PASTORS OF JESUS

SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE ON FEBRUARY 5, 2006

Mark 1:35 “And in the morning - a great while before dawn – He rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.”

In his short history of the Episcopal Church, Profession David Holmes recounts that in the 18^th Century the Rector of Tidewater, Virginia declared himself an Atheist from the pulpit, solicited women for sex, ran up large bills in taverns and refused to pay them, and ran down the main street naked. Hopefully in Tidewater, Virginia things have changed!

In this century we have our own problems. These days Bishops are called upon to be managers and administrators rather than apostles and shepherds. Parish priests eagerly follow their example and are expected to attend innumerable meetings both in their parishes and the diocese. No bishop would be stupid enough to say he was an atheist in the pulpit. But some do doubt the basic beliefs we find in the creeds - and certainly many of the clergy.

As for solicitating women for sex, running up bills in taverns and running down the main street naked, no Rector would be so foolish - or courageous!

However, what they called immoral in the 18^th century applies differently now. Two years ago when the diocese of New Hampshire ordained as its bishop a divorced gay man with a live-in partner it precipitated a crisis in the Episcopal church. And in the last six weeks this has lead to 2 priests in this diocese leaving the diocese, taking a large number of their congregation with them. This week at least 3 parishioners have wondered out loud if I was going to lead this parish in the same direction. To that question my answer is a definite “no”!

How appropriate then that in today’s gospel we find the foundation of the apostolic ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons. Here in Mark 1 we have an idyllic scene. Jesus calls the first apostles. They left everything and followed him. They accompany him as he preaches, teaches and heals. Indeed one of those healed was St. Peter’s mother-in-law - from which we can conclude that the first Pope was married!

The apostles are overwhelmed by the message of Jesus and what he does. They even came chasing after him when he was saying his prayers in the early hours of the morning. After that he responded by moving on to another place, to do more preaching, teaching and healing.

Whatever energy Jesus had to do all this, it surely must have come from those times of prayer in the early hours of the morning when no one was around.

We can therefore assume that when the apostles were left to carry on the ministry of Jesus they could only achieve what he wanted by following his example of prayer.

When we look at the gospel everything Jesus did with the apostles was not only to equip them as leaders of the church but to set them apart as his representatives - not after a dictatorial fashion but in the image of shepherds. In choosing the 12 he also gave us the image of the 12 tribes of Israel - so that we might understand that the church is the new Israel, God’s Holy People.

Such was the doctrine handed on in the tradition of the church. In the second century St. Ignatius of Antioch (who still had the memory of the apostles) said that the bishop is the focus of unity. In reference to the Eucharist he says: “Let the bishop preside in the place of God.” Later in the century the great defender of the faith, St. Irenaeus said that the guarding of the faith is the responsibility of the bishop. In recent decades the ecumenical document called ‘Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry’ notes: “This succession was understood as serving, symbolizing and guarding the continuity of the apostolic faith and its communion.”

What a far cry the first two centuries are from the parish priest of Tidewater, Virginia in the 18^th century. It is an even longer way from today’s gospel to the situation facing the Episcopal Church today. Let me conclude with 3 comments as all this relates to us here at All Saints.

Firstly, in this parish I am called to be both a pastor and a leader. In particular, you have expected me to show leadership in the growth and mission of our parish, in our finances, and in our school. But you know in your heart that without prayer and devotion I would just be an administrator. Being a priest means leadership - but it firstly means prayer and caring.

Secondly, the way a priest stays centered on prayer is by following the example of Jesus in today’s gospel. In the midst of hectic parish life and ministry I have to find time for prayer. And of course for priests the daily office of morning and evening prayer is an obligation. An obligation - not because we need an obligation - but because priests, like everyone may not feel like praying. So in order to ensure that we do pray we have this wonderful obligation of the Divine Office. Also every day you will find me here at Mass - either celebrating, or offering it with you in the pews.

Now lest you think the Rector has a hard job, remember I am surrounded by your love, by your prayers, by your caring, and I mingle chiefly with Christians. You, however, work and mingle with all sorts of people - some of whom are antagonistic, or just plain indifferent to Jesus and the gospel. The laity have the harder job!!

Thirdly, Bishops may not be as Catholic as we would like. But leaving the diocese does not further the Catholic faith or promotes the gospel. It is Protestants who walk away from the church, not Catholics.

Let St. Paul have the last word today. From today’s epistle, 1 Cor. 9:23: “I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel.”