The Word of the Lord

One of the professional challenges for clergy when doing weddings and funerals is that they invariably include non-Episcopalians. And that means that not everyone in attendance automatically knows how things "ought to be done"—either in the Episcopal Church in general, or more specifically here at St. Patrick’s. Overall, it’s a healthy challenge to be reminded of the need to ensure that worship be accessible and meaningful to people who may not be "professionals" with the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.

One seemingly minor area in which this issue arises is in the introduction and conclusion of the Scripture readings. The Prayer Book gives us several options. At the conclusion of the reading, for example, the reader may say, as we customarily do here, "The Word of the Lord." To which we all reply, "Thanks be to God." The Prayer Book also allows for another ending. The reader may simply say, "Here ends the lesson." Or, in the old language, "Here endeth the Epistle." I often use that form at funerals and weddings, because it doesn’t require the congregation to know the appropriate response. There is no response, although stalwart Episcopalians often try to add one anyway. There are several reasons, however, why this option is less satisfactory, in my opinion, for long-term use in the congregation. One is the pitfall, at least in parishes that use Rite 1, of a reader finishing a dignified and inspired reading of Holy Scripture by saying, "Here endeth the Epithle." I’ve heard it happen. But I also have a much more serious reservation. The Word of God does not end. Ever.

The Word of God does not end after it is spoken by God or after it is spoken by one of God’s prophets. The Word of God does not end when the brief sentences end that are spoken by one God’s people here in our midst. The conclusion of our Sunday morning reading is not the end of anything. I am reminded of a passage from Isaiah, known as the Second Song of Isaiah. Listen. This is God speaking through the prophet Isaiah, about the Word of God. "For as rain and snow fall from the heavens and return not again, but water the earth, bringing forth life and giving growth, seed for sowing and bread for eating. So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me empty; but it will accomplish that which I have purposed, and prosper in that for which I sent it." The Word of God is active in the world, a never-ending source of sustenance and growth.

Today’s first reading from the First Book of Samuel is very much about God’s Word… about when and how it is given, and what is to be done with that gift. And it is a gift. The Word of God is a gift. A gift that is given to us, passed on to us, to become an active part of our lives, to be a never-ending source of sustenance and growth for us. Which is another reason why I think it is important for us to say, "Thanks be to God" after we are given the gift of God’s word.

Today’s reading from First Samuel begins with an intriguing phrase. "The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread." The word of the Lord was rare? One of the ways we can explore and enjoy this gift of God’s word is to read it in different translations. Evidently the Hebrew word that is translated "rare" in the version we heard this morning is obscure in meaning. Translators simply are not sure exactly what it meant. The King James translated that word as "precious." "The word of the Lord was precious in those days."

Precious. Any of you who are Tolkein Lord of the Ring fans will have a vivid set of images associated with the word "precious." Put those aside if you can. Precious means having great value. Something to be sought after. Something to be treasured. In those days, Samuel says, the word of the Lord was something precious. In those days.

In the earliest centuries of the Christian church the Word of the Lord was treasured as precious. Written material was rare, so the scrolls of Holy Scripture were valued because physically they were virtually irreplaceable. And yet they were treasured even more highly for their content, for the voice of the Lord that spoke from their page. In those early Christian communities a whole book from the Bible might be read at a worship service. Not to teach them that God’s word never ends, but because they valued the gift of those words in their lives. They wanted to hear them. The scrolls themselves were kept by members of the community in their homes. The lay people, you, the people of God, were the stewards of the Word of God, treasuring and guarding that precious gift. During the times when Christianity was illegal, and Christians were persecuted unto death, to be found with the Word of God in your possession meant death. And yet the people guarded and treasured those words. The people treasured the Word of God more than life itself. For the word of the Lord was precious in those days.

The Word of the Lord was precious to the aging prophet Eli as well. He eagerly, earnestly sought to know what words the Lord had spoken to Samuel… even though Eli must have had some sense that the Word of the Lord spoke of the passing of Eli’s house and the passing of his own prominence as a prophet of the Lord. Eli’s sons had indeed been guilty of grave misdeeds, abuse of power, and blasphemy as they exercised their hereditary role as priests of the temple. The judgment of the Word of the Lord against them was just. And still Eli longed to hear the Word of the Lord, because he valued and treasured those words as coming from God. He humbly and gratefully accepted the gift of God’s word. "It is the Lord," he said. It is the Lord. It is the word of the Lord. Tell me all that the Lord told you, Eli said to Samuel. The word of the Lord was precious in those days.

At the Thursday evening service this week we celebrated the life of St. Antony. Antony was born in Egypt in the late third century. His parents were Christians, and he grew up to be quiet, devout, and meditative. When his parents died, he and his younger sister were left to care for a sizable estate. Six months later, in church, he heard the reading about the rich young ruler whom Christ advised to sell all he had and give to the poor. Antony at once gave his land to the villagers, and sold most of his goods, giving the proceeds to the poor. Later, after meditating on Christ’s bidding, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow," he sold what remained of his possessions and became an anchorite (Lesser Feasts and Fasts). Anchorites are those who live solitary lives of austerity and simplicity. What strikes me most about this story is that it was the Word of the Lord that inspired and guided Antony. It was the living, active Word of God that motivated, guided and sustained Antony. The Word of the Lord was precious in those days.

Is it still? Is the word of the Lord precious in these days? In our days? In our lives? Without looking at your service leaflets, do you remember the words of today’s epistle? Given the subject matter, you might just remember part of it, but do you remember the point? Later today will you remember any of this morning’s readings?

The Word of God is just as powerful, just as relevant, just as immediate today as it was in those days passed. I get a wonderful catalogue from a company that sells spices. It always includes a comment about old spices. Spices don’t "go bad" with time, it says. They will keep in their little jars for ever. It won’t harm you to eat nutmeg that you’ve had for a decade. But you may not taste it. Spices lose their potency over time. The Word of the Lord is NOT like spices. A Bible that has set on a shelf for a thousand years unopened still speaks just as potently as it did in Samuel’s day or Jesus’ day. The gift of God’s word is just as valuable, just as powerful, just as precious, now as it has ever been.

For example, in today’s Gospel, Jesus says words that he often said during his ministry. Follow me. Follow me, he says to Philip. Follow me, he says to us. Those are words that do not end when the Gospel book is closed. Follow me, Jesus says to Philip. The effect is immediate. Philip goes to find Nathanael and says to him: Come and see; we have found him of whom Moses and the prophets spoke. Follow me, Jesus says to us. If we treasure these words, if we hold them precious, we must respond. They compel a response. We must follow.

In one of the old forms of the Confession of Sin, we pray: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts… Follow me, Jesus says. Just two words. But precious beyond compare as God’s gift spoken to us.

When St. Antony was led by Jesus’ words to give up his possessions and go out into the desert, he left the material world behind, but he did not leave behind Jesus’ concern for the world. After some time alone studying God’s word, he founded a community of others who, with him, lived simply, their lives filled with singing, praying and working… Working, not for themselves, but solely so they could give alms to others in need. Athanasius wrote of Antony: "He was like a physician given by God to Egypt. For who met him grieving and did not go away rejoicing? Who came full of anger and was not turned to kindness? What monk who had grown slack was not strengthened by coming to him? Who came troubled by doubts and failed to gain peace of mind?" Those are the fruits of a life which held the Word of the Lord precious.  "Follow me," Jesus said to Antony.  "Follow me," Jesus says to us. The Word of the Lord.

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