The church year is coming quickly to an end. Advent is just around the corner. This Sunday we celebrate the feast day of the parish, Christ the King.
Also, in the life of the parish this Sunday we conclude the pledge portion of our stewardship campaign, Notice Wonder, Called. It may feel that I’m talking about money a lot. As the priest in charge my talking, my writing is supposed to help us all grow in wisdom and understanding about God, out Jesus, our eternity, about sin, forgiveness, grace, love, hope and money. Not just commenting on how we spend it or how we share our resources or how we account for what is spent. There is a more important need for conversation or theological reflection about money in the very same way Jesus taught and preached about money. Even all these thousands of years later, money still stands in for God. The power it wields. The place and space it occupies. The impact it has not just the buying power, but the physic power it lords over us. Money continues to impact us far beyond just the value of the coins.
From early in the accounts of scripture we hear about call to God’s people to give offerings to God. We are called to give a sacrifice of thanksgiving. A familiar phrase that goes way back. Returning to God what is God's, not for the appeasement of God but so that our humility can be guarded, so that we remember whose we are. That we share the bounty, the abundance of God. What we call first fruits, this term is not used anyway else that I’m aware of.
Is the topic of stewardship worthy of devotion space? Well, the way I understand faith and love and Jesus and I’s say yes! I probably ought to devote more space to writing about how we steward God’s gifts and what we return to God.
I know this topic makes some uncomfortable. I have zero intention of guilt tripping anyone. I do have a very real responsible to speak about the commitment to nurture the world God provides and to return to God, to Christ Church as the body of Christ in the world, and to our neighbors, that which is God’s.
Without any reservations at all God calls us to be generous, to be grateful, to be open, and to love. We are called to engage in behaviors and actions that reflect and nurture generosity, gratefulness, and love. This includes giving to organizations that are at the center of those values, like the parish where we serve and worship. This parish is the very outward and visible sign of God's grace and beauty.
Giving is hard. It probably should be hard. If it isn’t hard then we m might be missing something. Missing what? – Well the challenge of the spiritual life for one. We as church, as the body of Christ face toward challenge, in scripture and in action, in prayer, in study. The words and actions of those holy people who have gone before us show us the way. The way is not easy. Are there joys? I pray yes, and there is comfort even in challenge.
Sheep and goats and gifts. Are there times when we have not acted as if Christ is in the room? I’m pretty sure that answer is yes. However beloved, this time around the block, we are noticing, and wondering about God’s call to us. We are listening together and responding; firm in faith and ready to answer the call to serve in body, mind, strength and soul fully.
I am honored to bless your commitments to this parish on Sunday.
Peace
Alison +
