Trinity X- Luke 19:41

The Gospel for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity comes from Luke 19:41-47. This passage follows Luke’s account of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. These verses highlight our Lord’s concern for the city and its people. St. Luke 19:41 says, “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it…” There were various reasons to weep over first-century Jerusalem. The city was important for several reasons, and it suffered from diverse forms of corruption.

In this post, let us focus on the key aspect of corruption: Jerusalem's role as the heart of the Jewish religion. The city was the place where the whole Jewish people focused their relationship with God. In general, the people honored the religious establishment even though many religious leaders lacked living faith. Such leaders thought all was well as long as certain external forms were maintained. Most of the priests and religious scholars viewed Jesus as a troublemaker to be neutralized. Most official religious leaders sought to maintain the respectable, prosperous, and powerful situations permitted by Rome.

Of course, worldly Rome would only allow these leaders to continue for so long. Rome was greedier and more powerful than the Jerusalem priests and scribes were. The Empire would eventually tire of Judean party squabbles and rebellions; in 70 AD, Roman military might would destroy the rebellious city. Such then was the city over which Jesus wept. He wept because He loved His people, and He still honored the religious heritage and values which Jerusalem symbolized. He wept because of the corruption, spiritual blindness, and sin that endangered the city and the Jewish people.

There is a historical aspect to this Gospel selection. It is about first-century Jerusalem. However, it is also about the human story, and sadly, it seems to have many applications to present-day Christianity. Like the religious parties of first-century Jerusalem, many contemporary Christians, especially the religious leaders, do not know the things that bring true peace. Many who profess Christ do not follow Him, and the problem is more than general human weakness or individual sins. Our post-modern religious institutions are permeated by various forms of moral and spiritual corruption. 

Christendom does have a great heritage, but so did ancient Jerusalem (and so did ancient Rome). Even a great heritage can become so corrupt that it collapses from internal weakness and external pressures. Christ's Church will continue to the end of the age, but particular institutional and civilizational expressions of the Church may fade away. That includes, for example, the Vatican and Canterbury, as well as many smaller religious organizations. The dangers are real and acute.

Yet, we are not without hope. Christianity is a faith based on repentance and renewal. If even a remnant heeds Christ and lives by His truth and His values, their message survives through the chaos and destruction. Jesus Christ offers us a different way than the worldly way. He offers true peace, peace with God and fellow believers. He offers new life through divine grace and living faith. The question that faces supposed Christians is whether we really accept Him and His peace, or we ignore Him and pursue the corrupt ways that lead to destruction. Lord, have mercy upon us.

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!

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.

Easter IV- James 1:18; John 16:13-14

The traditional Epistle and Gospel for this Fourth Sunday after Easter are distinctive texts that may seem to be about different topics. James 1 has some very practical everyday advice for faithful living. John 16 contains high theological thoughts about Christ's departure and the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Ghost. Yet, there is a theme in common in these two passages. That theme is "the truth."  

In James 1:18, we are told that as believers, God has begotten "us with the word of truth." In John 16:13-14, Jesus says, "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

What is the truth referred to in our readings? It applies to several things. First, the truth is the Bible, God's inspired written document. Secondly, the truth is also a person; it is Jesus Christ, God the Son, the eternal Word made flesh. Thirdly, for us, the truth is the Gospel of salvation through faith in our crucified and risen Lord. The Gospel message is the greatest truth of the universe, and as James 1:21 indicates, when received in humble faith, "the engrafted word" is able to save our souls! Thanks be to God for His living and life-giving truth! Alleluia!

Easter IV- John 16:5-15

 The Gospel for this Fourth Sunday after Easter is John 16:5-15. Like some other selections during this season, these verses are from our Lord's Farewell Discourses to the Twelve on the evening of Maundy Thursday. In these discourses, our Lord addresses some of the misunderstandings and worries of the disciples. He is about to go away (first through His Passion and Death, later through His Ascension). He strengthens and encourages His followers by speaking of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. In John 16:13, Jesus says, "when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth..." (KJV). Then in John 16:15, Christ asserts, “All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he [the Holy Spirit] shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

The situation of the disciples is changing. Jesus will not be them in the ordinary physical way, but the work of the Holy Spirit will continue Christ’s ministry on earth.  The Holy Spirit is not confined by location, ethnicity, language, or time. The Spirit guides believers into truth. Yet, this truth is not some new message. It is the same eternal truth that has been revealed by God the Father to Israel over the ages. And it is the same truth revealed in the earthly life of Jesus Christ. 

So redemptive truth is Trinitarian. It comes from God the unseen heavenly Father. It has been made known by the divine Word over the ages and finally become incarnate in Jesus. This same eternal truth also works through the Holy Spirit. It will continue to work in the world until the end of history. The Spirit of Truth works in many ways, but chiefly He works through the Scriptures and the sacraments. He works in the church as the community of believers, and He works in the lives of faithful individuals.

Our verses from John 16 proclaim a simple and clear basic point. The work of the Spirit comes from God the Father, and it is consistent with the revelation of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God. The work of the Holy Spirit is not a new or separate revelation; it is a series of living applications of the divine truth already revealed, especially revealed in Jesus Christ. This is good news!

Easter IV- John 16:5-15

The traditional Gospel for this Sunday from John 16:5-15 is one of the rich selections from the "Farewell Discourses." Here our Lord seeks to reassure the disciples by speaking of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. He says, "I tell you that it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (16: 7). A little later, He adds, "when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth..." (16: 13).

These verses point to the divine plan for Christ's mission. As Jesus' ordinary physical presence on earth draws to a close, His followers experience some natural human anxiety. They do not really understand much that is about to happen, and they certainly do not want to hear of His leaving. But Christ's death, resurrection, and return to heaven are good for His followers. In heaven, He will intercede for them and prepare a place for them. Furthermore, through a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Christ will continue to work among His followers in ways transcending His earthly ministry. The Spirit will guide them into truth. This truth is not some new, secret or unheard of truth, but it is the same truth already manifested in the person of Christ.

The essential point of Jesus' teaching should be clear to Christians. He teaches us that the work of the Holy Spirit must not be separated from the revelation in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God. The work of the Spirit among Christians is a series of living applications of the truth already revealed in Christ and His Gospel. So as the Easter season winds down, and we look forward to Ascension and Pentecost, we should appreciate the unity of divine truth. The basic work of redemption in Jesus Christ was a unique time in history, but the same Christ continues to be be present and guide Christians through the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

Trinity II- Worldly Hate- I John 3:13

The Epistle and Gospel for the Second Sunday after Trinity contain great theological themes such as love, mercy, and mission. However, this time I would focus on one verse with great practical wisdom for Christians. The selection from the Epistle, 1 John 3: 13 begins "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." 

Many believers down through the centuries have appreciated the value of John's warning. They have known that the fallen world, sometimes even within the institutional church, opposes and indeed hates the Christian message and those who sincerely seek to live in accordance with the Gospel. Unfortunately, in recent centuries, many western Christians have forgotten this Biblical truth. They have accepted the two assumptions that most human beings are "nice" and that even worldly people are well-disposed toward the Christian message. From a Biblical perspective, such assumptions have never been accurate, and they apply even less to secularized societies that no longer accept generally Christian values. Believers need to be realistic. While we look for the good in others and strive to live peaceably, we must take the fallenness of humanity and the world seriously.

Most Christians prefer to be liked, but Jesus warns His followers repeatedly that He and they must be ready to face worldly hatred. In John 15:18-19, we read,  "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." The early Christians knew and accepted this teaching. Many Christians have become aware of it repeatedly throughout history. In secular and so-called post-Christian societies, we must all learn once more to take this Biblical teaching seriously. Loyalty to Jesus Christ means that we are not of the world, and the world does not react very nicely when rejected. Knowing this, we must be spiritually courageous and faithful!

Easter IV- John 16:13-14; James 1:18-21

The Epistle and the Gospel for this Fourth Sunday after Easter seem to be different and distinctive texts. James 1 has some very practical everyday advice for living. John 16 contains high theological thoughts about Christ's departure and the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Ghost. Yet, there is a theme in common. That theme is "the truth."  In James 1:18, we are told that as believers, God has begotten "us with the word of truth." In John 16:13-14, Jesus says, "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

What is this word of truth? It is several things. Ultimately, the word of truth is Jesus Christ, God the Son, the eternal Word. And the word of truth is the Holy Scriptures, especially the Gospel of salvation through faith in our crucified and risen Lord. This message is the greatest truth of the universe, and as James 1:21 indicates, when received in humble faith, the word is able to save our souls! Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday- John 14:26

This Sunday is Pentecost or Whitsunday. the fiftieth day after Easter, This Christian feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ's disciples in a powerful new way, and it has sometimes been called the birthday of the Christian Church. There are many things that we can say about the Holy Spirit, but today I would like to focus on one verse from the Gospel of John. In John 14:26, Jesus tells the disciples, "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, whatsoever I have said unto you."

As Jesus looks toward the end of His earthly ministry with His approaching death, resurrection, and ascension, He promises His followers that divine aid will continue. God the heavenly Father will send the Paraclete, Comforter, or Helper to the disciples in Christ's name. Christians will still need teaching. In particular, they will continue to need reminding in a lively way of the teachings that Christ has already given. In other words, the central work of the Holy Spirit among Christians is to help them remember and apply the Gospel.

Unfortunately, through the centuries and into our time, many people have misunderstood and distorted this main work of the Holy Spirit among believers. Some have gone to emotional and imaginative extremes. Some have neglected Scripture and Christ's Sacraments in favor of some nebulous "spirituality." However, true spirituality inspired by the Holy Ghost must never be separated from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other Gospel that can save souls. So the Holy Spirit never contradicts the revelation in Christ. Rather the Holy Spirit recalls the Scriptural message, makes it alive, and helps us apply it in our situations! 

Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday- John 14: 15-31

Pentecost is one of the great feasts of the Church based on Scriptural accounts of the descent of the Holy Spirit. The name comes from the Greek word "fifty." This title was applied to the Jewish "Feast of Weeks" which is the fiftieth day after Passover. Later, the Church assigned the commemoration to the fiftieth day after Easter. (The other English name for this day means "White Sunday," and it comes from the northern European custom of administering Baptism to white-robed candidates on this feast.) 

The Gospel for Pentecost (St. John 14: 15-31) continues the series of selections from Christ's Farewell Discourses. A key verse in the selection is 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.". In view of  the diverse opinions that some Christians have about the Spirit over the centuries, this verse provides important guidance. 

This guidance 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 persons of the Holy Trinity must not be separated.

2) While 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 is a continuation of the teaching of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word.

3) As the Holy Spirit teaches, it does not bring a separate new revelation. 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 teaches us about Jesus Christ.

Fourth Sunday after Easter-The Spirit of Truth- John 16: 5-15

The Gospel for Easter IV (St. John 16:5-15) is another in a series of selections from the "Farewell Discourses." The verses for today actually precede the selection for last Sunday. Our Lord addresses the worries of the disciples that He will go away. He says, "I tell you that it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (16: 7). A little later, He adds, "when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth..." (16: 13) 

As the time of Christ's ordinary physical presence on earth draws to a close, His disciples are anxious about the change.  Nevertheless, He teaches them that those days had to end, and such a change is both necessary in the divine plan and good for believers. A new chapter in Christ's work was soon to begin through a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. In this way, Christ continues to work among His followers through the Spirit. The Spirit is a guide into truth; not some new, secret, or unheard-of truth, but the truth already revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Like those first disciples, modern Christians are often uncertain and confused. Sometimes, we still view the days of Christ's earthly ministry with a certain nostalgia. We like to imagine that we would be better disciples if He were still walking among us bodily. We like to imagine that we would have deeper faith, more enthusiastic commitments, and holier life-styles. Of course, in reality, we probably wouldn't be much different. The weaknesses of human nature and the availability of divine grace are still the same.

Another issue is that Christians have often gone to extremes and wild tangents when talking about the Holy Spirit. Such problems existed in apostolic times (for example, in the Corinthian church) and have appeared down through Christian history. Some people tend to ignore the work of the Spirit while others attribute all kinds of strange things to the Spirit.  Extremists get caught up in emotional sensations, in exaggerated or distorted doctrines, or in excuses for unruly and immoral behavior. However, we need to exercise caution. The truth into which the Spirit guides us must always be based on, be an application of, the truth already revealed in the life, teachings, and redeeming work of Jesus Christ. As we look back to Jesus' life, death and resurrection and look forward to Pentecost, we must keep the work of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit connected. The basic truth was revealed in Christ, and that truth remains valid for all time; now the Holy Spirit keeps guiding us as we apply that truth in each of our lives.

Second Sunday in Advent- Scripture

The Second Sunday in Advent has often been called "Bible Sunday," and the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel for this Sunday all stress the importance of Holy Scripture. As Anglicans, we should always remember that God’s revelation is basic. All that is necessary for salvation is found in Scripture. Yet, Scripture is closely connected with Christ's Church. Scripture and the Church have always been intertwined. Scripture reveals divine truth. It is the foundation of faith. It guides and corrects the Church, but the Church also serves as God’s instrument to preserve and interpret Scripture.

Personal acceptance and applications of Scripture are necessary, and individual opinions about Scripture can be valuable, but corporate understandings of Scripture are a safeguard. While 1 Peter 2:9 assures us that all believers are priests in a general sense, 2 Peter 1:20 warns, “no prophecy of scripture is of a private interpretation.” Properly understanding Scripture depends upon the work of the Holy Spirit within the Body of Christ, the universal Church. Great thinkers and even pious believers can make mistakes about some biblical ideas and texts. Even large Christian organizations and denominations have erred on some points. At times in history, many Christians have accepted poor explanations on some points of faith or morals.

Yet, God's Word remains forever (1 Peter 1:25), and Christ promises that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His universal Church (Matt. 16:18). Divine truth and faithful believers will continue till the end. So we look to the understanding of Scripture that has survived in the Church through the centuries. We look to the catholic or universal faith of the ancient Church, “what has been believed everywhere, always, by all” (St. Vincent of Lerins). These are the beliefs reflected in the church fathers and summarized in the ancient creeds. They are found among the Reformers and in the Prayer Book Catechism. They are expressed in the historic liturgies. There may be differences about interpreting some details, but the core of Scripture is clear. And that core of Scripture centered on Christ the eternal Word of God calls for our faithful response. May Advent be a time for us to renew our commitment to an orthodox Christian understanding of Scripture!