We’re six months into 2020, and I am positive that no one saw ’this’ coming. Global pandemic? Nah, stuff of movies. And if there really was a pandemic, we’d be fine - we’re America! And yet the coronavirus crisis continues apace and in fact increases in magnitude. Lord, have mercy.
In addition, the national conversation about racial equality has reached a new inflection point. And while there is hope for a positive change from this energy, there is also confusion and deep divisions regrettably persist. Lord, have mercy.
It seems as though politically, socially, and in terms of public health, tumultuous waves crash about us. Where is the church? The Church fathers likened Her to the ark that saved Noah and his kindred, the righteous, from the destroying waters. The Church has also been likened to the ship that navigates the terrible and chaotic waters of this world by God's grace, a place of refuge from the enveloping storm.
We might even feel like the apostles who, when they found themselves in a terrible storm on the sea of Galilee, woke their sleeping master in outrage. “We are dying and you’re asleep!?“ Jesus calmly rebuked the storm and all was well.
Where is the church in the midst of the current tumult, fear, uncertainty and unprecedented isolation? The church is gathered around Christ. When the people of God can abide in stillness and attentiveness before the Crucified and Risen One, then the Church can be present to the world in a way that is true to her nature, in a way that brings wholeness and healing to the world around us. St. Paul says the Church is Christ's body, and that much like husband and wife are one flesh in holy matrimony, so also Christ and his Bride are one flesh. This is a mystery, but it is one we abide in, are nurtured in, and seek to share with the people of East Dallas.
What did Christ do with his flesh? He offered it for the life of the world. This is why St. Bart’s exists. Christ seeks to offer himself for the life of the world through us. We do this by connecting the people of East Dallas with God and his people so we might behold and become more like God together.
This Sunday we’ll continue our sermon series on our Vision and Values and will be looking at the value of Wholeness and Healing, of how God brings Wholeness and Healing to us, his Church, and seeks to bring Wholeness and Healing to the world through us.
Jay+