Visions- Easter 6, 5/9/10

This Sunday marks a few things- it is Rogation Day, Mother’s Day and the one year anniversary of my beginning ministry with you.

We remember Mothers today. Our own, and those that acted as mothers for us on so many occasions. Those that are mothers and those that hope to be and those that had hoped to be but have had to let go of that dream. Sometimes our mother’s live up to our hopes and expectations, and sometimes they disappoint. We remember that life does not always go how we had wanted it to, but that through it all God, our eternal parent, is with us. Comforting us, guiding us and wanting the best for all people.

Rogation Sunday; when the church has traditionally offered prayer for God’s blessing on the fruits of the earth and the labors of humankind. The word “rogation” is from the Latin rogare, “to ask.” Historically, the Rogation Days are a period of fasting and abstinence, asking God’s blessing on the crops, for a bountiful harvest. Ancient pagan observances of robigalia included processions through the cornfields to pray for the preservation of the crops from mildew. And Christian honoring of Rogation Days has varied over the centuries: from observance on the fixed date of April 25 to great outdoor processions on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day. Elizabeth I of England ordered the “perambulation of the parish” at Rogationtide, a custom still observed in many places.

In older days, the clergy had the responsibility of the “cure of souls” within the parochial boundaries. That is, everyone within these lines was technically a member of the parish. Every institution was a chaplaincy concern. Not just every Episcopalian, every single person. And Rogation Sunday was a time to “beat the bounds” – to walk around the boundary of a parish – to be certain you knew just where those boundaries were and who was inside them. To get a clear vision of the responsibilities of this parish.

It gets me wondering- what are the boundaries of this parish? I knew folks in Texas that drove almost an hour each direction to participate in the life of the parish. If I were to drive the boundaries if this parish, what would it look like? Forget walking them- I would be gone for ages! What should it look like? How far should we be concerned about? What are the boundaries of our influence in this day of cars and planes and the internet? How far do we and can we reach into the world around us?

In our reading from Acts, Paul and Timothy head to Philippi, in Macedonia- modern Greece. Because of a vision. A man from Macedonia is pleading with Paul to come. And so we find them in today’s lesson. They are now in Europe for the first time and here we have our first converts in Europe- Lydia and her family. A woman who was head of her own household, use to dealing with the wealthy- since only they would be allowed to and able to afford her purple cloth- an extravagant textile. She was willing to listen to these strangers from far away who appeared one day. Willing to be led by her open heart.

All of this comes about because Paul has a dream, a vision. He imagines he can go to Macedonia. He goes expecting to find a man there, but surprise: he finds Lydia. He speaks to those he normally would not- a woman, who while she worships the Jewish God she had not taken the step to convert. But Paul and Timothy see her as in their boundaries, as one in their care. And as a result, the world is changed.
In our Gospel lesson for today a man has been lying there for 38 years, thinking that the only way to health is by getting in the pool first. The water in this pool would occasionally be stirred up, move. And the first person to touch the water would be healed. For 38 years he believed getting in that water first was the only answer. Then Jesus came along and gave him a new vision, a new way to be healed. A new path. Stop focusing on getting in the water first. Do you want to be made well? Stand up, take your mat and walk. Forget about the pool, see a new way, a way that Jesus shows to you.

With God, all things are possible. It is even possible that we, too, can be changed. We too can lay aside long held assumptions, preconceptions and prejudices. Like Paul, we too can lay aside old understandings of the Bible. Like Paul we too can have the vision to go to people beyond the four walls of our church, beyond the boundaries of our community, beyond state lines, beyond the United States of America, and let God’s ways be known upon the earth, God’s saving health among all nations. We do this when we contribute to the UTO offering, to community meals and our pantry, to supporting the youth mission trip to Pennsylvania this summer, to Episcopal Relief and development. When we encourage ourselves and others to remember other parts of the world, to explore them and value them as we do this our corner of the world.

It has been a year since I began ministry with you here at St. Andrew’s. A year of getting to know and hear your visions for yourself and this congregation. That listening to visions will never stop. A year of listening to God’s desires and hopes for this congregation. Together we will continue always to discern what God is calling us to do and be for the people of Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio and the broader world. We are a place with a reputation for feeding the hungry, for good liturgy, for warm and caring people. We will continue to build on that, offering engaging worship that hopefully touches people’s hearts as Paul’s words touched Lydia’s. That reaches out to the world around us, offering hospitality both to those within our community and others. We are hosting the riders of the Bishop’s Bike Ride this year- a common meal together and places for the riders to stay that night. We are taking leadership in gathering together youth in this area for activities and congregations from farther away to join in a mission trip. A group of committed leaders is looking at the results from our Natural Church Development Survey and seeing where growth will make the most difference in our life together.
And know that I dream. I try to listen to the voices that God sends my way, as Paul was sent to Lydia. Where should our energy and attention be. How are we to show God’s love to this hurting world today.

As I told you in my first sermon with you- I will not always get it right. You won’t always get it right. None of us are perfect people and we won’t always be happy with each other. I began this sermon reminding you that even our mothers don’t always fulfill our hopes. That life does not always go how we had wanted it to, but that through it all God, our eternal parent, is with us. Comforting us, guiding us and wanting the best for all people. I will love you, and I will listen and together we can and are making a difference- in the lives of the members of this congregation and this community. Thank you for taking this journey with me.