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Home Page
The Rector's Welcome
Worship
Sermons
Music & the Organ
Newsletter
Schedule & Events
History
Programs & Ministries
Tour the Building
Links
Map & Directions
Monthly Calendar
Home Page
The Rector's Welcome
Worship
Sermons
Music & the Organ
Newsletter
Schedule & Events
History
Programs & Ministries
Tour the Building
Links
Map & Directions
Monthly Calendar
Fr. J. D. Ousley
11 April 2004“This is the Day”
In the Name of God: Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Amen.
Every Morning Prayer service in the Easter season begins with a line from Psalm 118: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us be glad and rejoice in it."
We say this verse because since the first Easter morning, every day is different. Since Christ rose from the dead, we have the chance, every day, to share his new life.
As a preacher, I have often mentioned this central theme of the Christian faith. I have often noted that Easter isn't only about "life after death." It's about new life now.
Since the first Easter, we are all assured that God is Lord of Heaven and Earth, creator of life, victor over death. And this revelation about God means that we humans have been freed from mortal worries. The future belongs to God; eternal life with God waits for all of us who trust in him.
Thus, as we are free from fear about our ultimate fate, we're ready to focus on the present.
We are, for example, able to appreciate the gift of time. We can cherish every moment -- we value each breath we are able to take by God's grace; every minute is a sign of God's eternal generosity.
Often, I have said these things in sermons. Often, I have reminded myself of the need to appreciate the present moment. Yet -- if I'm absolutely honest with myself -- for all I talked about this truth, I have had a lot of trouble actually living it.
In this, I think I have been like many of my fellow believers -- and, for that matter, like many non-believers. While we talk about "smelling the roses" and enjoying the present, we're always seduced into worrying about the future.
Think of the guy you meet at a cocktail party. He shakes your hand and begins a conversation. But as you speak with him, you notice that he never stops glancing here and there, looking at other people in the room.
The man can't help trying to see who has come in. He can't stop looking for another conversation partner. Right now, he's talking to you -- but he's not paying much attention to what you say because he's also thinking about the next person he'll meet.
Here's a good example of not being able to appreciate the moment. The man's future keeps crowding out his present.
How often we see people rushing through one meeting to get to the next one? Hurrying from point A to point B, at the same time fretting about making it to point C?
I, myself, have always been future-obsessed, even as a child. And while I have often preached about the need of "finding God in the present," I have rarely practiced what I preach.
I think what made me finally see what I was missing was personal trauma. A shock to the system. Or, more precisely, a shock to my wife's system in the form of the neurological disease, multiple sclerosis, MS.
Because of the chronic physical disabilities caused by this illness, we have both come to appreciate the smallest blessings.
We don't forget the future. We try, as St. Paul advises, to "set our minds on things that are above, where Christ is."
But we look to the future in order that our future in Christ helps us to bear the impact of life here, "down below," on this earth.
Life that looked only to the future would be impossible. We have to find Christ here and now. We have to find God in this day that the Lord has made.
Now such a practice might seem to nothing more than that secular wisdom to "enjoy the moment." Granted, a lot of people have trouble doing even that, these days -- which is why the secular wisdom is so often repeated by commentators on modern society. People don't stop to enjoy the present.
The message of Easter doesn't deny this secular truth. Rather, in a mysterious way, Christ's resurrection makes our life in the present much more real -- much more possible.
Christ is risen. Everything has changed.
As I face my need to put this truth into practice, as I try to live each moment to the fullest, I find it helpful to think of people I have known who really have lived the Easter Faith.
I think for example of a confessor I had for many years, Edward West. Canon West served the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for most of his life, and he was an internationally -- recognized expert on everything from the New Testament to liturgy to symbolism.
Yet it wasn't the religion he taught-that made him unforgettable. It was the religion he lived. Canon West's personal faith was grounded in the New Life of the Risen Christ. I have never known anyone who looked forward as much to God's future and life in Heaven as he did. He once said to me, "I live half in the next world."
No one could be more "future-oriented" than that! And yet, I have never known anyone more able to live in the present than Canon West.
When you spoke to him, he heard every word you said. You couldn't get away with an inaccurate observation or an unfair judgment because he would catch you and correct you.
Nor did Canon West neglect the simple pleasures of life in this material world. His hospitality was legendary. He served pewter tankers filled with rich English ale that I can taste to this day. His beautiful Irish setters were always wandering through his apartment, and at any moment, even when you were making your confession, they could nuzzle up to you.
Canon West was a person who loved this world and all the beautiful gifts of Creation. He enjoyed every moment God gave him. And still, he had the faith of a saint.
Maybe I shouldn't say, "and still he had faith." Maybe I should say, because he had faith.
Because he knew he belonged to God, because he knew his life was bound up forever in the Risen Life of Jesus Christ-because of his faith in the life to come, he was able to see this life in all its fullness.
This is indeed the day which the Lord hath made. Christ is risen indeed. May we all, each day God gives to us on his earth, rejoice and be glad.
"Hail thee festival day,
Blest day that art hallowed forever.
Day whereon Christ arose.
Breaking the kingdom of death."
And now unto that same God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be ascribed as is most justly due all might, majesty, power, dominion and praise, now and forever, Amen.