The Diocese of East Tennessee
Sermons

June 6, 1999
Pentecost II
Delivered at St. Matthews’, Dayton

Sermon: Setting Priorities at St. Matthews
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Bishop of East Tennessee

I want to say first of all that it is a joy to be with you this morning. We had fun, too, last evening at the Mission Committee’s supper. I am grateful for your hospitality.

I have seen some of you at diocesan or regional meetings like ECSET. I have heard from you – in person, on the phone, or through letters – about St. Matthews. And I am glad to be here now myself. I want you to know that I realize the significance of this time in the history of St. Matthews. And I consider it an honor to be walking with you at this point in our Christian journey.

Sometimes Old Testament passages are quoted in the New Testament. When they are, we can be fairly certain that they are very significant – for the Old Testament, for the New Testament, and for us. Our lessons today include such a quotation, and it will be worthwhile for us to consider it. In the passage from Hosea, we read, "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice"(6:6). And then in Matthew’s Gospel, we read, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice"(9:13). Apparently, "steadfast love" and "mercy" may both be used in translating the same Hebrew word . . . and, in any event, their meanings are certainly similar.

For Hosea to have written in the name of God, "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice" seems strange. After all, in Old Testament religion, sacrifice was a very acceptable and important part of worship. But, it is important to realize this point. Hosea was not denouncing sacrifice. When a Hebrew said, "I desire this and not that", he was establishing priorities. In other words, "this" is more important that "that", even though both are good practices. Therefore, Hosea, in the Lord’s name, meant that steadfast love was more important than sacrifice – although both were recommended.

What Hosea really spoke against was meaningless religious customs. In this case, he meant that sacrifice without obedience to God – steadfast love – lacks proper perspective and meaning. The people need to practice steadfast love first, and then their sacrifices make sense.

So, too, in Matthew priorities are established. "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Mercy is more important than sacrifice – that’s the point here. The demonstration of mercy comes before any religious practices and gives them meaning. Not to show mercy is to make religion hollow.

In Matthew, this saying is quoted in the context of an example Jesus gives. He says, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick"(9:12). This is obvious, isn’t it? When we are sick, we need a physician, a doctor, right then. However, Jesus is not suggesting that we do not need to know a doctor when we are well. We might become sick, and then where would we be? He just means that the sick person needs a doctor most of all. It’s a matter of priorities.

Jesus goes on to say, "I come not to call the righteous but sinners"(9:13). Again, priorities are set here. In fact, Jesus came to call everyone to follow his way. However, those in most need are the sinners, not the righteous. And so, once again, priorities are set.

What does this mean for us today? And specifically, what is the message for St. Matthew’s Church at this point in your history? What do these passages mean for this church and for individuals in the church? There are clear implications for our confirmands today. However, I believe the readings apply to the rest of us as well.

First of all, these readings call us to be true to who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. That’s our first priority. Issues of the world and of the church and of life itself always – always – will try to intrude on the priority of Jesus Christ in our lives. This potential for intrusion applies to all churches and to all Christians everywhere and in all times. And there is particular application here. Concern about the future of St. Matthews, about your relationship with St. Paul’s and with the diocese, and about clergy leadership here are some of the temptations to the priority of Christ for you at St. Matthews.

The fact of the matter is that other people do have responsibility for making decisions that directly affect the life of St. Matthews . . . other people like the vestry of St. Paul’s, your mother church, and like me, your bishop. But I need to point out to you that it is not unusual for other people to make decisions that greatly affect our lives. For instance, Jesus himself found that other people made many decisions that directly affected his life – and his death. He had to live – and to die – with their choices. And Jesus accepted the decisions of other people, knowing that those people were instruments of God’s will. . . Also, I think of decisions made by delegates to the diocesan convention called to elect a bishop in East Tennessee. Those choices by other people have certainly affected my life. . . And – for those of us who are married – how about our spouses? One of us may have asked the other to marry. But the decision made in response has had tremendous consequences in the lives of the askers!

Of course, my point is that in our lives we all face the consequences of decisions made by other people. Our call as Christian people involves keeping our priorities in order – in particular, in upholding mercy and steadfast love in response to whatever threatens those priorities. By exercising mercy and steadfast love, we continue to be true to our identity as followers of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, though, we are not relieved of other responsibilities – responsibilities suggested by the term "sacrifice" in our readings. "I desire mercy – or steadfast love – and not sacrifice." Remember that means that sacrifice remains a priority, although a secondary one.

What is the secondary responsibility of sacrifice for St. Matthews at this point in your history? As I mentioned previously, you must deal with the decisions and directions of others who have the responsibility for oversight – the vestry of St. Paul’s and me, for example. A sacrifice for you may involve decisions about finances that St. Paul’s makes. Another matter of sacrifice may be the clergy leadership that I will place here. Both St. Paul’s and I have in mind the best interests of St. Matthews in making such decisions. But the fact that other people make those decisions brings forth a sense of sacrifice on your part. Another sacrifice that you may be bearing now is a sense of discouragement or uncertainty about the future. While the sacrifice of perseverance is not your primary responsibility as Christians, that may be part of your Christian responsibility in following our Lord.

Let me conclude by returning to something I said at the outset. I do indeed consider it an honor to be walking with you at this point of your journey. I believe it promises to be an exciting time. Especially at this moment of potential diversion, however, may all of us remember our priorities as followers of Jesus Christ. In particular, may we always live with the decisions of other people and with our own discouragement by responding with mercy and steadfast love. By following that course, we will find ourselves on the way of Jesus, wherever that way may lead.

Copyright ©1999 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee