Sermon - August 4, 2002 - The Vision of St. Matthew’s, Part II

Of all the great works of Jesus, this story of the feeding of the 5,000 gives me the greatest sense of confidence about life in the spirit. I am drawn into this particular narrative because of its infinite practicality, and simultaneously, its divine mysteriousness.

Practically speaking, the crowds had a problem. They were experiencing the "bad news" of life. They were hungry and were not in a position to fend for themselves. Jesus was moved by their bad news. He saw the problem. He empathized with the gut wrenching facts of the situation and sought to bring by word and deed a good news solution to their hunger.

Jesus brings good news to people in bondage to the drudgery and suffering of life. Jesus seeks to bring good news to those flesh and blood persons living with the effects of hunger, loneliness, racism and other forms of social castigation, addiction, poverty, physical pain, violence, alienation, governmental oppression and, painfully, on and on.

Jesus finds ways to bring good news - to proclaim liberty and to work for healing and justice and new life.

So he says to his disciples, "feed them". And of course, they don’t have enough food. It is impossible. Jesus, they say to him, "what we have will not be enough. Just send them away."

A practical solution to a practical problem. Just send them away. We ask ourselves, "What am I to with the vast problems of life?" I have enough of my own!

And here Jesus reaches deep into his faith and trust in his Heavenly Father. Here a great mystery takes place. "Trust , Jesus says, trust. You don’t know yet how this will come out. Feed them what you have. Just do it."

And the disciples have enough. God works a miracle. Small bits of food are distributed and the provision is enough. All ate and were satisfied. All were satisfied.

A faithful offering elicits God’s response. The practical and the mystical blend into a way of life. In the church we are to see the world around us, and listen to the cries that rise up, and, be ourselves.

Yes, be ourselves.

Because we know we have much good news to proclaim. We proclaim Christ, and him crucified and risen. In our baptism we commit to seeking and serving Christ in all persons and to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ by word and deed.

We know that life brings suffering and loss and we also know that it all can be offered to God. The resurrection of Jesus, God’s surprising reversal of terrible sin and suffering, forever means that we are out of control of our future. And that therefore God can bring results beyond our imagination.

Jesus said to the disciples, "give them something to eat. Whatever you have. Just offer it up as a good news offering to their bad news."

St. Matthew’s Church exists as good news to a world enslaved by sin and separation and hopelessness. Our vision as a church should help us be bearers of Good News. Last week I gave you my interpretation of our Mission Statement, "to know Christ and to make him known."

This week I want to respond to the Vision Day goals set by those who gathered in April of 2001. Again I refer you to the pink page called "our Vision". I hope you have read through it already.

As I stated last week this Vision document served as part of my focus in assessing the self-understanding of the members of St. Matthew’s and the parish’s sense of direction. In reading the two main themes I was stunned, almost speechless. One of the top ten Episcopal Churches nationally.

Good grief! I wondered, "why haven’t they just declared that they insist that the next rector lead them to the national championship?" Or maybe I am supposed to be the quarterback. "What happens if I throw interceptions in the big games?"

I am saying that my very first impressions of these two main themes were that they were incredibly grandiose. But then as I prayed about this call and became more familiar with members of the Search Committee what came clearer to me was that St. Matthew’s leadership wasn’t so grandiose - really - but fearless and expecting God to be faithful.

Deep in the soul of this congregation something of immense value has been discerned - though perhaps through the glass darkly. It is a special truth, a special understanding, that St. Matthew’s has the critical mass of faith, talent and fearlessness to proclaim by word and deed the Good News in Christ. I think that the leadership core here at St. Matthew’s knows that there is something very unique about this church and to NOT offer a vision with big goals would be a denial of the true, practical talents and level of faith and commitment in this church.

And friends, where we can offer our gifts in practical ways to a world in need of Good News, then our five loaves and two fishes can be used by God in a mighty way.

I believe that Jesus is saying something like the following to us. "I love your big goals because there are many, many people in this church and outside these walls that need St. Matthew’s to fulfill it’s vision.

Bring your loaves and fishes to me," he says to us. "Be faithful. I’ll provide the miracle."

I will confess to you that I don’t have a game plan to lead you into the greatness this Vision statement imagines. I know I have much to offer. You have much to offer. Our greatest gifts to offer God will emerge as we together look and listen for the "bad news" as it inevitably comes our way. Because then we can offer our gifts with faith and practicality and then say, "OK, God, this is what we have to offer." And then trust, simply trust that it is enough that we are faithful and courageous enough to take action.

I have my thoughts about the bulleted statements on the Vision document that define the future community of St. Matthew’s.

    A church with a clear sense of mission - I would add practical, hands-on good news for people in need.

    A church that provides quality programs for all ages - that prepare all of us to bear Good News, though we know that we are continually in need of hearing the Good News ourselves.

    A church that accepts and incorporates the diversity of its membership- I’d be delighted by a greater diversity ethnically and racially.

    A church that provides rich worship in a variety of forms, much of which can be mined straight from the Book of Common Prayer.

    A church which encourages the laity to develop and use their diverse gifts in ministry. This is, of course, a life-long commitment to Christian Education, prayer and discernment of gifts and personal courage. It requires a willingness to offer ourselves to God. Perhaps we have heard the word "no" too many times in our life. Perhaps we have been misled or mistaken about our gifts. I say this to you. In your baptism you received a charism, a giftedness, something from the Spirit that marks you out as unique and much needed by the Body of Christ. Don’t give up if you are uncertain of your gifts. Stay in prayer about this. Say with the disciples, "here is all the bread and fish that I have." Discerning gifts is a community responsibility, never permit me to forget this.

A community that promotes spiritual growth, increased membership and financial stability. These are milestones or markers indicating that we are tangibly bearing Good News in the church and outside our walls.

A church that maintains a loving spirit. I would add playful. This congregation has been through a great deal of stress, loss and intense seriousness in the last few years. Loving and playful spirit sounds just right to me. How about you?

A church that welcomes and assimilates newcomers - because we are always being shaped by the people God sends our way. Our doors are open so we are an open book with chapters to be written by people we don’t know yet. Does that scare you or please you with its mysterious tone?

A church that has pastoral leadership that is spiritual, professional, caring and visionary. I would say mean and women that are willing to offer their loaves and fishes with you, that will dare to care with you and that is willing to learn.

A church that extends its ministry into the wider community. This is inevitable if are open to others and willing to take Jesus seriously when he said, "those who are not against us are with us." We have nothing to fear by building strong relationships with people of good will wherever or whoever they are. Period!

So, I am saying that I am with you on this adventure we call

St. Matthew’s. I share your vision for healthy growth and renaissance. I have caught a glimpse of that deep inner greatness perceived long ago. We may never win the national championship - or even break the top 10 Episcopal Churches in the nation.

But we can be ourselves. Bearers of Good News - offering our selves, whatever we have to offer, to God together, in the weekly round of the Holy Communion. Being fed supernaturally and miraculously by God himself and sent out - we are courageous enough to proclaim the Good News that God is love and that God’s love is alive within us. A hungry world can feed on that. Trust me, Jesus says, trust me. AMEN.