Thursday, July 26, 2012

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Sun July 15, 2012)

Full Transcript of Father Swann's Homily:

“John, whom I’ve beheaded, has been raised!”

Herod must have been terrified. A man like Herod, who relied on treachery, questionable political moves, the power gained through wealth, is confronted with his “worst nightmare.” He knew John was dead. He saw his head – yes, through a haze of drunkenness – but he saw the head.

But this Jesus, obviously a man of power himself, is becoming known throughout Herod’s kingdom. Who is he? Could it really be John, raised from the dead? John, the man Herod killed because of a grudge, a grudge he held against him for telling the truth?

Because of what we’ve seen in our own lifetimes of the consequence of misused power, political greed and society’s belief that “it’s all about me,”---maybe--- Herod has something to teach us.

Herod is an interesting character. Suzaznna Metz ( The Rev. Dr...) has written: What Benedict Arnold is to the word “traitor,” the name Herod has become to the word “evil.” He killed his own relatives to gain the throne and then surrounded himself with men who would use Herod’s favor to garner their own power.

Let me “insert- parenthetically” at this point- I am indebted to Suzanna Metz for some excellent material on today’s lectionary readings. Suzanna has an interesting background- there is a “Tennessee connection.”

She was originally a Roman Catholic nun, who left the Roman Church and became an Episcopalian -- who sought ordination to the priesthood, and was ordained. She obtained a doctorate and joined the staff at the seminary in Sewanee as an instructor. She was also the Vicar of the very small mission St. John’s, Battle Creek—which is at the foot of Sewanee mountain. She has visited us at St. Paul’s- at our “small church conference” a few years back.

A couple of years ago she decided to leave teaching at Sewanee, and being Vicar of St. John’s in Battle Creek. She moved to England where she is vicar of Petrockstowe in the Torridge Team, Diocese of Exeter, North Devon, England, and is the publisher of Tuesday Morning, a quarterly journal focused on lectionary-based preaching and ministry. She is an excellent writer.



The parties given by the Herod were – to say the least- “wild.” There were days of feasting and uncontrolled drinking, entertainment that was sometimes less than respectable. Into this sad state of the political life of Israel, John the Baptizer dropped the embarrassing and dangerous truth. For this John lost his life.

In today’s gospel --this same Herod, who thought he had gotten rid of his adversary John, is now faced with a new adversary, Jesus. Herod had to be frightened. Who is this man he was hearing so much about? Could John have come back from the dead to haunt him, or was this someone new who would challenge his authority?

We know the answer and Herod would soon find out. Jesus was soon known by most as “a man who taught with authority,” who spoke the truth without fear, and who preached a return to faith by all Jews if they were to be truly children of God. And he “broke the rules” made up by weak men who were afraid of losing power.

While today’s gospel passage is mostly a bit of history, the letter from Paul to the Ephesians fills out what the people were saying about Jesus in Herod’s time. Paul helps us understand how we are connected to God. Paul reminds us of the amazing gifts we are given because God loves us.

Instead of being afraid that Jesus is “John raised from the dead,” Paul says, “Blessed be God … who has blessed us in Christ with ever spiritual blessing in the heavens!” No fear here, just deep and joyful gratitude that we are empowered by God’s blessings. Paul goes on to tell us what some of those blessings are: adoption as God’s children, redemption through the blood of Jesus, forgiveness for our sins and grace lavished on us. That is a wonderful image. God’s grace being lavished on us! None of these things is a “worldly gift.” They are all of a “heavenly nature,” that we can, however, use here in our earthly lives. These gifts give us a spiritual authority and power that we must use to do good and to spread the Good News among our brothers and sisters.

There’s no comparison between this kind of power and authority ----and that of people such as Herod and Pilate or those before them.

We hear Paul, in our reading from Ephesians give us God’s plan for the “fullness of time.” The plan is ; “to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

That sounds, well, mysterious. Can we understand that? Yes, we can. It is our inheritance. The question is, do we want this? It’s all fine and good to think about that being what happens in heaven, where all is supposed to be perfect love and union with God. But don’t we often find that people still think that in heaven it will be “me and Jesus”? Some even seem to be “fixated,” here on earth, with deciding who gets there and who doesn’t. Let’s be honest about that, sometimes we may want to be able to judge “who gets there and who doesn’t.”

We must not forget that Jesus constantly talked about the kingdom of God being right here, right now, too. That would suggest we ought to be living in this “abiding love” right now, with everyone. That will be tough-- we are still surrounded with people like Herod and Pilate. People are fighting for power.

Our need – is to “want to be delighted” in the thought that God lavishes his grace on us – pours it out joyfully – if only we’d be aware that it’s happening and learn to bathe ourselves in that abundance. We might ask what the consequence would be if we could do this.

It would change our lives. We might see the beauty in all God’s people and be willing to take their hands when solidarity for good is needed. We might see our churches begin to fill up-- because others would see our witness and want to share what we have. We’d learn to speak about our faith in convincing and inviting ways.

That is the challenge—for YOU and ME.  AMEN.

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