January 26, 2025 ☩ The Third Sunday after The Epiphany
Jesus reads from the Scroll of Isaiah
Image generated by askgpt.app
on
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a & Luke 4:14-21
“Vocation: One Holy Goal, Many a Holy Path”
Today, is our annual meeting. We gather as a community to be sure our parish life is on track and to install new leaders to continue the work of the parish. This track, trajectory, or path that the church, in this parish community, is our common calling – our vocation together.
We also each have an individual calling. Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, tries to convey that there is no singular, perfect calling to which we all should strive toward. Paul knew that every member of the Body of Christ was bestowed different talents and heart-filled passions – those desires that draw one ever so close to God. Paul explained to the church at Corinth that just how a body functions, we are to function with our differing talents. Notably, he argues, we cannot place one as more important over others, because those that are thought of less will be lifted up.
To many of you, it is no surprise the universal Church is in need of clergy. Being ordained as a deacon or priest is not a path to which ALL should endeavor though. It is not the ONLY path toward most holy living. The most holy life is one that hears God’s call and lives into it and endeavors toward it. Holy living is knowing our vocation in our heart and using our minds to help guide us there.
Jesus was holy. The Gospel tells us in this passage today. Jesus stood up in a synagogue on the holy day, read from Holy Scripture, and proclaimed his adherence to his call to manifest the same grace as found in the book of Isaiah by God.
Allow me to translate Jesus’ embrace of his vocation.
Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” [Luke 4:18a] In other words: “God has put in my heart a desire, a true and holy calling. I recognize it and know it with clarity.”
Jesus continued: “He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” [Luke 4:18b-19] In other words, “God has sent me to restore the outcast, to instill wisdom in the close-minded, and to share the Good News of God’s mercy and grace.”
Then, Jesus puts the scroll away, took a breath, absorbed what these prophetic words meant in his soul, and acknowledged his personal calling with resolve and commitment, saying: “today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” [Luke 4:21]
Though the prophet Isaiah spoke these words about himself (in Isaiah 61), Jesus heard these words ring out from within his own heart as He spoke them. Isaiah understood and conveyed God’s grace in the light of hope of the restoration and rebuilding that was to come. Jesus also understood it, but could demonstrate it to the world in a much different way. They were called to the same mission of God, yet their vocation looked very different. One was a prophet who shouted to the crowds a message of hope. One was God Incarnate who demonstrated renewal of individuals and community. Jesus understood that being One, being in community, was a holy way to find and feel God’s grace.
Today, we gather as a community. We seek to find ways to bind ourselves, through our various talents, in the same mission to “proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Together, we form a holy community. Our annual meeting is one means by which we hold accountability to one another, keep all apprised of shifts in the nuances of management of the administration of the parish, and begin to reshape our goals toward the future based on the individual talents we posses and callings we have to join in this mission of Isaiah and Christ… the same one to which we are called, yet differently in how we embrace it.
Paul reminds us: “there are many members, yet one body.” [1 Corinthians 12:20] God has called us each in particular ways: “as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.” [1 Corinthians 12:18]
God calls us each, placing a unique holy passion in our hearts. Listen carefully for and to that feeling, for such a Spirit speaks in unique ways and leads to a holy path. Also, God calls us as a community. I believe there is something remarkably special about us, this group of people who are here right now – gathered in a hope and joy that only God could provide. Paul tells the Corinthians, and us: “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.” [1 Corinthians 12:26] Paul knows we are connected as One; we are in unity. In unity, our sorrows are divided and our joys multiplied!
I believe this congregation has been chosen in this time and place to face all challenges, all celebrations, all struggles, all joys together in the Sacramental life of the parish AND in the ministerial life of the parish. May we all hear our call by God and be ready to do as Jesus did, and stand up and claim our vocation beginning the ministry in the way God specially chose us and granted us the ability. Amen.
