Sermon: “The Journey Toward Light”
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

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

The Gospel reading today describes an extremely significant moment in the history of Christianity - especially for you and me. That is, Jesus is commissioning his apostles. Those 12 will carry forward the message of the Lord into the world, and that begins the process of spreading the Gospel for all the generations to follow, including our own. It is through those apostles that we become involved in Jesus' story. And thus, this is a very significant moment in the history of Christianity for us, because in a sense, the possibility of our involvement begins through those apostles and their commissioning by Jesus.

Today's portion of Jesus' instructions to those he sends out includes some revealing words. These words contrast the world into which Jesus is sending his followers and the world of Jesus' intention … the situation as it is and the circumstances as Jesus wills them to be … the world of that day and the Kingdom of God. Therefore, in a sense, here we may find the reason for the apostles' mission - their mission to a world not yet won for the cause of Christ. Listen to the contrasts in Jesus' words: "Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops" (Matt 10:26-27). On the one side, then - the side of the world - are these images - "covered up," "secret," "dark" and "whispered." But, on the other hand - the mission on behalf of the Kingdom includes these traits - "uncovered," "known," "light" and "proclaim."

Much about our own world has not changed a great deal from the world into which Jesus sent his apostles. Indeed, we do not need to search too hard to find examples of situations or events, half-truths or rumors that include attributes that are covered up, secret, dark and whispered.

In fact, it is easy to perceive such characteristics in our own world. Also, this is true in the life of the Church these days … for the Church has always borne some of the characteristics of the age in which it lives. A week ago, for instance, representatives from Episcopal dioceses in the Southeast - Province IV - gathered at an annual meeting called the Synod. We were to consider the Windsor Report that was written by the Lambeth Commission - representatives of the worldwide Anglican Communion. As many of you know, the Windsor Report was critical of certain decisions made by the Episcopal Church in the United States, as it was also critical of decisions made in the Anglican Church of Canada and of unauthorized activities by some bishops within the dioceses of other bishops. In any event, at this gathering of Province IV, we were privileged to hear from two members of the Lambeth Commission … two people who helped write the Windsor Report.

The first speaker - the Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon - is an Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Nigeria. He is rather famous for an observation he made during a sermon at the General Convention in 2003: "When America sneezes," he said, "the rest of the world catches a cold." Archbishop Fearon called on the Episcopal Church to exercise leadership by adopting the Windsor Report in its entirety - including repenting for past actions and refraining from similar actions in the future.

Then, Dr. Jenny Plane Te Paa spoke - a distinguished academic laywoman from New Zealand. She indicated a sense of understanding and solidarity from the Anglican Church in her country toward the Episcopal Church in this country. Further, she expressed appreciation for the initial reactions to the Windsor Report by our House of Bishops and the national Executive Council. She characterized our responses as "gracious" and "appropriate."

Now, I need to be clear that I appreciate the perspectives of both Archbishop Fearon and Dr. Te Paa. I respect their abilities as theologians and their commitment to the Anglican Communion. Certainly, our Communion owes to the two of them - and to all of the Lambeth Commission - our gratitude for their efforts on behalf of the church we love.

On the other hand, I am not a great deal more enlightened, after hearing these two perspectives. I had a reaction similar to that following the conference here at Ascension last December - "Reclaiming God's Mission." That is, some interesting things were said by some articulate speakers. But it is difficult to perceive substantial reason for changing one's mind when such differing perspectives and opinions are presented. Therefore, last week people from Province IV heard two perspectives on the past and two words of advice about the future. The encounters were certainly interesting but not really clarifying, in terms of a preferable choice about the way forward. Our world continues to be characterized, therefore, by what is covered up, secret, dark and whispered, in spite of our best efforts.

The fact of the matter is that we are on an uncertain journey. Further, there will be points along the way that we simply do not have mapped out. In fact, perhaps these days should remind us of earlier days in the history of our salvation. Today's journey might suggest to us another journey long ago - the wilderness wanderings of the people of God, on their way to the Promised Land.

Remember that God's people were an unhappy group on their journey - unsupportive of their leader Moses, murmuring against God's apparent will for them and wistfully remembering earlier days back in Egypt. During those forty years in the wilderness, however, the people of God gradually learned to rely more and more on God. They grew in trust and in faith, probably because they had no other option.

Thus, in conclusion, it occurs to me that our times are much like those earlier days for the people of God. We, too, are on a journey. Our times, too, are characterized by matters that are covered up, secret, dark and whispered. Our mission, though, calls us also to greater reliance on God, as we grow in faith and in trust. Bit by bit, we are coming to terms with the reality that we alone cannot think or act or negotiate our way forward on this journey toward openness and light by ourselves. We have no other option but to depend on God. Rather than being more desperate to find a clear roadmap for the journey, perhaps we are being called to be more prayerful with the One who can show us the way. May we continue on the journey, therefore, realizing that our guide for the way ahead is the One who is always faithful. He alone can lead us through our wilderness to the Promised Land. Amen.

Copyright © 2005 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee