I speak in the name of the one, true and living God: Creator and ruler of the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
Time to learn a new hymn. It’s a very short one from Taizé which repeats over and over again.
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Common Praise # 634)
Today we celebrate The Reign of Christ or Christ the King. It is also the last Sunday of the season of Pentecost, the last Sunday in the church year.
Today is our last regular reading from the Gospel of Luke for two years, and we end with not one but two very important readings from Luke.
Our first reading is called the Song of Zechariah. Does anyone know who this song is about? … There is a huge clue near the end of it. “You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation.”
Zechariah is the husband of Elizabeth. He is the father of John the Baptist. This song comes near the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, just after Mary tells Elizabeth that she is pregnant. The song tells us of the history of Israel and the promise of a new covenant; a covenant brought to life in Jesus Christ.
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Common Praise # 634)
Our second reading from Luke takes place upon Golgotha … the place of the skull, where Jesus is being crucified along with two convicted criminals. Even upon the cross, Jesus has compassion for those who are hurting him. They torment him and he forgives them. They taunt him and he explains their actions to God.
“He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”
“This is the King of the Jews.”
“Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
None of them get it. None of them understand that Jesus is not there because of his own inaction. He is there because of their own sins. He is on the cross because of our sins. He is on the cross because of my brokenness, because of my sins.
Out of all of those gathered around Jesus, only one acknowledges his own faults. Only one of them does not push Jesus to save himself or anyone else.
What does he ask of Jesus?
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Common Praise # 634)
And then we have one of those words which we need to look at: “Paradise.” Paradise is not Eden, nor Heaven, nor Nirvana, nor even the Kingdom of God. Paradise is the Jewish name for the temporary resting place of the godly dead; those who are righteous when they die.
Jesus tells the convicted criminal who admits that he has done wrong, who asks Jesus not to be saved, but rather to be remembered, that they will both end the day in Paradise. Jesus tells him that he is right with God. His sins, which he freely confesses, have been forgiven.
In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high has broken upon us, shining on us, as we dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and guiding our feet into the way of peace.
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Common Praise # 634)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Saint Andrew the Apostle - Who is he anyway?
May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Today we are celebrating our connection to Saint Andrew. Who here can tell us something about Saint Andrew?
… Wait …
What is he known for?
- Fisherman
- patron of Scotland
- brother of (Simon) Peter
- the first apostles
- fisher of men
Does anyone know how much of this is from the Bible and how much is from other writings and later traditions?
… Wait …
The Bible actually says very little about Andrew. It says that he was a Galilean fisherman minding his own business when along came Jesus. The Lord called him, and Andrew got up and walked – he walked into the story of Jesus. From that moment on, his life was no longer his own; Andrew had no other story but the story of Jesus, the story that is told about Jesus, the story that Jesus himself tells.
The Bible tells us that he is the brother of Simon Peter and that, according to the Gospel of Mark, the first house that Jesus entered belonged to Simon and Andrew.
He is the son of Jonah or John and he was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. He is always named near the beginning in any list of the Apostles. He is one of the few who clearly recognize Jesus as the Christ. He was often present when Jesus did something important.
Everything you know or think you know about Saint Andrew comes from somewhere else.
Saint Andrew appears quite often in the Gospels, but he almost never does anything. He does not have any major roles to play like Judas and Peter. He does not go off and do things on his own. He answers a couple of questions as part of a group, but he never asks questions. He never does anything to put himself forward, to stand out.
Does anyone know what it means that the church is decorated with white today? What about Saint Andrew says that we should use white hangings (the official term for them is ante-pendia which means hanging before)?
We use white when we commemorate Teachers of the Faith, Spiritual Teachers, Pastors, Educators,
Monastics, and Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Which of these applies to Saint Andrew? Or for that matter to any Apostle?
They are all Teachers of the Faith.
Does anyone know what it means that I am wearing Red vestments? What about Saint Andrew says that we should decorate with red?
We use red in the church when we commemorate martyrs and missionaries. Which of those was Saint Andrew? If you don’t know, you will find a hint on the front of your bulletin.
He was actually both. All of the Apostles were sent to proclaim the good news to the kingdoms. They were missionaries. Saint Andrew is also a martyr. But how do we know that? The Bible says nothing about the end of Andrew’s life.
There is much information that is available about what Andrew went on to do in his later life. His life is described by some of the Church Fathers who wrote in the earliest days of the Church. There are even two books, the Acts of Andrew and the Gospel of Andrew, which can be found in a list of books rejected from canon sometime in the 4th or 5th century. In fact, there is so much written about Saint Andrew that some of it must be myth: fiction written to explain some theological or moral point.
I believe the Saint Andrew described in the Bible is a very apt choice as the Patron of this church and as one of the Patrons of this Parish. I also believe that this Parish is being called to live into the rest of what Saint Andrew stands for. As we go forward into Advent, I would challenge you to find out more about our Patron Saint. Find out what it means to us as a Parish that your ancestors chose to dedicate this church in his name. I also ask that you bring what you find and share it with our community.
Let us pray,
Brother of Simon Peter, you heard John the Baptist say: "Behold the Lamb of God," and you chose to follow Jesus. Leaving your nets, you became a successful fisher of souls. Lover of the Crucified Christ, you too were crucified like him. Teach us to live and suffer for him and to win many souls for Christ.
Today we are celebrating our connection to Saint Andrew. Who here can tell us something about Saint Andrew?
… Wait …
What is he known for?
- Fisherman
- patron of Scotland
- brother of (Simon) Peter
- the first apostles
- fisher of men
Does anyone know how much of this is from the Bible and how much is from other writings and later traditions?
… Wait …
The Bible actually says very little about Andrew. It says that he was a Galilean fisherman minding his own business when along came Jesus. The Lord called him, and Andrew got up and walked – he walked into the story of Jesus. From that moment on, his life was no longer his own; Andrew had no other story but the story of Jesus, the story that is told about Jesus, the story that Jesus himself tells.
The Bible tells us that he is the brother of Simon Peter and that, according to the Gospel of Mark, the first house that Jesus entered belonged to Simon and Andrew.
He is the son of Jonah or John and he was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. He is always named near the beginning in any list of the Apostles. He is one of the few who clearly recognize Jesus as the Christ. He was often present when Jesus did something important.
Everything you know or think you know about Saint Andrew comes from somewhere else.
Saint Andrew appears quite often in the Gospels, but he almost never does anything. He does not have any major roles to play like Judas and Peter. He does not go off and do things on his own. He answers a couple of questions as part of a group, but he never asks questions. He never does anything to put himself forward, to stand out.
Does anyone know what it means that the church is decorated with white today? What about Saint Andrew says that we should use white hangings (the official term for them is ante-pendia which means hanging before)?
We use white when we commemorate Teachers of the Faith, Spiritual Teachers, Pastors, Educators,
Monastics, and Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Which of these applies to Saint Andrew? Or for that matter to any Apostle?
They are all Teachers of the Faith.
Does anyone know what it means that I am wearing Red vestments? What about Saint Andrew says that we should decorate with red?
We use red in the church when we commemorate martyrs and missionaries. Which of those was Saint Andrew? If you don’t know, you will find a hint on the front of your bulletin.
He was actually both. All of the Apostles were sent to proclaim the good news to the kingdoms. They were missionaries. Saint Andrew is also a martyr. But how do we know that? The Bible says nothing about the end of Andrew’s life.
There is much information that is available about what Andrew went on to do in his later life. His life is described by some of the Church Fathers who wrote in the earliest days of the Church. There are even two books, the Acts of Andrew and the Gospel of Andrew, which can be found in a list of books rejected from canon sometime in the 4th or 5th century. In fact, there is so much written about Saint Andrew that some of it must be myth: fiction written to explain some theological or moral point.
I believe the Saint Andrew described in the Bible is a very apt choice as the Patron of this church and as one of the Patrons of this Parish. I also believe that this Parish is being called to live into the rest of what Saint Andrew stands for. As we go forward into Advent, I would challenge you to find out more about our Patron Saint. Find out what it means to us as a Parish that your ancestors chose to dedicate this church in his name. I also ask that you bring what you find and share it with our community.
Let us pray,
Brother of Simon Peter, you heard John the Baptist say: "Behold the Lamb of God," and you chose to follow Jesus. Leaving your nets, you became a successful fisher of souls. Lover of the Crucified Christ, you too were crucified like him. Teach us to live and suffer for him and to win many souls for Christ.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Saint Andrew's Day Message
May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Sorry ... no spoiler today. You will have to come to church. (I will post the sermon after the service)
Sorry ... no spoiler today. You will have to come to church. (I will post the sermon after the service)
Monday, November 8, 2010
Remembrance Day Lament
I speak to you in the name of the one who died so that we might be free. Amen.
How many need to die before we finally get it?
How many need to come home wounded in mind and body?
How many need to sit at home praying that they will see their loved ones again, fearing that every call will be the one bringing news of their death?
Why, O God, do we have to hear over and over again about another soldier lost, more civilian casualties, the ongoing ravages of war?
We are all God’s beloved.
We are all made in God’s own image.
Why can’t we see that in each other?
Why can’t we respect our brothers and sisters?
Why can’t we look for what we have in common?
Why can’t we find joy in exploring our differences?
We give thanks to you, O God, that you hear our lament.
We give thanks to you, our Creator, that you made us in your image.
We give thanks to you, our Redeemer, that you walked among us to share our broken humanity.
We give thanks to you, our Sustainer, that you share our grief and take our fallen into the company of your saints.
How many need to die before we finally get it?
How many need to come home wounded in mind and body?
How many need to sit at home praying that they will see their loved ones again, fearing that every call will be the one bringing news of their death?
Why, O God, do we have to hear over and over again about another soldier lost, more civilian casualties, the ongoing ravages of war?
We are all God’s beloved.
We are all made in God’s own image.
Why can’t we see that in each other?
Why can’t we respect our brothers and sisters?
Why can’t we look for what we have in common?
Why can’t we find joy in exploring our differences?
We give thanks to you, O God, that you hear our lament.
We give thanks to you, our Creator, that you made us in your image.
We give thanks to you, our Redeemer, that you walked among us to share our broken humanity.
We give thanks to you, our Sustainer, that you share our grief and take our fallen into the company of your saints.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
A Vision for Tomorrow - All Saints finds Remembrance
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, Our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
This past Monday was All Saints Day. This coming Thursday is Remembrance Day. The way our church calendar works, both of these days are shifted to today. So today we celebrate both feasts.
What do All Saints Day and Remembrance Day have in common?
Well, there is the obvious. Today we remember those who fought and died for our freedom and on behalf of us for the freedom of others. I strongly believe that they are counted among the Saints, both those who have died and those who remain with us still.
Remembrance is not just about those who fought long ago. It is about the past, the present and the future.
We remember those who fought in the wars of the past who made it possible for us to live in a free world; those who defended the rights of religious and ethnic minorities throughout the world; those who risked and gave up their lives, their families, and their sanity for what they believed in.
We also remember those who fight today for the same rights; who fight for the rights of women and children; who fight so that others can do something as basic as to go to school.
We remember that we are a broken people. We pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God, for the day when war becomes unnecessary. We pray for the day when there is no longer a need for soldiers.
It is the same for the Saints. Last Tuesday we remembered our own loved ones who have entered into God’s Kingdom ahead of us. We count them among the Saints. We remember them and all who loved God in life today.
We also celebrate all who fear God today. This does not mean all those who are afraid of God. It means all those who believe that God has power to affect creation, that God has the ability to guide us towards a better life, that God loves us and walks with us on our lifelong journey.
Finally, we pray for the future of the Saints. We pray that there will continue to be people working towards the Kingdom of God after we are gone, that the people of God will know God’s presence in their lives.
But what does this all mean to us here?
Today we remember the richness of our tradition. We remember those saints who came before us: those saints who built this church, who formed this parish. We remember those who helped to establish the Anglican Church north of Smokey. We remember Simon Gibbons, who came here as a missionary and all those who struggled to build a life and a church here in those hard times.
We remember that we have a rich history of working with other denominations, from the very first days of our church here to the present. We remember that our ancestors, who all moved here from far and wide, worked together to make life here possible.
We remember the service that this church has given to the community. We have served as a meeting place. We have served as a place of worship. We have served as a centre for community outreach. We have even served as a base for mounting search and rescue parties.
We have served this community as it formed and grew into what it is today.
Today we still serve in many of the same ways. We still serve as a place for the community to gather, both here at church and in our halls. We still work with our brothers and sisters of other denominations. We still reach out with pastoral support for those in need within our community, at Highland Manor, at Buchanan Memorial Hospital, on their boats at sea, wherever we see the need.
We pray that we will continue to be of service.
That is where our work lies today.
This Advent we will be working on a mission statement for our parish. We will be seeking a vision of our place in this community, of our purpose here. As a parish, we will be looking for God’s call to us.
As members of the Body of Christ, we each do God’s work every day. We each have a vision of what our individual mission is in this world.
As a parish within the Anglican Church of Canada working with a unified vision, with a defined mission, we can make the world a better place. We can make the Kingdom of God just a little bit more present in our community today.
Thanks be to God!
This past Monday was All Saints Day. This coming Thursday is Remembrance Day. The way our church calendar works, both of these days are shifted to today. So today we celebrate both feasts.
What do All Saints Day and Remembrance Day have in common?
Well, there is the obvious. Today we remember those who fought and died for our freedom and on behalf of us for the freedom of others. I strongly believe that they are counted among the Saints, both those who have died and those who remain with us still.
Remembrance is not just about those who fought long ago. It is about the past, the present and the future.
We remember those who fought in the wars of the past who made it possible for us to live in a free world; those who defended the rights of religious and ethnic minorities throughout the world; those who risked and gave up their lives, their families, and their sanity for what they believed in.
We also remember those who fight today for the same rights; who fight for the rights of women and children; who fight so that others can do something as basic as to go to school.
We remember that we are a broken people. We pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God, for the day when war becomes unnecessary. We pray for the day when there is no longer a need for soldiers.
It is the same for the Saints. Last Tuesday we remembered our own loved ones who have entered into God’s Kingdom ahead of us. We count them among the Saints. We remember them and all who loved God in life today.
We also celebrate all who fear God today. This does not mean all those who are afraid of God. It means all those who believe that God has power to affect creation, that God has the ability to guide us towards a better life, that God loves us and walks with us on our lifelong journey.
Finally, we pray for the future of the Saints. We pray that there will continue to be people working towards the Kingdom of God after we are gone, that the people of God will know God’s presence in their lives.
But what does this all mean to us here?
Today we remember the richness of our tradition. We remember those saints who came before us: those saints who built this church, who formed this parish. We remember those who helped to establish the Anglican Church north of Smokey. We remember Simon Gibbons, who came here as a missionary and all those who struggled to build a life and a church here in those hard times.
We remember that we have a rich history of working with other denominations, from the very first days of our church here to the present. We remember that our ancestors, who all moved here from far and wide, worked together to make life here possible.
We remember the service that this church has given to the community. We have served as a meeting place. We have served as a place of worship. We have served as a centre for community outreach. We have even served as a base for mounting search and rescue parties.
We have served this community as it formed and grew into what it is today.
Today we still serve in many of the same ways. We still serve as a place for the community to gather, both here at church and in our halls. We still work with our brothers and sisters of other denominations. We still reach out with pastoral support for those in need within our community, at Highland Manor, at Buchanan Memorial Hospital, on their boats at sea, wherever we see the need.
We pray that we will continue to be of service.
That is where our work lies today.
This Advent we will be working on a mission statement for our parish. We will be seeking a vision of our place in this community, of our purpose here. As a parish, we will be looking for God’s call to us.
As members of the Body of Christ, we each do God’s work every day. We each have a vision of what our individual mission is in this world.
As a parish within the Anglican Church of Canada working with a unified vision, with a defined mission, we can make the world a better place. We can make the Kingdom of God just a little bit more present in our community today.
Thanks be to God!
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