Homily Oct 9, Pentecost 17, Yr. A
This Thanksgiving weekend as we gather with our families, we realize that we have a lot to be thankful for. So many things our pioneer ancestors never dreamed of are within reach of most Canadians.
Materially, we are blessed, but the challenge remains to live out our calling as followers of Christ, amidst an increasingly secular, and non-Christian society.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians is one place to start if you are looking for teaching on the Christian life. The passage we heard this morning is surely one of the most inspirational in Paul’s letters.
“Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice,” Paul writes.
So as we live out our faith we are to do so, not in attitude of grumbling or reluctance, but in joy and enthusiasm
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There is a great need to look on the positive side of life, to see possibilities not obstacles. To see opportunities, not lost causes.
This applies in our lives in the communities we live in, where we work and in the church.
You’ll notice Paul names two of his co-workers Eudoia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. That means these two women who have struggled beside Paul, must have either disagreed with other, or perhaps even with Paul. But Paul is urging them to work out their differences---literally in the Greek exercising their minds.
So what Paul is urging is not conformity but learning to solve problems while being faithful to God.
This is a help in our own life together as church. We can’t possibily agree on everything. But as followers of Christ we can learn to work things out and move ahead for the benefit of the whole body Christ, the whole community.
Paul tells us that the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, will help keep our minds and hearts in Christ Jesus.
So our faith can help bring about that peace and unity Jesus calls us to, provided we trust in God.
The next promise is one I’ve personally found immense comfort in. Paul says whatever is true, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Paul is inviting us to look at the world in a whole different way, a positive life affirming way.
The trouble is if we complain, if we get angry, if we get caught up in blaming others, or always criticizing, or never being satisfied, then it poisons our whole approach to life.
Spiritually, Paul’s advice, offers us a way forward. While acknowledging the evil of the world, the Philippians are being urged to focus on the highest aspirations which humanity has: the search for truth, beauty, justice, excellence, and peace.
In that search we move forward with thanksgiving, rejoicing in the gifts that God has given us, in the things that give meaning to our lives amidst a hurting world.
Paul concludes by urging the Phillippians to keep on doing what they have been doing—to persist in what they have learned as followers of Christ.
God will be with them, and give them peace, as God offers us peace.
The message Paul had for the Philippian Christians is timeless. Indeed it seems even more needed today, as the world struggles with such huge and seemingly insoluble problems.
Instead of being overwhelmed with the difficulty of facing global economic difficulties we can’t do anything about, we need to be thankful for the gifts we have been given, and think about whatever is true, just, pleasing, commendable, praiseworthy.
From Paul, I’d to talk briefly about the Prodigal God, a Diocesan wide study program which begins next week.
We are lucky to have Bishop Dance, who is one of the finest preachers I’ve ever heard, launch a special six week set of readings starting with one of the most popular parables in the Bible, the Prodigal Son.
The study is based on a book called the Prodigal God, by Timothy Keller. As well as the six week lectionary and sermons based on it, there will be a weekly study six weeks on the Prodigal God starting Thursday Nov 3 at 10am in the Canterbury Room. Copies are for sale after church for $9.00.
There will also be a one day condensed study for those who can’t attend a weekly study Saturday Nov. 12 from 9:30 am to 2pm including lunch.
You may ask why a Diocesan wide study. The idea came from the Diocesan strategic planning process, which hopes there will be an opportunity to start looking outward as we consider the mission and ministry of the church.
Its meant to start a conversation, and I hope some of you will be able to join in.
The Prodigal God reference is to the fact that the father in the parable, who is so generous with both his sons, is extravagant in his generosity, as God is to us.
How do we respond to God’s generosity. How do we reach out to the community? How do we regain our outward focus?
These are all questions we will look at through the lens of the parable of the Prodigal Son.
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