In the New
Testament Jesus is called by many titles as the disciples tried to understand
him and his ministry. At that time the title Lord was one of deepest
respect. Rabbi, also a title of high respect meant "teacher." After the
Resurrection, Son of God implied an extraordinary relationship with God.
Son of Man referred to Jesus as a human being with a special bond to
God. In using these various titles the biblical writers were portraying what
God was doing through Jesus. The various New Testament titles of Jesus remain
powerful signs of the acts of his ministry.
In today’s
Gospel, Jesus is revealed as God’s Anointed One, the Messiah. This
was a very special moment, because Jesus did not match the description of the
Messiah anticipated by the Hebrew people. They expected a man who would be a
military leader, a man who would throw off foreign rule in their land, a man
who would establish a government of peace. Many Jews today are still awaiting
that Messiah. Instead, the disciples redefined the Messiah to be the
Anointed One who offers to transform people’s hearts, their spirit. They
realized that if people would only choose to align their hearts and minds with
God’s Will, if we – strengthened by the Holy Spirit - would acquire
an inner peace by loving God, our neighbors, and ourselves, there would be an
outward ripple effect that would transform everything outside – including
government and the social order. Love would bring about justice and peace. They
acknowledged with a new meaning that Jesus is God’s true Messiah. In the
Greek language “messiah” is christos, and for us,
“Christ.” Jesus the Christ. Jesus the Messiah. Briefly, “Jesus
Christ.”
You and I are the
contemporary followers or disciples of Christ. We are the Christian Church, the
worldwide fellowship of his disciples. We join those who have gone before us
for two thousand years confessing Jesus as our Rabbi, Son of God, Son of Man,
and Messiah.
Sadly, right from
the start there have been many disagreements among Christians. Matters of
belief and issues of daily living have been understood in different, sometimes
opposing ways; we have seen the development of about two thousand different
Christian denominations. Many of the differences are significant; many are not.
Our Episcopal
Church is one of the national Churches of the world-wide Anglican Communion. We
look to the Archbishop of Canterbury in England as our symbolic leader. Several
years ago I visited Canterbury Cathedral, and I stared in awe at his official
chair, his cathedra, in a way the center of the Anglican Communion. A
chair in a church, yet so much more symbolically. But most importantly, we are
more than Episcopalians; we are Christians!
And here we are
this morning: disciples of Christ gathered as a worshiping fellowship in the
Church of the Holy Redeemer in Lake Worth - within the Episcopal Diocese of
Southeast Florida. In the Reading from Galatians we are reminded that we were
baptized into Christ where there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer
slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of us are one in
Christ Jesus. With the Gospel all distinctions are erased; all are equally
welcome to Christ and all have an equal need of him; all sorts and conditions
of men and women, who believe in him become one community through him; they are
one body, of which he is the head.
This does not mean
that all the distinctions of responsibility among people are to be disregarded.
It does not mean that no respect is to be shown to those in public or church
office, or to people in elevated rank. It does not mean that all are on the
same level in regard to talents, comforts, or wealth; but it does mean that all
people are on an equal level "in regard to religion." Paul means to teach that
no one has any preference or advantage in the kingdom of God because of wealth,
or because of elevated rank; no one is under any disadvantage because he or she
is poor, unskilled, or a slave. All at the foot of the cross are disciples; all
at the communion table are strengthened by the same Spirit. All who enter
heaven, will enter, not as princes and nobles, rich and poor, in separate
orders and ranks, but mingling together as children of God. To be sure,
“in Christ there is no East or West, in him no South or North, but one
great fellowship of love…...” united in a common baptism and prayers
together.
This fellowship
has come upon hard times. Regardless of the reasons, you have the task before
you of refreshing the Church of the Holy Redeemer. Fortunately, you do not have
to start from scratch. You have chosen to confess Jesus as the Risen Lord and
Christ. You have elected to do this as an Episcopal Church – with Holy
Scripture, with our Prayer Book, and with our church laws; this is your
framework.
As you review your
circumstances, ask whether you want to be an Episcopal Church that will be a
beacon to many others. Ask yourselves, what is appealing and welcoming here?
What might be off putting to the newcomer? Is your congregation truly
hospitable to all, or are there some Christians that you’d prefer not to
come here? Do you have any special, unwritten requirements to really fit in?
Are there inclinations for some to feel spiritually superior to others? Is
there too much grumbling, or is it an oasis of peace. Are there power struggles
that hinder cooperation? Do you have methods in place for resolving conflicts?
As you look at
parish life, consider what you can do that no secular agency or institution can
provide by way of worship, religious education for all ages, and pastoral care
– with balanced outreach. Given the ten or so Episcopal churches in the
Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, and Lantana region, what can Holy Redeemer provide
in a way that is inviting to a cross section of Episcopalians and other
Christians?
Fellow worshipers,
regard the present moment not as a defeat, but as a challenge to serve Christ
anew. Let go of habits and things that in the long run don’t matter to
Christ; create new patterns for a new century. Yet, hold on to that which is
good and possible in this place and at this time. In the spirit of
tomorrow’s Commemoration of Saint John the Baptist, awaken and wait for
what is to come; point not to your own individual agendas, but instead to
Christ’s expectations of this faith community.
Let us bow our
heads in prayer. Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven
and earth, hear our prayers for this parish community. Strengthen the faithful,
arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Be present with those who take
counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to
seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant
us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.