Easter 2, April 23, 2006 Year B
By Father Aidan Hix+
St. Aidan’s Charismatic Episcopal Church
Tradition Care Chapel, Antioch, CA
Title: Healing & Resurrection Life in the Name of Christ-
Repentance, Forgiveness, and Restoration of All Things
Readings: Ac 3. 12-26 or Is 26. 2-9, 19; Ps 111; 1 Jn 5.1-6; Jn 20. 19-31
Text: Acts3. 16
"…by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health…"
HOOK
One of my favorite TV shows is M.A.S.H. It was a comedy-drama about the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. It was one of the few shows, along with John Wayne movies, I remember watching with my Father. Until my own enlistment in the Army I didn’t always understand the military humor my Dad would laugh at; but I enjoyed watching the shows with him. It was our time, in away. Both my brother and I have come to enjoy MASH to this day.
MASH was a story of War, the Korean War, and it was about the soldiers wounded in battle, both physically and emotionally; and about the doctors who tried to put them back together, to keep them alive, and nurse them back to health.
I never entertained the idea of being a medical doctor, though when I first enlisted in the Army, I was thinking of being an Airborne Medic- the first aid responders who jumped in behind enemy lines to tend the wounded. More than that, I have always had a desire to be a Christian Psychologist or counselor, and a Call to be a Minister- a Pastoral Counselor and Spiritual Director, who would encourage, coach, and assist people with Spiritual Healing and Growth.
Just like those wounded soldiers in MASH, each of us is a casualty of a spiritual war that started somewhere in eternity between Lucifer’s free will disobedience against the Rule and Will of God; and the freewill disobedience of Adam and Eve. We were injured and damaged by the nature of Sin, our forefather-and-mother set in motion; and we are further injured by our own continued disobedience of God’s spiritual laws.
Sin, which comes from the Greek word, hamartia, means to miss the mark, to come short of the glory of God, to be bent, broken, incomplete, dysfunctional, not integrated or whole. The nature of sin does mean that we are totally depraved as some teach it, but that we are wounded, damaged, broken and rendered incomplete by the effects of sin.
Some of the affects of sin are from the nature of sin in our lives as a result of the Fall of Adam- that is our propensity toward certain symptoms of sin, such as: Pride and arrogance; anger, hatred, violence and murder; or various addictions to drugs, lusts, and other disorders, neurosis, and phobias.
According to an essay on this week’s Sunday readings, by Dr. Dan Clendenin, Professor Marcus Borg of Oregon State University describes in his book, "The Heart Of Christianity," "how his university students who grew up outside the church have a uniformly negative stereotype of Christianity. When I ask them to write a short essay on their impression of Christianity, they consistently use five adjectives: Christians are: literalistic, anti-intellectual, self-righteous, judgmental, and bigoted."
The question could be asked then, "So, what, then, is the difference, if any between those in the Church and those outside- to those in the broader culture? And why do we need the Christ and the Church?"
One answer I’ve heard is to liken the Church to a Hospital where the people inside are receiving spiritual care- undergoing spiritual examination, diagnosis, prescription and treatment, and prognosis. Those outside the church or the spiritual hospital are simply not being treated or receiving spiritual care. The Great Physician is of course, Christ.
The Readings on Sunday following Easter, for fifty days until Pentecost Sunday, are arranged to share the story of the Spirit-filled church empowered by the Easter Faith and New Life from the power of the Resurrection. The early Christians were not characterized by these negative stereotypes but they "enjoyed the favor of all the people" (Acts 2.47); and were characterized as a community of faith, love, generosity, miracles, and both spiritual, emotional, and physical healing:
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything he had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was with them all. There were no needy persons among them. From time to time those who owned lands and houses sold them, brought the money from sales and put it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need" (Acts 4.32-35).
In today’s readings, we are confronted by the several themes of Christian healing, Repentance, Forgiveness, and Restoration. We will concentrate on examples of Christian Wholeness primarily from The Gospel of John and the Acts of the Apostles
LOOK AT THE BOOK
The Acts of the Apostles
In our reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke weaves together a tapestry of theology, spirituality, and healing. The reading concerns a Sermon preached by St Peter in Solomon’s Colonnade, a porch near the Temple. But the context and reason for the sermon was the healing of a man who was lame from birth. He waited every day near the Gate called beautiful, looking for a handout, so he could eat, buy clothes, and have a place to live.
When he saw Peter and John coming to worship at the temple for the hour of prayer, he begged them for alms. He, like us, thought he knew what he needed- the necessities and luxuries of life. He wanted silver and gold, so he could buy the comforts he desired.
God, however, knew better what the man wanted and needed. Moved by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John directed their gaze upon him and Peter said, "Look at us! I don’t have the silver and gold you’re looking for. I have something much better and what I have I will give it to you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
Peter didn’t just give him a prescription, and say, "take this for three days ad come back and see me in my office on Monday." As it says in the book of James 2.15-16: "14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Peter took him by his right hand and raised him up and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
The Lame Man responded by walking with them, leaping, and praising God. All the people were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him. The man clung to Peter and John and the mob swarmed the apostles in astonishment at the miracle. This was the context and reason for Peter’s Sermon.
In the story and Peter’s sermon, we see several principles regarding Christian Healing and Wholeness. First, the Man who was Lame from birth is a picture or symbol of our common imperfections due to sin. We are all casualties of a Spiritual War and each of is damaged, broken, fragmented, and dysfunctional in some way. Yet, God, as in our analogy of the MASH Doctors, desires to bring healing, integration, restoration, and wholeness into our lives.
In this Lesson, we see that the healing Power of God is released into our lives, through the agency of the Church. He uses people, like Peter and John, to share, transfer and release His Divine Power into our lives. In Ephesias 3.10 it says, "that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might be now made known…" It is through the Church, through Her Bishops, Priests, and Deacons; through The Sacraments, and through the People of God, that God releases the power and grace for healing and transformation.
Third, it is through Faith in The Name of Jesus Christ that healing is released into our lives. The Mob was in amazement and it was only natural that they might attribute the power to healing to Shamans. They all ran together to Peter and John; but when Peter saw it he asked them, "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" Peter refused to accept the glory for himself and disclaimed personal responsibility for the healing. Rather, he clarified the true source of the supernatural occurrence, saying, "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all." The locus of divine activity has shifted. It is no longer the Shekinah of God’s Glory dwelling only in the precincts of the Temple. It is now focused in the Name and Person of Jesus Christ through the Church and wherever prophetic deeds are performed in His Name.
Finally, in this passage, St Luke reveals Irony and Paradox of Christ’s Death and Resurrection; and its application to Christian Healing and Wholeness. The Lukan Antithesis says, "Jesus, whom you handed over…rejected…killed…God raised from the dead." (vv. 13-15)…"You …asked to have a murderer given to you and you killed the Author of Life (vv. 14-15). Even in the Lukan Passion Narrative (ch. 23), he reveals the Death of Christ as a Gross Miscarriage of Justice- the death of an innocent martyr. But Christ is vindicated by His Resurrection. The Irony is that given a choice between one who took life (Barabbas) and the Author of Life (Christ), the Jews chose a Murderer (Barabbas), they chose death over life.
We also have this choice before us, whether we will choose Death and remain in our sin, our fallen, broken, and fragmented state, outside the spiritual care of the church and the healing power which comes only by faith in the Name of Jesus Christ; or we can choose Life, empowered by the Easter Faith and New Life from the power of the Resurrection.
The Gospel of John.
In the Gospel of John, we have a Lesson of Spiritual Healing. The disciples are gathered together in fear, hiding from the Jews behind locked doors. Jesus, their friend, teacher, and Lord, has just been executed three days ago. Now, they are suffering from fear, disillusionment-(they had expected Christ to be the Messiah who would overthrow Rome and reestablish the Nation of Israel and the Throne of David), depression, despair, hopelessness, and bereavement over the loss of a loved one, and so on.
It was the Day of the Resurrection, and Christ came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you;" and showed them his wounded hands and side. When they saw the Lord, then were the disciples glad.
Jesus repeated his prophetic command, "Peace to you!" After which, he preseted them with the Great Commission, "As the Father has sent me, I also send you." Then He breathed on them and instituted the Third Sacrament- the Power of the Keys- the Power to Forgive Sins (the first two being Water Baptism and Holy Communion),
"Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
This portion of the story reveals some additional principles of Christian Healing and Wholeness. First, it is only the Presence of Christ coming into their midst that brought healing and gladness to the disciples. If we are to be healed, we must allow Christ into the hidden and locked chambers of our hearts where we hide in fear with all of the other wounded and damaged areas of our life. Sometimes, like in this example, Christ simply enters in. Other times, the scriptures say, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone will open the door, I will come in."
Second, we must hear and see Jesus. The reading says, " Jesus came and stood in their midst, and spoke the command, Peace be with you…then he revealed his wounds…and when they saw the Lord then they were glad." It is only when He is in our midst and we focus our attention on the Lord, that our hearts will be glad. He will change our sadness to joy. We must learn to attune our spiritual eyes and ears to His presence in our lives to experience the Divine Healing that will make us whole.
Third, we see one of the most controversial teachings in all Christendom, the Power to Forgive and Retain Sins is given to the Apostles. Here is the root of the Church’s teaching on Confession and Absolution. Here we see a continuation of the principle that healing comes through the Church. Christ gave the power to His Clergy, the Apostles, to release divine healing and forgiveness into the lives of others.
In the Letter of St. James, chapter 5. 13-20, we see both physical and inner healing joined together:
13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16£Confess your trespasses (or your faults, weaknesses, etc) to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 19Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save £a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
We do not bear our souls to just anyone. Christ gave to power of forgiveness to the Apostles. In James, it says to call the Elders, of the Church. They will minister to him in prayer and hearing their confession; and God will release into their lives both inner and physical healing and forgiveness.
It is not an easy thing to bear our souls to another. It is much like going to a medical doctor, undressing, and allowing the doctor to examine our naked bodies, so that he can diagnose the symptoms and render a treatment plan and prognosis. It is Spiritual Care, where we come to Christ-the Great Physician, before the witnesses and agents of Spiritual Healing and Direction- his Clergy; and where we receive the Sacraments of Christ’s Grace.
TOOK
Today, the Second Sunday after Easter is traditionally called, Sunday in White and St. Thomas Sunday. Traditionally it’s was the day we recall when the newly baptized believers removed their white Baptismal Garments. The Gospel reading also recounts the incident of "Doubting Thomas."
Thomas was not there when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. He did not believe Jesus was truly risen and said only if I see His wounded hands and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his wounded side, will I believe.
Eight days later, Thomas finally sees Jesus. Just like he calmed the storm with the command of "Peace, Be Still," Jesus issues to command to Thomas’ soul, saying, "Peace to you!" He invited him to touch his wounds and see. Thomas answered, "My Lord and My God." Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
Whether it is healing for ourselves, or the call to share the healing of Christ with others, we must be open to God. The Lame Man though he knew what he wanted, just what comfort he could find in life in the midst of his suffering. The disciples were burdened with fear, despair, grief for the death of their friend, and utter disillusionment. St Thomas was afflicted with doubt and would only believe if he could touch and see some physical sign of Christ.
Each one of us have secret areas of our lives that are wounded by sin- which is separation from God’ love and grace. We are all bent, dysfunctional, and incomplete, in some way. But God desires and has purposed from all eternity to make us whole through the power, grace and love of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
We have the choice to be open to the God's love and experience healing, integration, transformation, and growth
We must be willing to allow Christ into the deepest chambers and secrets of our hearts. Bidden or unbidden, Christ is present but we must be willing to welcome Him when he comes, or open the door when He knocks and we feel the prompting of the Spirit.
The question we must ask ourselves, is whether we will be open to God by Faith in the unseen power of God in the Name of Jesus- through the various means of grace he has bestowed upon us through his Church, including Confession and Spiritual Direction; or whether we will be like Thomas, who refused to be open without scientific evidence.
Our complete healing and transformation in Christ is a slow process of submitting ourselves to Spiritual Care, which may at times be like the painful rehabilitation after surgery. As Fredrick Buechner once said,
"Christians are people who have been delivered just enough to know that there’s more where that came from, and whose experience of that little deliverance that has already happened inside themselves and whose faith in the deliverance still to happen is what sees them through the night."
In The Name of the Father, and of the Son +, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
