To Be a Christian

Second century theologian Tertullian reports this pagan comment on the early Christian community - “Look how they love one another and how they are ready to die for each other.”

The Christian virtues of compassion and service and self-sacrifice were not shared with the pagan culture. To do for those who were of lesser status, to do for those who could not reciprocate, to give without expectation of return did not have merit in the pagan world. Rather, that pagan world was about self-aggrandizement and honor seeking. No self respecting pagan would seek to humble themselves or give themselves for the sake of another. It was those odd and hard to fathom Christians who did the unthinkable and who upset the social order by giving without consideration for who was receiving and what might be gained. They associated with the poor, the sick, slaves, and all manner of nobodies. Interestingly, some wealthy folk found the Christian way to be attractive. It was a different, more virtuous way for them.

Sociologist of religion Rodney Stark has published a number of studies about the early church. He has made note of this different ethic of the early church. What he found is perhaps surprising but also a source of great hope and inspiration for us at this time in our history. According to Stark, Christians had a higher survival rate during the periodic epidemics that affected the Roman Empire. When the plagues made their way through the pagan world, the right thing in the pagan mind was to seek what was beneficial to oneself. If you were wealthy, that probably meant that you would separate yourself from the world behind walls and gates, keeping your treasure for yourself while the sick and the poor died in the street. Other wealthy people would flee to a country home and wait out the plague.

It was the Christian who lived differently. They would care for the sick, both family and stranger, rather than shun them. It seems that the sharing of love, the sharing of nutrition, the practice of caring for others, and prayer actually lowered the mortality among Christians. To be a Christian is to live differently as Christ showed us and commanded us to live, not just in the happy and safe times but also in times of crisis. Each in their own way must figure out how they are called to do this.

One lesson we take from this is that prayer matters. While not all can go out and help others, and some certainly should not, all can pray. Prayer matters. Science has shown that and I happen to believe in science as well as the power of God. So, be different and be like the Christians of the early church. Pray expectantly for the sick and for those out serving others, and know that you are making a real difference with your prayers.

Grace and peace,
Fr. Bill+

Last Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

The Old Testament:
Exodus 24:12-18

The Response: 
Psalm 2

The Epistle:
2 Peter 1:16-21

The Gospel:
Matthew 17:1-9

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

The Old Testament:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20

The Response: 
Psalm 119:1-8

The Epistle:
1 Corinthians 3:1-9

The Gospel:
Matthew 5:21-37

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 

Amen.

The Old Testament:
Isaiah 58:1-9a, [9b-12]

The Response: 
Psalm 112:1-9, (10)

The Epistle:
1 Corinthians 2:1-12, [13-16]

The Gospel:
Matthew 5:13-20

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fr. Bill Breedlove

The Presentation of Our Lord

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 

Amen.

The Old Testament:
Malachi 3:1-4

The Response: 
Psalm 84

The New Testament:
Hebrews 2:14-18

The Gospel:
Luke 2:22-40

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

The Old Testament:
Isaiah 9:1-4

The Response: 
Psalm 27:1, 5-13

The Epistle:
1 Corinthians 1:10-18

The Gospel:
Matthew 4:12-23

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fr. Bill Breedlove

First Sunday after Christmas

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Old Testament:
Isaiah 61:10-62:3

The Response: 
Psalm 147

The New Testament:
Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

The Gospel:
John 1:1-18

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Third Sunday of Advent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. 

Amen.

The Old Testament:
Isaiah 35:1-10

The Response: 
Psalm 146:4-9

The Epistle:
James 5:7-10

The Gospel:
Matthew 11:2-11

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Second Sunday of Advent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 

Amen.

The Old Testament:
Isaiah 11:1-10

The Response: 
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

The Epistle:
Romans 15:4-13

The Gospel:
Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fr. Bill Breedlove

First Sunday of Advent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 

Amen.

The Old Testament:
Isaiah 2:1-5

The Response: 
Psalm 122

The Epistle:
Romans 13:11-14

The Gospel:
Matthew 24:36-44

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Fr. Bill Breedlove