Sunday's Sermon

 

January 23, 2022

        Today is Trinity’s Annual Meeting.

        There are two things an Annual Meeting should do.

        Look back on what has come before and look ahead to what comes next.

        Today’s readings give us guidance on both those things we should do.

        Paul’s letter to the Christians in Corinth tells us how to look back.

        We are the Body of Christ in this world and Paul asks about the Body.

        Every part of the Body is necessary and important. No matter what role they play in the Body they are necessary and important. The most humble part of the Body makes the Body whole.

        So there are many parts of the Body of Christ that must be honored. From the Brain and the Heart to the finger and the toe.

        As I see it, Trinity honors all it’s members and folks who are on the edges. I am sure you do that.

        We are one Body here at Trinity and we should celebrate and appreciate that.

        Truly.

        Looking forward, the Gospel speaks to what comes next.

        Jesus, at the synagogue in his home town, read a powerful message.

        Listen:

        “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

        Because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

        He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

        And recovery of sight to the blind,

        to set the oppressed go free,

        to proclaim the year of the world’s favor.”

        He rolled up the scroll and said, “today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

 

        That’s what is ahead for Trinity.

        To care for the poor, release those in the bondage to the past, to set those who are oppressed free.

        To do Christ’s work in the world.

        Trinity already does that.

        But we must be more committed to that.

        And we must reach out to those unchurched to offer them safety in our community.

        We are called to fulfill the scripture in our community.

 

        What the gospel today leaves out is that after that moment the people in the synagogue began to doubt the ‘Joseph’s son’ could do these things.

        They became enraged and put him out of the synagogue.

        So, doing the work we must do may bring judgement on us.

        We may be criticized.

        But we are the Body of Christ.

        We must stand for change.

        We must do the work God has given us to do.

        No matter what others may think or say.

        We are the Body of Christ.

        We move into a new year together, destined to do the work of Christ in this world.

        Please stay for the Annual Meeting and please be part of Christ’s Body in this world.

Amen.