Almighty
God, as you know, today is my last Sunday serving as a priest at St. Francis.
Prayer is always a fitting response in times of transition, so what better way
to spend this final time in the pulpit than in prayer? Today's reading from
Genesis isn't quite about a departure, but rather a reunion between Joseph and
his brothers who assumed that he was dead. Now, Lord, I know some of us
complain about our families, but you sure did have your work cut out for you
with this one. Those brothers wanted to kill Joseph, but Reuben convinces them
to instead sell him into slavery. Well, as you would have it, Joseph rose
through the ranks of Pharaoh's courts and became his right-hand man. When there
was a famine in the land, and Joseph had instructed Pharaoh to build up a stock
of extra food, his brothers journey from Canaan. Instead of telling his
brothers who he is, he hides his identity and accuses them of being spies. As
we heard today, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and the family rejoices
for being brought back together. That day, the emotions ran deep.
Though
today, it is goodbye that is on my mind, there is, similarly, a deep well of
emotions. There is a sense of loss, as my priestly and pastoral ministry with
these good people at St. Francis comes to an end. I will deeply miss them. We
have held each other in prayer over the past four years. We have been with each
other through the highs and lows of life. We have come to trust and love each
other. And so as I leave this parish, I am aware of the hole which will be
left. I pray that you fill it with grace and fondness of memories. I am glad
that I will still be serving in the Diocese and will have occasion to stay
connected through our common life together.
However
it is gratitude that is the most profound emotion today. Thank you, Lord, for
the four years that I've had at St. Francis. In July 2010, you led me to search
for a new call and brought me to St. Francis; and what a four years they have
been. The years didn't quite play out the way that any of us could have ever
imagined; but then again, when we follow your Son, Jesus, we should expect to
be surprised. I am grateful for the time in Greensboro and at this parish. It
has been our home, it is the city where our daughter was born and the parish in
which she was baptized.
I
so appreciate the people of St. Francis. Each person we encounter, since they
are made in your image, gives us a further glimpse into the fullness of who you
are. In each Franciscan, I have caught a glimpse of the Creator of all that is,
and I am so thankful for those relationships. I appreciate the friendships that
have been formed, for the support that this parish has given me, and for their
receptivity to my teaching and preaching. When things got intense a few years
ago, the congregation thanked me by giving me the opportunity to go on a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land- a wonderful experience that I will always
treasure. I have grown as a priest and a person because of my ministry here and
the relationships with so many Franciscans, and it is for those reasons that
gratitude is the strongest emotion today.
But
again, last summer, O Lord, you began to plant the seed for a new call and
helped me to discern that the time was right to begin searching for another
call. I thank you for what you taught me about myself and your Church through
that process. We are excited and grateful for the call to St. Luke's.
In
these past four years, over and over again, I have seen the lesson from today's
gospel reading expressed. That Canaanite woman had likely heard about what
happened a bit earlier in the narrative, about the loaves and fish and how
everyone ate their fill, and even had leftovers. She was at the end of her
rope, and so she approached Jesus and asked for help, just wanting some of
those leftover crumbs. She believed that in God, there is always enough. This
is something I always try to keep in focus, but also try to relay in my
preaching. God, you love each of us as if there were no one else to love, and
all of us as if we were but one. Thank you for your endless supply of love, I
pray that we might always be aware of that love at the very core of our
identity. The woman, even though she was perceived as an outsider, had a sense
that God would provide out of that abundance. Thank you for all of those
moments at St. Francis where you have blessed us with your grace.
And,
O God, I do ask that you continue to bless St. Francis and its mission. The
Canaanite woman had to muster up a lot of courage to approach Jesus, but she
did not stop when she was initially dismissed and told "I was sent only to
the lost sheep of the house of Israel.... It is not fair to take the children's
food and throw it to the dogs." What an example of persistence! I pray
that that same spirit of perseverance might be granted to the people of St.
Francis as they seek to do your will.
It
is interesting that, unlike many who approach Jesus, including Peter when he
was sinking after walking on the water in last Sunday's reading, this woman
does not ask Jesus to save her, but rather to help her. Perhaps she doesn't
think that salvation is for her, or perhaps she knows that before she can be
saved, that she first needs help. St. Francis continues to explore a capital
campaign. Help them in that effort, especially toward the end of it brining
glory to you. Help St. Francis to celebrate the joys of life, and be with them
in the struggles. As I've often said, what you give us, Lord, is maximum
support with minimum protection. So I pray that you continue to be with them,
and that your presence is known.
Help
and guide St. Francis in ministry. I had the joy, honor, and privilege to lead
the Christian Formation, Stewardship, Evangelism, Welcome, and Youth programs
in my four years here. These ministries are full of wonderful people with good
hearts, and I sincerely hope that they continue to thrive: help them to do so.
And also help the staff of which I have been a part. Give them joy in their
work, courage in their proclamation of your Truth and love, and passion for the
calls that you have given to them.
Sometimes,
people have trouble with this particular passage from the gospel. They don't
like the view they get of you, God. It seems that Jesus is not only rather
harsh, but that he is wrong and misunderstands his mission, as he changes his
mind about offering help to this woman. You often challenge us and push us
further than we would like to go. In this reading, we see that boundaries are
always being pushed when we become your disciples. But doing so takes courage,
and it also takes community. Give to us all the ability to take a hard look in
the mirror and the fortitude to rise to meet those opportunities that you give us.
One such opportunity will be the next stewardship campaign. The theme will be
that of gratitude, and so I pray that we might be aware of all the ways in
which you bless and sustain us. As I have often said, money is a very powerful
tool, and the only way to prevent this powerful tool from having power over us
is to exercise our control over it by giving it away. Bless the work of the
Stewardship Committee in the coming months as they will work to enable St.
Francis to more fully respond to its call to ministry.
But
we also need each other to do this work of growing more fully into the example
of Jesus. Continue to strengthen the bonds of fellowship at St. Francis. When
conflicts arise, let the power of sharing in a meal together around your altar
recharge and reunite them. When life seems to be full of too many obstacles,
let that bread and wine nourish all of our bodies and souls.
When
in the person of Jesus, you came to earth and most fully showed us your love
and taught us, you said that "the Kingdom of God is among you." This
has been the cornerstone of my theology, preaching, and ministry. The dream
that you have for each of us, and for all of us together, is a present possibility.
In each moment, with each decision, we can further your Kingdom on earth as it
is in heaven. As the patron for this parish prayed, "Lord, make us
instruments of your peace." That is, help us to further your mission and
your Kingdom.
Bless
the people of St. Francis. Bless Tyler, Ellie, and I as we move to Salisbury.
Help us to say goodbye. Bless the people of St. Luke's, and help us as we join
that community. Glory to God who, working in us, can do infinitely more than we
can ask or imagine. Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church,
and in Christ Jesus our Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
