| THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER P.O. Box 804, Brookhaven, MS 39602 Location: 230 W. Monticello Street The Rev. Anne Matthews, Priest-in-Charge |
| HOLY EUCHARIST SUNDAY 10:30 AM |
SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
May 15-July 31, 2011(summer)
9:15 AM Nursery opens
9:30 AM Sunday School (Adults)
10:30 AM Sunday School
(Children)
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist
Vestry meets 1st Wed; visitors
welcome.
ECW meets 6:30 PM Monday
after the 3rd Sunday.
Angels Attic: Open TH & F 8-3;
Sa 9-2 Phone: 601-833-3761
Meets 2nd Sun after church
Office Phone: 601-833-7399
EMAIL:
redeemer39601@bellsouth.net
revannie39601@bellsouth.net
May 15-July 31, 2011(summer)
9:15 AM Nursery opens
9:30 AM Sunday School (Adults)
10:30 AM Sunday School
(Children)
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist
Vestry meets 1st Wed; visitors
welcome.
ECW meets 6:30 PM Monday
after the 3rd Sunday.
Angels Attic: Open TH & F 8-3;
Sa 9-2 Phone: 601-833-3761
Meets 2nd Sun after church
Office Phone: 601-833-7399
EMAIL:
redeemer39601@bellsouth.net
revannie39601@bellsouth.net
5th Sunday in Easter Year A
Commencement
May 22, 2011
I.
Today we are celebrating all students who are finishing their course of study, from
elementary school through college. Let us also celebrate our parents and other family
members who are our first teachers--all they have done to help us reach our goals. My
mother was always quick to tell me when she got a compliment on me from a teacher after
which she would say, “We are so proud of you.”
For students finishing, we are ready to party, right? “I’m glad that’s done!” We are not
thinking about next year when we will start at a new school or, for the older ones, how we will
find that first job. And there is a time to party. I hope everyone is staying for the reception
after this service.
For parents, especially parents of young people who are getting ready to go out on their
own, we are worried: do they know everything they need to know to survive and succeed in
the world—the world of work or the world of higher education? We’re glad they are growing
up and leaving home but we worry about them. We wish we could be with them to protect
them but we know we have to let go. It’s time.
II.
It’s time for Jesus to let go of his disciples. Today’s gospel is part of five chapters of final
instructions Jesus gives the disciples at the Last Supper. Sort of like a very long
commencement address. Fortunately we have just 14 verses to deal with today.
Prior to today’s words, Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet, identified Judas as his betrayer,
given them the new commandment “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one
another,” and predicted that Peter will deny him three times.
Jesus can see that his disciples have questions, are confused and fearful. He tries to
reassure them of who he is, who the Father is, and that even though they cannot follow him
now, he is going to the Father and there will grant whatever believers ask in his name.
I love how the disciples are so literal; it makes me feel better about doubts and questions I
have. Jesus is talking about going to his Father’s house, which is heaven. After all, Jesus
taught his disciples the prayer, “Our Father, who art in heaven…” Thomas says, “Lord, we
do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
For centuries humans have been imagining what heaven is like—pearly gates, gold-paved
streets, many mansions. Jesus won’t let his disciples focus on a place. He wants them to
focus on him as The Way--Jesus as The Way to heaven, The Way to the Father. “As the
eternal Son of God, Jesus knows the Father intimately, and as the eternal Word of God [from
the first verse of this gospel], Jesus is able to convey that knowledge to those who know
Jesus intimately.” (p. 220, Lector’s Guide, J. Ted Blakely)
III.
This is no ordinary commencement address, no ordinary commencement speaker. Jesus is
preparing his disciples for his death, resurrection, and ascension. He is preparing them for
when they see him no longer. This is less like graduation and more like a parent talking their
children through a tornado, a flood or some other difficult time. “Look at me, sweetheart.
Don’t look down. Don’t listen to the howling wind, the rushing water. Look and listen to me.
Hold my hand. We will get through this together. You will learn how to survive.”
Jesus knows Peter and the other disciples will scatter when he is arrested. They will hide
after the crucifixion, afraid for their lives. People will scoff and accuse them of stealing the
body after the resurrection. What will see them through is remembering Jesus the Son of
God, the way to the Father, the truth of who Jesus is, the life of following his example and
teachings.
The same is true for us today. Graduation is great and should be celebrated. But around
the corner is our next set of challenges and at a certain point in life we are on our own
without our parents’ protection. Who is your way, your truth, your life? Who do you follow?
Are you a disciple of Jesus? If you are a disciple of Jesus then he is speaking to you, he is
preparing you to walk through whatever challenges, even disasters life sends your way.
Keep your focus on Jesus. Look and listen to him. Learn his words. Study his actions.
IV.
Above all love one another as he loves us. Jesus loved his disciples—all of his followers—
with a love that none of them ever experienced from anyone else. Why else would they go
through all their trials and suffering to come? Because of love. Once you have experienced
God’s unconditional love, you are so filled with life and love, you want everyone to have the
gift you have found. You want to help them remove all barriers to experiencing that love and
pass it on until the world is filled with people loving as Jesus loved his disciples.
We never graduate from Jesus. There is always more to learn, more to experience, more to
love. Sign up for the discipleship course with Jesus. It will take the rest of your life but it will
bring more meaning, light, and love to you and to others than you can imagine. Questions?
Confusion? Fear? These are part of the journey. But if you keep focusing on Jesus, He will
show you the way, the truth, the life. He is all we need for the journey.
Some years ago, when I lived in Austin and my parents in Houston, my mother went into the
hospital with colitis. I was very scared; she had been so healthy. I was a layreader and
responsible for evening prayer the day I was leaving to see her. I was in St. Matthew’s sitting
near the Paschal candle.
As I sat, looked at the candle, and thought about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that the candle
represents, these words came to me: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” It was as if Jesus
was saying to me, “I am everything she needs; I am the beginning and the end.” I knew my
mother was surrounded by Jesus’ love and I felt assured that no matter what happened
Jesus was with her.
And so we return to love. These five chapters of Jesus’ final instructions all flow from his love
for the disciples. That love has flowed down to us today in the Church through generations
of faithful followers. We can refuse to accept that love, but if we look for it, God’s love is right
there for us in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the way to the Father, the truth about who
God really is, and the eternal life won for us on the cross. Alleluia! Amen.
Commencement
May 22, 2011
I.
Today we are celebrating all students who are finishing their course of study, from
elementary school through college. Let us also celebrate our parents and other family
members who are our first teachers--all they have done to help us reach our goals. My
mother was always quick to tell me when she got a compliment on me from a teacher after
which she would say, “We are so proud of you.”
For students finishing, we are ready to party, right? “I’m glad that’s done!” We are not
thinking about next year when we will start at a new school or, for the older ones, how we will
find that first job. And there is a time to party. I hope everyone is staying for the reception
after this service.
For parents, especially parents of young people who are getting ready to go out on their
own, we are worried: do they know everything they need to know to survive and succeed in
the world—the world of work or the world of higher education? We’re glad they are growing
up and leaving home but we worry about them. We wish we could be with them to protect
them but we know we have to let go. It’s time.
II.
It’s time for Jesus to let go of his disciples. Today’s gospel is part of five chapters of final
instructions Jesus gives the disciples at the Last Supper. Sort of like a very long
commencement address. Fortunately we have just 14 verses to deal with today.
Prior to today’s words, Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet, identified Judas as his betrayer,
given them the new commandment “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one
another,” and predicted that Peter will deny him three times.
Jesus can see that his disciples have questions, are confused and fearful. He tries to
reassure them of who he is, who the Father is, and that even though they cannot follow him
now, he is going to the Father and there will grant whatever believers ask in his name.
I love how the disciples are so literal; it makes me feel better about doubts and questions I
have. Jesus is talking about going to his Father’s house, which is heaven. After all, Jesus
taught his disciples the prayer, “Our Father, who art in heaven…” Thomas says, “Lord, we
do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
For centuries humans have been imagining what heaven is like—pearly gates, gold-paved
streets, many mansions. Jesus won’t let his disciples focus on a place. He wants them to
focus on him as The Way--Jesus as The Way to heaven, The Way to the Father. “As the
eternal Son of God, Jesus knows the Father intimately, and as the eternal Word of God [from
the first verse of this gospel], Jesus is able to convey that knowledge to those who know
Jesus intimately.” (p. 220, Lector’s Guide, J. Ted Blakely)
III.
This is no ordinary commencement address, no ordinary commencement speaker. Jesus is
preparing his disciples for his death, resurrection, and ascension. He is preparing them for
when they see him no longer. This is less like graduation and more like a parent talking their
children through a tornado, a flood or some other difficult time. “Look at me, sweetheart.
Don’t look down. Don’t listen to the howling wind, the rushing water. Look and listen to me.
Hold my hand. We will get through this together. You will learn how to survive.”
Jesus knows Peter and the other disciples will scatter when he is arrested. They will hide
after the crucifixion, afraid for their lives. People will scoff and accuse them of stealing the
body after the resurrection. What will see them through is remembering Jesus the Son of
God, the way to the Father, the truth of who Jesus is, the life of following his example and
teachings.
The same is true for us today. Graduation is great and should be celebrated. But around
the corner is our next set of challenges and at a certain point in life we are on our own
without our parents’ protection. Who is your way, your truth, your life? Who do you follow?
Are you a disciple of Jesus? If you are a disciple of Jesus then he is speaking to you, he is
preparing you to walk through whatever challenges, even disasters life sends your way.
Keep your focus on Jesus. Look and listen to him. Learn his words. Study his actions.
IV.
Above all love one another as he loves us. Jesus loved his disciples—all of his followers—
with a love that none of them ever experienced from anyone else. Why else would they go
through all their trials and suffering to come? Because of love. Once you have experienced
God’s unconditional love, you are so filled with life and love, you want everyone to have the
gift you have found. You want to help them remove all barriers to experiencing that love and
pass it on until the world is filled with people loving as Jesus loved his disciples.
We never graduate from Jesus. There is always more to learn, more to experience, more to
love. Sign up for the discipleship course with Jesus. It will take the rest of your life but it will
bring more meaning, light, and love to you and to others than you can imagine. Questions?
Confusion? Fear? These are part of the journey. But if you keep focusing on Jesus, He will
show you the way, the truth, the life. He is all we need for the journey.
Some years ago, when I lived in Austin and my parents in Houston, my mother went into the
hospital with colitis. I was very scared; she had been so healthy. I was a layreader and
responsible for evening prayer the day I was leaving to see her. I was in St. Matthew’s sitting
near the Paschal candle.
As I sat, looked at the candle, and thought about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that the candle
represents, these words came to me: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” It was as if Jesus
was saying to me, “I am everything she needs; I am the beginning and the end.” I knew my
mother was surrounded by Jesus’ love and I felt assured that no matter what happened
Jesus was with her.
And so we return to love. These five chapters of Jesus’ final instructions all flow from his love
for the disciples. That love has flowed down to us today in the Church through generations
of faithful followers. We can refuse to accept that love, but if we look for it, God’s love is right
there for us in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the way to the Father, the truth about who
God really is, and the eternal life won for us on the cross. Alleluia! Amen.
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