Advent III- I Corinthians 4:1-5

For the Third Sunday in Advent, the readings from I Corinthians 4 and Matthew 11 point us to the theme of Christian ministry. This theme is especially appropriate because the traditional Advent Ember Days occur on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of this week. For centuries, these days have called Christians to deliberate emphasis on the general ministry and mission of the Church, and especially on the role of the ordained ministry. All Christians share in ministry, and ordained deacons, priests, and bishops have special responsibilities.

The Epistle from I Corinthians 4:1-5 speaks of such Christian ministry. All Christians are called to ministry or service for Christ, but all too often we forget this, at least in practical daily speech and behavior. Every person baptized has been set aside and transformed by grace in the name of the Holy Trinity. This setting aside for service has a special application to the ordained ministry. In a special way, the clergy are called to be "stewards of the mysteries of God" (I Corinthians 4:1).

What are the mysteries of God? The mysteries are the core events of Christ's Gospel- from the Annunciation and Nativity to the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. These Scriptural mysteries are summarized in the ancient Creeds. These mysteries are also powerfully expressed in the Sacraments. The Christian Gospel becomes visible and immediate for us in the concrete Sacred Mysteries or Sacraments, in particular Baptism and the Eucharist. Every Christian is called to believe the mysteries of the Gospel and to participate in appropriate and faithful ways in the sacramental expression of these mysteries 

During this Advent, let us prepare for Christmas by contemplating the mysteries of the Gospel and their expression in the Sacraments. Let us be aware of our general calling to be faithful stewards of the Gospel according to our specific vocations. And let us pray that all Christians, especially those who are ordained, may be constantly renewed by divine grace for God's service.

Thursday before Easter, commonly called Maundy Thursday- I Corinthians 11

 The Thursday before Easter has several associations in the New Testament and has had other associations in church history. For most Christians, the central point is the institution of the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, or Eucharist. The Epistle from I Corinthians 11: 23-26 highlights the basic acts and meaning of this event. By sharing in this Holy Sacrament, we show forth the Lord's death till He comes again, and we share in His body and His blood given to save us. We commune with Christ and with fellow believers.

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer added a collect of the day based on phrases from Scripture and other parts of the Prayer Book:

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood; Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him, who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal; the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

This prayer is both a succinct reminder of the important nature of Holy Communion and a prayerful request that we may approach and receive the Sacrament with appropriate attitudes. This central act of Christian worship is more than a dead memory of a night long ago. It is a living participation in the Body and Blood of Christ (I Corinthians 10:16-17), and it is a foretaste of eternal life in His heavenly kingdom. We should be thoughtful and seek to appreciate the Sacrament with our best human understanding. Nevertheless, we should always be aware that these "holy mysteries" transcend particular human thoughts and theologies. Whatever our theories, it is the Lord Jesus who still comes to be with us and to offer us His grace. He does so in these mysteries that He established. He is the Savior who gave Himself for us long ago and who will come again in glory  Thanks be to God!

Trinity Sunday- John 3

Emphasizing the doctrine of the Holy Trinity on the Sunday after Pentecost is fitting because Pentecost marks a fulfillment of the revelation of God in Three Persons. Although not defined in one particular place in Scripture, the doctrine of the Trinity is supported by many passages and summarizes the entire message of the Bible. The Trinitarian emphasis continued in the Christian Church as Scriptural teachings about God were summarized in the ancient creeds such as the Latin Apostles’ Creed and the Greek Nicene Creed.

Although a great mystery and although the history of discussions about the Trinity can be complicated, the basic concern of the doctrine is really simple. The doctrine of the Trinity teaches us about God, His nature, His love, and His grace. The doctrine proclaims His redeeming purposes. It is at the heart of Christian theology, life, and devotion. Even for believers who are not into abstract theology, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is at the center of the Christian experience of God. It is the great mystery which calls us to living faith. We need to see and appreciate the doctrine of the Trinity in the context of an ongoing Christian life and devotion- in contexts such as Christian morality and Christian prayer. The triune God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit is always with us!

Pentecost 2017

Over the years, I have commented on Pentecost or Whitsun week in a variety of ways. The readings and liturgical resources from the Prayer Book are rich. All remind us of the special work of God the Holy Spirit that began among the disciples fifty days after Christ's Resurrection and ten days after His Ascension. This year, I would like to focus on the work of the Holy Spirit by juxtaposing two contrasting passages from the Gospel of John.

The first verse is John 3:8 -"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” These words of our Lord stress the mystery and the freedom associated with the work of God the Holy Spirit. It is not tangible and not always predictable. It goes beyond our normal human categories and expectations.

The other passage is John 16:13-14 - "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you" (ESV). These words of our Lord emphasize the truth and continuity of divine revelation. Although Pentecost marks a new phase in the work of God the Holy Spirit, the Spirit continues the work of God the Son, Jesus Christ. Despite the mystery and sometimes unexpected details, the truth is the same. The Spirit is free but orderly and not chaotic. If we want to understand the Holy Spirit's work in the Church and in our lives, we must always relate it to those things revealed in the life and work of Jesus Christ.

Thus, we Christians need balance in our responses to the work of the Holy Spirit. We need to be open to some new and surprising applications, but we also need to maintain a sense of continuity. There are three divine Persons but only one God and one divine revelation.