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!