7th Sunday of Easter (May 20, 2012)

Full Transcript of Father Swann's Homily:
We have arrived at the end of the Easter season in the church calendar.  WE are in that “strange place” between the Ascension ( last Thursday) and next Sunday – the Day of Pentecost.

First - just a bit about the feast of the Ascension.  Ascension day is celebrated on the 40th day, or 39 days after Easter Day.  Ascension is both an end—and a beginning. It is the end of Jesus’ “historical” life on earth, a period when he was a single recognizable human being confined to a particular time and place.  But – it is also the beginning of a new way of relating with both his first disciples – and – with us.  He is going away—yes—BUT HE IS STAYING WITH US FOREVER, NO LONGER CONFINED TO ANY ONE SINGLE PLACE AT ANY TIME.

Throughout the season we heard the stories once again recounting the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and we read about how the apostles, disciples, and followers of Jesus adjusted to the idea of Scripture fulfilled.  Like the apostles, we have been given time, through the stories, to understand how this journey and especially how the resurrection helps us to be what we have been called to be.  This has been a period of “discernment” as we redefine what Easter means and how it changes who we are and our lives.

Today’s gospel takes it to the next level.  This is the point in our journey where we ask ourselves how God is calling us and what God is calling us to be and to do.  This call is “individually” to each of us—AND—collectively, to this new St. Paul Episcopal Parish in Seymour.  Discernment is no easy task.  When each of the disciples was called by Jesus to “follow him,” we remember that most of them dropped what they were doing with hardly a second thought.  We were amazed by their clarity and direction, and we certainly had to acknowledge the obvious charisma of Jesus.

But now, when the disciples needed to fill the spot vacated by Judas, it becomes clear that discernment is not an easy process.  Jesus has not “called” the next apostle; it is up to the community to act, using the model he left them.   Why isn’t it easy then to recognize a call, or to affirm a call, or to act on a call?  There are the lucky few who “seem to know,” with great confidence, what they are called to do.  For others it is not so obvious, but with any luck – or grace – they listen and act.

This reading from Acts seems all too familiar in the church.  Whether it is calling a priest to a congregation, a bishop to a diocese, or any of the various other call processes, discernment is essential.  IN Peter’s calling for the selection of a new Apostle, his leadership role among the Apostles is affirmed; but-- it is clear that God is the one who “guides the events.”  It is tradition handed down through Hebrew literature, that God controlled the “casting of lots” to indicate Divine will, so they end up making their choice by drawing lots.

The caveat here was that, in order to be considered, an individual had to have accompanied Jesus from the beginning of his ministry at the Baptism of John to his Ascension.  Two such men were to be considered, Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias.  After prayer the “lot” fell to Matthias. As a “footnote” Matthias is never mentioned again in Scripture.  Now that the number of Apostles were again complete- the community was prepared for the ongoing work of the Spirit.

The Gospel reading we heard today is taken from what is commonly called “ Jesus’ high priestly prayer.” This reading takes place after supper (QUOTE), “in the night in which He as betrayed.”  Jesus is praying for his disciples, and for us.  He prays for unity, for our joy, and for our safety and protection.  Jesus says that we are not of the world , -BUT—that we should, none the less, remain in the world-- for our ministry is to be IN the world, and FOR the world.  Here Jesus uses the “world” to mean- “business as usual,” the society, the culture, and various human institutions.  Jesus says that the world “hated” his disciples—this is to be the “distinguishing mark” of all who follow Jesus.

I found a little story ( or illustration) taken from a Episcopal priest’s sermon.  It involved oysters.  Everybody knows that oysters sometimes make pearls.  Pearls aren’t “automatic.” If a bit of sand gets inside its shell, one of two things will happen.  The oyster will create a pearl- or—it will die.  The pearl is the oyster’s way of staying alive after something very irritating has gotten past its shell.   Now to “connect” this with Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel.  The bit of “grit”- that get’s into our shell is this: When was the last time the ‘world hated you ( or me) because we belong to Jesus and NOT to the world?”

When was the last time our faith set us apart from “business as usual” so that we were met with anger, ridicule, or hatred?  How about a little bit of contempt?  Mild dislike, How about a tiny bit of ‘irritation?’  It is very important that we “engage” the world to make things better.  To be “faithful” and to remember the way we treat each other, and our time, and our money, and all the things that we call “mine”--- will reflect on “who we are following.”  As we approach Pentecost, let us be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Let us move from the joy of Easter as a re-creation of new life with the hope that guides us all to be God’s love in the world.  Amen.

Collect:
O GOD, the king of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:  Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

Pray Especially for:
John Cunningham, Betty Stenger, Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber, Pete Walburg, Ella Lane, Sara Pace, Bill Gardner, Katie Armstrong, the Heaton family, Lisa McNelly, Jimmy Milas, and Pete Stanish.

(1st Reading Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, Psalm 1, 2nd Reading 1 John 5:9-13, Gospel John 17:6-19)

Sixth Sunday of Easter - Homily

                                FULL TRANSCRIPT OF FATHER SWANN'S HOMILY:

Welcome on this 6th Sunday of Easter and Mother’s Day. You may (or may not) remember last week in the Homily we were talking about how ‘’connectedness’’ with God is the first step in bearing ‘’good fruit’’ for the Kingdom. This week we are going to be talking about our ‘’connectedness’’ – our relationship – with each other. As we move through the ‘’Great Fifty Days of Easter’’ toward Pentecost our lessons high light the ‘broad spectrum’ of what the Christian faith brings to the people of God. Both the Epistle and the Gospel lesson today are about the great commandment God gives to ‘’love one another as I have loved you.’’ Most of us have a basic understanding of this simple message. The question is –How well are we able to follow this commandment of God.

The Epistle today – 1st John –is a guideline to developing fellowship with Christ. In our lesson we discover

that it takes confidence in our lives to be able to relate to such fellowship. To express the truth of love toward others as we love ourselves is NO easy task. Many people have difficulty in loving themselves.’’ The great glory of our Christian faith is that it is designed to prepare us for life and to fit us for living that life. God created us to be confident, adequate, and full of assurance so that WE can do that which God has planned for us. It is told of John Wesley that when he was a very young newly ordained Anglican priest, he became aware of his own sin and the immensity of God’s grace in Christ –his first reaction was to go to an isolated hut in the wilds of Yorkshire—to dedicate his life to meditation and prayer.

In the end- his plan to ‘’shut himself off from everyone’’ came to nothing. Wesley was reminded by an older and wiser Christian that –‘’there is no such thing as solitary Christianity.’’ The New Testament has many things to say about the life of the Christian community. However the foundation of that life is in the foundation statement; ‘’As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.’’

This might possibly seem to be contrary to our usual understanding, based on the teaching that - we are saved by the good News of God’s grace in Jesus Christ, unconditionally, and regardless of behavior. But- NOT REALLY – Jesus is NOT speaking to ‘’unbelievers.’’ He is speaking to people who are already His disciples. This passage only makes sense when we remember that it is a continuing part of last Sunday’s reading. The disciples to whom Jesus’ words are addressed are the ‘branches’ that are already ‘attached’ to the vine, to Christ. What Jesus is teaching us is NOT the way to be ‘’saved’’ BUT—the kind of life Christians ‘’ought to live’’ – BECAUSE they are saved.

In thinking of “Christian love” – what does it really mean to love my brother or sister? Who is my brother or sister? From the first verse of our Epistle today we heard; “Everyone who believes that Jesus Christ has been born of God…. Is a child of God. WE are family. If we love the Father , we will likewise love the other children of the family. We are talking about the ‘’extended family’’ of God. WE are talking about a relationship with each other in the body of Christ. C.S. Lewis, the great lay Anglican theologian, once wrote: ‘’Don’t waste your time bothering whether you love your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this – we find one of the great secrets.

When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone, that you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a ‘good turn,’ you will find yourself disliking him less. AS most of you know, the Episcopal Church has orders of monks and nuns. The convent of the Order of Saint Mary is situated at Sewanee, Tennessee. Sister Miriam Brasher, of St. Mary’s Convent gave a sermon that connects well to Mother’s Day. It contained a story showing the great love of a Christian mother for her son and her husband, and her commitment to ‘’truly follow Jesus’’ in the worst of situations.

The story is ‘’set’’ in South Africa in a courtroom. It is after the time of Apartheid when South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission was working to bring to justice those who perpetrated many ‘’horrors.’’ The scene is a courtroom trial in South Africa. A frail black woman, over 70 years old, gets slowly to her feet; Facing her are several white security police officers. One of them, a Mr. van der Brock, has just been tried and found guilty in the murders of the woman’s son and husband. He had come to the woman’s house, taken her son, shot him at pointblank range, and burned his body while he and his officers partied nearby.

Some years later, the same van der Brock and his cohorts returned for her husband as well. For months she heard nothing of his whereabouts. Then, almost two years after her husband’s disappearance, van der Brock came back to fetch her. How vividly she remembered that night. They took her to a riverbank where she say her husband, bound and beaten, but still strong in spirit, lying on a pile of wood. The last words she heard from his lips as van der Brock and his fellow officers poured gasoline over his body and set him on fire- his words were; ‘’Father forgive them…’’

Sometime later --- when the woman stood in the courtroom and listened to the confessions of van der Brock--- a member of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission turned to her and said; ‘’So what do you want? How should justice be done to this man who has brutally destroyed your family?” The old black lady said, ‘’I want three things.” 1.) ‘’I want to be taken to the place where my husband’s body was burned – to gather up the dust and give him a decent burial.’’ 2.) “My son and husband were my only family. So I want Mr. van der Brock to come twice a month to my house and spend the day with me, so I can pour out on him whatever love I have remaining in me.’’ 3.) “Finally,” she said, ‘’I would like Mr. van der Brock to know that I offer him my forgiveness because Jesus Christ died to forgive. This was also the wish of my husband.’’

‘’I would kindly ask someone to come to my side and lead me across the courtroom so that I can take Mr.

van der Brock in my arms, embrace him, and let him know that he is truly forgiven.” Amen.

Collect:
O GOD, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives an reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray Especially for:
John Cunningham, Betty Stenger, Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber, Pete Walburg, Ella Lane, Sara Pace, Bill Gardner, Katie Armstrong, the Heaton family, Lisa McNelly, Jimmy Milas, and Pete Stanish.

(1st Reading Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98, 2nd Reading I John 5:1-6, Gospel John 15:9-17)



Fifth Sunday of Easter (April 6, 2012)

Philip was told by an angel to go "toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."  There was an Ethiopian eunuch that had came to worship in Jerusalem.  He was reading aloud from the writings of Isaiah.  Philip was compelled to run up to the eunuch and he asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"  The man said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?"  The passage read, "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 

In his humiliation justice was denied him.  Who can describe his generation?  For his life is taken away from the earth."  The eunuch does not understand the passage.  He asks Philip for guidance on it.  Philip proceeds to tell the man how the sacrificial lamb is Christ and of his atonement reconciles us to God by grace.  The two men came upon an area with water where the eunuch asked to be baptized.  Philip baptized him and once the water was applied the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch then proclaimed the gospel of Christ to everyone he met on his way until he came to his destination city, Caesarea. 


Many scholars believe this story is related directly to one of the earliest forms of Christianity called Coptic Christianity.  This church today still exists almost entirely without any change since the beginning.  In our reading last week Jesus referred to himself as the good shepherd.  Now today we see him referred to as a lamb led to slaughter and also as a vine (or plant).  We explored last week a common theme again this week in which we are reminded that Christ plays many roles in our lives, but the main role is always Savior. 

God makes manifest the love He has for us in his Son Jesus' divinity.  As always all things work together for good for those that love God.  We are reminded in today's gospel lesson that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.  He reminds us that if we are up to no good God will deal with us by removing us.  He is referring to our state of grace.  It is not that God hates us, or forgets about us, but instead spends more time on us.  Jesus

says, "Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned." 

This simply means God will not force anyone to do anything (he could, but he will not).  Some Christians believe this Scripture proves God gets his way, or out with us.  However, would God act this way after sacrificing his precious Son?  Nothing can separate us from the love of God.  For grace, love, and peace thanks be to God.

Collect:
ALMIGHTY GOD, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Pray Especially for:
John Cunningham, Betty Stenger, Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber, Pete Walburg, Ella Lane, Sara Pace, Bill Gardner, Katie Armstrong, the Heaton family, Lisa McNelly, Jimmy Milas, and Pete Stanish.

(1st Reading Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:24-30, 2nd Reading I John 4:7-21, Gospel John 15:1-8)

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Sunday April 29, 2012)

Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away."  A common practice among shepherds that are good vs. a hired hand that just collects a salary, is that danger does not concern them when it comes to protecting the sheep.  A shepherd would often sleep where there was a gap in the fence to prevent a sheep from crossing out of the fence into danger. 

We know Jesus was talking in regards to the crucifixion when he said he would lay down his life for the sheep.  What do the sheep do to deserve such protection?  The fur that comes from the sheep is used to make clothing and various other items.  Now, consider how the sheep are innocent and how they do not harm anyone.  I believe they have every right to be protected especially seeing that they are harmless and only provide help in the form of their bounty. 

What about you and I?  We harm one another and do not always act like God wants us to.  We enslave one another in various forms and we still expect protection which we do not deserve.  When one of the flock of Christ goes astray Jesus will nudge us back into line with whatever is fitting at the time.  It has been said that, "Sometimes the only way for the Lord to enter our hearts is to break them" (Archbishop Fulton Sheen).  As Episcopalians we don't often want to think of God, or of his Son, breaking our hearts, but in reality sometimes he does. 

Would it make you think any less of our Father for doing so?  It shouldn't as he is always there waiting to bring us back into the fold no matter how far astray we go.  Sometimes breaking our hearts may be the only humane thing to do to avoid physical harm.  In this realm of life we are all but infants in regards to our will and that of God.  To obtain a mental image of this truth think back to your childhood.  Do you remember when you would do something like touch the stove and you were scolded, or perhaps your hands were pushed away?  It either broke your heart, or you were rebellious and considered it humorous to continue. 

If you had not been warned and you remembered that then you probably wouldn't think so fondly of the incident.  If you play with fire you will eventually be burned.  Sometimes when God trust to correct us, or show us His will, we want to get angry and we are so bothered by the notion that we have a boss.  However, when things work out it is so easy to praise.  Isn't the sacrifice of Christ enough?  If God did nothing else for us our whole lives  we have already been given grace which will see us through that we could not obtain on our own. 

We will all struggle with our faith and the questions life can pose, but lean on faith.  Jesus goes on to say, "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.  So there will be one flock, one shepherd.  For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.  No one takes if from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. 

I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again.  I have received this command from my Father."  Can you believe Jesus includes those stubborn among us (or our unwillingness to listen to the concerns of the other faithful because it makes us uncomfortable)?  It is refreshing to use this insight our Lord gives when recalling the early history of our Anglican roots in which we were to become a unified body with differing opinions where we can come to corporate worship and value one another and partake in the Holy Sacraments.  "God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything... the Spirit he has given us." (I John 3:16-24).  For this and all things, Thanks be to God.

COLLECT:

O GOD, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you, and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Pray especially for:

John Cunningham, Betty Stenger, Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber, Pete Walburg, Ella Lane, Sara Pace, Bill Gardner, Katie Armstrong, the Heaton family, Lisa McNelly, Jimmy Milas, and Pete Stanish.

(1st Reading Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23, 2nd Reading I John 3:16-24, Gospel John 10:11-18)