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)