Notes from a Sojourn
July 26, 2020
A Sermon for the Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
(Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52)
This is my last Sunday serving with you as the incumbent of The Area Parish of the St. Lawrence. Soon my family and I will be moving to the Upper Ottawa Valley so I can begin a new ministry role as Incumbent of St. Barnabas in Deep River.
Six years ago I began living and working with my family here at Christ Church Seaway. Two years ago (give or take), my ministry expanded to include working in the congregations of St. John's and Trinity. We have journeyed together through much over these past few years. And as I prepare to leave, I am filled with gratitude for the many blessings that we have enjoyed together.
Life in the church is not easy. Each of our ministries face financial challenges. There is no obvious solution to this problem. However, I am pleased with the financial progress we have made together and I hope you will be able to continue to build on the momentum of the past few years, seeking to be faithful and humble stewards of the many gifts with which God has entrusted you.
This parish is very much a family church. This group of God's children is sometimes the only family we have. In the years to come, I pray you will continue to reach out to each other and those outside these walls with care and compassion, celebrating diversity, standing together against racism and anti-LGBT2 discrimination. Continue to see the face of Christ in others, that they might see Christ's face in yours. You are trained in this ministry. Keep up the good work!
Social responsibility and outreach are very strong features of this parish. You should be very proud to host Centre 105 in this parish. Even during the COVID-19 closure of our buildings, this ministry has been a lifeline for hundreds of people every week! Many of you go out of your way to support PWRDF (the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund). Thank you for your commitment to relief, development, and advocacy in Canada and around the world. Please consider making a donation to PWRDF, either through your congregation or directly through the PWRDF website.
In today's gospel reading, Matthew offers an account of Jesus preaching. In case you might have lost count, Jesus offers no fewer than 5 parables in rapid succession. Just as we might be catching our breath, the passage ends with a reminder that the culmination of God's kingdom demands righteousness.
There are many ways to find oneself living within the kingdom of God. At various times we may include the planting of mustard seed, baking with yeast, discovering buried treasure, investing in pearls, catching all manner of fish, or serving as scribes of the word! God's is a varied and disparate kingdom. It includes fools and wise ones, trained theologians and beginners, social influencers and those whom society has all but abandoned. The only requirement for being included within this kingdom is that we partake in that most holy gift of God, offered to us through Jesus Christ: love.
Living a life of love is the most simple form of righteousness. This is my prayer for you as we part ways, that we will continue to grow in God's love. We will undoubtedly stumble and fail. We will need to offer and receive forgiveness. We will depend on God for sustenance, direction, and deliverance. But in all things, may our righteousness come by way of God's love, revealed to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Patrick+
