Sermon for January 26, 2020 - Epiphany 3 - The Ven Pat Zifcak

A week ago, when I was on retreat with the Deacons, we videotaped their surroundings and the start of Evening Prayer for a new video to be used at the Ministry Discernment Conference next Saturday.  Several people, including members of the COM,  were asked to respond to questions about discernment since that was the subject of the video.  I have not seen their responses but because I could have been asked to respond to the same questions, I spent some time thinking about how I might answer questions about discernment.  Given our readings this morning, the Conference, those traveling with Jeff in the Holy Land, and recent conversations with two Deacons in formation, I feel particularly drawn to the story of Paul, to his response to his experience on the Damascus Road, and to his immediate and complete conversion.

There is no doubt that Paul had a conversion experience on the road to Damascus.  A radical reversal occurred through the divine intervention of Jesus speaking to him in his own language and calling him by his given name.  Paul was on his way to Damascus by the authority of the chief priests perhaps to give testimony against those who followed Jesus and to cast a vote for their persecution and death.  We know from his account of this experience that he and those traveling with him fell to the ground in the glow of a light shining brighter than the sun.  All fell, all were touched by the same bright light, yet it was Saul who heard the question and asked one of his own.  “Who are you, Lord?”

That question is foundational to Paul’s conversion.  He was called into a relationship with Jesus that he could not deny or resist.  In an instant, he knew that God had set him apart and he did not seek confirmation or approval.  He knew that he had been called and that his life had been changed.  And when he tells his story, which he does to King Agrippa,  and when he preaches to the gentiles, he begins with his earlier life of violent persecution against the followers of Jesus.  His past gives power to his story of call.

Paul was knocked to the ground and Jesus said, “Stand up”.  There is nothing gentle in this interaction.  There is no choice to stand.  The apostles, too, in the gospel this morning are not given a choice to go.  Jesus says, “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves;....”. There is a promise, though.  I will rescue you.  “The one who endures to the end will be saved.”

I have thought a lot about Jeff’s sermon on the morning that Hugo was baptized.  It was such a reminder of the relationship with Jesus that each of us begins at our baptism.  It was a reminder that although we are a hierarchical church, we are making a mistake if we think from the top down.  As Bishop Tom often said, “I have very little authority.  I can advise.”  The work of priests is to gather the body of Christ in a particular place; the work of Deacons is to encourage lay leadership for mission.  Who is to be gathered and who is to be sent if not each of you?  Will you dare to stand up when Jesus calls you?  Will you dare to share your story and ask your questions?  Will you make Jesus known to Hugo through your words and actions?  Will you pray about the way in which Jesus is calling you to serve the church and the world?  You may not be knocked to the ground, you may not hear the voice of God calling you but by your baptism you are called to gather and to send, to make Christ known through your willingness to serve others, to stand for, to stand with, to stand beside all who need your belief, your strength, your courage.

Paul needed to be toppled before he could stand.  But did Simon and Andrew or James and John?  Jesus said, “follow me” and immediately they left their nets and followed him.  We are all called but not to the same ministry and not in the same way.  That is the work of discernment. Sometimes a call begins in us and we test it in conversation with family and friends, even our priest.  Sometimes the faith community we are part of begins to wonder if we might be called and they share their question with us.  Although we might know suddenly that our relationship with God has changed, discernment is life-long. 

Epiphany, in our common usage, means to shed light upon something once hidden or to understand something in a new way.  Isn’t it then the perfect season to pray the question, “Who are you, Lord?”  or “What, Lord, do you require of me?” or “Speak Lord, I am listening.”  Wherever you begin, God will join you there.  Standing, gathering, sending, following, believing, asking, answering, praying- all action words.  Jesus says, “I am sending you!”  Our response?  “Yes, Lord.”