| To contact us: Calvary Episcopal Church 667 Mount Road Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 OFFICE mail@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org |
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| SERMON 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany January 25, 2009 The Rev. Kristine Hill |
| 667 Mount Road, Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 |
| Small Parish - Big Heart The little church you've been looking for! All are welcome! |
| Our Mission: To worship the Lord To serve the community To grow the church |
Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20 |
| The Rev. Kristine Hill, Interim Rector |
If you were to close your eyes, you could see it, in your mind. It might look
something like this… A large, familiar place where the window is open and a
warm breeze blows the curtain back into the room. The wood floors are swept
clean, and early morning light lands softly on the walls, across a chair, on a
bookshelf. Outside, leaves rustle in the wind; the scent of recent rain lingers in
the air. Off to the east, peeking up over rough and craggy hills, a red ball of
sun is barely rising on the horizon. A bird begins to sing sharply, sweetly, urging
us-and-all-beings to waken from our slumber. Can you see it -- something
splendid, something wonderful? It is a new day… …utterly new… dawning
across the world, refreshing creation, filling the earth and all humankind with
hope and promise. The old is gone now, and the new is breaking forth.
Ahhh…. but who has ever seen something like that -- an actual “new day”
dawning, a day existentially unlike all other days, a day when the world truly
starts over? Is that possible? Let’s see what happens in today’s gospel
reading. Initially life was going-on as usual -- people were busily headed to work,
running errands, the streets were jammed so that nobody could pass and folks
were irritated. Seeing people trapped in one place, local beggars took advantage,
sidling in among stuck travelers, crying “something for my babies,” showing a
crippled leg, a withered hand. It was a normal day. Children sat in dusty
courtyards and played with pebbles, or chased each other, teased the neighbor’s
goat. Women cooked and cleaned and watched the little ones, drew water at the
well and exchanged news, bits of things overheard. Clusters of people, here and
there, griped about politics - the Roman occupation - dreamed of Israel gaining
independence.
Right in the middle of their ordinary, common-place life - on this day that was no
different from any other - Jesus of Nazareth walked through town shouting: “The
time is fulfilled; the kingdom-of-God is near; repent and believe in the good
news.” What was that all about? The kingdom of God is near? In what way?
Jesus’ great announcement did not unclog the traffic jam, did not put food in the
mouths of the hungry, did not relieve the women of their endless work, did not
change the fact that Israel lived under the clenched fist of Rome. So what did
he mean by: “the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God has come near?”
In their most literal sense the words meant that Jesus, himself, had just passed
by. Because the kingdom of God begins in Jesus Christ. So if you were able to
turn, to see ‘Jesus’ passing-by’ from a certain vantage point, from God’s
perspective, and if you could trust what you saw, you would know that much
more than “Jesus of Nazareth” had brushed against you. In that bodily form, God’
s kingdom itself had “drawn near” you, had come very close in your town, in your
life.
Many people who were there and heard Jesus proclaim those bold words felt, in
their bellies and their bones, that something new and different was initiated when
Jesus said those words. It was as though some old form of life ended and a
completely new way of living began. Jesus walked into town, announcing that the
kingdom of God was near, and in that instant, a whole new day dawned, a day
unlike any day ever known before on earth.
If we close our eyes, we can see it clearly. People packed into every inch of
green space on the enormous mall that stretches from the Lincoln memorial to
the Washington monument and on to our nation’s Capitol building. Move closer in
and we see thousands of American flags waving; still closer - a sea of smiling
faces - black, white, brown; we see former presidents being introduced, greeting
the gathering… famous musicians making lovely music; long black cars driving
slowly down wide streets. We see our new president and first lady standing,
solemn and reverent, as the peaceful transition of power takes place in America.
Last week was quite a week here in our nation. How many times did we hear
someone say “I never thought this would happen in my lifetime” “I never thought
I would live to see this day”? That sentiment was repeated over and over again
at the intersection of two momentous days - the observance of Martin Luther King’
s birthday, what would have been his 80th, and the inauguration of our 44th
president, the first African-American president of the United States of America.
Both occasions were celebrated in the heart of our nation’s freedom and
democracy, the place where our government itself is conducted. Some two million
people attended the inauguration of President Obama, and when he was
presented to the crowds, just before he took the oath of office, the cheers were
deafening. From what we witnessed at the inauguration, it appears that a new
day, a new era has dawned for the United States of America. There is hope in
the air, a sense of possibility, and a feeling that real change is beginning among
us.
It is interesting to note the similarities between these two stories - between how
a new day has dawned for us in America with the election and inauguration of a
president - our first African-American president - who inspires many people to
believe that change for the better will be achieved if we all work together; AND
how a new day dawned in our gospel reading among the people of Galilee when
Jesus of Nazareth walked by and said “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of
God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” There are similarities
- in both cases some people received the message, and the message-bearer, with
hope and joy; some people believed what they heard and were willing to accept
the challenge that goes along with believing, were willing to invest their lives in
what they believed. However, there are dissimilarities, too.
Not nearly as many people initially believed Jesus as are fervently believing in
President Obama right now. Although some followed Jesus, we do not hear about
any cheering throngs. And Jesus’ message is unique; it gives us what no
government leader, however capable, is able to give. When Jesus says “the
kingdom of heaven has come near you,” Jesus himself is the bearer of that
kingdom. When Jesus is with us, the kingdom of heaven is present and opened
up to us. Where Jesus is, we become genuine sisters and brothers to one
another -- through him. Where Jesus is, the hungry are fed. Where Jesus is, the
crippled walk, the prisoners are free, and the broken-hearted are well and whole.
Where Jesus is, there are no second-class people, nobody gets second-class
justice, or “hand-me-down” opportunities. With Jesus, everybody is beloved,
everybody is worthy and honored. Jesus brings this order of life into existence
now. This is how life is in the kingdom of God. So when Jesus says “the
kingdom of God has come near you” it is more than a nice thought or some
pleasant occurrence. It is the very power of God present in our world. This
is the great difference -- no political leader fills our lives with the power of God,
only Jesus does.
You and I are doubly blessed because we live in both of these spheres -- the
dawning of a new day that our nation is experiencing, and the new day that God
has brought about in the person of Jesus. There is a genuine “new day” in our
country -- something that happens to a greater or lesser extent whenever we
have a new president. With each new president, some experience a “new day”
more strongly than others. But for every new president there is a sense of
possibility. Our history under this leadership has yet to be written; this president’s
potential has yet to be tested. As citizens of the nation we each have a role to
play -- to get on board and support the president, his agenda and programs,
wherever we can; to be involved with helping solve the issues facing our country
however we can; and when or where we disagree with the president to make our
criticisms with wisdom and clarity of thought, for the good of the whole people.
You and I are doubly blessed because we have seen and believe in the new day
that only God can bring to pass. We have seen Jesus in our gatherings, heard
Jesus announce that the kingdom of God has come near. Right here in our every
day lives, God’s kingdom has brushed up against us. Nothing special was going
on, we were simply here for the Vestry meeting – trying to find out where things
stood with a new interim Rector or with the Discernment committee; we were just
here making turkey dinners and distributing them around the neighborhood; we
were hustling the kids off to school and trying not to be late for work; we were
trying not to worry too much about the economy and how we’re going to pay the
bills this month.
Life is simply going on as usual. On Sunday mornings we hope to steal a few
extra minutes of sleep and still get to church on time; we wonder how cold it is
this morning, if there is ice on the roads and dare we risk getting out in this
weather; we hope to pay attention in worship and not think too much about the
wonderful food that awaits us during coffee hour… when suddenly, there is
Jesus, stepping out of the scripture into our lives steps, touching us, easing our
sorrows, lifting our spirits, and saying “here is the kingdom of God, near YOU!
Don’t turn away, but grab onto it, believe in its presence and trust that its
promises are true for you, in this day and time.” Jesus announces the arrival of
God’s kingdom, calling us to look and see what is happening, urging us to throw
off hesitation and believe the good news. Despite the things we see all around -
the pain, the sorrow, the conflict, the hardship, the uncertainty - God’s righteous
reign has entered our world, our town, our lives and we can entrust our whole
selves, body and soul, to God’s kingdom without fear.
Turn from cherishing other ways of living and accept this new day, this new life.
Turn and believe that we have been noticed - all of us from the lowliest to even
the greatest; that we have been heard - from those who suffer most to those
who only suffer a little. Believe that the kingdom has drawn near and now our
hunger is filled, in Jesus; our wounds are healed, through Jesus; we are freed
from our imprisonment by Jesus. The time has come. Jesus has drawn near.
Change is not simply possible, it has already happened. We have been changed
from forsaken into beloved, from sinners into sons and daughters, from strangers
into friends. Let us, then, accept these gifts and live in God’s grace, rejoicing
that we are found, that we are friends in Christ, that there is mercy and love
and joy enough for all. amen.
something like this… A large, familiar place where the window is open and a
warm breeze blows the curtain back into the room. The wood floors are swept
clean, and early morning light lands softly on the walls, across a chair, on a
bookshelf. Outside, leaves rustle in the wind; the scent of recent rain lingers in
the air. Off to the east, peeking up over rough and craggy hills, a red ball of
sun is barely rising on the horizon. A bird begins to sing sharply, sweetly, urging
us-and-all-beings to waken from our slumber. Can you see it -- something
splendid, something wonderful? It is a new day… …utterly new… dawning
across the world, refreshing creation, filling the earth and all humankind with
hope and promise. The old is gone now, and the new is breaking forth.
Ahhh…. but who has ever seen something like that -- an actual “new day”
dawning, a day existentially unlike all other days, a day when the world truly
starts over? Is that possible? Let’s see what happens in today’s gospel
reading. Initially life was going-on as usual -- people were busily headed to work,
running errands, the streets were jammed so that nobody could pass and folks
were irritated. Seeing people trapped in one place, local beggars took advantage,
sidling in among stuck travelers, crying “something for my babies,” showing a
crippled leg, a withered hand. It was a normal day. Children sat in dusty
courtyards and played with pebbles, or chased each other, teased the neighbor’s
goat. Women cooked and cleaned and watched the little ones, drew water at the
well and exchanged news, bits of things overheard. Clusters of people, here and
there, griped about politics - the Roman occupation - dreamed of Israel gaining
independence.
Right in the middle of their ordinary, common-place life - on this day that was no
different from any other - Jesus of Nazareth walked through town shouting: “The
time is fulfilled; the kingdom-of-God is near; repent and believe in the good
news.” What was that all about? The kingdom of God is near? In what way?
Jesus’ great announcement did not unclog the traffic jam, did not put food in the
mouths of the hungry, did not relieve the women of their endless work, did not
change the fact that Israel lived under the clenched fist of Rome. So what did
he mean by: “the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God has come near?”
In their most literal sense the words meant that Jesus, himself, had just passed
by. Because the kingdom of God begins in Jesus Christ. So if you were able to
turn, to see ‘Jesus’ passing-by’ from a certain vantage point, from God’s
perspective, and if you could trust what you saw, you would know that much
more than “Jesus of Nazareth” had brushed against you. In that bodily form, God’
s kingdom itself had “drawn near” you, had come very close in your town, in your
life.
Many people who were there and heard Jesus proclaim those bold words felt, in
their bellies and their bones, that something new and different was initiated when
Jesus said those words. It was as though some old form of life ended and a
completely new way of living began. Jesus walked into town, announcing that the
kingdom of God was near, and in that instant, a whole new day dawned, a day
unlike any day ever known before on earth.
If we close our eyes, we can see it clearly. People packed into every inch of
green space on the enormous mall that stretches from the Lincoln memorial to
the Washington monument and on to our nation’s Capitol building. Move closer in
and we see thousands of American flags waving; still closer - a sea of smiling
faces - black, white, brown; we see former presidents being introduced, greeting
the gathering… famous musicians making lovely music; long black cars driving
slowly down wide streets. We see our new president and first lady standing,
solemn and reverent, as the peaceful transition of power takes place in America.
Last week was quite a week here in our nation. How many times did we hear
someone say “I never thought this would happen in my lifetime” “I never thought
I would live to see this day”? That sentiment was repeated over and over again
at the intersection of two momentous days - the observance of Martin Luther King’
s birthday, what would have been his 80th, and the inauguration of our 44th
president, the first African-American president of the United States of America.
Both occasions were celebrated in the heart of our nation’s freedom and
democracy, the place where our government itself is conducted. Some two million
people attended the inauguration of President Obama, and when he was
presented to the crowds, just before he took the oath of office, the cheers were
deafening. From what we witnessed at the inauguration, it appears that a new
day, a new era has dawned for the United States of America. There is hope in
the air, a sense of possibility, and a feeling that real change is beginning among
us.
It is interesting to note the similarities between these two stories - between how
a new day has dawned for us in America with the election and inauguration of a
president - our first African-American president - who inspires many people to
believe that change for the better will be achieved if we all work together; AND
how a new day dawned in our gospel reading among the people of Galilee when
Jesus of Nazareth walked by and said “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of
God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” There are similarities
- in both cases some people received the message, and the message-bearer, with
hope and joy; some people believed what they heard and were willing to accept
the challenge that goes along with believing, were willing to invest their lives in
what they believed. However, there are dissimilarities, too.
Not nearly as many people initially believed Jesus as are fervently believing in
President Obama right now. Although some followed Jesus, we do not hear about
any cheering throngs. And Jesus’ message is unique; it gives us what no
government leader, however capable, is able to give. When Jesus says “the
kingdom of heaven has come near you,” Jesus himself is the bearer of that
kingdom. When Jesus is with us, the kingdom of heaven is present and opened
up to us. Where Jesus is, we become genuine sisters and brothers to one
another -- through him. Where Jesus is, the hungry are fed. Where Jesus is, the
crippled walk, the prisoners are free, and the broken-hearted are well and whole.
Where Jesus is, there are no second-class people, nobody gets second-class
justice, or “hand-me-down” opportunities. With Jesus, everybody is beloved,
everybody is worthy and honored. Jesus brings this order of life into existence
now. This is how life is in the kingdom of God. So when Jesus says “the
kingdom of God has come near you” it is more than a nice thought or some
pleasant occurrence. It is the very power of God present in our world. This
is the great difference -- no political leader fills our lives with the power of God,
only Jesus does.
You and I are doubly blessed because we live in both of these spheres -- the
dawning of a new day that our nation is experiencing, and the new day that God
has brought about in the person of Jesus. There is a genuine “new day” in our
country -- something that happens to a greater or lesser extent whenever we
have a new president. With each new president, some experience a “new day”
more strongly than others. But for every new president there is a sense of
possibility. Our history under this leadership has yet to be written; this president’s
potential has yet to be tested. As citizens of the nation we each have a role to
play -- to get on board and support the president, his agenda and programs,
wherever we can; to be involved with helping solve the issues facing our country
however we can; and when or where we disagree with the president to make our
criticisms with wisdom and clarity of thought, for the good of the whole people.
You and I are doubly blessed because we have seen and believe in the new day
that only God can bring to pass. We have seen Jesus in our gatherings, heard
Jesus announce that the kingdom of God has come near. Right here in our every
day lives, God’s kingdom has brushed up against us. Nothing special was going
on, we were simply here for the Vestry meeting – trying to find out where things
stood with a new interim Rector or with the Discernment committee; we were just
here making turkey dinners and distributing them around the neighborhood; we
were hustling the kids off to school and trying not to be late for work; we were
trying not to worry too much about the economy and how we’re going to pay the
bills this month.
Life is simply going on as usual. On Sunday mornings we hope to steal a few
extra minutes of sleep and still get to church on time; we wonder how cold it is
this morning, if there is ice on the roads and dare we risk getting out in this
weather; we hope to pay attention in worship and not think too much about the
wonderful food that awaits us during coffee hour… when suddenly, there is
Jesus, stepping out of the scripture into our lives steps, touching us, easing our
sorrows, lifting our spirits, and saying “here is the kingdom of God, near YOU!
Don’t turn away, but grab onto it, believe in its presence and trust that its
promises are true for you, in this day and time.” Jesus announces the arrival of
God’s kingdom, calling us to look and see what is happening, urging us to throw
off hesitation and believe the good news. Despite the things we see all around -
the pain, the sorrow, the conflict, the hardship, the uncertainty - God’s righteous
reign has entered our world, our town, our lives and we can entrust our whole
selves, body and soul, to God’s kingdom without fear.
Turn from cherishing other ways of living and accept this new day, this new life.
Turn and believe that we have been noticed - all of us from the lowliest to even
the greatest; that we have been heard - from those who suffer most to those
who only suffer a little. Believe that the kingdom has drawn near and now our
hunger is filled, in Jesus; our wounds are healed, through Jesus; we are freed
from our imprisonment by Jesus. The time has come. Jesus has drawn near.
Change is not simply possible, it has already happened. We have been changed
from forsaken into beloved, from sinners into sons and daughters, from strangers
into friends. Let us, then, accept these gifts and live in God’s grace, rejoicing
that we are found, that we are friends in Christ, that there is mercy and love
and joy enough for all. amen.