St John Chrysostom
May 14, 2017
All the lessons contain language of direction and focus. In Acts, Stephen focuses his eyes toward heaven and sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The Psalmist shows his focus also being on the Lord, the rock of refuge. Second Peter talks about that as we come to the Lord, the Lord being our destination and focus. And finally, the gospel lesson shows how the Father’s house is our destination both now and forever. Moreover, we see the means by which we are to get to where we desire to go in the words that Jesus says: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”
These passages reveal something about humanity, that we all desire some sort good life. That is, we see the world around us, seeing its beauty we realize that there is something horribly wrong and broken. We all want peace and harmony in relationships, commerce, and politics. That is the cry of the psalmist who says, “Let me not be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me and rescue me!” Jesus shows the end vision that this deliverance comes from God the Father. That vision is what we are to align ourselves with in order we might see the effects of peace in the world here and now. [Pause]
Not only do we align ourselves with the divine reality that Jesus and the Father are one, but we are to become like Christ is. Jesus gets at this in the following conversation with the disciples in verse 9 and following. Philip asks him to show them the Father and Jesus responds by saying how if they have seen him that they have also seen the Father. For Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. And he is the head of the body, which is the church. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.[1]
This work of reconciling all things to God is what Jesus is presently occupied with and we are to join in on that work as ones sent by God. In essence, we are to be Christ to those whom we interact with on a daily basis. So in focusing on the end destination of the Father’s house, which is a house of peace, we not only align ourselves with the truth but we become the truth, showing others how to get to where they truly want to go.
This focus on the end goal is not only a future hope but also a present reality in our lives. Being on both the evangelism and equipping the saints committee, I’d like to wear both hats and cast this vision of who we are to be here in Delafield and Oconomowoc. The present reality is that we are to be a place of refuge and strength, as the Psalmist desires. Using the transitive principle, if God is the source of safety, and Jesus is one with the Father, and we the church are his body, then we are to be present place of peace. [Pause]
In the words of 1 Peter, as we come to the Father, who is our focus, we are being made into this spiritual house from where peace and love is derived. And as Fr. Cunningham is the priest here at the altar administering the body and blood of Christ, so are you to be priests among your coworkers and neighbors offering to them the grace and peace that has been given to you.
This fixed gaze that we have on the father allows us to live into the reality of being the body of Christ. This shift in focus will fundamentally change us into the body of Christ, that is, we will change but it is conditioned on your willingness to focus on the Father through the Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life. This change might not always be so attractive, for the way is difficult but it will invariably and inevitably lead to life and freedom. [Pause]
We know that the way is difficult because of the narrative in Acts. The story of Stephen involves him preaching the way to the Father through Jesus Christ and him being killed because of it. Although we do not face the same opposition here and now, it could one day be a reality. The story of Stephen gives us hope in the work that we are to do in the name of Father because we see a Stephen peaceful passing into the arms of the Father. Stephen looked up to heaven to Jesus, not sitting as the Father is, but standing in anticipation of the work that Stephen is doing in His name. Jesus’ standing posture is that of eagerness to receive Stephen’s spirit. For Stephen will say the same words as the Psalmist, though in a slightly different tone of voice, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And wanting nothing more than love for his persecutors, he bids the Lord not to hold this sin against them!
That is the power that comes from making the Father’s house our focus and final destination. When we make that Altar of God our focus we alter our way of living in a way that we become that which we desire and long for. The more we focus on the nature of God, everything else falls into place by giving us the ability to endure any trial and hardship. In enduring hardship we show by our attitudes and actions that there is something worth living for both now and in the future. In showing others our joy; we then are able to engage in conversation that there is something fundamentally different with us. That is, we are as Christ is, focused on God the Father.
Amen
[1] Col. 1:15-20