Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Lake Worth, Florida

Celebrating Epiphany [Jan. 7, 2006]

Canon Richard T. Nolan

ST. ANDREW’S NEW LEADERSHIP - HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU?

The Meaning of The Epiphany

          Tonight we are celebrating yesterday’s annual liturgical observance called “The Epiphany” or “The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.” The word “epiphany” means a showing forth, a manifestation. In much of Christianity the Feast of the Epiphany commemorates the first “showing forth” of Jesus Christ to non-Jews, more specifically, to the “Gentiles.” This year the Epiphany Season extends through the entire month of February.

          In this New Testament allegory read as tonight’s Gospel, all Gentiles are symbolized by the Magi, who are Gentiles in the extreme - individuals whose heritage could not be more distant from the beliefs and traditions of the Jews. The story of the wise men underscores the Good News of Jesus Christ as not for just the Jewish community into which Jesus was born; instead, Christ the Word of God, is offered to all humanity.

          You and I frequently confirm the Epiphany message that all human beings are invited to become disciples of Christ. In that sense, the Church is, or ought to be, diverse and inclusive. All are welcome to explore and to learn, when prepared - to be baptized, and then to participate faithfully in the liberating life of Christ’s fellowship. Gender, age, race, sexual orientation, social and economic status, formal education, marital status, nationality, occupation, and physical appearance have nothing to do with anyone’s eligibility to receive the Word of God and to live fully as a journeying Christian, a person-in-the-making.

St. Andrew’s Epiphany Vocation

          In recent years Saint Andrew’s Church has been especially courageous in publicizing our diversity and inclusivity. No one is second-rate here; all of us share an equal place at the table. Yet, to be honest, we have to admit that not everyone in our parish is completely comfortable with the realities of diversity. Nevertheless, the parish is growing toward a fuller, heartfelt acceptance of this fundamental aspect of Christian living.

          In any case, the St. Andrew’s community generally accepts its Epiphany vocation - to invite everyone to this fellowship of disciples and to let the light, joy, and responsibilities of the Gospel shine in our worship, our religious education, our pastoral care of parishioners and, as we are capable, to communities beyond our doors. We are a church “not for solace only, but for strength” to serve both God and our neighbor. We are a people of God who rely on the Bible, tradition, and reason - plus the ongoing experience of the Church – while agreeing to differ about many matters of doctrine and ethics. We are an enlightened Anglican Church that experiences unity in our corporate acts of worship.

Our Epiphany Vocation As Our Responsibility

          Regardless of who our clergy and lay leaders are, our Epiphany vocation remains constant. Involved in this shared vocation is the offering of our unique, individual capabilities to parish life, so that Christian ministry takes place as effectively as possible. Although the Creator is undoubtedly sovereign and, in a very broad sense, governs all, God has given us mortals the gifts of freedom, grace, and responsibility to plan, to take initiatives, and to carry through (as best we are able) the Lord’s will in our own lives, within the life of the church, and in secular settings. What's more, God will hold us accountable as to whether we have made the most of these gifts. The consequences of our negligence to plan thoughtfully, to initiate wisely, and to implement lovingly can significantly diminish the quality of our lives as individuals and as a congregation.

“St. Andrew’s New Leadership - How Does It Affect You? ”

          The title of this homily is “St. Andrew’s New Leadership - How Does It Affect You?” On the one hand, it should not affect us at all - in terms of our ongoing, basic Christian commitment. On the other hand, Fr. Rasmus (as interim rector) and Mrs. Richardson (as senior warden) will be leading us through a period of time (as I have it, for up to two years) during which we shall examine the quality of all that we are and all that we do. We shall be deciding what kind of Episcopal congregation we want to be for coming years - and whether (in secular terms) there is a realistic “market” for this parish in the Lake Worth region. This means that even with our basic Christian affirmations in place, we need to discover solid insights relating to our present circumstances; we need to determine as best we can the parish’s actual potential during this challenging period of cultural conservatism. Hopefully, at the outset of these considerations we will acknowledge that it would be irresponsible to believe that God is going to take care of everything necessary for St. Andrew’s future, or that the eventual outcome will be familiar and to our liking, or that all we have to do is to use churchy language and earnestly pray. St. Andrew’s new leadership will affect us directly as you and I are invited to participate in this exciting, important self-discovery and as we choose a viable course of action for our shared life and ministry.

 

A New Chapter To Be Written

 

          Epiphany is a season to recommit ourselves to be persevering in spreading the light of the Gospel wherever we find ourselves. Having paid homage at the manger, the converted wise men carried the light of Christ out into the world as they returned to their homes. Likewise, you and I are called to rise from our worship and move steadily into the world, bearing the healing, invigorating light of Christ – to the places we live, play, and work. In addition, we are called to welcome all who seek to share in the light and find a spiritual home within classical Anglican Christianity. Especially now, we share a special vocational task: to write - faithfully, gracefully, and responsibly - a vitally important new chapter in the ever-evolving life of St. Andrew’s Church.

 

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.’"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.