Dear Friends,

The Sending of the Seventy

In Luke’s Gospel, chapter 10 verses 1-11, Jesus sends out “seventy others” (not the 12 apostles) to all the towns and villages where he himself was planning to go.  When they enter a village, they are not to move around from house to house, but to stay and enjoy food and fellowship with those who have welcomed them in.  Their task, says Jesus, is to proclaim that the Kingdom of God has come near, and to cure the sick in each of these places.   Above all, says Jesus, even if villagers do not welcome them, the seventy are to shake the dust off their feet and move on, while still announcing that “the Kingdom of God has come near to you.”

The Announcement of the Kingdom

Announcing the arrival of the Kingdom is the most important news that these messengers are to bring.  The Kingdom is revealed through relationships of mutual trust and respect, the kind that allow for fellowship and healing to take place.  News of the Kingdom will be rejected by many, and Jesus had no illusions otherwise.  But the Kingdom itself is durable.  Rejection of the message of the Kingdom does not render the Kingdom invalid.  Jesus says just wipe the dust off your feet and move on.  This would suggest that the Kingdom of God cannot be forced upon anyone, nor can it be brought about by arguing with someone, or by judging them to be unworthy for refusing to accept the message.  And, whether we’re talking about first-century Palestine or today, God’s Kingdom will always stand in opposition to a culture consumed with self-regard, with greed, and with power.   

Why do you think Jesus got into trouble with the authorities? 

He wasn’t organizing mass protests against the Romans, and he certainly didn’t lead the revolution that many assumed that he would.  Rather, his whole life was a witness to the TRUTH that God’s Kingdom is different from all the other kingdoms of this world.  And this particular truth will always be perceived as a threat by the powers and principalities among which we live.  To participate in the reality of God’s Kingdom means that our very lives will stand in opposition to everything that opposes God’s will.

Waving the flag or marching in protest

Whether you feel called to stand on a street corner and wave the American flag, or join a march in protest against the government’s policies, we are all citizens of God’s Kingdom, and as such, we are Kingdom representatives in everything we do.  The members of this parish have a wide variety of views about what’s happening in our country, and I do not perceive that as a problem to be solved.  To insist that we all think the same way or act the same way is not what the Kingdom is about.  Instead, we should be encouraging each other and setting an example for how to make a Kingdom difference in the lives of others.

What is my job as your priest?

As your priest, I expect each of you to make wise and faithful decisions about voting, about public policy, and about your responsibility to proclaim the Kingdom in all that you do.  It is my job to remind you that we are all citizens of the Kingdom of God by virtue of our baptism, and that the Baptismal Covenant should inform the ways in which you live as a faithful witness to God’s Kingdom (look at pages 304 and 305 in your Book of Common Prayer). 

What is the mission of the Church?

The Church does not come together to argue things out, or to throw stones at those whom we think are the outsiders, or to pat ourselves on the back for being right.  The Church gathers all of its members Sunday after Sunday to worship God, to seek insight from the Scriptures, to be fed with the bread of life and cup of salvation, and to be dismissed to go into the world – in peace – to love and serve the Lord in EVERYTHING that we do.  This parish offers special opportunities to put this love into action, specifically, by donating an item for those who receive services from LINC; signing up to serve at our Laundry Love locations; enjoying fellowship with those who come to our Third Tuesday luncheons; and supporting the work of Episcopal City Mission.

But don’t forget!

Just as important is the hospitality of the Kingdom that we offer to one another and to visitors at coffee hour; and by our ongoing participation in the prayers of the church, whether individually or by joining in the online prayer services that are offered throughout the week.  Of course, the work of the Kingdom is not confined to these ministries, and I know many of you have found unique ways to share God’s love in your own families, with your neighbors, and on behalf of those whom you might never meet.  When we do these things faithfully and selflessly, we are proclaiming that God’s Kingdom has come near. 

Faithfully yours,
Lu-Anne