THE MINISTRY

SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE ON JULY 8, 2007

Luke 10:17 "The 70 returned with joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name."

In Luke 10 we find the story of the sending out of the 70. It is not in the other gospels, nor is there a reference to it. It is quite a different “sending out” to the sending out of the 12 apostles. The word 'apostle' means 'sent'. We are familiar woth the apostles as the 12 who were called by Jesus, and were sent to preach the gospel. So who are these 70? Is this another aspect of the Sacred Ministry?

The church tradition has the 3 fold ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons. It follows the New Testament pattern of apostle, elders, and deacons. Where then do the 70 fit in? They seem to be neither apostles, nor elders, nor deacons - but sort of foot soldiers, sent by Jesus to preparing the way. They are different to the apostles, for St. Luke describes their calling at the beginning of chapter 9. Now in chapter 10 we have these 70. They have no names. They are sent out in pairs with little to support them, not even spare sandals. Jesus says he is sending them out as "Lambs in the midst of wolves." And if they are not welcomed they are told to "shake the dust from their feet." And significantly, they return talking joyfully of their success.

By contrast, in Chapter 9 the apostles had names. We know their names - but that is where the difference ends. Like the 70, the apostles did not have anything to support themselves, they are given power over demons, and they are told to shake the dust from their feet if not received.

It seems the 12 are called and set apart for leadership - but the 70 are only appointed to do hard work. There seems to be a degree of significance between the 12 and the 70. The apostles were called to be the leaders, the very foundation of Jesus' church. They symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel - reminding us that the holy Catholic Church (of which we are members by baptism) is the new Israel, based on the old covenant. That is why we know the names of the apostles, just as we know the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. The names are important. Through them Jesus founded his church. They are the beginning of the church's structure as the body of Christ. And of the sacramental life that is central to the church. From the apostles, through the laying-on of hands, we have received the sacraments.

What St. Luke is doing it seems is discerning between the function of leadership by the apostles, and the function of everybody else, symbolized by the 70. This is the pattern of the typical Episcopal parish. In the parish we see the Rector as the leader, perhaps with a number of others. But his leadership is only as good as he shares that with lay leaders from the congregation. And the parish is only able to be the body of Christ if all the people share in this work of proclaiming the kingdom.

This difference is not always understood. In the Episcopal Church there still lingers a thought that the Rector is responsible for everything! He is THE minister. Fortunately in this parish - through circumstance and necessity - the parish embraced the concept of shared ministry before I became your rector. And after four years you know me well enough by now to understand that I do rely on a number of parishioners to share tasks of leadership. I listen to their response and sometimes I hear the answer “no”.

Nor are Vestry meetings just about finances and property. We have had our share of those to deal with - but our vestry meetings are meetings where there are shared hopes and vision for our parish. That is why All Saints' continues to grow. If the growth of our parish is only due to the personality of the Rector, then all I am doing is building up the Fr. Tony Fan Club!

In today's gospel Jesus had this stern reminder to the 70 if they fall for that trap, "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you", says Jesus. In other words - don't get carried away as if it all depends on you!

St. Paul gives a similar rebuke in Galatians 6:14: "Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ."

So not only is it about priest and people together sharing in the work of the kingdom - but sometimes you will be better at it than the clergy! We note the 70 came back rejoicing because they had cast out demons. They were really excited and couldn't wait to tell Jesus. Yet in Luke 9:40 the apostles came back complaining that they had not been able to cast out demons. This is remarkable. The 70 nameless parishioners were able to cast out demons - and the 12 leaders couldn't. Sometimes you will get it right and the priests won't. And dare I say it - sometimes the bishops won't get it right!

So the 12 apostles and the 70 remind us that although some are called to be leaders in the church - all are called to proclaim the kingdom. Not necessarily by words, but more usually by deeds, and by your love and care.

The proclamation that Jesus is Lord and the conquering of sin and evil cannot be done by the clergy alone. Before I became your rector, many of you were already here doing your bit for the kingdom, and you still do it. By your care and concern for each other, by your vibrant worship, and by your prayers which beat the gates of heaven for all sorts of concerns and causes.

Of course all of us shrink from being compared to the 70. Who are we to cast out demons? To live on the bare essentials? To proclaim Jesus to an unbelieving world? To glory only in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ?

And lets fact it, Episcopalians are more reticent about these things than other Christians. We feel inadequate and hesitant; we don't think we're so good at it. Actually I bet the 70 felt the same! And that's why they returned so excited - they couldn't believe what God had done through them.

Jesus said he was sending them out "as lambs amongst wolves." He sends us out also as lambs amongst wolves. For this is a devouring world which cares not for the beauty of the gospel.

However, following the New Testament pattern, our life as a community here at All Saints' will strengthen us to be amongst the 70.

· through our care and concern for each other

· through the life of the sacraments

· through prayer

· through our engaging of God's word.

· through our loyalty to our church's tradition

And how marvelous that when we do this, Jesus says that "our names will be written in heaven."