Living Tradition for a Living People: Reflections on John 14.22-29 (RCL Easter 6C, 1 May 2016)

Living Tradition for a Living People
Reflections on John 14.22-29

RCL Easter 6C
1 May 2016

Saint Faith's Anglican Church
Vancouver BC

Click here to listen to the Sermon as preached at the 10.00 Eucharist on Sunday the 1st.

Many you will be familiar with the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof which takes place in a small Russian village of Anatevka.  The story is set in the early years of the twentieth century as clouds of anti-Jewish persecution appear on the horizon.

The lead character, Tevye the milkman, is a poor Jewish man made even poorer in the eyes of the community by the fact that he has only daughters and no sons.  On top of all this he is living in a time when Judaism itself is experiencing the first stresses of the modern world and the emergence of Zionism.  Tevye is shaped by tradition, but he is soon to be tested.

His oldest daughter refuses to enter into an arranged marriage with an older but wealthy butcher.  She insists on marrying her beloved, a poor young tailor.  Tevye yields to the young couple's deviation from tradition.

The next oldest daughter falls in love with a young urban Jewish teacher who offers his services as a teacher in exchange for room and board.  It turns out he is secular, a socialist and a Zionist, not at all Tevye's cup of tea.  The young man is arrested and sent to Siberia.  The daughter chooses to follow her beloved into exile and leaves Anatevka on a train east, unmarried, alone and unfamiliar with the outside world.  Tevye yields to yet more deviation from tradition and sends her off with the wish that they might find a rabbi who can conduct the wedding.

But the next test proves too much.  The third daughter falls in love with a young Russian Christian, secretly converts and marries him.  Tevye shuns her despite the pleas of his wife and oldest daughter.  But, as the family is forced to leave Anatevka, the young woman and her husband choose to leave with the Jewish community, refusing to live in an anti-Semitic community.  Tevye's wife appeals to him once more and he yields to one more departure from tradition.  He permits his wife to tell the young couple where they can find Tevye and the rest of the family in America.

Some people may see Tevye's story as one that chronicles the disintegration of tradition.  It might seem that Tevye loses his tradition, his home, his livelihood, his daughters, his identity shaped over many generations.

But this is not how I see it.  Tradition is not found in the rote repetition of what has been done in the past.  This is, what some people call, 'the dead faith of the living'.  Tradition is 'the living faith' that forms the core of a community's identity.  This core helps any community negotiate the rapids that arise when the river of our shared history encounters the new and changing terrain of the present.

At the beginning of today's gospel Judas asks Jesus, in some many words, 'How are we going to carry on?  What is to be our tradition?'  Jesus replies simply, 'I am your tradition and you will become the living agents of this tradition.'  To borrow a more recent phrase, popular among some young people, tradition is what Jesus would do today in this place and in these circumstances.

Jesus alludes to this in today's gospel:  'But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.'  (John 14.26)  God's Spirit speaks to us

• through the Scriptures;
• through contemporary prophets, both Christian and non-Christian;
• through the experience of communities of faith as they respond to the challenges of contemporary life;
• through our individual consciences as we consider our ethical choices.

What remains constant is this:  we are to do justice, to love God and our neighbour steadfastly and to walk humbly with God as stewards of the abundance of God's goodness to us and to all creation.

This is the tradition that we as Christians have shared throughout the centuries.  It is the tradition embodied in the life and teaching of Jesus.  It is the tradition breathed upon us through the Spirit of God.

Like Tevye we find ourselves like a fiddler on the roof.  We play the music of the gospel in full view of the world.  But, as we play on the roof, we are perched precariously, buffeted by the winds, distracted by what is going on below us and subjected to the assaults of rain, snow, sleet and hail.  The tune we play is an ancient one, but the keys and variations we use are those of our own times and circumstances.

So here we are.  Two thousand years ago a traditional tune was composed and handed over to generations of believers to play.  Over the millennia those believers have been faithful to a song of justice, of compassion and of humility.  We do not play that tune exactly as our predecessors, but they would recognize the tune.  It is a melody we play for our neighbours.

This, my friends, is tradition, the living faith of a living community serving this fragile earth, our island home.

An Ordo for Easter 6 (Year C: 1 May 2016)

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

1 May 2016

The Gathering of the Community

The First Reading and the Psalm are taken from the alternative first reading and psalm proposed for the Easter season by the English Language Liturgical Consultation (click here to visit the page).

Entrance Hymn

‘Praise to the Lord’   Common Praise #382

Greeting

Alleluia!  Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed.  Alleluia!

May his grace and peace be with us.

May he fill our hearts with joy.

There is one body and one Spirit;

there is one hope in God’s call to us;

one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

one God, the Source of all being.

Canticle

‘God, Your Glorious Presence’  Common Praise #337

Collect of the Day

Let us pray.

Gracious God,

through a vision you sent forth Paul to preach the gospel

and called the women to a place of prayer on the sabbath.

Like Paul and Lydia, may our hearts respond to your word

and be open to go where you lead us.  Amen. [i]

The Proclamation of the Word of God

The First Reading

A Reading from Deuteronomy (34.1-12).

            Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the Lord showed him the whole land:  Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain — that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees — as far as Zoar.  The Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.”  Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord ’s command.  He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day.  Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigour had not abated.  The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.

            Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses.  Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.  He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Thanks be to God.

The Psalm of the Day

Psalm 109.21-31 with Refrain from Songs for the Holy One

Refrain (twice):  Loving God, help us to resist enmity and seek reconciliation.

²¹ O Lord my God, oh, deal with me according to your name; *

            for your tender mercy’s sake, deliver me.

²² For I am poor and needy, *

            and my heart is wounded within me.

²³ I have faded away like a shadow when it lengthens; *

            I am shaken off like a locust.

²⁴ My knees are weak through fasting, *

            and my flesh is wasted and gaunt.

Refrain:  Loving God, help us to resist enmity and seek reconciliation.

²⁵ I have become a reproach to those who seek to do me harm; *

            they see and shake their heads.

²⁶ Help me, O Lord my God; *

            save me for your mercy’s sake.

²⁷ Let them know that this is your hand, *

            that you, O Lord, have done it.

²⁸ They may curse, but you will bless; *

            let those who rise up against me be put to shame,

            and your servant will rejoice.

Refrain:  Loving God, help us to resist enmity and seek reconciliation.

²⁹ Let my accusers be clothed with disgrace *

            and wrap themselves in their shame as in a cloak.

³⁰ I will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth; *

            in the midst of the multitude will I praise God;

³¹ because the Lord stands at the side of the needy, *

            to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Refrain:  Loving God, help us to resist enmity and seek reconciliation.

The Second Reading

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (16.9-15).

During the night Paul had a vision:  there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

            We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.  We remained in this city for some days.  On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.  A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth.  The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.  When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.”  And she prevailed upon us.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn before the Gospel

‘Now the Green Blade Rises’  Common Worship #237 vv. 1, 2

The Gospel

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (14.23-29).

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus answered [Judas not Iscariot], “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

            “I have said these things to you while I am still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.  You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’  If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.  And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.”

The Gospel of Christ.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Hymn after the Gospel

‘Now the Green Blade Rises’  Common Worship #237 vv. 3, 4

The Sermon

The Apostles’ Creed

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God,  the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? 

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried;

he descended to the dead. 

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? 

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.  Amen.

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings

The Exchange of the Peace

May the peace of the risen Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

The Holy Communion

Offertory Hymn

‘You Call Us, Lord, to Be’  Common Praise #450

The Prayer over the Gifts

Let us pray.

God of glory,

accept all we offer you this day,

and bring us to that eternal city of love and light,

where Christ reigns.

We ask this in his name.  Amen. [ii]

The Thanksgiving at the Table

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,

for the glorious resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ,

the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin,

who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life. 

And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection,

with earth and sea and all their creatures,

and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn: [iii]

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might. 

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. [iv]

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: 

Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign. 

You have filled all creation with light and life;

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

We praise you for the grace shown to your people in every age: 

the promise to Israel, the rescue from Egypt,

the gift of the promised land, the words of the prophets;

and, at this end of all the ages, the gift of your Son,

who proclaimed the good news in word and deed

and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread,

and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: 

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. 

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying: 

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. 

Do this for the remembrance of me.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 

Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.

Therefore, O God, with this bread and cup

we remember the life our Lord offered for us. 

And, believing the witness of his resurrection,

we await his coming in power

to share with us the great and promised feast. 

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.

Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit,

so that we who share in Christ’s body and blood

may live to the praise of your glory

and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light. 

Amen.  Come, Holy Spirit.

Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place,

and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest

until he comes as victorious Lord of all. 

Through him, with him, in him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honour is yours, Creator of all,

now and forever.  Amen. [v]

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever.  Amen. [vi]

The Breaking of the Bread

Lord, we died with you on the cross.

Now we are raised to new life.

We were buried in your tomb.

Now we share in your resurrection.

Live in us, that we may live in you.

The gifts of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

Communion

Hymn after Communion

‘Dona Nobis Pacem’  Common Praise #562 (sung thrice)

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Prayer after Communion

Let us pray.

God of Moses and Joshua,

your restored us to life

by raising your Son from death.

May we who receive this sacrament

always be strengthened to do your will,

in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.  Amen. [vii]

May the light of God illumine your hearts.

May the flame of Christ kindle your love.

May the fire of the Spirit free you to live boldly.

And the blessing of holy and undivided Trinity:

✚ Source of all being, Word of redemption and Spirit of wisdom,

be with you all, now and for ever.  Amen. [viii]

Closing Hymn

‘The Kingdom of God Is Justice and Joy’  Common Praise #631

The Dismissal

Let us go forth in the name of risen Christ.  Alleluia, alleluia!

Thanks be to God.  Alleluia, alleluia!

---

^[i] Liturgy Task Force, ‘Trial Use Collects and Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion for Year C:  Easter during the Day through Pentecost’ (2015), 6 (click to go to page).

[ii] The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 342 alt.

[iii] Evangelical Lutheran Worship:  Leaders Desk Edition (2006), 275.

[iv] Common Praise #719.

[v] Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 66 alt.

[vi] Songs for a Gospel People #12.

[vii] The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 342 alt.

[viii] J. Philip Newell, Celtic Benediction:  Morning and Night Prayer (2000), 5 alt.