Sermon: "The Gospel, the Culture, and our Diocese"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

[This sermon by Bishop vonRosenberg was delivered using the following notes.]

Today we have before us three images – three very distinct images. And they come to us from three different sources. The first source is the Gospel; second is the culture; and thirdly is our diocese. And yet, these distinct images, from different sources, share some common meaning for us, it seems to me.

First of all – from today’s Gospel – is the familiar and popular image of the Good Shepherd. From what Jesus tells us and from other biblical sources, we can discover several characteristics of this significant image. For instance, the Good Shepherd offers welcoming hospitality to those entrusted to his care. In the Twenty Third Psalm, we may read, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters”(vss1-2) – and then, in personal terms, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over”(vs 5). Indeed, the Good Shepherd offers a wonderful example of hospitable welcome to the sheep in his care.

Also, the Good Shepherd personifies the traits of knowing and being known. This mutual knowing is surely crucial for the Good Shepherd to perform his obligations. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me”(Jn 10:14). I remember a wonderful recollection of a traveler in the Middle East some years ago. He told of a cave in which several flocks of sheep were sheltered for the night. However, in the morning – according to his account – one shepherd at a time would go to the mouth of the cave and call his sheep. Then, his sheep – and only his sheep – would come out in response. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”

An additional characteristic of the Good Shepherd is that he practices loving nurture toward his sheep. In fact, if we tried to name one fundamental trait of the Good Shepherd, that characteristic probably would be the practice of loving nurture. Thus, again from Psalm 23, we affirm with the Psalmist, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever”(vs 6). Loving nurture indeed.

In addition this morning, a second image presents itself to us – this one from the culture around us. And, of course, this image is that of a mother, on Mothers’ Day. While each of us has memories of our own mothers and a variety of experiences and relationships, much of what we might recall corresponds to the characteristics of the Good Shepherd.

One of my clear memories of childhood involves the reality that I was always welcomed at home, no matter how I might be received elsewhere. My mom surely was the symbol of that welcoming hospitality, which was so much a part of my early years.

In terms of knowing and being known, I think of those amazing and awe-filled first days and weeks of life, in which mother and child develop the bonds of mutual knowledge. From the appreciation of the miracle of tiny hands to the recognition of a distinct inflection of voice or cry, this dance of mutual knowledge becomes a lovely ballet – a ballet of knowing and being known.

Finally, it surely is the practice of loving nurture that draws a great deal of appreciation from most of us on this Mothers’ Day. I, for one, may not always have identified the guidance of my mom as loving nurture – but, in retrospect, that’s really what she was all about. Perhaps you can say the same and give thanks – as do I – for having received from my mom loving nurture, by which my life surely has been wonderfully enriched.

The Good Shepherd and Mothers’ Day – that’s a pretty full plate already this morning. But that is not all. From the life of our diocese comes another image today – the image of our camp and retreat center, Grace Point.

In the Diocese of East Tennessee, we are engaged in the Congregational Phase of the Grow in Mission capital campaign. Therefore, we have asked churches to emphasize the three goals of our campaign on Sundays in May. Last week many churches – including the Cathedral – concentrated on our campus ministries. Next week, we will consider the support of our seminarians. And today, we look at Grace Point.

In the midst of last winter, a young boy – a first grader – looked up at his grandmother and asked, “Grammie, can I go to camp again this year?” Of the ninety-nine campers at Grace Point in 2002, well over half of them came aided by financial assistance – more than half of our campers were on scholarships. Three generations of Hispanic folks from “Esperanza del Barrio” – an ecumenical ministry in Chattanooga – have come to Grace Point on three different outings. Youth groups from several churches that have never had youth retreats previously have made an annual pilgrimage to Grace Point. Vestries from churches that have never met beyond their own parish halls have held vestry workshops there. And, about twenty young people from the youth group of St. John’s Cathedral had a great time at their outing at camp this spring. These groups and many, many others have discovered the hospitable welcome offered by Grace Point.

At last summer’s camp for first, second, and third graders with a parent, a father sought out another adult during one lunch time. He told of an experience to this other man, with words like these: “Do you know what I did this morning? I built a bird house with my daughter. This is the very first time I’ve ever done something like that with her – but it won’t be the last time!” Neither the father nor his new friend had a dry eye after the story was shared. Mutual knowledge of one another – parents and children, young people with each other, campers and counselors – knowing and being known happens at Grace Point.

A parent took her autistic daughter for a monthly checkup the week after the girl had attended camp last summer. The doctor examined the child, and then he asked to see the mother. “What has happened to her?” he questioned. The mom asked what he meant. And the doctor replied, “I’ve never seen such progress in socialization skills in such a short time!” And the mom answered, with a smile, “Well, she went to camp.” That mother relishes the telling of her story to whoever will listen, for she and her daughter have come to know the loving nurture of Grace Point.

In conclusion, today we have before us three images – three very distinct images. But they share some common meaning, it seems to me. From our Gospel emerges the Good Shepherd. From the culture, our mothers stand tall. And from our diocese, we are blessed by Grace Point. Each image offers to us a hospitable welcome, the chance to know and to be known, and the loving nurture that sustains our lives. Therefore, today, thank God for the Good Shepherd and our mothers and Grace Point. Thanks be to God, indeed!

Copyright © 2003 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee