Eager Anticipation

There is a buzz building for this Sunday at St. John's.

It has nothing to do with the lessons, or a particularly stellar offertory anthem from the choir. It is all about the arrival of Father David Killeen as the new priest-in-charge. Father Dave comes to us from St. Mark's in Jacksonville. Apparently, his church there is very sorry to be losing this associate. That's a positive sign, I think.

Fr. Dave is now the fifth leader of our parish in five years. That's not taking into account the times when the Bishop has been the priest, or the other clergy that have come and gone during this period. It's been trying, to say the least. There's been anger, confusion, and feelings of betrayal stemming from the ultimate betrayal that came with "the split" back in October 2005. But there is still good news in all of this. Last Sunday, as the schools and universities were about to start up again, the church was full for the 10am service. There were people of all ages, and appearances. Clearly, this is not a church ready to close its doors.

Both the Hebrews and Luke gospel have good messages to greet our new priest, his family, and any more newcomers. In Luke, Jesus has gone for a meal at the home of a Pharisee and takes note of how people are choosing their seats at the table. He tells them a parable in which he explains that one should take a seat at the end of the table until their host invites them to move up a seat or two.

He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." --Luke 14: 12-14

Couple this gospel with the Hebrews:

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. --Hebrews 13: 1-3

With all the new people coming in, and especially a new priest, it serves the people of St. John's to remember that we are to welcome all equally. There is great anticipation about Fr. Dave, and we should be as enthusiastic about all new people coming in our building. To be a radically welcoming church is to imitate the love God displayed to us through Jesus Christ.

These lessons also serve as a good reminder about our treatment of the people who make use of steps and our benches to take the weight off their homeless feet. People who are living on the street, for whatever reason, need our compassion more than our suspicion. This is an area where we at St. John's could do better. Is it really too much to ask that we give a glass of water, or a cup of coffee to a person who has nothing? Are we really that different from the man who finds himself in a prison of financial trouble that has forced him to live on the street?

My hope is that Father Dave will continue to guide us toward God and the love of God for all who are part of God's creation. That will make his ministry with us successful.