SERMON
November 26, 2023 - Matthew 25:31-46
My very favorite thought in all of Scripture is found in today’s passage from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. “…so that with the eyes of your heart enlightened you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.” (Eph: 1:18)
This one quite brief but exquisitely poetic phrase contains all the thoughts that I have been pondering in my mind over the past several months. Rather jarring thoughts that have emerged as I along with many, many others seek ways in which the church can adapt and become increasingly relevant in the complex global context in which we live.
In doing this work of discernment I have turned not only to the wisdom of scripture, but also to the compelling voices of several current day theologians who have brought to the forefront the urgent need for the church to do the work of flinging open its doors and emerging into solid partnership with a world greatly disturbed but also a world seeking peace.
So…let’s have a look at what has been said by so many about the mission of God’s beloved people, and importantly, what these various thoughts mean for the people of St. Simon’s on the Sound today.
Paul was in prison in Rome around AD 62 when he wrote to the Ephesians and in prayer to them, he began with this exquisite phrase “…so that with the eyes of your heart enlightened.”
This past summer in Baltimore Dr. Kwok Pui Lan, Dean's Professor of Systematic Theology and Special Advisor to the Dean for Strategic Changes at Candler School of Theology passionately preached, “AWAKE.”
In Ephesians Paul continued saying, “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.”
In the early 1940’s just before his death in Flossenberg concentration camp Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in his unfinished book, Ethics, “[The moral life is] an ongoing process of discernment that listens for and responds to the reality of Christ in the world.”
In Baltimore Dr. Kwok preached. “ARISE, ACT.”
In a speech given at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Rally in London's Hyde Park, July 17, 1988, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu cried out to the thousands who had gathered to hear him speak, “Go forth to make the world a better place for you can make a difference. The task is daunting – of course, but it is a necessary struggle.”
“Awake, Arise, Act…”
“…so that with the eyes of your heart enlightened you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.”
And then, “Go forth to make the world a better place.”
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was written to the Christian community in Ephesus, a major city on the Aegean coast of Asia Minor, around 62 CE. The letter describes the church as a new community in which Jews and Gentiles equally share in God’s blessings. In it Paul speaks of God’s intent, through the death of his Son, Jesus Christ, to bring about the salvation of all humankind. He writes that in recognizing Christ as Lord and the example of a new way of being, the church becomes a spirit-filled community that brings the power and the presence of God to the world. The church becomes the body of Christ and works toward the reestablishment of God’s sovereignty over creation. All are reconciled to God – ALL.
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:1-4)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord…put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph 6:10-11)
Throughout Ephesians Paul is underscoring again and again the importance of awaking to and acting upon God’s call, the calling to which I, you, we have been called; for enduring with love and patience the hardships encountered in going forth in unity as we participate in the creation of a better world.
Dr. Kwok Pui Lan’s exhortation to Awake, Arise, and Act that rang through the convention center at the It’s All About Love conference in Baltimore last summer and Archbishop’s Tutu’s passionate directive to “Go forth…” broadcast to thousands of South Africans suffering under the weight of apartheid both speak to the imperative of initiating long overdue acts of reconciliation. Reconciliation between the Episcopal church, God’s beloved community, and the many peoples that continue to carry the burden of racism, discrimination, injustice, and the agony of poverty. People who continue to be counted as “less than”, not fully human, unworthy.
Reconciliation that supports equality and justice for all. Reconciliation that brings about a community united by God’s love for all his beloved children.
These stunningly powerful statements demand that as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement we Awake, Arise, Act, Go Forth and make Jesus and his saving grace known throughout the world community. That we partner with God’s world to share the love of Jesus.
This work is not easy, but it is imperative if the Good News of Jesus Christ is once again to become the central guidepost of our lives.
Next week we begin the sacred time of Advent. A time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas.
We hear in our scripture readings the phrase “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isa 40:1-5)
This past week we celebrated Thanksgiving Day. In various ways we spent time giving thanks for all that we have. Giving thanks for God’s gifts of abundance, for all that he has given us. Now it is time to plan for our St. Simon’s Advent journey. A journey of reflection and listening. Listening for the voice calling in the wilderness and reflecting on what we hear and how we will respond. How we must prepare for our Lord as he arrives once again this Christmas eve. Arrives to be with us as we journey into the challenges of 2024.
And, without doubt, there are many challenges that we will face. The world is increasingly besieged by war, violence, poverty, and the tragedy of climate change. Our nation increasingly struggles under the burden of angry and divisive political arguments as we approach the presidential election of 2024.
Closer to home, here at St. Simon’s we are engaged in difficult conversations about how best to ensure a safe home for our beloved congregation. Conversations that lead to difficult decisions. Decisions that must acted upon however painful if we are to grow, to have a future in which we face the challenge of partnering with the world to share the love of Jesus in our community and beyond.
During our Advent journey will we strive to awake to God’s call for God’s beloved community. Will we arise from a position of comfortable old ways to face the challenge of going “beyond.” Beyond comfort to the challenge of new and perhaps previously unimagined ways. Will we act by going forth to make a difference knowing that Christ is with us always as we make way for his voice in the wilderness of our troubled world.
In his book The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “The first step, which follows the call, cuts the disciple off from his previous existence. The call to follow at once produces a new situation. To stay in the old situation makes discipleship impossible.” (p. 62-63)
Paul concludes his Letter to the Ephesians as he writes, “Stand firm…and fasten the belt of truth around your waist and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace…take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph 10:13-17)
Awake, Arise, Act. Put on the whole armor of God and shoes for your feet that will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace…the word of God.
Together let us prepare for
Advent. Let us seek scripture and other writings that assist in [knowing]
what is the hope to which he has called [us].”
