Main
Who We Are
Anglican Identity
Upcoming Events
Links
Our Worship
Divine Office
Services
WOW
Homilies
Our Ministries
Prayer List
Lay Ministry Rota
The Servant
San Esteban
San Esteban
Search:
2 Chronicles 36:14-23, Ephesians 2:4-10, John 6:4-15
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, West Valley City, UT
The Rev. W. Lee Shaw
We come again to this period of relaxation of Lenten disciplines, Refreshment or Rose Sunday. And our readings offer a respite and some refreshment as well: the promise of a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, the affirmation of God's free gift of grace to us, and the feeding of 5,000 with the meager offering of two fish and five barley loaves by a young boy.
The Epistle to the Ephesians is a fascinating letter. Scholars still debate whether it is one of the so-called “authentic” letters of Paul or written by a disciple of Paul. One writer noted that it may have been a cover letter for a compilation of Paul's works since it covers so many themes found in the letters of Paul to the individual churches. In any case, it is a rich treasure of promise and affirmation for us even today, perhaps especially today.
Paul is as clear as he can be that what we have in the ministry and redeeming work of Jesus is no less than the unbounded love of God for humankind. That he “might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Paul is blunt and clear on the special nature of this saving act of God: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast.”
There is the Gospel according to Paul in one succinct sentence. It does not get much clearer than this. You have been given a gift, a gift of God called “grace.” Grace which is the saving act of God for you in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
When you receive a gift, it says more about the giver than it does about you the receiver. The giver of the gift has chosen it for you based on his or her view, affection, love and care for you. The gift is a sign of how the giver sees and cares for you. In such a case, what a wonderful view God must have of you, to give you the gift of grace.
Paul notes that we have been saved for God by grace “through faith.” I read this in a distinctive way given the nature of God recorded through Scripture. God made the covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the whole house of Israel through the faithfulness of God. It is a one sided covenant God has made with them. You just have to read the stories of their unfaithfulness, lack of integrity, immaturity, petty actions and sin, to recognize that it is God's faithfulness that is holding together the covenant with Israel. God remains faithful to Israel even when Israel is unfaithful to God.
I believe the same is true with us: it is God's faithfulness in us that is a sign of the gift of grace given in Jesus Christ. It is not what we have done, it is who we are in relationship to God that matters to God: his beloved creation. Anything we do is in response to the gift already given, not to earn or merit it, “that no one may boast.”
I live my life in faithfulness to God and love of others out of thanksgiving for what has already been promised and given in Christ Jesus for me, not to earn it or be worthy of it. That is the gift of grace Paul is writing about. My faith moves me closer to God, more aware of God's saving act, more attuned to the needs of others, and more aware of my own shortfalls. Through my faith I can see and appreciate this gift of grace so fully and undeservedly given me.
This gift is dramatically illustrated in the story from John's Gospel of the feeding of the 5,000. This is one story that is found in all of the Gospels, the feeding of the multitude. Jesus gives the gift of food to thousands of people with the simple offering of two fish and five barley loaves and with baskets overflowing with leftover food.
Such is the gift of grace to us: taking the meager offerings of our lives and giving us the promise of forgiveness of our sins and life in God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Grace!
Jesus drew the whole world to himself on the cross and in his resurrection promised us new life in God. Grace!
God gives to us out the bounty and generosity of the Divine will to bless and love us. Grace!
It is not who we are but rather who God is, that opens the door for our resurrection. Grace!
And God continues to feed us with the generous bounties of grace, not with fish and barley loaves, rather with the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.
We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.
May we evermore dwell in him and he in us. Grace!