So I said Morning and Evening Prayer and read the appointed lessons from Scripture. This was more low-key than most years, but it was meaningful. I focused briefly but intensely on Jesus' passion, time in the tomb, and resurrection. And if anything, I had a greater than usual appreciation for St. Paul's exhortation in Colossians 3- "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."

Such a perspective should be the goal of all our observances, elaborate or simple. We Christians think that the death and resurrection of Jesus are core historical realities. We must affirm these events, but beyond that, we need to see the application to our personal and corporate lives. As Christ has died and risen, so have we through baptism and faith. Therefore, we should set our affections on heavenly and spiritual matters and live accordingly.

Palm Sunday as a Warning

Very often Palm Sunday is a beautiful observance. Whether there is a procession or not, there are likely to be palm branches ( or some local green substitute). A Gospel about Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem is likely to be read, and there are probably some rousing hymns or songs of praise. Christians of all sorts like to praise Jesus, and even many "nice" unbelievers don't mind joining in if it is a pretty spring morning.

Yet, in truth, sometimes we don't stop to consider the deeper meanings of the commemoration. Jesus comes as a peaceful and humble King to claim His throne, and the crowd seems to have a partial appreciation. They use Messianic titles and shout "Hosanna" which means "save now." This expression, Hosanna, is great, but we should beware. A crowd may have divergent views about what it means to be saved and differing understandings of what happens "now." Many in the crowd were looking for political salvation from Roman oppression, and they hoped that now- that Palm Sunday- the great Jewish Revolt was starting under the leadership of Jesus the Messiah.

They misunderstood. They had not really listened to or understood Jesus for a long time. They had overlooked the spiritual and moral implications of salvation. They did not see that "now" was a time of repentance and conversion, a time to choose a higher way. Now was a time of humility and suffering and sacrifice. It was not a time for a great military or political victory, but a time for victory over sin and death through cross and resurrection. And because of their misunderstanding and impatience, many members of that crowd may have been among another crowd that would soon shout "crucify him."

For us then, Palm Sunday is a warning. Although we have long heard the message and the story of Jesus, our understandings and applications are often incomplete. We tend to focus on great displays and worldly blessings just as the Jerusalem crowds did. And we want such things "now."
Therefore, let us focus on the spiritual dimensions of Palm Sunday and Holy Week. We need to understand the spiritual character of salvation through Christ. We need to be patient and see that the "now" of our salvation is to look to, understand, and have faith in Jesus as the deliverer who comes in the name of His heavenly Father.

Lent V- A Passion Sunday- Luke 20

An old name for the fifth Sunday in Lent is Passion Sunday. Although modern liturgical revision has assigned that title to the last Sunday in Lent, commonly called Palm Sunday, such a name is also appropriate for Lent V. The Gospel from St. Luke 20 is the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, and it is one of several predictions of Christ’s passion and death. God has sent His Son to give the tenants (the religious people and their leaders) another opportunity to turn from wickedness. But they will not do so. They see Jesus the Christ as a threat to be eliminated. They will not admit openly that He is the Son of God. Yet, in their hearts and souls, many of them sense His unique authority, and their rejection of Him reflects their rebellion against God the Father.

Ultimately, Christ is rejected and murdered because men refuse to acknowledge the rights of God. People offer other reasons and excuses for opposing Jesus. But by this parable, Jesus is exposing the truth. He sees through all the posturing and knows that the religious people of Jerusalem are really rebelling against God. That is the root cause of Christ’s Passion and Death. And telling the truth about it just makes His enemies all the more angry.

This historical truth has abiding personal meaning for every human being. All are called upon to acknowledge God and His Son. All are asked to repent and accept divine authority. Unfortunately, many human beings continue to behave as the wicked and rebellious tenants. In arrogance and greed, we tend to overestimate our own importance and power. We assume too much for ourselves. Clergy and laity, we forget that we are just tenants who look after the Bible, the Church, and its spiritual and moral heritage for the true owner, Almighty God. Keeping this in mind can help us turn from our self-centeredness and appreciate the Passion more deeply.

Beginning of Lent- Ash Wednesday- Matthew 6

The keys to observing Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent are found in the Scripture lessons for the day. These lessons stress the spiritual aspects of fasting and repentance. The Gospel from St. Matthew 6 makes it clear that a disciple's attitude is very important. Our Lord assumes that His followers will fast. However, they are not to be hypocritical or ostentatious. Therefore, as we think of this Lenten season, let us focus on devotion to the heavenly Father. External acts of devotion can be useful, but the main point is laying up treasure in heaven through faith in Christ.

Unfortunately, given fallen and distorted human nature, there is always a tendency to go astray in our religious and devotional practices. We tend to go to extremes. Sometimes,  Christians are too lax about self-denial. At other times, Christians are too rigid and legalistic. And even at our best, there are always tendencies to be selfish and self-righteous. 

Because of these dangers, the ancient Church developed practices that encouraged both discipline and moderation. Anglicans have tried to follow a similar moderate approach. So as we think of Lent, let us focus on our devotion to God and our understanding of Christ’s journey toward the Cross. External acts of devotion can be useful, but the most important thing about Lent is our attitude. In all we think, say, and do, let us repent, think of Christ, and respond with living faith.

Epiphany Season 2019

My blogging has gotten off to a slow start this year, but I did have a general comment on the Epiphany readings from the gospels. Of course, all the Sundays on the church calendar are for proclaiming the Word of God, but personally, I have always found the Gospels for the observance of Epiphany and the following Sundays to be particularly meaningful. After all the craziness of modern Christmas observances and before the appropriate somberness of Lent, we have a little time to pause and reflect upon some of the epiphanies of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We think of Christ's divine glory manifested to the Magi and of His first adult appearance at His Baptism. We recall events as simple as Christ turning water into wine and as dramatic as healing lepers and a centurion's servant. We may remember His teaching and rejection at Nazareth and His first healings of demoniacs and other sick people at and around Capernaum. All of these stories show Jesus of Nazareth as more than merely a teacher or even a miraculous healer. They manifest Christ's glory as the Son of God. They are earthly signs of His heavenly identity. Furthermore, these manifestations call for an appropriate response- the response of faith in Jesus as Messiah and divine Savior. May His glorious appearances inspire us to renewed affirmations of faith!