Christmas 2023

As preached by Brother Christopher
Holy Wisdom Church

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” Gal 4:4

 

 

Christmas is such a blend of powerful stories that have the potential to renew us. In Luke’s presentation of the incarnation which we heard last evening, the angel announces to the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior is born to you, the Messiah, the Lord...” Truly this is good news, news we have waited for during the entire pre-Christmas season. Yet with every Christmas there is always the temptation to reduce its mystery to a historical event long past, one that makes us feel sentimental and nostalgic but misses its real significance for this present hour. Today Christ is born, born anew in our hearts if we allow the mystery to be rekindled again. This is what we do at liturgy. Part of what makes the liturgical year so engaging is its unique ability – year after year – to re-open the mysteries of our faith at ever deeper levels, allowing us to become contemporaneous with them, knowing them from the inside, from the heart, and in the process, continuing to grow and change. We get to become Christ bearers, not only to each other, but to a world that is in desperate need of Christ’s presence.

          For this is the longing of every human heart, which is highlighted in this morning’s gospel from Matthew. We can easily imagine the Magi, symbolizing the entire Gentile world, traveling miles and miles over desert sands responding to that inner yearning. They travel principally at night, by faith, doggedly following the star that illumines their path. For this was no ordinary star; as St John Chrysostom observes, ‘no other star has this capacity to guide, not merely to move but to beckon, to go before them, drawing them and guiding them along their way, first to Jerusalem where they learn of the biblical prophecy, then on to Bethlehem, directly over the place where the child is to be found. There, in the most ordinary of circumstances, they find Jesus with his mother Mary and significantly, they immediately prostrate themselves and do him homage. They prostrate on behalf of the whole Gentile world, all those who are not part of Israel. Here, at the very beginning of the Gospel we see the tearing down of the dividing walls between races and cultures. This Messiah, the true King of the Jews, is God’s revelation to the entire world and from an eschatological perspective, it is already being realized.

          These stories are formative, having shaped our identity as Church and as individual believers. The fact that they have been retold so often over the centuries points to their power, and their potential to transform us. But only if we allow them to speak to our hearts. Can we find ourselves in these stories? Can we feel the joy of the Magi as they see the star long-guiding them reappear after their meeting with Herod? Can we know the awe they experienced as they gazed on the newborn Jesus with his mother? Can we, just like them prostrate before the newborn child and offer him our lives? Finally, can we feel Mary’s continued bewilderment and awe at the infant nursing at her breast, the one who just as surely holds the universe in the palm of his hand?

These stories are the very antithesis of anything nostalgic or sentimental. They seek to be living and active in us, agents of transformation that bring us into ever deeper relationship with the mystery that reveals itself this day. Let us use this feast as a launching point for the renewal that God seeks to inspire in our lives and in our world.  Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

 

 

 

Homily: Luke 11:1-13, December 10, 2023

 As preached by Sister Rebecca

Holy Wisdom Church

In today’s Gospel, Luke writes about the disciples who are asking Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Implicit in that request is their admission that there are things that they don’t understand about prayer. I wonder if the disciples, while observing Jesus in prayer, were drawn to imitate him.

 

Jesus responds:  When you pray, say “Our Father in heaven,” meaning that God is infinite, mysterious, and beyond human comprehension. Yet, this transcendence of God doesn’t mean that God is remote or unknowable. C. S. Lewis writes that as humans we need “limping metaphors” to express our relationship with God in his “magnetic mercy” which draws us to himself. There is no need to stress or strain, to grope in the darkness, for God has created us; he is near to each one of us, as close as breath itself. Jesus indicates that God is not only “in heaven” but is also near and dear as a loving father to every person. God is infinite, yes, but he’s also intimate. And so, of the first two words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father,” Paul says the same thing in the Epistle to the Romans. We shouldn’t relate to God as a slave who fears a master, but as a child who feels safe with a parent: “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6). “Abba,” the Aramaic word that Jesus used, means something like “Papa.” The word is used only three times in the New Testament, and it conveys a startling sense of human intimacy with the divine Infinite. It was a word that little children first learning to speak used for their father, and that Jesus himself used to pray to God in the Garden of Gethsemane.

 

Because God is like a tender loving father, Jesus invites us to pray, to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, he tells us. “And when a child asks for food, like a fish or an egg, no parent would ever give him a poisonous snake or scorpion. How much more will God give good gifts to his children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask?” says Jesus.

 

So prayer at its deepest level is not about getting something, solving a problem, or resolving issues. Rather, all prayer is a radical receptivity to the Holy Spirit, which itself is inspired by that same Holy Spirit! We will come to know that it is God who creates within us the desire to pray for whatever we need or want. But we need to surrender to the Divine Spirit, letting go of our small minds, and embracing contemplative practice.

It is here that we experience moments of awe and wonder.  Returning to Jesus’ prayer to the Father: “hallowed be your name”: the word “to hallow” is in old English term for “to sanctify,” to make holy, sacred. When we experience moments of awe, we are allowing God to be hallowed in us—and in the midst of this sacred presence we know we are forgiven and loved unconditionally.  At the same time, all is forgiven. We hold no grudges, negativity toward others or any of creation. This is a sheer gift of the Spirit.  But in order to live in this sacred atmosphere we need daily nourishment—not just for our bodies, but soul food—the manna.  This bread is received in many ways, especially in the Eucharist, but is available also whenever we need it. It comes in many forms: grace, guidance, trust, consolation, moments of enlightenment, friendships, loving kindness. This latter, in unexpected ways: a smile, someone holding a door for us when we happen to need it, and even in little silly ways that bring a bit of humor into our frustrations:  What comes to my mind right now: I was shopping at Hannaford and picked up a little netted bag of tomatoes.  As I was pushing my cart down an aisle, several little tomatoes escaped through a hole in the net, and they went sailing down the aisle!  I was very worried someone might step on one, slide, and fall! As I went after them a tall, lanky 16-year-old came from behind me, looked at the tomatoes rolling down the aisle, turned to me and said: “Lady! That sucks!” And I couldn’t help laughing.  Small stuff! But many such things like this can cut through our over-seriousness and worry.

In the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, there’s a story about Macarius the Great (born c. 300), a former camel driver. One day someone asked him how to pray. “There is no need at all to make long discourses,” he advised. “It is enough to stretch out one’s hands and say, ‘Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy.’ And if the conflict grows fiercer say, ‘Lord, help!’ He knows very well what we need and he shows us his mercy.”

 

“Western culture today and in our times presents us with an incredible challenge: it tends to be an extroverted culture and a ‘can-do’ culture.  Prayer too easily has become an attempt to change God and aggrandize ourselves instead of what it was meant to be—an interior practice to change the one who is praying.  This interior transformation will happen if we sit calmly before this uncanny and utterly safe Presence, and allow the Divine Gaze to invade and heal our unconscious, the place where 95 percent of our motivations and mindless reactions come from.”  (Paraphrased from a quote by Fr. Richard Rohr.)

We need to stand back:  go to that space of loving Presence, be open to God’s gaze and return the gaze.  Then, as Meister Eckhart so perfectly said, “the eye with which we look back at God will be the same eye that first looked at us.”  We just complete the circuit!

I’d like to end these reflections with a poem by Edwina Gateley, entitled “Silent Prayer.”

This is my prayer—

That, though I may not see,

I be aware

Of the Silent God

Who stands by me.

That, though I may not feel, I be aware

Of the Mighty Love

 Which doggedly follows me.

That, though I may not respond,

I be aware

That God—my Silent, Mighty God,

Waits each day.

Quietly, hopefully, persistently.

Waits each day and through each night

For me.

For me—alone. 

Sermon 193 December 17, 2023: Dn 14:31-42; Col 3:2-9; LK 13:18-30 Three Youths

As preached by Brother Luke
Holy Wisdom Church


In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

What do a walk in the woods, a gaze into the night sky, peering into a microscope, and a flight across the ocean all have in common? The wonder of how small one human being is next to the vastness of God's creation. What does the Psalmist ask? "What are mere mortals that you should even think of them?" [Ps 8:4] And yet, Christ's mission is to remind us just how much God loves his creation. How much God wants us to grow into the loving and compassionate people that Christ is modeling for us. If we manage that, what is its fruit? I think this morning's gospel lesson gives us a clue.

Something small has within itself what it takes to become something large, even beyond imagining. What is the Kingdom of God like? A mustard seed, a measure of yeast? That is what God has planted in our hearts. That's where the kingdom of heaven starts. But it needs to be nourished to grow.  How we do that will begin to give us a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God is like. One thing we can say for sure at this stage is that it is bigger and more awesome than anything we might imagine.

Contemplating the night sky and the cosmos it unveils, always stirs up both wonder and tension. The tension is one's inability to truly grasp the nexus of time and space with the infinite. We live bounded by our experience of finitude. What we touch, what we see, what we hear starts and stops. But God is beyond such boundaries. And so is the Kingdom of God. But we can at least begin to imagine what the boundless possibilities are.

Our life on this earth is like the mustard seed planted in the ground. It begins to grow and it pokes it tender first shoots out of the ground into the air to meet the rays of the sun. The nutrients in the ground and the energy from the sun are both required for the plant to grow and meet its full potential. The ancients thought of the sun as a god, and in Christian thought we often refer to Christ as the Sun of Justice, particularly at Christmas time.  This Sun of Justice is bringing us a message from the God beyond our bounded horizon, a message we need to pay attention to if we are to grow to our fullest potential.

So what is that message? St Paul reminds the Colossians that now their "life is hidden with Christ in God [3:3] so they "must get rid of ... : anger, passion, and hateful thoughts." [3:8]. And St Matthew recounts Christ's description of Judgment Day, which has echos in this gospel passage: I don't know you if you forget to help those in need, the poor, widows, prisoners, marginalized. For in the Kingdom of heaven everyone without exception lives by the two great commandments; to love God and to love your neighbor.

How is that working in our world today? We can find many examples of people doing just that, however, we also continue to see some of the worst examples of human folly, especially the wars we continue to inflict on each other for purposes that are far removed from God. By so doing, we forsake heaven and create hell. Which is why following Christ along the narrow path is essential to bring about a glimpse of heaven on earth and prepare is us to be co-creators of heaven here and beyond. And if we seek divine help we will discover as did Daniel: "You have kept me in mind, O God; you have not deserted those who love you." [14:38]

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Sermon 192 November 12, 2023: Hos 10:2-8, 11-12; 2Cor 9:6-11; LK 7:36-50 Magdalene: Gratitude

As preached by Brother Luke

Holy Wisdom Church 

In the name of the Father and of the Sone and of the Holy Spirit. 

     Party crashers can be so annoying! They are unexpected. They stress out the host and guests alike. The mind goes wild. One wonders what are they going to do to upset well-laid plans? How can we get them out as quickly as possible? If they really disrupt things will we have to face the authorities? And the worries go on and on. And of course, they weren't invited for a reason, they are most like very unsavory characters! 

    To catastrophize is so easy to do. It is a thin line between strategize, that is preparing for future eventualities, and catastrophize, imagining the worst. However, for Simon the Pharisee, aka Simon the Leper, the host of the dinner party for Jesus, his failing was not to catastrophize but to criticize, not so much the behavior of the uninvited guest, but Jesus' response to her. For Simon, she was who she was and Jesus should have known better. "If he were really a prophet he would know what kind of a person she was." 

     We humans tend to put people in boxes and leave them there. Jesus, however, is always showing us another way. In today's gospel lesson, Mary is our party crasher. In so many of Jesus' encounters with people in need, he goes to them, or meets them in an apparent chance encounter, under a tree, by a pool, on the road, by a well, and then responds to their requests. But something different happens here. Mary goes to him. She intentionally seeks out Jesus, but asks for nothing. Instead, she pours out her heart to him, not in words but rather in gestures. She doesn't have to say anything. She weeps on his feet and then dries them with her hair. She kisses his feet, then pours expensive perfume on them. 

    Jesus is always reminding us, by word and deed, of the two greatest commandments: love God and love your neighbor. How we do this varies from person to person and from circumstance to circumstance. This dramatic story is designed to get our attention, to magnify the underlying message. But we can't love our neighbor if we only love the neighbor who behaves according to the rules or conventions that we prefer. There can be no litmus test for love. No qualifying formula. 

     And Jesus' response to this love shown him by Mary, is to assure her that her sins, those actions she now regrets and wants to leave behind, are forgiven. They are forgiven not only by his word but by her faith that drew her to him and led her to show her love for the one who can save her. And her sins may have been great in her mind and in the opinion of those who knew her, but they could not prevent her from receiving the forgiving love of God. Her demonstration of love toward Jesus in advance of hearing the word from Christ, was a sign of gratefulness to him for being received and not being rejected. The world may well reject her, as did Simon, but God is not like us and sees to the core of the person where the true self created by God is still available to be uncovered and released. 

    By contrast, the Pharisee, Simon the leper, had been cured of his disease by Jesus, and yet his attitude toward Jesus remained restrained and skeptical. He did not show even the simplest gestures of love on greeting Jesus. And he questions whether Jesus is really a prophet at all, much less the Son of God. 

    Jesus knows Simon's thoughts, but in his response, Jesus is not angling for praise and recognition, he doesn't need that. Rather, he is demonstrating to Simon, and to us, what God's love really looks like. It comes without precondition and it looks beyond our many failings. And when our hearts and minds finally absorb the enormity of that reality, love can burst forth from us just as it did from Mary Magdalene. And the more often that happens, the more widely the healing impact of God's love will spread throughout the world. And how glorious will be the praise we and all God's creation will sing in thanksgiving and adoration! 

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Sermon 191 October 4, 2023: Tb 4:5-11; 16-20; 1Cor 1:26-31; Mt 11:25-30 “St Francis”

 As preached by Brother Luke

Holy Wisdom Church

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! Frenchie. 

That’s our boy. St Francis. If you want to read an entertaining book about St Francis and learn why he got that name, read Julien Green’s biography of St Francis. Giovanni was his baptismal name. His father, Pietro di Bernardone, was a cloth merchant and land owner. He was also a great enthusiast for things French. He made frequent trips to France to buy cloth and Giovanni would go with him. Consequently, his son also became a great fan of things French: food, songs, clothes, the people. Wherever he went it was not unusual for him to break out into song, French chansons. He was a playboy and he was known as Frenchie, that is, Francis. But our playboy had a conversion experience that changed his life and the lives of many others. And that is where today’s scripture lessons meet the new Francis. 

 Jesus thanks his father for hiding God’s words of life from the learned and clever but revealing them to children. This passage is telling us that to receive this message requires openness. A child’s openness. We are all children of God. But all to quickly we can lose our childlike openness and sense of wonder as we gradually grow into the adult molded by our experiences and society. We become learned and clever but we forget how to really listen for God’s messages. A little child has no agenda, lives by relying on others and takes in new information without the filters of adult experience. But God can break through the barriers we have erected and that is what happened to Francis. But then Francis had to drop the facades and revert to that child-like openness to let Christ in. And he did. How? 

 This is where the image of the yoke appears. A yoke is for two not just one animal. A yoke of oxen is two oxen. So, when Jesus says my yoke is easy and my burden is light, he is telling us this because when we take on his yoke, we are yoked to Christ. We are saying not only that we need him, but that we want him to be with us, in us, as we live life with him. As St Paul says, “not I who lives but Christ in me.” 

 And isn’t that how Francis lived his life after his conversion experience? In Tobit we read the counsel given to him and can see this as exactly what St Francis lived. “Remember the Lord your God all your days.” “Live uprightly… Do not turn your face away from any poor man… Give of your bread to the hungry… Give all your surplus to charity… Bless the Lord on every occasion…” This captures St. Francis’ heart perfectly. 

St Paul says to the Corinthians: “God made [Christ Jesus] our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” This happens for us only if we are active participants. And here is where the story of St Francis becomes the message for us. St Francis strove to embody Christ and to live faithfully the message. It doesn’t mean we all join the Franciscans. It means living with the assurance that Christ is with us in everything. Does it mean smooth sailing at all times? No. Was it for St Francis? Hardly. He had to manage a growing community, juggle the human reality of his followers, negotiate with a skeptical Vatican to get recognition for is order, balance the diverse views of what his community should look like, all the while preaching the message of Christ far and wide, and ultimately letting go of the reins of leadership to let his order evolve according to God’s plan. 

He did not deviate from his belief in the sanctity of his mission or in the final authority of the church. He dared to engage with the competitive faith of the Muslims and ventured into the heart of Islam in Egypt during the Crusades, to attempt to convince the Sultan to become Christian. The purity of his intensions safeguarded him even in danger. His sincerity was never in doubt. He truly “put on Christ” in all he did and was marked by the wounds of Christ’s passion. 

He set the bar high for us lesser mortals, but the model can be lived at different levels. Take Christ’s words and deeds seriously, be guided by them in all you do and trust that the ultimate outcome is a blessing for a life lived for Christ’s sake. 

Glory be to Jesus Christ! 

Cure of the Demoniac and St Peter’s Mother

 As preached by Sister Cecelia
Holy Wisdom Church

Oct 8^th 2023

ISAIAH  43: 15-21, 44:1-5, 1CORINTHIANS 15: 20-26, 35-38, LUKE 4: 31-39

A writer of spirituality who also preached, once wrote that the definition he found in the Oxford English Dictionary to preach was: “to give moral advice in an obtrusive way.” He commented; “No wonder people do not want to hear them.” To obtrude is to offer or force ideas upon others without being asked.

Hopefully our homilies would not be defined that way. Our aim here at NS is to reflect ourselves on what the words of scripture might mean for ourselves and then perhaps to share it with others. To break open the words of scripture as frequently they are not too easy to understand.

 One way of looking at Scripture is that the words envelope or clothe a truth or a mystery and there are indeed many layers in understanding the core value contained therein. Often one layer of clothing after another needs to be removed to get to the ultimate meaning. The initial understanding can be quite different than the ultimate understanding.

According to the gospel of Luke, the healing of the demoniac and Peter’s mother-in-law were some of the earliest healings that Jesus did. The people were amazed and in awe of Jesus’ words and actions and they spread the news so that a great many brought their sick to be healed. Peter’s mother – in – law rose up on being healed and set about to serve others- a lesson we can ponder on hoe do we serve.

In this morning’s epistle, St Paul writing to the Corinthians, assured them that Christ had truly risen as we will also rise. Then people asked what kind of body will each of us have?  In earlier times it was thought that the body left the soul completely and the soul then joined again with God. Another thought we are still individuals joining God as a body/soul being, being able to accept the mystery of how that could be. While Jesus rose body and soul, and was seen, the body was somehow different than it had been when Jesus walked this earth.

Paul was impatient with the questions about what kind of body, if any, when we died, but led them to realize the body is like a seed that must fall into the ground to sprout and come to life.

 What kind of lives will we have?  Do we take time to reflect on whether we are reacting to life or are we responding to it? If we are reacting, what is behind our reactions? If responding, what enables us to do so? Reflecting, contemplation, breaks us open to ourselves. The fruit of contemplation is self- knowledge, not self -justification.  When we see ourselves as we really are, we will not be so quick to condemn another. Rather we will seek to console, rather than be consoled. The prayer of St. Francis mentioned by Br Luke on Wed. will become our prayer as well. We will come to understand that kindness, compassion, understanding and accepting of the other is the mark of holiness we can aspire to. It is the seed that has fallen into the ground and can grow daily.

Be encouraged by remembering Jesus promise to send a paraclete: an advocate, an encourager, a friend, someone who is at our side, someone who sees our troubles and works with us to improve situations. We are not alone!

Christ is in our Midst!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

go

August 20, 2023 Wisdom 13:1-13, Romans 14:13-23, Matthew 16:1-12

As preached by Sister Cecelia
Holy Wisdom Church

Early peoples were so impressed with creation that they made gods out of what had been created: fire, wind, water, sun, and moon among a host of others. God’s imagination has created creatures that run, walk, swim, slither, waddle, hop, and fly. We witness on this earth profuse expressions of our God creating life. That is why Scripture summarizes the wonder of God’s creation with these simple words: God is Love.

To be fashioned in the image of God, as Scripture says, means that we are gifted with this potential. We are not merely consumers; we are life-giving creators. We can create peace and justice. We can create connections between diverse peoples. We can create art and music. We can plant, grow, and cultivate life.

Metanoia, conversion, is an ancient concept. Early seekers went to the desert to escape the spiritual aridity of the cities, the lack of love within these cities. Their “flight from the world,” and their separation from the systems and corrupted values that drove the world around them, was fundamental to the conversion of seeking purity of heart and single-mindedness in their contemplation and search for this God of love.

Changing the way we go about the externals of life is not all that difficult. Real change is changing the way we look at life. That is the stuff of conversion. Monastic life is very helpful, but any kind of community living can be beneficial to our conversion.

We do not need to leave where we are in order to contemplate God. Jesus—the healer, the prophet, the teacher—was surely contemplative as he walked the dusty roads of Galilee surrounded by the sick, the children, the disciples, and crowds of the committed and the curious.

“Flight from the world” is not about leaving any specific location. It is about shedding one set of attitudes, one kind of consciousness for another. We need a different state of mind. We have to be in our workplace with the good of the whole world in mind. We have to be in the home with the good of those we live with as our first concern. Is that self-denial? Perhaps. Jesus does tell us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. It means denying our false self. The true self recognizes who I am in relation to God. Losing my life means surrendering day after day.

Love then is not just a warm fuzzy feeling. It is a mindset, an approach, a behavior, a decision, a choice. It means opting to treat others well and to do right by them out of an open-minded, open-hearted, and open-handed spirit of goodwill.

What makes prayer and the contemplative inner life so compelling is that it is a progressive initiation into a mystery that has been unfolding throughout the ages and in our own life span. The mystery is such that it can never be taken in fully at once. It takes patience, as it is revealed more and more through time, expanding its scope, through the Spirit helping us to see and perceive how limitless is the love that draws all creation into the very life of God. 

Nothing is forever. Change happens. Learning to live in the now, realizing the value of the present makes for a fullness of life. 

Christ is in our midst!

 

Sermon 190 August 15, Lk 1:39-55, Gal 3:26-4:5, Gn 28:10-17 Dormition

 

As preached by Brother Luke

Holy Wisdom Church

 

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

 

       I remember when my mother died, one of the letters of condolence that I received began: "Mothers are special." Of course, everyone is special. Special to us and in God's eyes. But mother's are in a rarefied category. And it is no surprise that the Mother of God should be in a special category all by herself. But not out of touch with us.

       On this day of special remembrance of the Theotokos, her passing into the life beyond this life, we should take time to consider what she has meant to us as Christians and why her example of faith can still teach important lessons today.

       To begin with, she is one of us. She is 100% human. She doesn't just identify with our circumstances, she participates in them throughout her life. So when believers pray to her for help she knows the human condition. She also shows us faith and courage at a young age. Sometimes we now say that young people today have to grow up fast. Imagine facing the decision she had to face as a young girl? But she agreed to God's plan and thereby made possible the incarnation, which opened the door to our salvation.

       As a mother she cared for her son for the 30 years he lived with his family. As all mother's would, she worried for his welfare, notably when he seemed to be lost in Jerusalem. She listened to her son and pondered in her heart what he said and what was said to her about him. And when her son began his ministry, she was with him, notably at the Wedding at Cana where she prods him to act to save the married couple embarrassment. And she says to the servants: "Do whatever he tells you to do." A message for us as  well.

       She was with those friends who followed Jesus in his ministry. She stood with him through the trials he suffered, right to the very end, including standing by him as he died on the cross. She is the ultimate example of a person of faith, steadfast in fidelity to Jesus. And he to her. Jesus commended her care to St John and then he received her into his arms at her passing as the Dormition icon portrays. So we can learn from her life of faithfulness to Jesus and his gospel message. Her passing forecasts the destiny to which all believers are called. No wonder she has been an essential part of Christian piety since the beginning.

       Next time you visit our Transfiguration Temple, take a few moments to contemplate the calendar icon on the south wall. It is the one from Russia that has images of saints for every day of the year. But you might also notice that surrounding the calendar of saints are 36 images of the Theotokos, each one a recreation of a famous icon of the Theotokos. The message is remarkable. The Theotokos has been a present help and supporter of all the saints throughout history. Her manifestations in various times and places, surrounds this cloud of Christian witnesses as it does all of us who inhabit this world of time and space. And each image of the Theotokos, as is traditional in Orthodox iconography, includes Christ. This is a double reminder of the human and divine nature of Jesus. And the ultimate message of our faith is at the top of the icon, an image of the resurrection of Christ. And none of this Christian history happens without the Theotokos.

 

Most Holy Theotokos, pray for us!

Sermon 189 July 16, Mt 9:2-8, Rom 7:14-24, Mic 4:6-10 1st 6 Ecumenical Councils - Alamogordo

As preached by Brother Luke

Holy Wisdom Church



Glory be to Jesus Christ!



No one would accuse me of being a specialist in Rock-n-Roll music. However, as I was meditating on this gospel, and reminded of the alternative rendering of it by St Mark [2:1-12], for some reason a song from the 1950s came to mind. I did a little research on-line to refresh my faulty memory. The first recording of this song was by Charlie Calhoun but in my father's large music collection the rendition I remember was by the Mills Brothers whose version came out just a month after Charlie's. By now you've probably guessed the song: Smack dab in the middle. My mother would say it's a happy song, the only kind she liked. It was about a guy fantasizing about fun places and circumstances where he would like to be, usually about good food, music, dancing, great clothes and cars! Does this sound like the 1950s? Maybe even like today?

Our paralytic in today's gospel is brought into Jesus' presence amidst a crowd of on-lookers. St. Mark has him lowered through the roof since they couldn't get through the crowd. And yes, he was put down "smack dab in the middle" of everyone where Jesus performed the miracle. Did the paralytic want to be there? The text doesn't tell us. But the fact that he had friends who carried him on his bed, probably a long distance, to meet Jesus, would tend to indicate that there was a lot of love and faith involved in getting him there, which Jesus recognized.

Since none of us are physically paralyzed, and most people reading or hearing this story are likely not paralyzed, one might ask, how does this relate to us?

Desire.

What do we desire out of life? Our Rock-n-Roller wanted a dance party and lots of money. Our paralytic doesn't speak, but the action taken by his friends seems to indicate that being healed of his paralysis was his strong desire, so he could move on with his life. We don't know "the rest of the story" [as Paul Harvey would say] for either one and I would say it doesn't matter. The song is just a song. But it does give a hint about the rocker's life. The fantasy evolves from staying awake and rockin' through a list of accumulating cars, clothes, food, and ultimately the doors of Fort Knox flung open for him. His fantasy follows a familiar pattern, each stanza outdoes the previous one. No matter what we have we want more. Nothing seems to satisfy. Nevertheless, his fantasy is out of reach and that may be why he is singing his song. After all, at the end of each stanza he ends up simply doing his dance and singing: "Let me rock and roll to satisfy my soul."

As with so many in our fractured world today, we search for what will "satisfy our souls." But we seldom find it.

Likewise, the point of the paralytic's story is not about how he lived out the rest of his life. That remains in his hands. What matters is that Jesus gave him the possibility to live life "more abundantly." And that opportunity flowed from his faith that Jesus could make that opening possible. So one prayer was answered, and one day-dream vanished like the mist.

We can always dream, and that's not bad, but where do we put our trust? The Gospel message is that we should put our trust in Jesus, who will be with us through the ups and downs of life. And knowing that can open vistas we never thought possible to see.

Christ is in our midst!

June 11th Feast of All Saints 2023 Is 43:1-7, Ac 5:27-42, Mt 5:1-12

 As preached by Sister Cecelia
Holy Wisdom Church

The sermon on the mount is a summary of Jesus’ consistent teaching that he taught all during the time he was with the disciples. In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, the word that is translated “happy” or “blessed” is an exclamation of what is now, not in the future. They are not hopes of what shall be, or prophecies of some future bliss, but congratulations for what is now.

 

In effect, the beatitudes say, “Oh, the joy of following Christ!” It is a joy that is completely independent of all the chances and changes of life. The beatitudes speak of that joy which seeks us through our pain, that joy which sorrow and loss, pain and grief are powerless to touch, that joy which shines through our tears and which nothing in life or death can take away. It is the awareness that comes from walking in the company and presence of Jesus Christ that enables us not to lose our joy when a change of fortune, a collapse in health, the disappointment of an ambition for our life, or even an unlikable change in the weather happens.

 

Life demands that we have choices to make as we walk in the company of Jesus. What enables us to choose our way, our decisions? What enabled all the saints we are commemorating today to choose their way, to choose their decisions of how to follow Christ?

In pondering what criteria to use in order to better choose my way I came across a meditation of what constitutes sin. Sin being the opposite of the joy of following Christ.

 

Michael Casey a Trappist monk in Australia, when a boy was told to be careful not to put a stamp bearing the King’s image upside down on an envelope. It would be considered a treasonable act and breaking a law. It seems humans have a tendency to create crimes out of trivialities at times.

 

We define sin as lawbreaking the laws of God. Nothing trivial about that. What if sin is defined as its human impact rather than in terms of law? Physicians might define sin as anything hazardous to health. Psychologists would define sin as anything that impaired our sense of well-being. Everyone would probably have a different catalogue of sins.

 

If sin is defined as anything that is truly hateful we can see that sin is what turns life into a tragedy. Behaviors such as murder, avarice, disloyalty, dishonesty, and any kind of moral inconsistency brings sorrow to humanity. Their ongoing impact is to tangle the lives of all whom they touch.  Think of the hardship inflicted by the greed of the wealthy. There are so many families ruined by thoughtless infidelities. It is not just breaking the rules. Sin causes suffering, whether immediately or ultimately, however it attempts to disguise its true nature by spinning clever words to make it seem like something good. Whatever is truly hateful is sin. Christ came to heal our weakness, ignorance and malice that are the ultimate causes of sin.

 

The opposite of being hateful are the admonitions of the beatitudes-poor in spirit, merciful, clean of heart, forgiving, patient, kind, courteous and humble. 

 Just picture what the world would look like if everyone was able to put aside forever hatefulness of everykind. Truly blessed and joyful would be that day!
The joy of Christ be with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon 188 June 4, Jn 11:47-52, Ac 12:1-7, 1Co 15: 12-21 Council Fathers - Germanus of Paris & Nicetas of Chalcedon

As preached by Brother Luke
Holy Wisdom Church

Maybe some, or many, of you have had the experience of writing something, a letter, an article, journaling, a speech, a work or school assignment, and after finishing the text, you put it aside and return to it later. And while re-reading it you think to yourself, did I write that? Maybe by questioning where the words came from we might realize that inspiration might very well come from a source beyond ourselves. It may be prompted by outside circumstances, something we read, a book or an article, that sparked the creative impulse; or an insight in prayer; or something we heard someone say; or a film or a play we saw; or a podcast we heard. But what prompts the inspiration is not the inspiration itself.

In today’s gospel we notice that the evangelist comments on Caiaphas' prophecy about Jesus. That it is better for one to die in order to save the nation. John notes that as High Priest, Caiaphas is speaking a prophetic message that was not from himself but from God. And even more, he was speaking about salvation for all, most likely without even knowing it. The events prompting his remarks are those surrounding the teaching and miracles of Jesus and the people's response to them.

Jesus fulfills this mission by freely and willingly accepting death to bring everlasting life to all. The enormity of this sacrifice is commented on by St Paul elsewhere when he says few would be willing to die for someone else, but someone just might be willing to do so for a really good person. Jesus Christ makes no distinction. He is willing to die for all: good and bad alike. For all are God's people.

This is baseball season. Sacrifices are built into the game. A sacrifice bunt or a sacrifice fly are examples. One player sacrifices himself and is out so that another might be able to score. Should he score, the sacrifice benefits the whole team. If we are serious about seeing Jesus as our model for a life lived according to God's plan for us, then we need to understand what his ultimate sacrifice means not only for each of us individually but also for all creation. It is a grace for which we are forever grateful.

Nevertheless, we should not presume from this that we are expected to find a reason to die for the sake of the kingdom. However, both scripture and the writings of the early church fathers advise us that we are to die to ourselves. What did Jesus say? You have to lose your life to gain it! Jesus lost his life in order to gain it for all of us. None of us are in a position to do that. But daily we can die to ourselves in much smaller, but still significant ways. And it usually means putting aside what I want in order to let someone else's idea have a chance to grow. It's being willing to cheerfully let go of my cherished projects rather than think that they are essential for the wellbeing of others. It's being willing to sacrifice my time when doing so may offer a lifeline to someone in desperate need.

Today we remember the the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council who set forth the creed that we still profess today. It was a challenging time and one can only imagine how many participants had to struggle with themselves to come to terms with the final language. Sacrifices both large and small. We also remember today the 6th century saint, Germain of Paris, who struggled, often fruitlessly, to bring peace between rival political factions in Gaul. He also composed a Gallican liturgy used in France up to the time of Charlemagne and revived in the 20th century for use in France and accepted by the Orthodox Church. Sacrificial efforts centuries apart but bearing fruit to this day. All reminding us that our daily challenges and sacrifices are part of the constantly unfolding fabric of our spiritual journey with Christ, a journey we make with all other believers.

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Sermon 187 May 7, 2023 Jn 5:1-15, 1Pt 3:13-22, Ac 8:26-40 Paralytic - Waiting

As preached by Brother Luke

Holy Wisdom Church


Christ is Risen!



How long are you willing to wait for your computer to open and be ready to use? How long are you willing to sit in a doctor's office waiting for your scheduled appointment to take place? How long are you willing to wait in line in a grocery store to check out? How long are you willing to wait on hold on your telephone for the next available customer service representative to help you? How long are you willing to wait to be seated in a restaurant? How long are you willing to wait for God to answer your prayers?

We want results and we want them fast. We want everything done immediately, sooner if possible. No waiting. Our patience wears thin pretty quickly. Today's gospel lesson is clearly about Jesus healing an invalid, but it is also about waiting patiently. It's about never giving up. It's not about instant gratification. It's not about getting my way immediately or I'm out of here. It's about something our modern society does not value. Waiting. That doesn't mean waiting has been eradicated from our society. Far from it, as noted above. What we want and what we get does not always coincide. And that's God's plan and we don't like it! What's that old adage? "Man proposes and God disposes." A lesson we can learn frequently if we are paying attention.

Great athletes are not created overnight, they have to spend many long years in preparation. And then only a few make it to the top. Star musicians must do the same. Of course there are child prodigies. People touched by God at an early age. But for most of us, in whatever given endeavor, we most likely have to work and prepare before reaching our goal. It takes patience and perseverance. Are we at peace with that?

The paralytic at the pool of Bethsaida waited 38 years before his prayer was answered. The woman with the issue of blood waited 12 years before her prayer was answered. But waiting and patience have nothing to do with idleness. Notice our paralytic. He is constantly trying to get to the pool, but is unable to get any help and so others always get there first. Does he give up? No! Each time the water in the pool is stirred he attempts to make his move. But the crowds of ill people - the blind, the lame, the withered - lying in the five porches surrounding the pool are also stirred up and one can only imagine the jostling and shoving that takes place while they strain to get to the pool in time.

Jesus quietly enters this scene and heals a man who has no idea who Jesus is. Healing can come to anyone. God's desire is for us to be healed. Jesus asks the man do you want to be healed? His 38 years of trying and never giving up is his answer. So, Jesus tells him to take up his mat and walk, and he does. And what might we take away from this lesson? Tempering our impatience may be the first step in our healing.



Christ is risen!

Homily Easter 2023

By Sr. Rebecca
Holy Wisdom Church

 

       We heard this morning from John’s Gospel “the Light shines in the darkness.”  What light?   John is pointing to this Light of Christ, the same that emanates and radiates from the very beginning of God's creation:  In the book of Genesis, chapter 1, we hear of the Spirit hovering over the deep dark abyss, and God said: “Let there be Light.” This is not the light of the sun but rather the mysterious Divine Light imbuing all of creation.   John is referring to this Light in introducing his Gospel:  Jesus is the very Word of God incarnate.  He is the Light of Life.  In him and through him God dwells—or, more literally, the text says that in Him God has pitched his tent in our midst. And continues to do so right up to this very moment.

            But the very goodness of God manifested in Jesus aroused hatred from those refusing the light, and he was put to death. We know the story and how this unexpected event threw his disciples into a deep dark abyss of despair, sadness, and dashed hope for a Savior of their world.  The disciples spiraled down their dark inner confusion to the point of being terrified of being associated with Jesus.  So they enclosed themselves behind locked doors, insulating themselves, huddling together in their misery.  

What is going on within them?  Figuratively, they have entombed themselves in a death-dealing Shame.  Shame, of which the other  side is Fear, leading to a sort of recoiling within, a hiding out in the dark inside myself.  Fear of what:  reprisal, rejection, and eventually death? Their shame-stricken minds hearken back to Adam and Eve hiding themselves out of fear and shame. But closed doors did not prevent the Risen Jesus from passing through into their midst and offering Peace to them.  Nothing they did brought about this sudden visitation It is sheer grace, the goodness of God that brought them to new life.  

            Teilhard de Chardin said that this extraordinary energy of the Risen Lord has changed the very atoms of creation—that it not only transformed lives but also transformed the entire creation.   God did not just create in the beginning and then somehow bow out of sight but has been creating, renewing life right up to our day.

            This reminds me of an event that may well illustrate this same Spirit creating new life in a person’s life: Some time ago, before Holy Week, I received a voice message on my phone. It came from a woman I will call Joan, saying:

“I am calling to get some advice as to what I should do.  My family hates me.  I am an alcoholic. Last night I heard this voice: it whispered inside me: ‘You can have another chance.  Everything is OK.  The past is forgotten.’  The feeling was wonderful.  I am calling because I do not know how to make the best of it.”

Those in AA can vouch for similar experiences that changed their lives forever. This voice from within Joan has invited her to new life—to rise from a dead-end prison of dark bondage and also from misery, not only to herself but also to her family and friends.  In calling for help she is doing her part—stepping out to ask for advice so she can act according to the Life offered her.  The seed has been planted.  She needs now the good soil for it to germinate.  

            I recently came across another person’s experience of this new light from within: “My practice now is to let my heart break for what I was.”  He finally let go of trying to control his life. Leonard Cohen expressed it like this: “There is a crack in everything and that’s how the light gets in.”

            The psalmist says, “Deep calls unto deep.”  The deep dark abyss continues in our day; we hear about it every day in the news. Killings and wounding of innocent people….many horrors flood the news. The Risen Lord assures us that the experience of this deep dark abyss calls forth again the Creative Spirit of God, who has been hovering over this chaos from the very beginning of not only our earth but the entire universe and bringing forth New Life.

            Later today we will return to our 24/7 daily lives with our concerns, our work, and our relationships.  May we hold in mind and heart Jesus’ word: “Abide in me.”  When we give heed to this presence, this kairos time, we allow the Light to pierce through everything we are and do...in every NOW moment.  Some part of us, though, is yet to be redeemed to see the Light.  We need the shocks of our difficulties, challenges, sometimes a mini or maxi crisis, to wake up to this innermost reality of God's creative life in our midst calling us to cooperate in God’s re-creating.  At times we find ourselves wrestling with our problems, with our thoughts and feelings, and we feel our sense of powerlessness.  Our tendency, like the disciples, is to go into the insular, self-enclosing of our own little self.  When we do this, it is like trying to solve the problem within the problem. God's grace is bigger than our limited sense of self.  Grace is woven into the fabric of our lives.   A German proverb ays:  “Begin to weave, and God will give you the thread.”

      We need only to trust in and cooperate with this divine presence, this Light of Life permeating all of life, and then our voices resounding in “Christ is Risen” will follow us into our everyday lives and unbeknown to ourselves reverberate for the Life of the World we live in.

Rich Man and Lazarus Deuteronomy. 30:11-20, Romans 10:5-13, Luke 16:19-31

 As preached by Sister Cecelia
Holy Wisdom Chapel
April 02, 2023

At this time of year in our area, sugar maples are being tapped for their sap. For many of us, the best thing that happens to a stack of pancakes or French toast begins with a crystal-clear sap that thaws in the warmth of spring. Heating the sap removes only water until the sap is concentrated into maple syrup.

Like so many other parables, the maple syrup symbolizes a parable that shows us what it means to allow ourselves to change, to be recreated in the love of God.  In letting our self-centeredness be boiled away, by growing in consciousness, we can transform our lives in the grace and peace of God.

The capacity for consciousness may be what was lacking in the rich man regarding Lazarus. The rich man did not become aware of Lazarus enough to help him in his lifetime, but he was aware enough to recognize him in Abraham’s embrace after he died. We don’t know what level of consciousness the rich man had, but we know enough to perceive that he had not paid any attention to his Hebrew scriptures, nor had his brothers. It would take something spectacular to wake them up. Abraham acknowledges that the rich man belongs to his people, but that does not change his condition and with compassion and regret explains why he ended up in hell. In Deuteronomy chapter 15 and Isaiah chapter 58, as well as many other places, the Hebrews were commanded to help the poor, the needy, and the naked.

Being wealthy, being rich was not the rich man’s problem. Besides his lack of consciousness, it was his lack of faith in God and God’s message that caused his inaction, his failure to do good with all that he had been given.

Lent is nearly over. Are we content with how we have spent our days? We can make this a season of healing and hope for ourselves and those we love by doing everything we do with more awareness of our God within.  Have faith to let God move us to go beyond anger, beyond any disappointments in our efforts to please God, beyond our fears and skepticism. Be mindful that our life choices take many forms and rely on gifts that each of us has in differing ways and at different times. If our role is one of making critical decisions, we will be wise to ensure not only that a decision is reached, with all its information and consequences, but also that our disposition in that moment of deciding is one of balance and moderation.

We can also broaden our understanding of the priestly character of all God’s people—the priesthood of all believers, both Gentile and Jew alike, as described in 1 Peter chapter 2. Without denying the importance of the ordained priesthood, life becomes so much richer when each of us is able to lift up every aspect of life for a blessing, offering it back to God, who has given it to us in the first place. This elevates life to its true purpose: a gift of love from God.

As St Augustine is quoted: To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one’s heart, with all one’s soul, and with all one’s efforts.

Like the spring maple tree, may we be willing to give of ourselves for the sake of others as Christ gave himself up for us, allowing ourselves to be transformed in the life and love of the Paschal Christ.

 

 

Sermon 186 March 26, 2023 Lk 1:26-38, Heb 2:11-18 Is 52:7-10 Annunciation

 As preached by Brother Luke

Holy Wisdom Church

In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit!

 

       The gospel's message of salvation has a beginning point, it is today's feast of the Annunciation. Our Christian understanding of salvation doesn't happen without Mary's assent to Gabriel's message from God. Nevertheless, there can be the temptation to view Mary very narrowly, she gave birth to Jesus, end of story. The rest of the story is all about Jesus. The rest of the story is about Jesus, including the very human first 30 years of his life.

       Mary is the human connection we have with Jesus and his heavenly father. And our human reality is that our mother's are a very important part of who we are. And not just their DNA. Our mother's play an important role in our upbringing. Why would we assume that this would not be true for Jesus? If we notice that Jesus's public ministry didn't begin until he was 30, this means for 30 years his family had an important impact on him. Mary was very much around right through to his death on the Cross, where she stood and watched her son die.

       You might object, not much about that first 30 years is mentioned in scripture. Yet, doesn't St John end his gospel saying that if all that Jesus did were written down the world itself could not hold all the books? [Jn21:25] In other words, scripture is not intended to tell every aspect of the story. It gives a glimpse, important indeed, but not complete. But if we take what is written about Mary and Jesus and then integrate that with the human reality of family life, we can discern a valuable message for us today.

       The first message is the message itself. The Annunciation. God, through Gabriel, is telling Mary that she has been chosen to be the mother of God's Son. Although she was a young girl, shocked and frightened by the prospect, she consented. She will bear that baby in her own body and then care for him, bringing him up in a pious Jewish family environment. We know from scripture that Jesus's family took seriously their religious duties. Jesus was circumcised, named, and was presented in the Temple. The family participated in the High Holy Days. But even more than these, Mary cared for Jesus: she nursed him, fed him, clothed him, nurtured him, protected him, listened to him, encouraged him - did all those things we expect mothers to do. This role she played began at the Annunciation.

       The message to Mary is the message to us as well. We are also called to give birth to Jesus and then care for that precious gift placed in us. God has placed Jesus and his message in our care, do we do as much to protect and care for that message as Mary did for Jesus? Mary was Jesus's sacred vessel before and after his birth.       

       Do we act as if we are also carrying that precious, sacred gift and caring for it? If so, how do we care for it? By living the gospel message! We share that precious gift by how we treat others; by how we treat the world around us given to us by God; by how we treat our own bodies, our sacred vessels; and by how we use the gifts and talents God has given us. The Annunciation is not just Mary's feast, it is our feast as well. It is our celebration of the gifts that God has given us. Can we consent, as did Mary, to God's design for us and then act as Mary did to realize how precious it is and carry it out? It may be a struggle to do this and that may be why appealing to Mary for aid is so popular. She shows us the way a simple humble human being can make a difference by a genuine response to God's call. She shows us that it is possible.

 

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Homily, February 19, 2023

As preached by Sister Cecelia

Holy Wisdom Church

Isaiah 58:1-11, 1 John 4:11-18, Matthew 25:31-46

The parable in the gospel this morning has been explained in many ways. Some of the explanations are easily seen; some are much more subtle. I’m sure Jesus did not have anything against goats! But he is trying to warn those who chose evil over good that there are consequences for our actions, both good and bad.

How do we explain or understand that the people gathered there in the parable did not know that they had either responded with love for others or had chosen to ignore the needs of others? It is possible that one just responds to the situation and does not think that it is Jesus being helped or not being helped.

What thoughts would help us be aware of what we are doing and why we might do it—or not?

Become aware. But aware of what? In the free world, an emphasis is developing in our consciousness that we are all one. We are all united in creation. God is the Creator of all that is. God is Trinity, and as Jesus is the face of God, we know that it is a benevolent universe. God is not someone to be afraid of but is on our side, like the Good Shepherd or the Father of the Prodigal Son. If we want to make a difference in this life, seeking our personal perfection is not the goal to aim for, but investing time in learning how to walk intimately with Jesus—in union with the Divine Creator—is our goal.

To grow in our love and knowledge, it is imperative to schedule consistent time in our life to be in God’s presence. Do everything to clear the path of any barriers that stand in the way of taking time to build a deeper relationship with Jesus. Jesus does not ask us to do more for him; he has asked us to be more with him.

An important step to be more with him is to be a person who has let go of the illusion that love flows effortlessly from our fervent warm emotions. Love is much more a choice than an emotion. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross is not accompanied by an exhilarating sensation. The stress and anxiety of Jesus’ coming passion caused him to sweat blood. Love is other focused. When we love, we order our thoughts, words, and actions to what is in the best interests of the other. Loving others therefore can be difficult and demanding. Allowing God to give us an accepting heart toward others is recognizing that love is a choice instead of an emotion.

God calls us to use the gifts we have been given for the benefit of others to bring about God’s kingdom on earth. Food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing those who have none, caring for the sick and the weak, helping those in prison, and doing what we can to bring peace and understanding to the world—these actions are what we do when we are more with Jesus. We are with Jesus when we remind ourselves that Jesus is within us. Eventually we will begin to see Jesus in the other. As we walk with Jesus, we become more authentic and more truly humble. When coming to grips with who I am, as accurately as possible in a clear-eyed appraisal of myself, I become more truly humble—that is, knowing myself, with my weaknesses and my strength, with my abilities and my liabilities. From the rejected people we meet in society to our acquaintances and our family, God calls us to love. This love is a decision that we express by accepting others, sacrificially doing both small and heroic acts for them, using our God-entrusted gifts for their benefit, and praying for them. As we grow closer to Christ, his love fills our heart and spills over into every relationship in our life. What helps us to be honest, sincere, and accepting of others and not judgmental, anxious, and afraid? Walking with Jesus, our God.

Christ is in our midst

 

 

 

 

 

  

Sermon 185 February 12, 2023 Lk 15:11-32, 1Jn 3:7-20, Jr 3:12b-15,19-22

As preached by Brother Luke
Holy Wisdom Church



In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.



I'm a fan of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas. They were written as satires on 19th century Victorian society, and they were widely popular, particularly in the English speaking world. H.M.S. Pinafore and The Mikado are just two examples. Their popularity continued well into the 20th century. I'm not sure if that still holds today. W. S. Gilbert was the author of the stories, the lyricist, and Arthur Sullivan the composer of the music. But Sullivan also wrote other music, most of it forgotten today. Even in his day, he didn't want to be known just for the comic operas. It just so happens, early in his career, he wrote an oratorio: The Prodigal Son. It is also a favorite of mine and I usually listen to a recording of it this time of year. Curiously, in retelling the story, he left out the part about the elder son. It didn't really hurt the integrity of the musical composition, but it does miss an important lesson in the parable.

Ludolph of Saxony, a 14th century Carthusian monk, wrote a massive Life of Jesus Christ which I am currently plowing through. He uses all the available commentaries at his disposal, including patristic writings and medieval spiritual writers. So I skipped ahead to the chapter on the Prodigal Son to see how this parable was explained. It is way too detailed to fit into a brief homily. However, when discussing the brothers, Ludolph first refers to the elder brother as a metaphor of the Jewish people who worshipped "the one God by keeping the law." Then, from a different perspective, he sees the elder brother as "a Christian who perseveres in righteousness, although in a half-hearted way."

The elder brother is a challenge to us. Maybe even more so as we enter the Lenten season. If keeping the law and righteousness are not enough to secure salvation, then, as the disciples asked Jesus about the wealthy, who can be saved? In Jesus' times, and in ours as well, people admire the rich and famous and presume the upright will earn God's favor. And yet, the image of the father in the parable shows us something else. Not that the qualities of righteousness are bad, the father commends the elder son for his steadfastness. The missing element is the content of his heart.

The younger son who squandered his inheritance, when forced by circumstance to face his fallen state, repents and in humility returns to his father and confesses his waywardness as a sin against his generous father. The father accepts his son back, as if from the dead, and restores him to his place of honor in the household. The elder son's indignation at all of this prompts his father to appeal to him through his heart. The father never rejects what the elder son has done but rather seeks to draw from him compassion for the one who was lost but now is found. The younger son's heart has changed, but the elder son's heart has not. The elder son is like the pharisee we heard about last Sunday. He looks down on his wayward younger brother, presuming him unworthy of forgiveness.

God's love for us is not earned, it is freely given. And even more, when our sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean. That is the story of the younger son. His restoration is resurrection. The elder son cannot see beyond the law. However, his righteousness stands untempered by love or compassion. Righteousness without a pure heart is like faith without good works. The one without the other misses the point.

The weeks leading up to Lent prepare us for that special season. They are showing us that the frame of mind we need to profit from this season requires both work on ourselves and compassion towards others. This is the journey we enter in Great Lent.



Glory be to Jesus Christ!