Witness Unceasingly

Homilist: Karen Reeman

St. James, Eatontown
18th Sunday after Pentecost (B), Sept. 27, 2015
I.

Congratulations on a successful Fair!

The items were beautifully displayed (antique store)
The food for the preview party was delicious (shrimp)
The music was entertaining (everyone had a good time)
Almost everyone in the parish was involved sorting, setting up, providing
food, serving,
helping visitors, etc.
And, not only did you meet, but you exceeded your financial goal!

II.

In Pauls first letter to the Corinthians, he said:

4

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties
of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is
the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the
manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Cor 12:4-7)
My gift appears to be selling costume jewelry and religious items Jesus
Junk as a friend of mine, the DRE at the Cathedral Church of St. John the
Divine in NYC, calls it.
III.

In retrospect, minding this table was a unique opportunity to share my faith.

I could have:
used the woodgrain plastic cross with entwined wedding rings to explain
to shoppers that matrimony is one of the 7 sacraments recognized by the
Episcopal church (other 6: Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation,
Reconciliation of a Penitent, Holy Orders, and Unction)
(http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/sacraments)

Or explained to children fascinated by the friendship bracelets that unlike

wishes* that may or may not come true, prayers are always answered
(maybe not immediately, or on the way we want).
*A friend ties on the bracelet while you make a wish. When the bracelet
comes off, the wish comes true (according to my daughter).

IV.

In todays gospel, Jesus graphically portrays the importance of sharing the

Good News and of aiding each other in our spiritual journeys.
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your
name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us."
Jesus replied, Whoever is not against us is for us.

"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who
believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung
around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:38, 30, 42)

Little ones are not children, but Jews struggling to follow Jesus and
understand his teachings.
V.

VI.

The penalties for leading someone astray are severe.

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter
life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the
unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43).

And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to
enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell (Mark
9:45).

And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to
enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be
thrown into hell . . . (Mark 9:43).

Talk about extreme. During the time of Jesus, if you were disabled, your
disability was thought to be as the result of sin. You were marginalized,
shunned, doomed to beg for a living.
Remember the story of the man who had been blind at birth?
When Jesus and his disciples saw a man blind from birth, they as Jesus,
Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jesus answered, Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born
blind so that Gods works might be revealed in him (John 9:2-3)

VII.

1st Century Jews were just as complacent as we are. Jesus often tried to
shock his listeners.
For e.g., when recruiting disciples, one of Jesus followers ask him, Lord,
first let me go and bury my father. But Jesus said to him, Follow me, and
let the dead bury their own dead. (Matt 8:21-22)

VIII.

Jesus statement must have been unsettling since to honor ones father
and mother one of the commandments. (Mark 10:19)

Sins of omission are just as serious as sins that are committed.

We pray for forgiveness for both every time we say the Penitential Order:
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone. (BCP 352)

IX.

According to our Baptismal Covenant, we promise to witness to Christ in lives.

Celebrant: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God
in Christ?
People: I will with Gods help (BCP 305)

X.

Most Episcopalians feel uncomfortable talking about their faith with others.
Discussions of faith are discouraged in our culture
Dont want to appear fanatical

XI.

Our vows only ask us to witness to the power of God in Christ in our lives.
Not asking us to proclaim that Christianity is the only religion

XII.

Not asking us to proclaim that Christianity is the best religion

Working the Fair taught me that there are infinite opportunities to share my
faith; I just have to look for them.
I urge you also to look for opportunities to engage others in faith
discussions. Being faithful witnesses of God in Christ is:

Necessary in order to fulfill our baptismal covenants

Vital for the continuation and growth of St. James