THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER: May 27, 2001

From the Ordination Service:

The Bishop laying hands upon the head of the Ordinand, along with the other Priests who are present, also laying on their hands, The Bishop prays:

“ Therefore Father, through Jesus Christ your son, give your Holy Spirit to Joseph: fill him with grace and power, and make him a Priest in your Church.”

*****

Those words will always ring in my ears- as they did forty years ago when I was ordained…..and as they also continue to ring in the ears of all the Priests whom God calls to serve His Church.

God calls different people in different ways - I don’t know about other - however, the way God has worked in my life is that, since I am not too sharp, or perceptive or discerning - or as bright as most others…..

God doesn’t ask me to do this or that - it just happens that one day I find myself doing what God wanted. It just happened that one day, forty-three years ago, I woke up in Austin, Texas and I found myself sitting in a class at the Seminary.

Being thoroughly confused about J E P D & E, (what later I found out to be a perspective to understand the writers of the Old Testament.

There have many, many times when I have wondered how all this happened - but to be sure - it did.

*****

Last February, it happened again, I certainly didn’t ask for it- but here again, without being asked if this is what I wanted to do- one day, I found myself winding my way through the unbelievable hectic traffic of Austin, Texas, on my way to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church - and only the Lord knows why.

God knowing me as He does - seems to prefer to deal with me in this way- the problems is - that it just doesn’t seem to matter to Him, if this is what I want.

The truth is that God probably had His eye on me - at least since I was twelve years old. I know this is true, because when I was twelve, our old Methodist Preacher, Brother Cook, came by our house, laid his hand om my pumpkin head and told my folks:

“Brethren, he said: “One day, this here boy is goin’ to make a Preacher.”, Betty said that she’s still waiting.

What an amazing Journey it has been - starting out in deep, deep East Texas, where Episcopalians are not only very rare - but who are also considered to be extremely strange - I felt like Joseph in the Old Testament- being thrown into some kind of a deep pit.

Green as grass, not knowing who I was, not knowing which end was up - all alone in those lonesome piney woods - I cried out: “ Lord- You got me here- now what do I do?”, It took me sometime to know that: “God does not call those who are fit to His Ministry - but He fits those whom He calls.”

Thank goodness we poor, green as grass Clergy are not left to muddle along in “The Cloud of Unknowing, all by ourselves,” but God is patient and is always ready to have you embark upon a training program that is especially tailored to our uniqueness.

To make a long story short - it took me a long time - about fifteen years to finally realize God’s plan - that the only way I was going to survive in the Ministry and enjoy the journey -

Was to be in close Fellowship with a small cadre of christian souls - who would pray with me and nurture me, bind up my bruises and wounds whenever people like Mr. & Mrs. Grench got on my case and wouldn’t let up.

It is true - that the Christian Journey is not a solo journey - it was not meant to be traveled alone - and it can’t be traveled alone - for there are too many ups and downs - toomany pitfalls - for Old Satan takes delight and he especially likes to entrap the clergy.

For me it has been that my association with my people, my closeness to parishioners, the love and nurturing that I have received from countless souls - that has not only seen me through some hard times - but has been the source of the greatest joy in my life.

*****

I had another sermon in mind for today - however, I was looking through some memorabilia - when I came across some old sermons and funeral homilies. I was touched when I began to think about all those wonderful souls with whom I had served in my various churches.

Though now wit the Lord - I give thanks for: Florence, Bishop Cilley, my mentor, Reba, Dale, Alys, Frances & Marvin, the Tooth Dentist as he called himself, and Jenny-

Jenny, a soul friend with whom our relationship must have rivaled and equaled that of David and Jonathan in the Old Testament. Next to Betty- the greatest blessing of my life was my association and my relationship with Jenny, one of the greatest souls I have ever known.

Scores and scores and scores of people with whom I had the privilege of baptizing, confirming, and marrying their children, commending their departed to Almighty God -

Words cannot express what a glorious privilege and what a tremendous blessing they were - and that they will always be to me.

I give thanks that I was able to appreciate them and to see in them how special they were. As it is with our loved ones and friends who have departed this life - we never stop missing them.

What wonderful memories I carry of those people committed to my charge - that I will always cherish and hold dear.

For me - there is no question whatsoever - that the greatest joy - the greatest blessing in this life - is relationships - our relationship with God - and our relationship with one another. Nothing even comes even to a close second.

*****

Of course it helps - it helps immensely - for there is no way one like me could endure in the ministry without a wife like Betty. No one could ever know the vast amount of my struggle that she has shared and the comfort and love with which she has blessed me.

I will have to admit though, for forty years it’s been hard to hear people say at every church where I have been:

“That poor Betty, she is so pretty- how did she ever end up wit a guy like Joe - poor girl - the only thing I can imagine - is that she must have brain damage.”

(I really have been tired of hearing that over and over again).

*****

Through the years, I have seen our beloved Episcopal Church go through many changes - and I sincerely believe that most of the changes have been for the good.

It is true that God never changes - that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow - however, His Church, which is made up of people like you and me -

Will continue to experience change - yes - our beloved Church will continue to experience change - until this Church Militant, following its Lord-

our Lord who is always on the move - until this Church Militant reaches its final destination - as The Church Triumphant in God’s Heavenly City.

While we respect and while we appreciate and give thanks for the witness of all of our Christian Brethren of all denominations -

We nevertheless continue to especially cherish those beliefs and those traditions that have blessed us -

and which have enriched our lives for so many years - in this Branch of God’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church - The Great World-Wide Anglican Communion - of which our own Episcopal Church is only a part.

And yet - we must continue to earnestly work for unity and oneness, first of all in our own Church Household - and then making every effort as we work together more and more in the coming years- to have the most utmost respect and regard for our other Christian Brethren.

It is my hope and my prayer that in the coming years the entire world-wide Christian Church will experience a re-awakening and a resurgence of the now dormant Ecumenical Movement.

A United Witness by the entire Church of God is desperately needed in a world torn by war-strife-hunger-sickness and disease-hate and unbridled crime.

*****

While God usually doesn’t let me in on what He wants me to do- until I find myself doing it- there can be no misunderstanding- there can be no question as to my role here during this Interim period.

…..and what God wants to happen here at St. Matthew’s Church.

That our parish come together in Unity- that we may all be One-that we reach out to one another in love and forgiveness-that we put aside the past- that we put aside the past hurts that cause division -for a new day that is dawning-

The statue of limitations of holding on to past hurts and grudges in the Church is not very long- Jesus says: “Leave your gift at the Altar and then go reconcile with your brother…..”

This is so necessary for that new day that is dawning here at St. Matthew’s Church - that God is bringing about right here in our midst - if we will just let Him-

…..if we will just be the Church - if we will just be the Church of the Living God- that loves and forgives - and that works and worships together.

A divided Church is an 0xy-moron- for where the Church is truly the Church - there is may be problems- but also, we the Church- are always One in the Spirit.

So Reach Up!-Reach Up for the Grace and the Power of God to do that which we cannot do alone-

Then Reach In!- Reach In deep within your heart for the love that is surely there- don’t keep it there-but bring it out-

Then Reach Out!- Reach out and shower one another with that same Love and Forgiveness that God has put within each of us.

Be the Church-Be the Church - I’m not sure I like the term “go to Church,”- instead the term that I like the most is:

BE THE CHURCH!!!- BE THE CHURCH!!!

Let us pray:

Father for these forty years- for Betty- for your call to Ministry- for the love of your people-for the opportunity to serve Your Church and the People of St. Matthew’s Parish- for bearing me up and for standing beside me all these years- throughout this unbelievable journey- my heart is full to overflowing.

While there is still life and breath within us- may we all continue to serve you all the days of our lives.

This we pray through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

AMEN!!!!

jdp+