In times of transition, parishes can experience more anxiety than when leadership is settled, and we have the comfort of knowing what is most likely going to happen next. In transitions things are far less predictable and controllable. Angst is a normal part of transitions, but need not create crippling or harmful responses to our siblings who walk with us through this process of change. At times like these, it is well to remember to be gentle, to live our baptismal covenant by respecting the dignity of those we are called to love. Particularly the young ones, the new ones to our community, and those who are most affected by change. The call to live the Christ life, to be pastors, to proclaim Christ, and to be priests belongs to all God’s children, not just to the ordained. We are all one in ministry.
Jesus modeled Godly life by living it before his disciples (women and men, incidentally). They saw that he had a deep love for all people he encountered. His enemies said of him, “We know that you show no partiality to anyone.” He ate with tax collectors, sinners, and other “lowlifes” and “illegals” (our categories, not Christ’s). Jesus spent time with people like Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha, and Lazarus. He loved and respected them all. Through his example the disciples came to love and serve as he did. Jesus receives each of the people he encounters as they are, and in some cases names them who they will become. Cephas, he names Peter, the rock, long before Peter is anything but impetuous. Jesus heals and restores Mary Magdalene who will be the first to see her risen Lord.
To be a pastoral people, we, like Christ, will become attentive to those whose lives intersect ours. Not judging by the world of appearances and status, or our own perspectives of reality, but by seeing them through the eyes of Jesus. We will learn to keep in our remembrance that these are the very ones for whom Christ gave his life; to receive people as they are, confident that God will do the work of transformation. It is not our task, nor can we compel change. We tend to be far too impatient.
All who follow Christ are called to proclamation. Jesus said, “Go into the world and preach the gospel to every living creature.” On the Day of Pentecost, all in the community of faith in Jerusalem proclaimed the good news of God to the crowds, so each heard in their own native/heart language. That day 2000 came to know God, because the disciples were most concerned to speak what the Holy Spirit gave them to say. Think what could happen in a church the size of St. David’s if each of us was most concerned with speaking words of grace and mercy to each other inspired by the Holy Spirit in us.
All of us are priests. We serve God by offering ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, on behalf of all the people of earth. On Sunday mornings we are all celebrants of the Eucharist who see the risen Christ in the bread and wine. We receive him, raise our eyes, and see those gathered with us at the altar. Also, we know that worldwide and throughout the centuries, others have likewise gathered. A diverse people of every race, creed, sexual orientation, and economic status who are and have been our siblings in Christ, beloved by him. All have belonged to Christ and thus to us. There are others who do not come to the altar or gaze at the empty cross for whom Christ’s arms are stretched out still. We must love them as Jesus does and speak to them in their heart language which is the love of Christ. Do nothing to turn away those who are near to us and those who are far away, through our lack of mercy, grace, and love. Instead, we will do well to surround them with our love, intercessions, and attentiveness to the call of Christ. It rests on each of us to be Christlike: pastors, proclaimers of the gospel, and priests to all whose lives we touch. Remembering the call on our lives through our daily prayer will enable us to weather this time of anxiety joyfully, ready for the new adventure in Triune God.
Grace and Peace,
The Rev. Dr. Peter Stube
Priest Associate