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Sermon June 6, 2021
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, MSW
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen’s
Second Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 5, Track 2
http://lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Pentecost/BProp5_RCL.html
Audio: /documents/Eucharist_Audio__June_6__2021
Video: https://youtu.be/GEApqdmZf9A
Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15
Please be seated
Recently, I have been watching the mystery series, Detective Montalbano. The series is based on books by Andrea Camillari. The books and series take place in southern Sicily. The scenery reminds me of the times I’ve visited Sicily, where I still have relatives.
Watching the series makes me long to go there again.
The series is also in Italian with English subtitles. I’m hoping maybe some of the Italian sinks in. It also reminds me of the various language customs of a place, like saying Pronto when you answer the phone and Ciao and Arrivederci.
Oh, I hope I can go to Sicily again next year as planned for my sabbatical.
I believe the real reason I have such fond memories of this place is mostly because of the love I experienced when going there and meeting my family. The first time I went in 1978, they only knew what my grandfather had written to them about me. Yet, they opened their homes, and welcomed me with joy. They fed me amazing, homemade meals and allowed me to stay with them. We did not even speak each other’s language. Yet, the love was there.
Today’s reading from Paul reminds us of the importance of that deep, unmerited, unconditional love. As Christians, we call this the grace of God. The love that can never be earned. The love that can never be withdrawn from us.
Paul knows it is quite challenging to live in the world rooted in the grace of God. The way we organize ourselves is often in contrast to living in God’s grace. We can’t help ourselves, can we? We judge each other according to some standard. It may be one shared by many others around us. Now, judgment is not all bad and we must measure our judgment against the standard of God’s grace…of what is loving.
I’ve heard it said, and cannot remember where or from whom, but the question is, how would we live if we knew we were already saved? How do we live our lives when we know we are deeply, unconditionally and eternally loved?
Paul goes on to say that as we live knowing we are loved, living in God’s grace, we spread it to more and more people. We do not keep this joyful, loving way of living to ourselves. We extend it to more and more people.
As a result, God’ grace of unmerited, unconditional love, increases thanksgiving and God is glorified.
As you know, this is my last Sunday with you until August 17. This is also nearly six years since I first came here as your Priest and nearly 8 years since I have been ordained to the priesthood. All that to say, I am so thankful to have this upcoming time of rest!
I am grateful to Canon Schiesler for being with you while I am gone and grateful for everyone taking on some extra things that I usually do.
And I am so thankful to be here with you and to serve you as your priest. You show grace in your tremendous generosity to the church’s ministry and to others. You show grace in coming to church, either on Zoom or in person… showing up so we can all be strengthened, educated, and blessed. Believe me, your presence makes a difference. You show grace when you reach out to each other – calling, sending notes, texting, gathering together, supporting each other. And there are probably so many ways each of you shows grace to so many others every single day.
When we live grace-filled lives, it shows…it extends to more and more people. When we live grace-filled lives, we increase thanksgiving and live in gratitude. When we live grace-filled lives, God is glorified.
Amen
