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EASTER V: May 13, 2001
Mothers’ Day
Senior Week
Commissioning of Community of Hope
“And the Disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Elizabeth Holliman, former Headmistress of Trinity School, Galveston.....better known as “Budgie,”.....and also better know as the writer of the column: “The Hickory Stick,” in The Texas Episcopalian, Budgie followed me when I was the Headmaster of that School.
As you know, being the head of a fairly large Private School is never a picnic or a cake walk. So, about six months after I left Galveston, I called “Budgie,” and asked how things were going at Trinity School. She replied in her own inimitable way:
“Well, let me put it this way: the only difference between us and
the Titanic is ......... the Titanic had a band.”
However, she was always cheerful and upbeat in spite of the problems and the turmoil she often encountered.
Likewise - to be sure, one of the Hallmarks of the Early Church was Joy.....in spite of the resistance and the opposition they often faced.....yet they were joyful!.
In spite of the fact that Paul and Barnabas were driven out of Antioch by the Jews.....
St. Luke in the Book of Acts tells us that: “.....the Disciples were filled with Joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Since the Resurrection of Jesus.....the lives of the Disciples were changed.....instead of being fearful.....instead of being in a fog.....their lives had been turned around.....for they now were on fire for their Lord.
Now, being possessed by the Holy Spirit.....they set about the task, not the turn the world upside down.....but instead to turn the world right-side up. Instead of hiding behind closed doors.....
They now had an indomitable courage and the determination to spread the Word.....to witness to the Word.....to proclaim the Word – which was Jesus Christ and the Good News of The Gospel.
The Disciples were possessed and inspired by the Holy Spirit.....and because of their Unity.....and because they now were all in one accord.....the Holy Spirit could now take them and use them in a mighty and a powerful way to bring countless souls into Christ’s new and fledgling Church.
It should be no surprise or disappointment to us that the work of the Church will always be difficult.....that the work of Christian People will always be met with resistance and opposition and sometimes even fierce hostility.
Tho his days are numbered.....nevertheless, old Satan himself and the power of evil is still very much alive – even here in River City. In this life – we can never lay down the Armor of God with which He has equipped us.
St. Peter in his first Epistle – which is a kind of an orientation for the newly converted and the newly baptized.....tells those new Christians:
”In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your Faith, more precious that gold, which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Yes it is true that St. Matthew’s Church, Austin has gone through its own crucible of hardship and struggle.....and we know that there is still much healing to take place.
However, Let us rejoice that we are united again and that we are on the Way, His Way.....and that now the Holy Spirit will take us and use us in ways we never dreamed of before.....
.....helping us to experience The Peace of God that passes all understanding – meaning that we can still rejoice and be joyful – and be at Peace .....even in the midst of hardship and struggle.
We are reminded and to be aware.....each time we leave the Church - of the Blessing and the Peace of God - that is among us in all of life. My prayer is that we will once again know that joy and that peace and love for one another.....that is known by every Church that is possessed by the Holy Spirit.
All around us......people are searching – people are hungry – people are hungry for meaning and for purpose in their lives – people have an intense desire to belong – to belong to some thing meaningful – to be a part of something larger than themselves and their own lives.
.....to be caught up in a purpose that they innately and intuitively know is right and good and of lasting and eternal value.
We must know that it is not the Church building that permanently attracts people to be a part of the Church – it is not just the music – even as beautiful as it is – it is not just even the preaching that keeps people coming back.
But it is the environment – it is the air that permeates the premises – it is the joy and the Spirit of God that people sense is present in this place – it is the friendliness of our people
.....it is that mystical awareness – that one is in touch with the infinite mystery and presence of God Himself – that ineffable and indescribable feeling and the knowledge that something powerful is going on in this place – and I want to be a part of it.
How many times have I heard and I know that you have heard too that:
“When I came here – I felt like I came home!”
What greater awareness can we put forth to those who are seeking a spiritual home – that when they visit - that.....
They leave knowing that this place is the Father’s House – a special place among all places – that here is a fellowship of Believers who love one another – and
that –There is a special place for them - here in our Church Family –
And that – the work going on here is God’s Work – therefore I really want to be part of this Fellowship.
Who wants to be a part of a sour or a grumpy or a divided congregation?
*****
I did not choose to come here to St. Matthew’s on my own accord – however – I do believe that God called this old worn out Italian Retired Priest – but one who has a sense of humor –
and one who knows the joy of the Lord – to come to St. Matthews to help to lift their spirits – and to help them to prepare for the greatest era in their history – and to help them to begin to know of their infinite potential and the infinite possibilities – to be God’s Servant Church.....
To be a virtual beehive – of people coming and going by the droves from all over the Diocese - and wherever -
For – Learning – for being equipped to teach - for being equipped for Evangelism – for sharing their gifts and skills and talents – for spiritual growth.....
People coming here to learn to do Sunday School and Christian Education – Sr. Ministry
For Youth Ministry and Youth Events - for Music and Choir workshops– for Drama – for the Arts – from: “A Church that has a heart for the Arts
St. Matthew’s Church has it all – all we need is a Director of this great Symphony -
Of talented people – or in other words - a permanent Rector.
I’m sure you’re aware of that the root word for director is Rector – that is one who leads, who directs and one who pulls together all the people and their talents and skills - toward a common goal and vision.
Indeed - A Rector of God’s own Choosing – that is one for whom we have prayed and one for whom we have done our homework in the Search Process.
My prayer is that you may come to know who you are - and what you have here at St. Matthew’s Church - that – “You have been Blessed to be a Blessing.
When I decided to come here to be your Interim Rector – I was not for one split-second reticent - because of the upheaval during the last few years – just name me one Church or Congregation that hasn’t gone through some serious kind of conflict or upheaval in its history.
However, the task of the Clergy – through God’s Grace - is to bring people together in unity – to do His work – looking ahead and not letting the past bog us down.
And so it is with our Service – our Work – our Gifts – our Resources of Time and Talents and Money – that we come forth - that we join together in love in the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
God will Bless this place beyond our every imagination when we begin to be His Servant Church – when we let the people know and when we show them that:
“We are Blessed to be a Blessing.”
Then Austin, Texas will know that this is a place where the Lord Jesus is lifted up in Worship and Praise – where the Gospel of Christ is truly Preached – Where the Bible and the Blessed Sacrament nourishes us for our Christian Journey - and for our Ministry –
That this a place on the move – following and serving its Lord!
And then – when this happens – when we do this:
We will know the joy of the Lord - and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit as never before!
A M EN !
jdp+
