A Sermon Preached by the Reverend Canon Carolynne G. Williams
Cathedral of St. Philip
Third Sunday in Epiphany
January 21, 2007
Evensong 4:00 p.m.
As we listened to the words of Paul in our lesson from Corinthians, we are reminded of the importance of being in the body of Christ. The unity of the church, the unity that is called upon as we live out our lives in carrying out the mission of the church in the name of Jesus Christ. The many members of the body come together in unity with the message being “Jesus Christ is Lord”.
If we as individuals are seeking a place of comfort in which to move and have our being, if we are looking for that fortress that will hold back the enemy, if we are reaching out for a stronghold that will protect us as we move through the playing field of life and living, then, we may be interested in the words that we just heard. Words that were written at the Inaugural of our Lord’s ministry.
The words are “the spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to bring
good news to the poor. He has sent me
to proclaim release to the captives and
recovery of sight to the blind, to let the
oppressed go free, to proclaim the year
of the Lord’s favor. (4: 18-19)
These words of the Lord are indeed a gift that is extended to all. These words are spoken to all and manifested through the power and reality of the spoken word.
The emphasis in the passage is not some abstract reverence for the “law of Moses”. It is about life giving, renewing, freein , sustaining words that permeate our being. When we hear these words spoken by our Lord at the
Beginning of his ministry, they brought and are still bringing ease and joy to the ears of those who hear.
“The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” he says
“At creation God spoke and it was so. With the coming of Christ, “the words became flesh and lived among us.” (year c, Synthesis).
These words include all when it comes to being included in the body of Christ.
Jesus’ ministry began with his baptism. It began with an acknowledgement of receiving and embracing that place of comfort that he had been given. His ministry began with his own baptism and acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit. He knew that in order for him to carry out the mission given to him, he would have to live in the manner in which he had been called to live,
That is, acknowledging the presence of God. Speaking the message that comes from the heart when we, you and I, are serving as we have been called to serve.
Jesus worshipped with others who wanted to hear the word of God. They all came to a place of worship. Their place was the synagogue. They heard and read scriptures. There was an interpretation of those scriptures. The presence of the Holy Spirit was with those who wanted to hear the word. Their foundation within was being strengthened and they in turn rolled up their sleeves, extended their hands, and their feet, and their bodies to do the work that they had been given to do.
They became a part of the community. The community has many members. Every member who is in Christ belongs to that one body in the spirit. How so? Through baptism. Living into the promise that we have made when we took our baptismal vows.
Every baptized person has made a commitment to the body of Christ. We have commissioned those who are lay ministers. Those same people have said yes to actively live out their baptismal vows. Perhaps you have been active for many years, serving in a ministry, and have decided to rest for a year. Your taking a Sabbath is recognized. But when the Sabbath is concluded, return to active status to continue your ministry, witnessing as a part of the body of Christ.
Paul says that all gifts, whether large or small have been given to us for one purpose. That purpose is to share them for the “common Good.” When our gifts are shared for the common good that then body of Christ is strengthened. The fortress is reinforced with love and the witnesses for Christ increase.
As we increase our efforts through the body of Christ, our own agendas dim in the light of Christ and we are refocused for the work to be done. As we see the word become flesh we are encouraged to perhaps change our perspective. Our viewpoint becomes more of what God has for us along with what we may have in mind. The ministry becomes less of what our individual desires may be and is shaped into all members of the body of Christ and for the body of Christ.
Jesus’ ministry was only acceptable to God as long as he did not limit his word and deeds to his own people. When we, both lay and ordained, witness and minister to all who will receive and all who will follow the model of Jesus, then we can not pick and choose according to our liking. We are to through our joy, love and hearing the word being made flesh carry out the mission that we have been called to.
This parish has a continued mission. A part of the mission is being a house of prayer for all of God’s people here and throughout the city and the world. We each have a part; we each have a calling as a part of the whole. We cannot pick and choose who God calls to this place. What we can do is continue to serve with a spirit of hospitality and grace. The model of Jesus that we all are following will send a message through the word and deed that says “The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he anointed you and me to bring good news to all who will listen, to welcome those who have been in bondage in their personal prisons, to say welcome to those who come to worship and to take the spirit of love and grace to those who cannot come because of loneliness or disability. Let us proclaim the year as the year of the Lord’s favor. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Those who follow and proclaim Jesus as Lord will rejoice and be glad in it.
Follow the one who is our LORD through faith, through outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as continually comes to dwell among us.(My Faith, My Life, page 93).
Amen.
Comments? Contact The Rev. Carolynne Williams: cwilliams@stphilipscathedral.org