Readings
for Trinity Sunday C
June 6, 2004
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino,
CA
1st reading: A reading from the Book of Samuel 1:1-11: There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
Now this man used to go up year by year from his town to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?"
After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the LORD. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: "O LORD of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head." This is the word of the Lord!
Deprivation seems to be part and parcel of the human condition. There are certain things we want in life and yet we are often denied them. Unfortunately, we often become obsessed with our deprivation and allow it to sap our joy, close our eyes to the blessing that we do have, and wallow in our sadness. Deprivation can take many forms. Some feel deprived of growing up in a loving home. Others have been deprived of health. Still others have been deprived of an opportunity to marry, to work in the vocation of their choice, or to have a good education.
In the first chapter of the book of Samuel, we hear about the pain of deprivation within the context of 11th century BCE Israel. We meet the family of Elkanah and his two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. The tension in this family drama comes from the barrenness of Hannah. Peninnah had children, Hannah did not. And although Elkanah loved Hannah and treated her with special kindness and generosity, this kindness was overshadowed by the taunts of the other wife who provoked Hannah for her childlessness. Her husband responds to this provocation by giving Hannah a double portion of the meat that is sacrificed during the yearly pilgrimage to Shiloh. But this does nothing to reduce her tears of grief.
One cannot underestimate the deprivation of being able to have a child in 11th century Israel. Barrenness was considered the greatest misfortune that a woman could face because wives were valued only when they bore children. However, in this case, Elkanah loved Hannah and tried to convince her that his love was greater than ten sons. But Hannah wanted what she wanted. She could not see the blessings that she did have and allowed her state of deprivation to turn into dejection. Later, as she brought her deepest desire to God in prayer, the local priest saw her lips moving but heard no words. He took Hannah to be drunk and scolded her. It seemed as if no human person could understand her pain.
While this story ends with a gift of grace, I wonder how different those years of barrenness could have been for Hannah if she had had someone to talk to and to share her pain with. Her husband, the priest, and the other wife were unable to understand her pain. I wonder how different those years of barrenness could have been for Hannah if she had had a Stephen Minister to talk to. No, a Stephen minister could not make her fertile nor could a Stephen Minister stop the taunting. But a Stephen Minister could enter into her world of pain and offer a healing presence of hope and caring. While deprivation may be part and parcel of the human condition, there are support systems that can prevent deprivation from sapping our joy and prevent us from wallowing in sadness and dejection.
Today, we celebrate such a support system of healing here at St. Jude's. Bert McMahon is about to be commissioned into a special ministry of care and concern for others as a Stephen Minister. A Stephen Minister is responsive to the needs of others, a friend to those who grieve. A Stephen Minister is a patient listener in a hurried world and a healer of divisions. I ask you to support Bert and all our Stephen Ministers to be effective servants of Christ. I ask you that when necessary, to call upon a Stephen Minister to help you as you face struggles in your own life.
Let us pray: God the Father, You have created this world in all of its beauty and complexity. We do not fully understand the mind of God. We do not fully understand why there is suffering and deprivation in the world. And yet we hold onto hope in the face of darkness because your will for all people is health and salvation. Increase our faith in your loving providence, that our sadness may be turned into joy and our pain into peace. Bless Bert McMahon and all of our Stephen Ministers who have dedicated themselves to bring hope and light to those who suffer from deprivation and loss. Amen.
2nd reading: A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 20:29-34: As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!" Jesus stood still and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you?" They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him. This is the word of the Lord!
Human beings were created to enjoy creation and to care for it in accordance with God's purpose. In regards to human life, this means that all people are worthy of respect and honor because we were all created in the image of God. [BCP 846] Unfortunately, because of severe adversity or even because of everyday struggles, many people feel cut off from the world and do not enjoy life. They wake up every morning, grumpy, cynical,- often times with feeling of unworthiness. There are many situations in life that can cause this alienation from the world. They may include depression or cynicism, isolation from others, chronic pain, severe disappointment, or even being "different" and walking to another beat.
In today's reading from the gospel of Matthew, two blind men are sitting by the roadside, desperate to regain their sight so that they can be reconnected to the world. The difficulties with being blind in 1st century Palestine can not be underestimated, especially among the poor. Blindness would prevent a person from getting married, having children, and being able to work for a living. Thus, a blind person would be reduced to begging, being viewed as a sinner who had been cursed by God, and thus ostracized from society. Blindness was a common ailment in the desert regions of the world. The most widespread condition was ophthalmia, a severe form of conjunctivitis that could also affect the internal structures of the eye. This highly contagious disease was frequently transmitted by flies, aggravated by the glare of the sun, and irritated by dust-laden winds. While there were some ointments available to help with diseases of the eyes, most poor people did not have access to such medical care. It was into this context that Jesus heard the cries of two blind men. Unlike the hardened crowd who told the blind men to "shut up" when they cried out for help, Jesus heard them and had compassion upon them. He took time out of his busy day to minister to those who walked in darkness- both physical darkness and spiritual darkness. Having incredible gifts of healing, he was able to heal those who could not see.
Today, we are blessed with incredible advancements in medicine when it comes to treating diseases of the eye. There are surgeries that can cure cataracts, near-sightedness, and detached retinas. There are medicines that can cure all types of infections. Unfortunately not all people in this world have access to such medical care and there is a limit to what surgery can do. Just ask those who are suffering from advanced diabetes or macular degeneration.
Whether it is physical blindness, spiritual blindness, or other forms of alienation, there are millions of people on this planet who feel cut off from this world. Some of these people are in our own parish. Instead of ignoring them or telling them to stop their whining, Jesus calls on us to show compassion by ministering to their needs.
Let us pray: God the Son, you came that we might have life and might have it more abundantly. Teach us to use the gifts you have given us for the service of others. Fill our hearts with a special compassion for the sick, the poor, and the ostracized. Grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured or disabled, that they may be made whole. Grant to all who seek your guidance, and to all who are lonely, anxious, or despondent, a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence. Bless physicians, nurses, Stephen Ministers, and all others who minister to the suffering, granting them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience. Amen.
3rd Reading: A reading from the Letter of James 5:13-16: Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. This is the word of the Lord!
The spiritual health of a faith community is measured by the way it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members. This is counterintuitive to the logic of the world which is to isolate the sick from the healthy and to recoil from sickness in order to protect oneself. In today's reading from the book of James, we are shown what a community of faith looks like that is governed by the spirit of Christ and the law of love. In this kind of community, the values of competition and success, give way to sacrifice, personal risk taking, and caring for those who can not help us in achieving our own personal goals. James does not believe that the sick should only turn to the medical community for help. Instead, he encourages church communities to be part and parcel of the healing process.
He calls on those who suffer to pray. While prayer does not always fix a medical condition, prayer connects us to the ultimate source of healing and wholeness. Prayer can change our attitude, give us strength, and offer us hope in the face of darkness. Those who are sick are to call for the elders of the church for assistance. In our tradition here at St. Jude's, we offer ministrations to the sick through the ministry of presence and listening, daily prayer, the laying on of hands, the anointing of oil, the distribution of Holy Communion, and the Sacrament of reconciliation. The ministers that perform these acts of grace include Stephen ministers, covenant groups, the prayer chain, Lay Eucharistic visitors, the clergy, and "the good samaritans" who bring food and offer rides to the homebound.
In the past year, we have had many personal family crises here at St. Jude's. I am touched by the response of the lay people of this parish. Those who were closest to the 'injured' reached out with time, care, money, and prayers, to help those families get over the crisis. If the spiritual health of a faith community is measured by the way it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members, then I would say we are healthy indeed. I encourage you to continue your acts of mercy and to take the time to find out and minister to those who need a helping hand.
Let us pray: God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence. Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional distress to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit. Grant to the dying peace and a holy death, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved. Accept the fervent prayers of your people and look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help. Amen.
4th Reading: A reading from the Gospel According to St. John 16:12-15: Jesus said to his disciples: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. This is the word of the Lord!
If the revelation of God is lodged in the incarnation (i.e. the person of Jesus), what happens when Jesus is gone? Was Jesus' revelation of God possible for only the 1st generation of people who were there? Today's reading from the gospel of John links the historical ministry of Jesus with the future life of the church by introducing the theology of the paraclete. The paraclete is defined as the "helper, advocate, comforter, the spirit of truth," who allows fresh encounters with the words of Jesus and a powerful experience of God. Through this spirit of God that resides in each one of us, we are led into all truth and enabled to grow into the likeness of Christ. In fact, because of the activity of the paraclete, some people have stronger experiences of Christ today, than did those in earlier generations.
Today is Trinity Sunday. It is the Sunday when we declare the fullness of God operating in our world. We celebrate God who created the universe. We celebrate God who revealed himself in the person of Christ, who showed us how to be fully human. We celebrate the Holy Spirit of God, who lives within us, sanctifying and transforming us into the people God wills for us to be. What an incredible, mature, and expansive understanding of the being of God! As part of any healing ministry, it is our charge to teach others about this wondrous God and of the good news revealed in Christ.
Remember, if there is a problem with the body, you can be sure that the mind and spirit are also affected. This is why secular medical care is limited in scope. It does not address the full human being. That is where the spiritual aspect of healing comes in. By encouraging people to turn their heart, mind, body, and soul towards God, full healing is made possible. The power of the Holy Spirit working within us can do far more that we can ever hope or imagine on our own. It is my hope that the people of St. Jude's will begin to treasure their faith as a precious gift. It is my hope that they will begin to overcome their hesitancy in sharing their faith as an extension of their outreach ministry to those who are suffering. Grace is Christianity's best gift to the world. Do not hide this gift under a bushel basket but rather let the light shine on those who walk in darkness.
Let us pray: Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being. Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in the nation, and in the world. Send your blessing on all who are sick and upon those who minister to them. For you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
| Updated 6/7/04 |
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