June 30 , 2024
The 6th Sunday After Pentecost
June 30, 2024
The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
Note: The following is Fr. Allan’s final Sermon at The Church of the Holy Cross, Valle Crucis, NC as he now retires from active parish ministry.
Readings: Ecclesiastes 3:1-7, 7:8, 10, 13-14a; Psalm 30; II Corinthians 8:7-15; Matthew 9:35-38
From Ecclesiastes, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” I speak to you in the Name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustaining Sanctifier. Amen.
Let me begin by acknowledging just how deeply Pan and I have been touched by your generous outpouring of love and kindness especially over these past few months. We are truly humbled that so many have ventured from near and far to celebrate our ministry this morning and to offer blessings as not only we enter a new chapter in our lives, but as this parish enters a new chapter in life and ministry together. Know that you will forever remain in our hearts.
Now, I must admit that crafting a final sermon has turned out to be far more difficult than I thought. There is so much I would like to share to encourage you in your ongoing journeys of faith. And yet, I am aware of the importance of speaking to today’s scriptures. And as I prayed and meditated on today’s lessons in light of this, my final Sunday, I was reminded of this truth that we have explored together over the past year: Scripture shows us time and again that every ending is always followed by a new beginning. And that is a truth, a promise we need to grasp. As the prophet Isaiah once proclaimed, “(God) is (forever) making all things new” (Isaiah 43:19). Every ending in scripture births a new beginning, and so it is for all of us this morning. And that is cause for celebration because something new is not just about to happen here in this sacred place, it is already unfolding. God is speaking clearly about your future: a future marked by a renewed sense of God’s presence and love, and God’s desire that all of us continue to grow in the grace and mercy of God revealed in the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ. For me, that truth, that promise of new beginnings, became that much clearer in light of two events that caught my attention this past week. Now there is much more to say about each one, but I am conscious of time restraints. So, I will simply touch on the highlights:
Anyone who has ever been to the General Convention of The Episcopal Church knows how contentious the election of a Presiding Bishop can be. Typically, it involves multiple ballots until the person eventually elected manages to squeak in. And this year, the Convention was tasked with electing someone to replace not just any Presiding Bishop but retiring Bishop Michael Curry who, over these past nine years, and with an evangelical fervor rarely seen in Episcopalians – you know there is a reason why we are called “the frozen chosen” – Curry has drawn our church back to its fundamental understanding that if what we say and do is not about love or motivated by love, it is not of God. Curry has affirmed over and again that we are called to love God and love our neighbor, and more important, that we can’t do one without the other. Well, after months of speculation and worry over who might fill Curry’s big shoes, on the first ballot the House of Bishops overwhelmingly elected, and the House of Deputies affirmed without any dissent, Sean Rowe as our next presiding bishop. That just doesn’t happen in The Episcopal Church. But, you see, God spoke, our people listened as they cast their ballots, and Sean, with youthful vigor and a deep love for God and neighbor, now steps forward. I couldn’t be happier with his election because it signifies that just as God has done new things in The Episcopal Church these past nine years, God will continue to do many new things in this Church and within you.
Another event that caught my attention occurred in Yellowstone National Park. A white Bison was born in the territory of the Lakota Sioux. (By the way, most Lakota Sioux are Episcopalians. This has nothing to do with this story. I just thought you’d find that interesting!) And for the Lakota Sioux, that birth symbolized the voice of the Great Spirit – the voice of God speaking to those who will listen. The birth of a white bison is so rare, a local chief told news reporters that the anticipation of such a birth is akin to the expectations and hopes Christians hold for the second coming of Christ. See, that birth affirms that God is active in this world, calling all people to renew their commitment to God and neighbor by caring for Mother earth. The timing of this birth is amazing given the effects of climate change being experienced world-wide. It serves as a wake-up reminder that God has spoken, and is calling humankind to be just and faithful stewards of creation. God is doing something new. The challenge is: will we listen to that voice.
Both of these events affirm the reality of these words from Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes affirms that there is order in God’s creation, an order that provides structure in life just as it also affirms the brevity of human life – life that should be savored and lived fully while we have breath. And certainly, on this day when we close this 12-year chapter of ministry, we can savor and celebrate as a community of faith not just all that has transpired but all that will continue to unfold in this congregation: the potential births of new ideas and ministries, the deaths of ineffective patterns, and the possibilities of rising to new life over and again if each and every member of this parish remembers as we just sang, that all of us are pilgrims on a journey. A journey to seek and serve Christ in all persons.
In our reading from II Corinthians, St. Paul speaks about God’s grace and especially the fairness and equity that is a hallmark of God’s Kingdom, and should be the hallmark of God’s people. He references the Exodus. Remember the Exodus? How the newly freed people of Israel grew discouraged when the years past and they had yet to reach the Promised Land? People began to grumble and lose heart because their future seemed uncertain and dim. Exodus Chapter 16 tells the story of manna in the desert, the bread from heaven where God provided enough so that, as Paul says, “One who had much did not have too much and one who had little did not have too little.” Paul uses that story to remind us that God provides enough for all and to all, and all, in turn, must share what they have received. Paul says, “There’s enough to go around for all to be filled.” Even when futures seem uncertain, God provides for God’s people. God continues to do new things because God is forever present at every ending and is present in every beginning.
In our Gospel reading, Jesus has been going throughout the countryside teaching, proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom – that kingdom where all are welcome regardless of who or what they are – and curing every disease and sickness. Matthew notes that Jesus had compassion on the crowds that flocked to him not because their presence made him a celebrity, but rather, because they were, “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” I know some have wondered what will happen when this shepherd departs. Well, the truth is you are not without a Shepherd. Not only do you have a wise Shepherd in our Bishop, as well as our Canon to the Ordinary, you have the good Shepherd – Our Lord Jesus Christ - who leads you, knows you, and has called and continues to call each of you by name.
That same good Shepherd says, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Beloved, remember that as St. Paul affirmed each and every one has just the right amount of gifts and abilities needed to continue the mission and ministries of this church. But in order to move forward, everyone must step up, speak up, show up, and commit to be Christ’s presence to one another and to the community. Remember God is forever doing new things - good things - miraculous things - through God’s people.
Three unique scriptures on this occasion and each offers food for thought. And these promises of God are wonderful, but the question remains this morning: do any of us really know where we are heading or what lies ahead? Well, the answer is No. Yet, regardless of what unfolds here, we need to remember the concluding words of our reading from Ecclesiastes: “On the day of prosperity be joyful, and on the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other.” In other words, God is in control. God hears your prayers and God has promised to be with you as, together, you discern your future path.
Friends, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” It has been a privilege to share in this season of ministry with you. And now, by God’s grace may you go forth and be Christ’s presence as you have been to me and to Pan, and I pray will continue to be for one another and this community. May God’s peace be with you and within you throughout every season of your ongoing life in Christ. Amen.