Easter 7 , May 12, 2013 (full size gallery)
Sunday, May 10th was clear and refreshing after a week of rain. Clouds circled about St. Peter’s but the sun was bright. We had only 33 at the 11am service. Since Catherine was out of town with her mother who had recently had surgery, we did morning prayer. We had everyone stand up so a panorama could be made of the congregation for Catherine.
Today was an "all-in-one" Sunday. We were in the middle between Ascension, last Thursday and Easter 7 which looks a week ahead to Pentecost. In the present we are also rightfully celebrating Mother’s day.
At the same time it was also Founders’ Day, a new annual remembrance of the anniversary of the consecration of the Church. It gives us a good excuse to look back. In some years, the celebration might be a simply litany on the anniversary of the church or as elaborate as the 175th anniversary two years ago.
This year it was somewhat in between, remembering the 125 anniversary of Rev. Sigismund S. Ware who served the church for 30 years, 1888-1918. We had a new diary provided by Cookie with excerpts in the bulletin and pictures shown on the TV during the announcements. We added a special prayer for Ware in the service. Finally, we recited a special litany for the founding of the church.
Likewise, the mothers in the congregation stood up and were photographed. We had a special prayer in the service for them. Last week parishioners could write one enduring quality of their mothers which was included in an insert in the bulletin.
Easter 7 is a Sunday of Christian unity in the face of the disciples in their uncertainty. This is a result of the events of the recent past, the Resurrection and Ascension. The readings are here . The sermon is published.
After his resurrection 40+ days ago, Jesus has appeared to three followers on the road to Emmaus, to Peter, and to those gathered in Jerusalem. When they have thought that they were seeing a ghost, he has invited them to touch his wounds and eats in their presence. The community is not sure of the outcome of all this. Will he stay ? They feel terrified both as to their own safety and for the road ahead.
The Ascension signified he would not stay. Well what now ? More uncertainty. However, he gives them a mission and support. He charges the disciples (and other followers) with preaching (not just telling) the good news to all people, “beginning from Jerusalem” (v. 47). They are “witnesses” (v. 48); they have seen Scripture fulfilled. The Holy Spirit will be with them, as God promised through the prophet Joel (v. 49). Jesus leads them out(v. 50), as Moses led the people of Israel out of captivity
We also looked backward at this service at John to a time before the resurrection but has a special meaning for the future.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus provides the "high priestly prayer". Although in time earlier than the events of the Ascension, it provides a foundation for the church which will appear after the Ascension.
Jesus in this prayer prays for the Church of all times. He looks beyond those who follow him now, to those who will come to believe through their witness. May the Church be rooted in the oneness he shares with the Father (v. 21), a relationship of mutual love (v. 23). May his followers attain the ultimate goal: to be with him in heaven (at the end of time), sharing in his “glory” (v. 24, in part by continuing his earthly ministry), given to him before time began. Christians know that the Father sent him (v. 25); he has given them intimate knowledge of God (“… name”, v. 26) and will continue to do so, so that they may have the love for each other and for God that he and the Father share.
The example of this prayer is demonstrated in the Acts reading. Paul and Silas encounter a girl with the gift of divination. They liberate the girl from her enslavement to the men who are exploiting her for her gift. Paul’s and Silas’ are eventually imprisoned for "robbing" the exploiters. Upon entering the prison Paul and Silas extend pastoral care to their fellow prisoners through prayers of hope and hymns to God. And then when the earthquake shook them all free they did not run, protecting even the life of the jailer.
And it was through their life-witness that the jailer believed and was moved to live his life in faith, was baptized, and offered selfless and grateful hospitality understanding his own inextricable integration with others. That night as he became a believer, he became a faithful steward. As a result of Paul’s and Silas’ response the jailer understands their perspective of unifying love and his integration with the community. The jailer’s response is a transformed life, taking care of their wounds (healing the sick), bringing them into his house (offering shelter to the homeless), and setting a meal before them (feeding the hungry). These responses of hospitality are expressions of a steward’s heart sharing the blessing he has with others. These are responses of gratitude and an understanding of the jailer’s unified connection with them.
We move this week to the real beginning of the church with the holy spirit arrival at Pentecost. Thus we are also looking forward. The church is a witness of Christ’s continual reconciliation, a key part of mission. We grasp its meaning by participating ourselves. The church is a witness of Christ’s continual reconciliation, a key part of mission. We grasp its meaning by participating ourselves. The Church is really Jesus at work.