The Gospel reading for today Luke 23:33-43:
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. ’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
“Christ the King” Sunday is the final week in the Christian liturgical calendar. When I reflect on the themes of Christ the King Sunday, the imagery of fulfilment found in St Paul’s letter the Christians in colossi immediately springs to mind. In Christ is found all things:
• In birth – a miracle to which men from all walks of life were drawn.
• In life, his disciples were led to a profound belief through miraculous actions and words which, though vexing, were said to challenge the religious and social status quo of the day.
• In His death, we can understand that although there are consequences for our actions, our mistakes need not lead us away from a life that brings us both closer to god and helps us as we try to improve our world for everyone – our children, our family, our friends and of course those who don’t can’t improve it for themselves.
We do all this, in the knowledge that ultimately, this is Christ’s Kingdom and on some day, in some way, we can expect a fulfilling, surprising, peaceful Kingdom of God to come into being through our actions and willingness to truly serve that which Christ commanded.
The brutality and consequences of the cross and the sheer ridiculousness and truly unexpected reality that Christ’s salvation came not for the religious leaders but for those who the religious had deemed unacceptable assures us that we too should surprise the world with that which Christ left us.
Which brings us neatly to the idea of the priesthood.
Let me state at the outset that I, believe in BOTH a priesthood of believers and a priesthood of leaders – that is, that all who choose to come into the church to dwell and worship are a part of the priesthood; but that fulfilment is only fully realised in the presence of one who has committed their lives (with the blessing of the Church and God and the realisation and anointing of the Holy Spirit) to a Priesthood of Leaders in Christ.
You’ll see in this month’s focus magazine that Sydney Anglican Diocese are taking that which has been solely the domain of the priesthood and opening it to its congregation. For example un-ordained people may preside over the Eucharist, as well as participate in any number of ceremonial positions normally held by priests.
I don’t necessarily have a problem with this; [pause] I don’t think it is a very good starting point for the fulfilment and participation in the priesthood by all – but to fully live out those words from Peters first letter clearly state – the priesthood of believers.
Now there is a whole sermon here about girardian mimetic theory and sacrificial actions by those in power – but perhaps all I need to say is that the priesthood was a role in which sacrifice was made complete. This is a long-standing cultural norm for humanity – when I say longstanding, I’m talking millennia. Our human nature says we need sacrifice in order to be redeemed and saved. Our Christlike nature, however says that this is no longer necessary – Christ has fulfilled and overturned this human need we have. As such, I think that the priesthood is truly a vocation into which all can come.
I say this knowing that for a long time Roman, European and English-born societies have been deemed a part of Christendom. Christendom is a time and place in which those who are born under its banner are deemed to be Christian. For example, I am Australian by virtue of my parents being Australian and my birth in Australia. A change in either of these things could change my nationality. It is much the same in a Christendom – being a Christian and being a part of all that comes with that; whether it’s ceremonial actions such as baptism or being responsible for the practical actions which are expected of Christians such as prayer and forgiveness; worship and knowing our Bible.
However, in the last 50 years, the ease by which people can travel; [pause] at the start of last century the two world wars and in more recent years internal conflict in nations which rim the Indian and Atlantic Oceans has led to a massive increase in the diversification of safe and generally hospitable nations – largely western nations. A significant consequence of this is that along with many other facets of life, religion has become a marketplace of different and views from which people can take and even mix their views to suit their needs or lifestyle. Let’s also not forget the incredible surge of atheism and agnosticism that has arisen out of a renewal human intellectual development.
So in this environment; in one which is both pluralistic in belief and atheistic in outlook; I wonder what shape the role of the priest will take? My suspicion is that the priesthood will more and more become a role which, rather than being a shepherd to their flock, will be one which will a missionary to the non-Christian society which we have become, or will be a teacher or trainer of missionaries.
I say this, without actually a lot of faith that this will happen. In truth, I suspect that we will see many more churches close before our church as a whole realises that something needs to change.
I asked a friend and colleague what she would preach about if she had to preach about the priesthood and she said ‘I have no idea really… just that we need them and that we need them to be inspiring and connecting and useful…’ That in itself is pretty profound – and entirely true and incredibly difficult to fulfil until some of our overly inward looking church culture begins to change. Please don’t hear me having a go at anyone. Existing churches and parishes are amazing places and led incredibly well - for Christians? But one of the things that drew me to the priesthood was the fear that I might not realise as fully as possible that which Christ commands of me – to be a brother to those who do not brotherhood. To care for those who find it nowhere else.
In the words of the great preacher and Archbishop of Constantinople John Chrysostom: “Do you wish to honour the body of Christ? Do not ignore him when he is naked. Do not pay him homage in the temple clad in silk, only then to neglect him outside where he is cold and ill-clad. He who said: "This is my body" is the same who said: "You saw me hungry and you gave me no food", and "Whatever you did to the least of my brothers you did also to me"... What good is it if the Eucharistic table is overloaded with golden chalices when your brother is dying of hunger? Start by satisfying his hunger and then with what is left you may adorn the altar as well.”
I know my heart aches for the injustices of the world to be seen for what they are and acted upon in a way which leads the victims to believe they are truly our brothers and sisters. In my 4 years at St Hilda’s, I know I have worked hard to try to inspire those global thinking young women to move into their careers and lives in a way which might help this happen. I know I have been supported here to try to help this to happen – so thank you.
As we continue to try to fulfil our roles in the royal priesthood, let me ask you, regardless on your views of the priesthood to seriously consider what it is that being a Christian demands of us. St Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans (Romans 12:1-2) - The New Life in Christ
And what is the will of God? Micah 6:8 states it clearly: do justice. So where we see injustice, the priest within us must be just – or we undersell what we do here.
To Love kindness or Mercy – depending on your translation; the jist of it is whether people carry an unkindness in their hearts or on their sleeves, we must do what we can to both overcome it and diffuse and dispel it, that unkind or unmerciful characteristics might not return.
To walk humbly with God – there are two things to avoid from this point:
Firstly, there are many in this world who think we do not need God to progress. But I promise you, if we leave the world in the hands of the ungodly, there will be no godly characteristics about it – and that my friends, is hell. We must walk close by God.
Secondly, we have history and heritage; the bible and prayer; fellowship, worship and common-bloody sense – all good means by which to discern the will of God for us – lets make sure we aren’t so arrogant as to think we might be able to tell God how to do it better; or that we might be able to do it better than God has…
If we do these things, regardless of if the archbishop has laid hands on us or not; we are priests. We are examples and fulfillments of Christ in a world which does not give two hoots about the needs of those suffer needlessly; and doing so, we will play our part in helping to bring about the Kingdom of God. A worthwhile thought for Christ the King day.
No comments:
Post a Comment