For Nativity's "News in the Pews" September 1, 2013.
“Are not freedom, justice, respect for others essential parts of the Christian faith? . . . One can conceive of a high-demand religious movement devoted to justice, freedom, beauty, respect for others, and so on, which could effectively explain life to men without fanaticism, absolutism, intolerance, or judgmental moralism. That is what – ideally – Christianity ought to be. Yet, where is such a phenomenon to be found?
This is a quote from a book written in 1972, during a time of rapid growth in conservative, fundamentalist churches. These churches, by the nature of their belief system, provide their followers a strong Christian identity – as in, “we are saved”. This provides certainty and security for the followers. But, along with that identity, comes hostility toward those of other faiths and those who had a different understanding of the Christian faith. In this view, the world becomes divided between the “saved” (us) and the “unsaved” (them). For many people, it seems that the Christian faith has become merely assent to a particular doctrine of salvation. Hence the lament - where are the Christian churches who are devoted to justice, freedom, beauty, respect for others?
My thesis starts from point of view that The Episcopal Church is where “such a phenomenon can be found”. Around the same time as this lament was being voiced, The Episcopal Church was hard at work studying, praying, and soul searching about these very issues. From this work came a renewed Baptismal theology and culminated in the Baptismal Covenant which is found in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (pp. 304-305). Our Baptismal Covenant is unique in that it is not just a statement of belief. The first part is an interrogatory form of the Apostles’ Creed – our statement of faith. The five questions following relate to our commitment as followers of Christ in the world. “Will you continue in the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers? Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” The answer to each is, “I will with God’s help”. This covenant is renewed by all the people every time there is a baptism, and on all baptismal days. (Easter Vigil, Pentecost, All Saints’ Day, and the Baptism of our Lord).
I believe that the vows of the Baptismal Covenant should guide formation in the Episcopal Church. The Covenant should be woven into our education, service, worship, and our lives outside the doors of the church. An example: you can hear echoes of the Baptismal Covenant in our Dismissal every Sunday. Are there other ways you see Nativity living out the covenant? Let me know.
God’s peace,
Rita
Kelley, Dean M. “Why Conservative Churches are Growing”. (Harper & Row, New York, 1972) p. 165.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Parable of the High-Risk, Indiscriminate Farmer
Sermon for July 10, 2011
Isaiah 55:10-13 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The Rev. Rita L. Henault
Two of the Scripture passages for July 10, 2011 were Isaiah 55:10-13 and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 – two of my favorites. I know I say that a lot; I have a lot of faves. The 55th chapter of Isaiah, though, starts out with invitation, “everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.” As though God is saying, “my economy is not your economy, come to me if you’re hungry”, “you that have no money, come, buy and eat”. The invitation to “come” continues. “Incline your ear, and come to me”. God invites us to come and God will give us what we need. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”. Then at verse 10, “for as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and don’t return until they have watered the earth . . . “ The blessing of precipitation that renews a dry, arid land, the rain and snow are part of the cycle of God’s creation. “So shall the word that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Wow, that is a wonderful vision. The Word of God is the source of abundance, the source of water and food for the entire earth. The “Word”, the “Ruach” is the very creative power of God’s love. This is the “Word” that summoned paradise into being; the “Word” that creates, redeems, and sustains. It is the creative “Word”, the breath of God, God’s Ruach that heals. Even the land will receive healing. And this “Word” will never return empty; it will accomplish God’s purposes.
“You shall go out in joy and return in peace.” Even the mountains and hills will be singing and the trees will be clapping their hands. What a fabulous image – the whole earth rejoicing. There is healing for God’s people and for all of God’s creation. God’s Word does not return empty. This is a picture of God’s Word returning FULL.
Then we heard the Gospel story, commonly called “The Parable of the Sower”, but perhaps more fittingly could be called “The High-Risk, Indiscriminate Farmer”. This sower seems to be flinging seed out everywhere, willy-nilly, without plowing or fertilizing or irrigating. He doesn’t know where this stuff is going; whether the ground is fertile or not, or even if the seed hits dirt or lands in a patch of weeds. The goal of the sower is just to sow seed - everywhere, extravagantly, on all soil, as if it were all good soil. This farmer isn’t looking for guarantees; he’s just grateful when the seed lands and produces. Really though, is there any place or circumstance in which God’s seed – God’s Word – cannot sprout and take root, even in the most unlikely places?
There are those who worry that the world is not fertile ground for sowing God’s seeds anymore – that hope is plucked up, and cynicism produces hardened soil that has no need for God’s seed, and shallow faith is being cultivated by feel-good, prosperity-gospel churches, and the thorny problems of today’s world is choking out God’s harvest. But as The Rev. Joseph Evans reminds us in his recent Day-1 sermon, we are the sowers of God’s seeds and our goal is just to sow. He reminds us not to “quibble about theological differences, but just to sow love; Not to worry over membership numbers, but just to sow grace and mercy over new ground, and not to worry over where it will land, only with casting as much seed as possible – leaving all the rest up to God”. I like that a lot; very wise. Let’s just sow the seeds of God’s Word, sow the seeds of God’s love and mercy, and then let God do the rest. Trust God; trust that whatever we scatter in God’s Holy Name will not return empty. It will be full to the brim.
What might God’s fulfilled Word look like? I think it is a life filled with hope. It is a place of kindness and compassion; a world of justice; a people brimming with joy. I think it is a world renewed – a world of plenty for those who have been hungry and thirsty. I see God’s Word – that creative Ruach, breath of God – continuing to create, day after day in God’s world.
This creative Word of God, this seed of love, mercy, healing and renewal, is God’s good gift to us. It is abundant and life-giving, and free! We can afford to scatter it far and wide. So invite those you meet along the way to share in this abundance. Everyone who thirsts for hope and friendship, COME to this place and share in the water of baptism. You who hunger, COME and feast at the Lord’s Table with us. You who are hurting, COME among this healing community and we will love you. These are the seeds we have for sowing, so let’s sow extravagantly. And don’t worry; go ahead and scatter the seed far and wide. You never know what will sprout.
Isaiah 55:10-13 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The Rev. Rita L. Henault
Two of the Scripture passages for July 10, 2011 were Isaiah 55:10-13 and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 – two of my favorites. I know I say that a lot; I have a lot of faves. The 55th chapter of Isaiah, though, starts out with invitation, “everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.” As though God is saying, “my economy is not your economy, come to me if you’re hungry”, “you that have no money, come, buy and eat”. The invitation to “come” continues. “Incline your ear, and come to me”. God invites us to come and God will give us what we need. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”. Then at verse 10, “for as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and don’t return until they have watered the earth . . . “ The blessing of precipitation that renews a dry, arid land, the rain and snow are part of the cycle of God’s creation. “So shall the word that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Wow, that is a wonderful vision. The Word of God is the source of abundance, the source of water and food for the entire earth. The “Word”, the “Ruach” is the very creative power of God’s love. This is the “Word” that summoned paradise into being; the “Word” that creates, redeems, and sustains. It is the creative “Word”, the breath of God, God’s Ruach that heals. Even the land will receive healing. And this “Word” will never return empty; it will accomplish God’s purposes.
“You shall go out in joy and return in peace.” Even the mountains and hills will be singing and the trees will be clapping their hands. What a fabulous image – the whole earth rejoicing. There is healing for God’s people and for all of God’s creation. God’s Word does not return empty. This is a picture of God’s Word returning FULL.
Then we heard the Gospel story, commonly called “The Parable of the Sower”, but perhaps more fittingly could be called “The High-Risk, Indiscriminate Farmer”. This sower seems to be flinging seed out everywhere, willy-nilly, without plowing or fertilizing or irrigating. He doesn’t know where this stuff is going; whether the ground is fertile or not, or even if the seed hits dirt or lands in a patch of weeds. The goal of the sower is just to sow seed - everywhere, extravagantly, on all soil, as if it were all good soil. This farmer isn’t looking for guarantees; he’s just grateful when the seed lands and produces. Really though, is there any place or circumstance in which God’s seed – God’s Word – cannot sprout and take root, even in the most unlikely places?
There are those who worry that the world is not fertile ground for sowing God’s seeds anymore – that hope is plucked up, and cynicism produces hardened soil that has no need for God’s seed, and shallow faith is being cultivated by feel-good, prosperity-gospel churches, and the thorny problems of today’s world is choking out God’s harvest. But as The Rev. Joseph Evans reminds us in his recent Day-1 sermon, we are the sowers of God’s seeds and our goal is just to sow. He reminds us not to “quibble about theological differences, but just to sow love; Not to worry over membership numbers, but just to sow grace and mercy over new ground, and not to worry over where it will land, only with casting as much seed as possible – leaving all the rest up to God”. I like that a lot; very wise. Let’s just sow the seeds of God’s Word, sow the seeds of God’s love and mercy, and then let God do the rest. Trust God; trust that whatever we scatter in God’s Holy Name will not return empty. It will be full to the brim.
What might God’s fulfilled Word look like? I think it is a life filled with hope. It is a place of kindness and compassion; a world of justice; a people brimming with joy. I think it is a world renewed – a world of plenty for those who have been hungry and thirsty. I see God’s Word – that creative Ruach, breath of God – continuing to create, day after day in God’s world.
This creative Word of God, this seed of love, mercy, healing and renewal, is God’s good gift to us. It is abundant and life-giving, and free! We can afford to scatter it far and wide. So invite those you meet along the way to share in this abundance. Everyone who thirsts for hope and friendship, COME to this place and share in the water of baptism. You who hunger, COME and feast at the Lord’s Table with us. You who are hurting, COME among this healing community and we will love you. These are the seeds we have for sowing, so let’s sow extravagantly. And don’t worry; go ahead and scatter the seed far and wide. You never know what will sprout.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
"God is coming to heal the world, not to kill millions of people". A quote from the preface of Barbara R. Rossing's "The Rapture Exposed"
The predicted “rapture” of the believers did not happen on May 21, 2011. No surprise there. But there continues to be a dis-ease among some Christians, uneasiness that maybe, just maybe we really are living in the “end times”. What with wars, fires, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and tornadoes, one could certainly wonder if God is mad at us and plans to destroy the world. Maybe God really will let his “chosen ones” escape it all and go directly to heaven before the tribulation starts. A “get-out-of-tribulation-free” card, so to speak. But none of that is biblical, trust me.
We will hear more and more of this as we approach Harold Camping’s (of Family Radio) new end-of-the-world prophecy – Oct. 21, 2011. It seems he made a small error with the May 21 date. It was really the “end of God’s salvation program”, not the rapture that happened on that day. No worries; everything is still on schedule. He’s absolutely sure of the October date for God’s final judgment. And if it doesn’t happen then, well we know about the Mayan calendar and the prophecies of Nostradamus – Dec. 21, 2012 at the latest, then we’re done for.
I recently read Barbara R. Rossing’s “The Rapture Exposed: the Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation”. I read it immediately following the hype around the May 21 date. I must confess, my usual response when people ask about the rapture and the tribulation is to mumble that “it’s not biblical” and “I generally don’t think much about it at all”, but that’s about all I say. Barbara Rossing has given me some helpful language with which to respond to these questions.
She points out how this is not an innocuous heresy, but a dangerous, escapist theology that has been so woven into the American narrative, since its invention in the mid 19th century, that many people don’t question it. They assume it’s in the bible.
I believe that our little church, The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, has a wonderful opportunity to express a narrative of hope and love instead a narrative of fear. We’re good at it; that’s our strength.
I am starting a “Rector’s Book Club” at 7pm on Wed. evenings at Nativity. Starting July 6, we’ll look at the above mentioned book, and then we’ll explore Rob Bell’s “Love Wins” starting August 10.
In my opinion, people shouldn’t be afraid to question, they shouldn’t live in fear of being “left behind”, and they shouldn’t renege on their responsibility to care for God’s creation.
Join us if you can. Oh, and don’t worry, I don’t think the world is going to end, nor do I believe that a world-wide tribulation will to start on October 21. I do, however, live in hope and trust that God’s kingdom will come and God’s will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
God’s Peace,
The Rev. Rita Henault
We will hear more and more of this as we approach Harold Camping’s (of Family Radio) new end-of-the-world prophecy – Oct. 21, 2011. It seems he made a small error with the May 21 date. It was really the “end of God’s salvation program”, not the rapture that happened on that day. No worries; everything is still on schedule. He’s absolutely sure of the October date for God’s final judgment. And if it doesn’t happen then, well we know about the Mayan calendar and the prophecies of Nostradamus – Dec. 21, 2012 at the latest, then we’re done for.
I recently read Barbara R. Rossing’s “The Rapture Exposed: the Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation”. I read it immediately following the hype around the May 21 date. I must confess, my usual response when people ask about the rapture and the tribulation is to mumble that “it’s not biblical” and “I generally don’t think much about it at all”, but that’s about all I say. Barbara Rossing has given me some helpful language with which to respond to these questions.
She points out how this is not an innocuous heresy, but a dangerous, escapist theology that has been so woven into the American narrative, since its invention in the mid 19th century, that many people don’t question it. They assume it’s in the bible.
I believe that our little church, The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, has a wonderful opportunity to express a narrative of hope and love instead a narrative of fear. We’re good at it; that’s our strength.
I am starting a “Rector’s Book Club” at 7pm on Wed. evenings at Nativity. Starting July 6, we’ll look at the above mentioned book, and then we’ll explore Rob Bell’s “Love Wins” starting August 10.
In my opinion, people shouldn’t be afraid to question, they shouldn’t live in fear of being “left behind”, and they shouldn’t renege on their responsibility to care for God’s creation.
Join us if you can. Oh, and don’t worry, I don’t think the world is going to end, nor do I believe that a world-wide tribulation will to start on October 21. I do, however, live in hope and trust that God’s kingdom will come and God’s will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
God’s Peace,
The Rev. Rita Henault
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