Gratitude for the Privilege of Humility: Reflections on Philippians 2.1-13 (RCL Proper 26A, 1 October 2017)

Gratitude for the Privilege of Humility

Reflections on  Philippians 2.1-13

RCL Proper 26A

1 October 2017

Saint Faith’s Anglican Church

Vancouver BC

By clicking here you can listen to the Sermon as preached 

at the 10.00 Eucharist on the 1st.

         In 1831 a child was born to Jewish parents in Lithuania.  His name was Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky.  As a young man he travelled to Germany to study to become a rabbi, but the future that he and his family imagined for him did not come to pass.  In Germany Schereschewsky was given a copy of the New Testament in Hebrew which he read and became convinced that Jesus was indeed the Messiah promised to the Jewish people.  From Germany Schereschewsky emigrated to the United States where he eventually studied for ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church.

         He volunteered for mission work in China and arrived in Shanghai with the American missionary bishop for China in December of 1859.  Schereschewski was a gifted linguist and within two years began his life-long project of translating the Bible into various dialects of the Chinese language.  His commitment to this ministry led to his becoming Bishop of Shanghai in 1877.  In 1879 he founded Saint John’s College.  Alumni of that College were among the donors who created Saint John’s College on the campus of the University of British Columbia some one hundred and twenty-five years later.

         But Schereschewsky was plagued with ill health.  He resigned as bishop in 1883 and eventually was so paralyzed in body that he spent the last twenty-five years of his life able only to use two fingers.  With those two fingers he completed an amazing amount of work before his death in Tokyo in 1906.

         Four years before his death a visitor remarked that it must have very hard to spend so many years with such limited capacities.  Schereschewski responded, “I have sat in this chair for over twenty years.  It seemed very hard at first.  But God knew best.  He kept for the work for which I am best fitted.” From time to time over the last thirty-six years I have found myself coming back again and again to this witness to faithful humility.

         As I have mentioned before, we live in a society where so many public figures seem engaged in a constant search for privilege and are plagued by a debilitating sense of entitlement.  But this search for privilege and sense of entitlement is not to be ours, the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth.  Ours is a path of gratitude for the privilege of humility in the face of God’s self-giving.

         In one of the earliest reflections on what it means for Christians to say that ‘when you meet Jesus of Nazareth, you meet God,’ Paul writes to the fledgling Christian community in Philippi to tell them that the key to unity is humility.  ‘If our Lord Jesus could shed all the prerogatives and privileges of being God’s Beloved in order to unite us with God in love,’ Paul says, ‘then shall we not also imitate Jesus’ humility in our loving service of one another?’

         Humility does not mean denying one’s gifts or pretending that one has no skills or abilities.  That is false humility.  True humility is found when each one of us gives thanks for and uses the gifts God has given and when each one of us gives thank for and accepts the gifts God has given to other members of the community.  True humility has more in common with a symphony orchestra where the beauty and power of music is only realized by the attentive cooperation of each member of the orchestra to her or his companions sitting next to them or sitting in another section.  Even soloists depend upon the other members of the orchestra for their unique contribution to be heard and cherished.

         True humility recognizes that our goal is unity that emerges from the harmonious coming together of the distinct gifts, the distinct voices, the distinct experiences, the distinct insights that are present within the community.  Unity is not afraid of the diversity of human experience.  Humility can be a privilege because it frees us from being someone we are not in order to be more fully the person we are.  Humility empowers our gratitude because we can give thanks that we are members of a gifted community that seeks to ensure that all God’s people shall be free and enjoy the dignity of the children of God.

         The history of the Christian movement is a series of choices made by various communities over the centuries to follow the exhortation of Paul to do nothing ‘from selfish ambition or conceit, but humility to regard others as better than yourselves’, looking ‘not to [our] own interests, but to the interests of others’. (Philippians 2.3-4, NRSV).  Each of these choices was the choice to make room and to create a space in which the ‘other’, whoever the ‘other’ might be, could work out their salvation, their discovery of wholeness, with awe for the love of God and with uncertainty as to where such love might lead them.

         But sharing in God’s work of creating space for others is rooted in the day to day choices of communities such as ours at Saint Faith’s.  Since the end of the summer we have been engaged in various conversations to discern what our gifts as a community are and how best to use those gifts in taking care of the neighbourhood God has given us to tend.  Just last Saturday members of the Parish, Church Committee and Trustees spent time identifying what our ministry priorities might be for the next three years.  Although we are no so compromised as Bishop Schereschewski was in our freedom of movement, we have been challenged to discern what we do well and how we can build on these strengths.

         May we find joy in knowing what our gifts are and how we might use them in the work we are best fitted to undertake.  May God give us the grace to make room and create spaces in which we and all God’s children may discover our true identities and reclaim our rightful minds.  If with two fingers Bishop Schereschewski could open the Scriptures to the Chinese people, then imagine what we can accomplish with our many hands and many gifts.  Thanks be to God!

An Ordo for Pentecost 17 (RCL Proper 26A, 1 October 2017)

With the first Sunday in October Saint Faith's begins 'A Month of Thanksgiving' which is expressed in our Ordo

• by the Greeting
• by the Kyrie
• by the Affirmation of Faith
• by the Great Thanksgiving and
• by the Breaking of the Bread.

We continue to use the complementary series in the Revised Common Lectionary for the First Reading and the Psalm.

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

1 October 2017

The Gathering of the Community

Gathering Music

Announcements

Opening Hymn

‘God the Creator’  Common Praise #445

The Greeting

Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord:

praise and exalt the Holy One for ever.

Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord:

praise and exalt the Holy One for ever.

O people of God bless the Lord:

praise and exalt the Holy One for ever.

Bless the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:

praise and exalt the Holy One for ever. [i]

The Kyrie [ii]

The Deacon offers the Bidding and the Community responds with the Kyrie.

God, be gracious to us and bless us,

and make your face shine upon us:

Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.

May your ways be known on the earth,

your saving power among the nations:

Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.

Make known your salvation,

and reveal your justice in the sight of the nations:

Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.

May the God of love and power forgive us

and free us from our sins,

heal and strengthen us by the Spirit,

and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord.  Amen. [iii]

The Collect of the Day

Let us pray.

God of love, giver of life,

you know our frailties and failings. 

Give us your grace to overcome them,

keep us from those things that harm us,

and guide us in the way of salvation,

through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen. [iv]

The Proclamation of the Word

The First Reading

A reading from the prophet Ezekiel (18.1-4, 25-32).

            ^18.1 The word of the Lord came to me:  ² What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”?  ³ As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel.  ⁴ Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.

            ²⁵ Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.”  Hear now, O house of Israel:  Is my way unfair?  Is it not your ways that are unfair?  ²⁶ When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die.  ²⁷ Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life.  ²⁸ Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die.  ²⁹ Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.”  O house of Israel, are my ways unfair?  Is it not your ways that are unfair?

            ³⁰ Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God.  Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin.  ³¹ Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!  Why will you die, O house of Israel?  ³² For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God.  Turn, then, and live.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

The Psalm

Psalm 25.1-10 from Songs for the Holy One.

Refrain (sung twice):  Glorious Majesty, to you we lift up our hearts.

Holy One, to you I lift up my soul

I trust you!  Do not let me be shamed.

O my God, do not let my enemies rejoice over me.

Truly, all who wait on you are never shamed.

Empty, treacherous people are shamed!

Refrain:  Glorious Majesty, to you we lift up our hearts.

Make your ways known to me, Holy One,

and teach me your paths.

Direct me in your truth!  Teach me!

You are indeed my saving, helping God.

I long for you all day long because of your goodness, Holy One.

Remember your acts of mercy and your enduring, faithful love!

Do not remember my youthful sins nor my transgressions,

but be mindful of your faithful love.

Refrain:  Glorious Majesty, to you we lift up our hearts.

The Holy One is good and upright,

teaching sinners the way they should go,

guiding the humble with true justice,

and teaching them the right way

All God’s ways are loving, faithful and true,

for those who keep the holy covenant and decrees.

For your name’s sake, Holy One,

pardon my iniquity which is great.

Refrain:  Glorious Majesty, to you we lift up our hearts.

The Second Reading

A reading Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (2.1-13).

            ^2.1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, ² make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.  ⁴ Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.  ⁵ Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

            ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, ⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, ⁸ he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross.  ⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

            ¹² Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn before the Gospel

‘Alleluia’  Common Praise #714 (refrain only, sung twice)

The Gospel

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (22.23-32).

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

            ^21.23 When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”  ²⁴ Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.  ²⁵ Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?”  And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’  ²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.”  ²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.”  And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

            ²⁸ “What do you think?  A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’  ²⁹ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went.  ³⁰ The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go.  ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?”  They said, “The first.”  Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.  ³² For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.”

The Gospel of Christ.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Hymn after the Gospel

‘Alleluia’  Common Praise #714 (refrain only, sung twice)

The Homily

An Affirmation of Faith

Let us affirm our faith in God.

We long for you, O God,

we confess our deep desire;

for the heavens are arrayed

with your unhidden beauty.

You are the source of our yearning, O Christ:

you are the way of glory.

Bearing our sweet and humble flesh,

fruit of a woman’s womb,

you were made and moulded as we are.

Spirit of discernment, integrity and fire:

breathe on our fearfulness,

refine our truthfulness,

and sing through our speechlessness;

so that we may daily refuse what is evil,

and be taken up with praise.

Merciful Creator, of an infinite tenderness;

wounded Redeemer, by whom all flesh is moved;

Comforter of fire, who leads us into truth;

we offer you our praise.  Amen. [v]

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings

The Exchange of the Peace

May the peace of Christ be always with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Communion

Offertory Hymn

‘Eye Has Not Seen, Ear Has Not Heard’  Common Praise #548

Prayer over the Gifts

Let us pray.

Eternal God,

in Jesus Christ we behold your glory. 

Receive the offering of your people gathered before you,

and open our hearts and mouths to praise your great salvation,

the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [vi]

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 that we should praise you, gracious God,

for you created all things. 

You formed us in your own image: 

male and female you created us. 

When we turned away from you in sin,

you did not cease to care for us,

but opened a path of salvation for all people. 

You made a covenant with Israel,

and through your servants Abraham and Sarah

gave the promise of a blessing to all nations. 

Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom;

through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation. 

Therefore, with them, and with all your saints

who have served you in every age,

we give thanks and raise our voices

to proclaim the glory of your name.

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. [vii]

Holy God, source of life and goodness,

all creation rightly gives you praise. 

In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ,

to share our human nature,

to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you,

the God and Creator of all. 

He healed the sick and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners;

he opened the eyes of the blind

and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom

to the poor and to those in need. 

In all things he fulfilled your gracious will.

On the night he freely gave himself to death,

our Lord Jesus Christ took bread,

and when he had given thanks to you,

he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said,

“Take, eat:  this is my body which is given for you. 

Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine;

and when he had given thanks,

he gave it to them, and said,

“Drink this, all of you: 

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. 

Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Gracious God,

his perfect sacrifice destroys the power of sin and death;

by raising him to life you give us life for evermore. 

Therefore we proclaim our hope. 

Dying you destroyed our death. 

Rising you restored our life. 

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Recalling his death, proclaiming his resurrection,

and looking for his coming again in glory,

we offer you, Source of all life, this bread and this cup. 

Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts,

so that all who eat and drink at this table

may be one body and one holy people,

a living sacrifice in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory is yours, Author of creation, now and for ever.  Amen.

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. [viii]

The Breaking of the Bread

You gave your people angels’ food

and sent them bread from heaven,

so that your children might learn, O God,

that it is your word which sustains all who trust in you. [ix]

This are the gifts of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

Communion

The Hymn after Communion

‘Filled with the Spirit’s Power’  Common Praise #658 (sung to #201)

The Sending Forth of the Community

Prayer after Communion

Let us pray.

God of heaven and earth,

strengthen the unity of your Church,

so that we who have been fed with holy things

may fulfil your will in the world. 

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. [x]

Glory to God,

whose power, working in us,

can do infinitely more

than we can ask or imagine.

Glory to God from generation to generation,

in the Church and in Christ Jesus,

for ever and ever.  Amen.

Closing Hymn

“All Praise to Thee’  Common Praise #387

Dismissal

The Deacon sends the Community forth with an appropriate Dismissal.

---

[i] Adapted by the Rev’d Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett from the Benedicite omnia opera as translated in Common Worship (2000), 778-779.

[ii] Common Worship (2000), 134 alt. with Kyrie from Songs for a Gospel People #51.

[iii] Common Worship (2000), 135.

[iv] Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 48 alt.

[v] Adapted by the Rev’d Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett from ‘Te Deum’ in Janet Morley, All Desires Known (2006), 53-54.

[vi] The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 383.

[vii] Common Praise (1995), #732.

[viii] Common Praise (1995) #744.

[ix] Adapted by the Rev’d Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett from Canticle 12 ‘The Bread of Heaven’ as found in The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 81-82.

[x] The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 383 alt.