The Rev. C. Allen Spicer, Chaplain
The Corporation for the Relief of Widows and Children of the Clergy
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Maryland
July 31, 2016
July 31, 2016
Good Morning to you good people of the Church of the Good Shepherd.
What a pleasure it is for me to share the leadership of
worship this morning with your new Deacon, Jessica. As the Chaplain of the Clergy and their
families, I always rejoice in opportunities to get to know our clergy in this
wonderful Diocese of Maryland.
Today we have a Gospel lesson, which can raise some
interesting challenges for our lives.
The questions are particularly relevant for our lives right
now! One of the questions that comes up
constantly is: What is security? How can
I feel secure in a world that is seemingly so insecure? For Americans, we were used to wars and
hostilities taking place in other places.
NOW terrorism is an everlasting presence in our midst. People begin to feel insecure and untrusting
– some are afraid and become overprotective.
One lesson today challenges us to realize that no earthly thing
will ultimately protect us – that God alone is our protector. We are vulnerable people and no barrier that
we can erect will ultimately save us.
(on a personal note, when I was preparing this sermon I received an
email telling of vandalism in my neighborhood the night before.) Then, on this past Friday, our neighbor
church, Trinity Church in Towson, was the recipient of vandalism during the
day, we are grateful no one was injured.When negative events occur in our midst
we are challenged to respond and we are tested in the way that we do respond.
A few years back, I was the associate Rector of the Church of the Holy Comforter, Lutherville. I was delighted to be involved with the youth work of the parish (despite my age) and each year we had a Youth Conference at the Bishop Claggett Center, which included many of the Episcopal Parishes in the area, including Good Shepherd. At one of the most memorable conferences, during the recession in 2009, the theme was ‘What is enough?’. As the small group adult leader for the young people 16-18 years old, the discussion centered on the highest priorities in their life and what they could most easily sacrifice if that became necessary. As Christian young people, what did they most need in their lives – what was most essential? THEIR FRIENDS ranked high above even some of the costliest items in their family budgets. The point is we need community; we need the community of love that we share together – the community gathered by the Holy Spirit.
A few years back, I was the associate Rector of the Church of the Holy Comforter, Lutherville. I was delighted to be involved with the youth work of the parish (despite my age) and each year we had a Youth Conference at the Bishop Claggett Center, which included many of the Episcopal Parishes in the area, including Good Shepherd. At one of the most memorable conferences, during the recession in 2009, the theme was ‘What is enough?’. As the small group adult leader for the young people 16-18 years old, the discussion centered on the highest priorities in their life and what they could most easily sacrifice if that became necessary. As Christian young people, what did they most need in their lives – what was most essential? THEIR FRIENDS ranked high above even some of the costliest items in their family budgets. The point is we need community; we need the community of love that we share together – the community gathered by the Holy Spirit.
My life has been blessed by being around young people - I
have received more from them than I have given them. We have spent time struggling together to
contribute to the world what God call us to do.
They have taught me that it is more blessed to give that it is to
receive, but it is also blessed to receive in a gracious manner. We often forget the second part and thereby
miss out on so much.
When I was in the Diocese of Easton and Director of Camp Wright, a companion relationship formed with the Diocese of Antigua. As the discussion moved along – they sought some funds from us to do several projects, but they asked, what possibly could we do for you – we have so little? My reply was, you could send a seminarian to work at Camp Wright for the summer. It turned out the blessings we received from this over those many summers were far greater than what we gave to them. In fact, one of those seminarians is a Priest in our Diocese and Rector of St. Katharine of Alexandria, a church in Baltimore City; and, I will be supplying there in a few weeks.
I see the demand of young minds and hearts and while reading
an article recently about the new face of church in the 21st
century. Evangelism begins by being
God’s hands and feet – showing the Good News before telling the story. Joining the Mission and come to know the Lord
in the midst of fellowship. So, what you
have is 1. Do service, 2. Build relationships and while doing this 3. Receive
The Grace of God leading to 4. Worshipping in Thanksgiving.
I admire wealthy people who sponsor great works which
contribute to the spread of the Kingdom of God.
The Gospel lesson speaks of greed and selfishness – I like to dwell on
this subject in a more positive way by speaking of the great people who take
generosity to the center of their life.
When our earthly lives come to an end, what would we like to be known
for? What is our legacy?
So, we are wealthy in various kinds of ways –when we are
wealthy and a sharer – the blessings we give multiply all around in the lives
of untold people and ourselves.
Share the wealth, share the love – be a blessing to every
life you touch!
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