February 2, 2025 at St William and St Agnes & St Peter Churches in Naples, FL

Malachi 3: 1-4 + Psalm 24 + Hebrews 2: 14-18 + Luke 2: 22-40

Is this about Jesus or about Mary and Joseph? It could be about the Temple and keeping the rules. It might also be about the Holy Spirit. Scholars have focused on all of these options as Luke closes this introduction that we call, “The Infancy Narrative.” It may be a bias I have after moving well into my 80s, but I’m beginning to pay more attention to these two old-timers who appear at the end of this introduction, and as I look around in here, that might not be a bad idea for many of you too. At the same time, some of you who still enjoy some measure of youth might just take a closer look at these old-folks here and in this Gospel. It is not by chance that Luke began this story of Christ’s birth with two old-timers, Elizabeth and Zechariah and then closes it with two more: Simeon and an 84-year-old named, Anna.

Theirs is a story of patient hope, of promises fulfilled, and it all happens in the Temple. In this story we learn about how universal salvation is found in Jesus Christ. Every barrier gets abolished: ethnic, racial, social, political, economic and religious. In Simeon’s song, the light of revelation bursts upon all people, and it all starts because an old couple who seemed too old to bring life show what can happen when commitments are kept and there is obedience to God’s will. Even a little doubt or hesitation on the part of Zechariah at the start cannot stop the Good News Simeon and Anna proclaim.

Those of us, like those old ones before us, know that this Gospel story, is our story and it is not all sweetness and light. There is falling and rising, brokenness and healing, sorrow and joy. We know that none of this can keep us from the glory of Christ who lifts us from the waters of Baptism to feed us on his very Body and Blood. We come to this Temple again and again because we know that this is the place where we shall see our salvation.

Younger people, look at us. Listen to this Gospel, to Anna and Simeon. There are old people in this church whose lives bear witness to every terrible thing Simeon and Anna predict. Some have been abandoned by those they love, some have buried their children, some have faced hunger, war, and terrible sickness. Yet, they are here because they know something they want you to know. Just like that new young mother and Joseph found their way to the Temple, so must you if you want to see God’s promises fulfilled. Those two young new parents learned something from those two old people.

There are some who look and laugh at older folks who don’t seem to know how to find their way around the internet, take selfies, or answer a text. But they know something greater and much more lasting. We long for and hope for a day when young people will quit looking at the little screen on their phone expecting love and intimacy to be found there, and learn what we know, that this is the place and this is the people where forgiveness and mercy will always be found even without a Wi-Fi connection.

This is a day of rejoicing. It is a day to be moved once more by the Holy Spirit so often revealed in Luke’s Gospel. May that Spirit still alive in the hearts of God’s faithful inspire the lost and the lonely, the shy and the fearful, to grow and become strong, filled with wisdom because the favor of God rests upon us all.

January 26, 2025 at St William and St Agnes Churches in Naples, FL

Nehemiah 8: 2-4, 5-6, 8-10 + Psalm 19 + 1 Corinthians 12: 12-30 + Luke 1: 1-4, 4:14-21

At the risk of starting some domestic quarrel in your homes, I share with you a quote from Margret Thatcher that I think touches the heart of today’s Gospel. “If you want a speech written, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.” Now, you can argue the truth of that at home, but I would like you to consider it in terms of this Gospel and our mandate to assume the ministry of Jesus Christ.

We find Jesus in the synagogue reading a passage from a prophet who provided clues for the recognition of the Messiah and the beginning of a new age. Basically, that Messiah would be recognized by what he would do more than by what he had to say. After the reading, Luke tells us that Jesus sat down as any rabbi would to begin teaching. His homily that day is shorter than this one, and it is really summarized in one word, the first word, “Today.”  

Politicians begin their term of office with an inauguration speech. In every way, this is what we have from Jesus as he now reveals his mission to the world which is basically to make visible and tangible the inner heart of God, who desires healing, wholeness, and justice. With that, Luke tells us that the eyes of everyone were fixed on him surely because they thought it was all for them, for this place so privileged and gifted with this home-town wonder boy.

When they find out next week, what it really means, things change.

That first word of his instruction still rings out in this place, “Today.” Tomorrow will not do. Next week, when I have more time, or when I can get some help is not what he says.

Reciting the Creed, or a lot of memorized prayers, is just talk. If this world is ever to know that inner heart of a loving God, it will not be because we talked about it. Justice, healing forgiveness, and the unity that wholeness will provide will only come because of something done.

The acid test of deeds over words never changes. Actions do speak louder than words. Jesus was a doer. His actions matched his word, or to put it another way, his words always materialized into action. Listening to this Gospel TODAY ought to raise a much-ignored issue today whether our faith has anything to do with justice, economics, poverty or any other social/political issue.

If the work of Jesus Christ has begun today, then his words are real and we make our faith real when we allow it to enter into our real world. There is no issue facing this world that can escape the scrutiny of the faithful. When we oppose murder on death row or in a hospital delivery room we reveal the inner heart of God. You know, we have a right to punish, but we have no right to kill. People of faith examine economic policies for signs of service rather than self-serving greed.

The Kingdom of God and our share in that Kingdom begins on the day when we say, “Now.” No more waiting, no more stalling, no more excuses. Today is the day when everyone of us stops talking, dreaming or promising something and starts doing something about forgiveness, unity, wholeness, and justice.

January 19, 2025 at St William and St Peter Churches in Naples, FL

Isaiah 62: 1-5 + Psalm + 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 + John 2: 1-11

Until the wine was gone, no one looked for or noticed Jesus. There is nothing here to suggest that he was somehow a special or honored guest. He just came along with his mother. No one acknowledged his presence until the wine ran out. There’s no surprise here. That old wine was still wine, and the old wine was enough to keep them from seeking Jesus. Sometimes it is the old, not the empty that gets in the way of seeking the Lord. Old attitudes, old ways, old habits and hurts, old information, old rituals and rules create a very dry religion. Many people never think of Jesus or look for him until something runs out.

But the issue here is not really about being empty or running out. The issue is whether or not we go to Jesus to be filled. His mother knew where to go. Pay attention to her. She has no idea how Jesus will respond, what he will need, or when he will act. She doesn’t know how, what, where, or when. But, she knows who. She is perfectly confident that he will do something because she asks. And why not? She raised him.

There is much being revealed to us through John’s Gospel today. He reminds us that if we want the Lord to move in our lives, we must be willing and prepared to do what he says. Sometimes it makes no sense. They have no wine, and he’s talking about water! Yet, those servants do what he says. Compliance or Obedience to uncommon commands often yields uncommon results.

He takes the water they have and makes the wine they need. For me this says: “Quit looking at what you do not have and put what you do have in his hands.” What we have may not be what we think we need. Maybe it’s just water. But, if we bring that to Jesus something miraculous might happen.

In John’s Gospel, there are no miracles. There are only signs. This is not just a word switch. These signs show us some aspect of his identity. He raises the dead and says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He gives sight to a blind man and says, “I am the light of the world.” He feeds five thousand, and he says: “I am the bread of life.” In the end, as John concludes this sign, he says it’s all about glory leaving us to ask just what is “glory” anyway? What Jesus revealed as glory was not the earthly glory of a king or even the heavenly glory of his ascension. John uses this story of a wedding at Cana to illustrate what he means by glory. The glory we see at Cana is a glimpse into what God is like. That’s glory. God cares for us when we run short. God gives us Jesus Christ who can and always will give us what we need when we need it. Not necessarily the way we want it and when. Yet, if go to him and are obedient in what he asks of us, all will be well; and God’s glory will break into our lives leaving us to continue celebrating this life.

January 12, 2025 at St. Agnes & St. Peter Churches in Naples, FL

Isaiah 40: 1-5,9-11 + Psalm + Titus 2: 11-14, 3:4-7 + Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22

The fact that Jesus was Baptized by John was a problem for the earliest church as followers of John may well have outnumbered the followers of Jesus at first. We know that they were certainly wide-spread throughout the region before the Gospel of Jesus Christ made its way around the sea. All of the Gospel writers focus some effort to affirm that Jesus was greater than John.

The fact that Jesus was Baptized by John ought to be a bit of a problem for us too, at least at some point, if you think about it at all. How could and why would the sinless Jesus Christ come to John for Baptism? What would he have to repent about? Again, as I say to you often, “This is not history.” Do not ask if it really happened? Ask what it means, what is God saying to us? This Gospel passage is not telling us something that happened a long time ago. It is revealing something important to us – important enough for God to speak out loud. We might get the clue that the actual baptism is not really what this is about from the fact that Luke, who is always interested in details, says nothing about the actual baptism. In fact, if you know your grammar, Luke puts this verb in the “past simple passive” voice, “had been baptized.”

A stronger clue about what it means comes as Luke tells us about all the people being baptized including Jesus. This is a powerful Incarnational message. Jesus is not pretending to be one of us. Jesus is one of us. God, through Jesus Christ has really and truly come to share life with us from Baptism to death. That voice and the message it speaks is for all of us who are baptized. “You are my child. I love you” is the message. The very loving Spirit of God descends upon this man who chooses to be one of us in all things sharing his privileged place as a child of God. It is a humble man that comes forward in the crowd, and we might even try to imagine how John inspired Jesus with his preaching calling his faithful to bear fruit with mercy and justice.

What is it that pleased God so much at that moment except the humility and willingness of Jesus Christ to set aside all entitlement and privilege and embrace the Will of the Father becoming one with us sharing with us his live-giving, forgiving, and merciful Spirit.  What is it that draws us here and then sends us forth with hope, with courage, and with joy except this wonderful news we have been told in many ways since Christmas. We are a baptized, chosen, and a much-loved people by a God whose very Spirit has been poured out.

This Feast of the Baptism of the Lord invites us to dig deeper into the meaning of our own Baptism, to wonder how we might live more consistently as children of God, and how might truly be pleasing in God’s sight.

There were many at the time who saw Jesus as rule-breaking eccentric, and “eccentric” is exactly what he was and what we might become. Eccentric means “off center,” unusual, centered in something different. Jesus was not centered in himself. If we have any hope of pleasing God, we cannot be centered on ourselves. Baptism ought to make us eccentric like Jesus, people who get noticed because their behavior, their ideas, their hopes and dreams fall outside the norm, or what this world would call, “normal.”

Go ahead this week. Let’s try it. Get a little eccentric. Start thinking about pleasing God instead of pleasing ourselves or others for that matter. What is there to lose? Nothing, except eternal life.

January 5, 2025 at St. William and St. Peter Churches in Naples, FL

Isaiah 60: 1-6 + Psalm 72 + Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6 + Matthew 2: 1-12

The easy way to hear this story unique to Matthew’s Gospel is to focus on those visitors from the East. At the time Matthew wrote this Gospel, they were the message he wanted to give to the predominantly Jewish/Christians who were to receive this Gospel. The first Jewish people who accepted the Way of Christ were very uncomfortable when Gentiles began to seek Baptism and share in Communion. They thought anyone coming to Christ should first become a Jew, and Matthew’s story leads them to think otherwise by telling this story of foreigners coming to adore the Christ child.

While we might ponder Matthew’s message fruitfully with reflections about how we look upon immigrants who challenge our exclusive way of life, there is another piece of this story that we might well need to hear and embrace first. Herod and these visitors seem to be commanding center stage, but there is another set of characters who may cause us some discomfort, and I think Matthew intends it to be so.

It is those chief priests and scribes we might pay more attention to rather than those magi. They knew their scriptures. They knew exactly where and how the Messiah was to come, and they did nothing. So comfortable with their lives around Herod’s court, so sure of themselves and their privileged position, they were completely uninterested in joining those pilgrims. Why leave the power and give up the influence they enjoyed there in Jerusalem to go out to that no-place called Bethlehem. The only people hanging around there were those low-life shepherds. They were not about to be seen around that kind of people.

Those holy people hanging around Herod had no curiosity and no desire to change or discover something new. They were threatened by this new revelation that came from foreigners, and they wanted nothing to do with it. They just wanted things to stay the same.

When Matthew tells us that those magi when home by a different way, there is the possibility of understanding that to mean more than using a different route. It may also mean that they went home differently than they came. People who come to adore the Christ must be changed. They must be different for having made the journey, for having seen the Christ and doing him homage.

This Gospel speaks to us who know very well our scriptures and the promise that has been fulfilled. We also know how easy it is to stay just the way we are in spite of what we know. Those who do homage, those who seek Christ and find him in all the little unpleasant and unimportant places and people who have nothing to offer us will never be the same. Prestige and privilege hold great power over us just like Herod and his Court so blinded those chief priests and scribes leaving them to dismiss with complete disinterest what might have set them free.

As we tell their sad story we might hear an invitation to be humble enough to see and seek something new always knowing that there is more to discover in God’s mysteries if we are willing to venture into the unknown where it might be possible see the face of God.