Easter fives comes as a stark reminder of what the church is-to-“be.”
Much of the “modern debate” and the thinking – on how “one obtains spiritual growth” (or) “how one finds oneself” has led to the “modern heresy” of thinking of “faith” in only “individualistic terms” as opposed to the “community.”
Me, me, me, – very hedonistic, everything revolves around me, and me – alone.
Therefore, it is my faith, my religion, my God, my spirituality, my beliefs, my personal relationship with Jesus, called the Christ…and it may indeed have nothing to do with the community. I am the one saved. Jesus died for me. Jesus loves me.
We must remember that to follow Jesus Christ is a call to be “a part of the Body of Christ.” You are a part of something bigger than yourself.
It is as much about “them”…as it is, about “me.”
In the church, we are all important, we all work together and we all are supposed to pull our own weight.
The Apostle Peter challenged us in his letter saying, “Once you were no people but now you are God’s people.”
We belong. We have roots. We are more than what you see.
We have the image at Pentecost of “the disciples standing with Peter” as he preached. It is corporate thing, not individual thing.
He was not alone. He was supported. He was cared about and embraced. He was there with others.
The church is a we…not an I.
That’s why Baptisms are not private-secluded affairs. They take place in the midst of the whole people of God.
They are corporate celebrations… celebrations of the family. Celebrations of the group…the tribe…celebrations of the whole church…
That is also the reason that the newly baptized is declared to be “the Newest Member of the Christian Church.
It is all about Baptism and our entrance into the greater faith of the whole community.
We are not alone, we are in it – together!
So the First Communion Class on Saturday morning started with “Baptism.”
We are the Baptized children of God. We are made members of the body of Christ. We are his people! A Royal Priesthood…a people set apart…
So, today’s Gospel brings us to the powerful image of “the vine and the branches.” The branches can only exist or bear fruit if they are connected to the vine
There is an inter-relationship here.
We happen to live in a sensually self-indulgent society, where it is all about my “needs,” my “wants,” my “desires” and my “pleasure.”
Face it – our age is “all about me.”
In being centered on the “self” – too many times we no longer draw from the vine “to produce” but rather … seek ways for ourselves to be “comforted.”
The danger is – instead of looking how we can “bear fruit” for others…we look for “what will best fill my needs.”
The church exists for serving the world…the church historically has been here “for others.”
I recently came across this neat anecdote about the great sequoia trees.
The giant sequoia (as you well know) can measure hundreds of feet in height and easily ten or more feet in girth. They are huge to behold… Truly a massive thing of beauty.
The way that they withstand “the winds and the stress of so many years” – is that they “intertwine their roots with others,” thus drawing their strength – from each other.
They rely on “each other.”
There strength comes from the “larger community.”
Each is important. Each is valuable. But they are a part of the whole. Others are needed. Others are necessary.
And so it is for the church. We are not here for ourselves, but to serve others.
When we abide in Christ, we find “the strength of the community.”
Listen to our prayers…
Hear all the people that we are currently surrounding in prayer. All the people that we are lifting up…
Consider if you will, how this congregation feeds the larger community…we physically feed people, we are here for the narcotic, alcoholic, and the gambler addicted. We remember those addicted and struggling weekly.
Our involvement with the Milwaukee Rescue Mission continues on…and we have care and concern for the physical wellbeing of others, offering Zumba and hosting the SW Kickers Soccer Club. We are here for others…
Even the church, which is a community, needs to be tied to other communities…
We need to have care and concern for more than just ourselves…
We need to reach out and care for the other…
This was the message of Jesus. This is what his ministry was about. He was the man for others…and his church…is meant to be the church for others…
We are here for all, and are open to all…that is “what it means” to be church.
Amen.