Proper 11B, July 22, 2018
2 Samuel 7: 1-14a, Psalm 23
Ephesians 2:11-22,
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
St Thomas the Apostle
The Rev’d Joy A. Daley
“He is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall.” These words from Paul are not only for the Ephesians but also for us. They are wonderful words to hear and to experience this week. “No longer strangers or aliens but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself the chief cornerstone.”
What a month this has been. A way has been opened up where there was no way, as the plea of, “All sacraments for all people,” has not only been heard but now will be a reality. After the long and tedious work by people on all sides of the issue of same sex marriage, Our General Convention has removed the barriers separating people. Now the I-30 plan will only in place for visiting museums.
By now I hope you have read my communication about the decision I have made as the Rector of this parish by the authority given to me by the canons of the church, to begin performing same sex marriages here in this holy space after Christmas. You should also know that my decision was affirmed unanimously by your Vestry this past Tuesday evening. It is a new day in the Diocese of Dallas and in the months ahead we will be working together to live into the new reality that has come to be.
When the General Convention convenes all parts of the Episcopal Church gather together, celebrating, deliberating, arguing, wrestling about all kinds of issues. It sometimes seems like nothing will be resolved but as we know decisions are made, things do change and somehow the church keeps being the church. I think this is all related to the theme of the 79th convention: The Jesus Movement Loving, Liberating and Lifegiving which is what the church should always be about.
You have heard about the Jesus movement from our Presiding Bishop many times and when he preached at the General Convention Revival on July 7th, Wow! was he moving and proclaiming – that Jesus came that we might have life. God wants us not to just exist and check off requirements. God wants us to live to the max, live into who were created to be and the key to this life is love, he said, the opposite of that love being not hate but selfishness. The work of love is to make a world where the possibility of life for all is real. He exhorted all of us to stand for Christianity that looks like Jesus of Nazareth, a way of being Christian that is grounded and based on love. The passing of B012, through the work of so many people is a huge step towards this way of living and loving but that’s not all the church did in Austin. I don’t know if you realize that over 1000 Episcopalian held a prayer vigil outside of one of the detention facilities where immigrant parents and children were being detained; That hearings were held on racial reconciliation and injustice toward people who had been devalued through sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse within the church. Peoples’ stories were heard and their realities honored. When these events take place within the church it is just another reminder of how Christ is breaking down the dividing wall between us all. There is so much pain in the world that needs to be healed, soothed and when the walls come down it is then that we can connect with one another and the balm of Gilead can be experienced. In our imperfect ways as humans we live into our own calling to have compassion on those in the world who are, as in our gospel today, like sheep without a shepherd. In this story it is Jesus who gathers those in need, teaches and heals them. He shepherds them, gives them safety and comfort out of what he had. He is God and it is his power to which people are drawn. They knew maybe without even knowing in their heads, that what Jesus had would restore them. He brings all their scattered desires all the pieces of their shattered dreams into focus and they know if they just can connect with him they will be OK. This is important for us to remember as we make our way forward in the coming months.
I know you have many questions about how we will live into the future. Because of past history within this diocese I know some of you have doubts about whether getting married is going to be a reality. When I met with our bishop one-on-one this past Wednesday I felt a little apprehensive going in, wondering if there were roadblocks that would be thrown into place, deceptions lurking in the background. I can honestly tell you that I did not get this impression at all. There was not a spirit of anger from him at all but a spirit of acceptance. I want you to hear very clearly that what he said to me was “The time has come for peace.” The General Convention has created a way in which the bishop can maintain his conscience but my conscience and your consciences can be honored too. What this means is that another bishop, Scott Mayer of Fort Worth, who has no problem with Same Sex marriages, will oversee us in these matters. We will still be members of the Diocese of Dallas. We will be a part of our diocesan convention send our assessment to the Diocese of Dallas and in response to my specific question about finances, Bishop Sumner assured me that, “No, we will not have to pay extra money to the Diocese of Fort Worth because of this arrangement.” “So why,” you may ask, “Can’t we just join the Diocese of Fort Worth?” The church does not have a canonical way that this can happen. It’s complicated, but we are moving forward in a very positive direction. This is a time of celebration for us but I also want to say it is not a time for gloating. As I said in my statement earlier this week, I vow to continue being in relationship with those with whom I disagree, to build bridges and I hope you will join me in this effort. People have reached out to me from other points of view such as Carrie Headington whom you know is Canon for Evangelism in our Diocese and for the Presiding Bishop. She wrote, “I am thankful the church has made room for you to exercise your and your congregation’s desire to marry same-sex couples. Know you are in my heart and prayers as you live into this reality as a priest. Know that we are always one body of Jesus together. There have been many occasions when evangelizing people that I sent them to your congregation because I knew they would be embraced. Thank you for your witness. I look forward to more evangelism together in the days ahead.” Again Remember Paul’s words, “He is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall.” As we are fed at God’s table today as we go out with gratitude for being a part of God’s holy church I will leave you with my favorite Collect for the church.
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
