New England bishops respond with one voice to President's "cynical" photo op

Sent to clergy and congregational and diocesan leadership

The bishops of the seven New England Episcopal dioceses today issued the following joint statement in response to President Trump's photo op at St. John's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C., characterizing it as "cynical" and calling out "the abomination of continued oppression of and violence against people of color in this nation." The text of the statement appears below.

June 2, 2020

What President Trump did in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square on the evening of June 1 was disgraceful and morally repugnant. Displaying a Bible from which he did not quote, using as a mere backdrop an Episcopal church where he did not pray, and – more callously – ordering law enforcement to clear, with force and tear gas, a path through demonstrators who had gathered in peace, President Trump distorted for his own purposes the cherished symbols of our faith to condone and stoke yet more violence.

His tactic was obvious. Simply by holding aloft an unopened Bible he presumed to claim Christian endorsement and imply that of The Episcopal Church. Far more disturbingly, he seemed to be affecting the authority of the God and Savior we worship and serve, in order to support his own authority and to wield enhanced use of military force in a perverted attempt to restore peace to our nation.

His actions did nothing to mend the torn social fabric of our nation. Instead, they were a blatant attempt to drive a wedge between the people of this nation, and even between people of faith. No matter where we may stand on the partisan spectrum, we, as Christian leaders called to proclaim a God of love, find his actions repugnant. Jesus taught us to love our enemies, to seek healing over division, and make peace in the midst of violence.

Our church may rightly feel outraged and insulted by having the symbols of our faith used as a set prop in a cynical political drama. The real abomination before us, however, is the continued oppression of and violence against people of color in this nation. Let us reserve and focus the energies of our indignation to serve our Lord Jesus Christ’s higher purpose: to extend love and mercy and justice for all, and especially for those whose life, liberty, and very humanity is threatened by the persistent sin of systemic racism and the contagion of white supremacy.

The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan, Connecticut
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Bishop Diocesan, Connecticut
The Rt. Rev. Thomas James Brown, Bishop Diocesan, Maine
The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates, Bishop Diocesan, Massachusetts
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, Bishop Suffragan, Massachusetts
The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, Bishop Diocesan, New Hampshire
The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, Bishop Diocesan, Rhode Island
The Rt. Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown, Bishop Diocesan, Vermont
The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, Bishop Diocesan, Western Massachusetts

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https://www.diomass.org/news/diocesan-news/new-england-bishops-respond-one-voice-presidents-cynical-photo-op

The Easter 2020 issue of the Shepherd's Staff!

A Word from the Fold

Easter 2020 edition of the Seasonal Shepherd's Staff

Alleluia!

Christ is Risen!

He is Risen indeed!

Alleluia!

Lately it’s been hard to to remember that we are still in in the Easter season and that it it lasts through the 50 days following the great celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. Each day seems to f fold into the next and apart from the schedule of Zoom meetings, it’s sometimes a challenge to keep track of what day it actually is. And yet, somehow the heartbeat of life continues; the sun comes up each morning, the moon in the sky at night. Spring flowers push up out of the darkness of the winter soil, and trees that stood bare are showing signs of life in little green buds sprouting from their tender branches. This is indeed a time to consider the lilies of the field and all the precious signs of Spring, as the earth enjoys a chance to breathe again.

For all the difficulties of this global shutdown - of which there are so many - it is impressive what the global community has done in its efforts to break the spread of COVID-19. Before this pandemic, I could not imagine that the roadways and skies would be so quiet and still; that the hustle and bustle of life would be brought to a virtual halt. Yes, I remember the Blizzard of ’78, the stalled out cars on the highways and the blanket of white that covered New England, but that now pales in comparison to the present state of affairs.

There are lessons to be learned from this experience and an opportunity to move forward with intention and care, so as not to simply jump back to the way things used to be. We have before us a moment to “consider the lilies of the field” and think about this as a metaphor for the bigger picture of life and the future we’d like to create. It’s an opportunity to think about what’s important in this life and grab on to the good will that many people have so creatively shown in this most difficult time. Think of restaurants, an industry hit particularly hard by this shutdown, how they have rallied to the cause providing meals to hospital employees and other essential workers. People teaming up, though socially distant, to make masks and shields with whatever items they can find to assist medical personnel. Teachers and educators who almost overnight have transformed their classrooms to an online learning program. The creative ways parents and teachers are finding to celebrate this year’s graduates who likely won’t make that memorable walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. We’ve seen birthday brigades organized by parents to bring some cheer to children having birthdays in this time of quarantine. The list goes on and on.

We as church also have much to consider as we think about what worship will look like when we come back together. How will we continue to reach those who for a variety of reasons may not be ready to come back to the building? What will church school look like in the future? Indeed these are the kinds of questions that the leaders of our churches and the Diocese are considering as we reimagine what it means to be church and how to celebrate the sacraments in this new reality? I look forward to exploring these topics with you in the weeks and months to come. In the meantime, continue to take good care of one another, offer prayers for all in need, and keep being the loving and generous community of faith that is a hallmark of the Church of the Good Shepherd.

In the peace of Christ,

Melissa

The Rev. Melissa Buono

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Easter 5.3.2020

Church of the Good Shepherd, Acton, Massachusetts

Rev. Melissa Buono, Interim Priest

Readings: Acts 2:42-47; Ps. 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10

I’ve been looking to buy a bike for quite some time, to ride on the bike trails in the area and, as it turns out, the options are endless. John and I have rented bikes the last couple of years to try out different models and get a feel for what we like and don’t in a bike. Apparently electric assist bikes are all the rage now. I didn’t go for one of those, a decision I might regret later on. I have a cousin who has been an avid cyclist for many years and I’ve asked him on occasion about what to get for a bike, and without fail, he suggested I call Joyce at Pedal Power in Acton. She knows all there is to know about bikes. So about a week ago, I picked up the phone and called Pedal Power. I was glad when the voice on the other end said “this is Joyce, how can I help you?“

I asked Joyce how one buys a bike in this time of social distancing. As it turns out, there’s no trying out different models, (though I feel as though we did some of that already with our rentals). I explained where we expected to ride - basically on a bike trail, and told Joyce my height and she said, This is the bike I recommend for you and I have it in stock, and a week later, I was off to pick it up from the shop.

It wasn’t quite that fast and that’s not how I would normally make such a decision, but these are unusual times. In this case, I felt comfortable with Joyce’s recommendation. It was her down to earth manner and explanations that put me at ease with the decision, not to mention the number of people in town who recognize Pedal Power as THE place to buy a bike. In our conversations, she went over the features of the bike she was recommending and suggested that I look it up for myself and let her know if I wanted to proceed with that bike.

After my first ride, I’m quite pleased with my new wheels. And you might even say that in a manner of speaking, Joyce “shepherded” me through the decision, which on this 4th Sunday of Easter - sometimes referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday - seems rather apropos.

Each year of the 3 year lectionary cycle, the reading for the 4th Sunday of Easter is a selection from chapter 10 of the Gospel of John. It is the point in the story where Jesus describes himself with various aspects of the good shepherd and hence the name for this Sunday. In this morning’s reading, Jesus begins with a parable of sorts (the closest thing to a parable in John’s gospel). In it, he extolls the virtues of the shepherd who cares for his flock as one who enters by the gate, is known by the gatekeeper, and who’s voice is familiar to the sheep. Above all, the shepherd’s sole aim is to care for and protect the flock.

Seeing that his audience was confused by this imagery, Jesus went on to explain that he is not just the shepherd but he is also the gate through which the sheep enter and exit. To which I think, ah yes, much clearer now. - not really.

The sheep follow the voice of the shepherd relying on him to protect and provide for them. In the 1st c, several shepherds would lead their flocks into the sheepfold at night to protect them from predators like poachers and thieves, as well as other animals like wolves. And in some cases, the shepherd would lay down in front of the entrance to the sheepfold, literally laying down his life for the sheep. In the morning, each shepherd would call his sheep and lead them out of the sheepfold and out to pasture where they would graze in the fields.

At first glance, it might seem that Jesus was talking with his disciples and sharing this image of the shepherd. However, this passage is meant to be understood in the context of the events of the previous chapter - chap 9 - which is the story of Jesus healing the man born blind (which we heard during Lent). The numbered verses and chapter breaks make this seem as if it’s a separate event, but most scholars agree that this is the commentary that follows that earlier healing story. This means that the audience includes the Pharisees, the newly seeing man, perhaps his parents, and members of the synagogue as well as the disciples.

In essence, Jesus was trying to show the Pharisees that in their harsh treatment of the man born blind - questioning him again and again as to who and how he received his sight, rather than giving thanks for the healing - that they were like the bandits trying to sneak into the sheepfold by ways other than the gate; that they were making rules for the people that were above and beyond what God required, and thus were not protecting the sheep as they were supposed to do.

I admit, it’s a bit of a confusing analogy. And the text says more about who Jesus is and isn’t, than anyone else. There isn’t a one to one correspondence with the characters of the parable. Instead it calls us to reflect on what does it look like for us to follow the voice of Jesus?

What does that mean and how do we recognize Jesus’ voice among the many others we hear each day? And how do we discern the difference?

Think about all the voices you hear every day - The voices of the household you live in, those you work with, your friends and neighbors.

There are advertising voices trying to convince us that we need xyz product or service. There’s the music we listen to. There are journalists and reporters, bloggers and “experts”, talk show hosts, radio broadcasters - like sports radio announcers - news media personalities, Late show comedians? and more.

There are a lot of voices that bombard our ears each day. Have you ever considered what kind of influence that might have on our way of seeing the world?

What about the voice of Jesus? Where and when do we hear that voice? Presumably, we hear it in our Sunday worship in the readings, the prayers, and the hymns. If we have a practice of praying or listening to one or more of the daily offices, morning prayer, evening prayer or compline. And by spending time in prayer with the Scriptures, we cultivate a kind of listening of the heart.

And it’s a process and it’s part of the journey of faith to grow in our understanding of what it means to follow the voice of Jesus.

We listen to the stories of the Bible each week so as to learn something about how to conduct ourselves in the world in ways that convey the love of God to all people. It just so happens that it’s easier to convey that love to the people who think like we do, but it’s equally important to share God’s love with those who disagree with our point of view.

In the midst of this time in which people are so polarized in their views about almost everything, from the mundane of do you like coffee from Starbucks or Dunkins, to the more serious do you believe in climate change or not, there’s a sense in which this time of stay at home orders has been like a “time out” for the world. It can be an opportunity to dig deep within ourselves and find the reset for humanity.

What if we were to turn off the tv and the radio, shut off facebook and twitter, and focus on what really matters; taking care of ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. Get out and garden and cultivate a love for the earth; take stock of the flowers and trees growing and the grass under our feet. Think about the gift of water, clean and fresh from the tap and what does it take to keep that water clean and flowing for whole communities?

The 23rd psalm seems to bring it all together. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who provides for all that we need - time and space for rest in green pastures and still waters; restorative measures for the soul. Direction that leads to abundant and fruitful life. Comfort and presence, food and anointing. A song of trust in the midst of life’s challenges.

I encourage you to take time this week to listen to Jesus and hear the voice of our trusted Good Shepherd.
Amen.

The Rev. Melissa Buono

Sermon for the third Sunday of Easter 4.26.2020

Church of the Good Shepherd, Acton, Massachusetts

Rev. Melissa Buono, Interim Priest 

Readings: Acts 2:14a,36-41; Ps. 116:1-3, 10-17; 1Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35

This story of the Emmaus road reminds me of my visit last year to Minneapolis where I thought I’d get to see my dear friend and former seminary roommate Dawn, one more time before the ravages of colon cancer would take her life. But alas, I was too late. She had died 2 weeks earlier in the early hours of Easter Sunday morning.

It was the first time in the 9 years they lived in MN that I visited their home and saw the church where her husband was the Sr. Minister and she had done a great deal of teaching as well.

And on my visit, her husband Daniel and I walked for about an hour through their neighborhood, traveling our own Emmaus Road, and remembering Dawn. Our conversation was of happier times of their vacations back East in MA and RI, recalling our days at the seminary, her life before cancer and her struggle in it, and how bleak the future looked without her.

Unlike the 2 disciples of Luke’s story, I don’t recall being joined by any strangers on our walk, but I think Jesus was with us all the same, in our heartbreak and grief.

The Gospel lesson from Luke this morning takes us on a journey down a long and difficult road of heartbreak and grief as well. It’s the story of 2 friends or a married couple, both followers of Jesus and known to the other disciples. They are deeply upset and grieved by the events of Jesus’ death, the unfairness, the cruelty, along with the fact that he simply is no longer with them.

They’ve heard the story of the women at the empty tomb and how they saw Jesus, but the friends don’t know what to make of that tale. Peter and John went to the tomb after the women and confirmed that it was empty but they didn’t see Jesus.

They are confused, maybe even feeling silly for having believed that Jesus would be the Savior of God’s people Israel. Their hearts are filled with grief for Jesus as far as they know is dead. They didn’t understand resurrection any more than we do. They knew of Lazarus and a few others being raised from the dead, but resurrection? that was complete mystery.

While some of the other disciples hunkered down together in an upper room in Jerusalem, hiding out and wondering what’s next, Cleopas and his companion want to get away from it all; away from the crowds, the noise, the Roman soldiers, the smell of the air, and the anguish. A long walk to the countryside might help clear their heads and give them some perspective.

Ken GIre in his book Moments with the Savior, writes that they had several options as to where they could go. “The road north leads to Ephraim, but that was too far. The road east leads to Jericho, but that was too dangerous. The road south leads to Bethlehem but that was too glaring a reminder of all they were wanting to forget. And so they take the road west. The road to Emmaus.”

We’ve all been on the road to Emmaus at one point or another in our lives. It’s the road travelled when the things we had hoped for don’t work out: the marriage or relationship that failed; the business that went south; the school application rejected; the life lost to cancer or COVID or other disease.

And along that road, friends walk and talk, and share with each other all that had transpired as they tried to wrap their heads around it.

The conversation of Cleopas and the unnamed companion was probably not unlike the conversations we are having with family members and friends, (albeit 6 ft apart), whether out for a walk in the yard or the neighborhood, or on zoom or FaceTime. Together we go over all that’s happening right now and expressing the sadness and frustration and revealing a piece of what we are all experiencing.

Cleopas and his companion walk and talk and at some point they find themselves joined on the road with a stranger. They wonder, who is this one that knows nothing of the events of Jesus’ death and rumored resurrection? It’s all everyone is talking about, how could he not know?

And as they articulate their struggle to comprehend the events of the last days, the stranger lightly chides them asking, wasn’t this all necessary? Wasn’t this what Jesus said would happen? And to help them see the bigger picture, the broader history, Jesus shared with them the stories of the Scriptures from Genesis on through the prophets, helping them to see the bigger picture of life and why things unfolded as they did.

But it wasn’t until later in the evening, when they had invited the kindly stranger home with them, and gathered at the table, that suddenly their guest took on the role of host as he took the bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to them to eat. It was then, in that moment, that they recognized the Savior Jesus, and their grief turned to joy as they recalled the warming of their hearts in their earlier conversation with him. Oh how life had been transformed in that moment and oh how life continues to be transformed for each of us today as it has in every generation.

In 2020, COVID-19 has certainly changed the way of life for people around the world. And yet, probably one of the hardest challenges of this coronavirus outbreak is the social distancing - not being able to get together with extended family or friends, be it for celebrations or in mourning.

Granted some people have been able to find some creative ways to see loved ones they’ve been separated from - like the 88 year old Watertown man (Nick) whose wife has been in a nursing home for the last year. He sat by her bedside every day until precautions were put in place and the facility had to stop allowing visitors. Seeing his father’s devastation at being separated, the couple’s son put out a plea on FB for a bucket truck and shortly thereafter he had plenty of offers to help with his mission to get his dad to see his wife of 61 years. Strapped in and hoisted 3 stories up, Nick was finally able to see Marion through the screen of her window, and it was such joy.

In this time we must look for ways to journey with one another and to be the good news of Christ’s resurrection in the world. The Mission Outreach team has been thinking about this recently and later in the service, Barb Magee and Helene Gagliano are going to share with you some ideas of how you can get involved.

In the meantime, let’s remember that even in our darkest moments, we are not alone. The Lord Jesus is with us and gives us the strength to journey on. And so we must keep walking and listening to one another, welcoming the stranger and breaking bread together. For in these simple acts, we are neighbor to one another as we are gathered into one in Christ.

Amen.

Earth Day happenings for its 50th anniversary

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day is next Wednesday April 22.

Why not celebrate while social distancing inside your home by exploring digital offerings of Earth Day celebrations all over the world? These celebrations take place on multiple days. After surfing the World Wide Web, you can take a break and watch a movie or a Frontline report about plastic. For details about all these activities recommended by Creation Care CGS, see below:

• Join Earth Day Live for multi-day, multi-national, multi-generational celebrations covering a multitude of topics. Millions around the world are taking to the web on multiple days to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

• Wednesday April 22 2:00pm - The Story of Plastic is screening on Discovery Channel. Watch the trailer for The Story of Plastic.

• PBS' FRONTLINE aired its episode entitled Plastic Wars on March 31. Click on the highlighted title to watch the trailer and scroll down to watch each of the covered investigations.

What is life like at Esperanza Academy during COVID-19?

An update from Kristina Dolce, English teacher at Esperanza Academy. For more about our relationship with Esperanza Academy, please see our Mission Outreach page.

Letters about the pandemic from El Ocotillo

In March we were touched to receive letters from six of the scholarship students in El Ocotillo sending prayers to us during this pandemic and updating us on their status in El Salvador. These letters are from Edith Martinez Rodriguez, a fourth-year agronomy student, and David Argueta Nolasco, a third-year English student.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Hello Friends of Good Shepherd,

I write to you to wish you good health in these difficult times for all that the whole world is going through. I wish that God blesses you and protects all of the members of the Good Shepherd community.

I am writing to tell you that at this moment our country finds itself on alert because of Covid 19, now no cases of infected people have been discovered.

Our community at the moment is well and in prayer, asking for the health and the wellness of the community and also for you, our sister community, and all the countries of the world who are confronted with this pandemic.

The government has taken prevention measures to avoid the contagion and has made the decision to put the country in a quarantine, suspending classes and avoiding gatherings of people. At this time the classes are online so that we are not affected by the suspension and we don’t lose the term. So far, for a period of 30 days we will not attend classes and we will be studying from our homes.

I leave you asking the Creator that you are well and in good health, and wait to know soon from you and from all of the sister community. I send you many greetings and hugs from me and my family.

Blessings to all,

With care,

Edith and Family

(age 20, university 4)

translated by BMagee

GOOD SHEPHERD Boston, Massachusetts

Elvin David Argueta Nolasco Ocotillo,

Morazán, El Salvador.

I am honored to be part of this wonderful distance-family. May the lord bless you all and care in this painful situation.

It is hard to say that we are well in these moments when the entire world is shocked about what is happening with COVID-19 pandemic. I really hope you are good and safe. As community, we are all well even though we have around two weeks quarantine waiting to overcome to this situation. Thanks God we don’t have any positive case near to this place. For now, everything is closed such as companies, markets, and even the schools and universities. Therefore, we as student are receiving the classes online.

This is quite difficult because; as you know, here in this area is very difficult to have internet access; however, all of us are doing our best in order to keep on learning and improving our knowledge.

I have noticed that in the United Stated the spread number of infested people is increasing quickly. That is so sad, but in the middle of this, God will make the way and solve this problem. We really need to trust in his promises.

I want to share with you that as a family we are well. We are also praying for the sister community. I wish you the best. God bless you.

Ocotillo, Morazán, El Salvador March 21, 2018

Best regards,

Elvin David Argueta Nolasco

In-person services suspended until May 31

In accordance with the directives of the Diocese of Massachusetts and State and local authorities to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 (or coronavirus), Church of the Good Shepherd has suspended all in-person worship and events at the church until May 31, 2020.

Though we are not gathering in person at this time, it is important to remember that wherever we are, together or apart, we are the Body of Christ. We share in the love of God for us and for each other.

As changes are being made to the way we worship, let us find creative ways to stay connected and in communication with each other.

1. The Vestry and several members of the congregation along with Rev. Melissa, are calling all CGS members to check in and share how to join in our online worship. We encourage you to think about our parish and hold one another in prayer during this difficult time. Feel free to check in with one another by phone or email, and if you have any pastoral needs, please contact the office or email Rev. Melissa.

2. Pray one or more of the Daily Office Prayers: Morning Prayer, Noon Prayer, Evening Prayer or Compline. These short prayer services keep us grounded in the assurances of God’s love and redemption in this time of uncertainty and angst. These prayers are available in a number of formats providing options for you and your household. You can find them in the Book of Common Prayer beginning on page 75. You can listen to the daily office online in a variety of ways.

   • Download the daily podcast of Morning Prayer led by Chip Lee of the Episcopal Church in Garrett County, Maryland.

   • A number of local congregations hold Daily Office prayers via livestream.

   • At CGS, we gather via Zoom for weekly prayer:

     • Morning Prayer on Sundays at 9:00 am

     • Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 7:30 am

     • Compline (Night Prayer) on Thursdays at 8:00 pm

3. Throughout this time of online worship, please remember to make your financial offering to Good Shepherd.

As we navigate this new reality, please do your part and remain at home in accordance with the state and local guidelines. Practice social distancing and visit stores only on an as-needed basis. Wash your hands frequently and wipe down surfaces on a regular basis.

These are indeed challenging times and it is natural to react with fear and anxiety. But remember that we belong to God in the one Body of Christ. Let us walk this journey lifting one another in prayer, caring for our neighbors, and staying "connected" as best we can.

Here are two prayers for you to pray and reflect on as we remember those most impacted by COVID-19.

Prayer for a Pandemic

by Dr. Cameron Wiggins Bellm of Seattle, Washington

May we who are merely inconvenienced,
Remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors,
Remember those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home,
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close,
Remember those who have no options.

May we who have had to cancel our trips,
Remember those that have no safe place to go.

May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market,
Remember those who have no margin at all.

May we who settle in for a quarantine at home,
Remember those who have no home.

As fear grips our country,
Let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen.

A Prayer Amid an Epidemic

By Kerry Weber

Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.

Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.

Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.

Jesus Christ, heal us.

Kerry Weber is an executive editor of America. www.americamagazine.org

The Rev. Melissa Buono

Sermon for the Easter Sunday 4.12.2020

Church of the Good Shepherd, Acton, Massachusetts

Rev. Melissa Buono, Interim Priest 

Readings: Acts 10:34-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Ps. 118:1-2, 14-24; Matthew 28:1-10

In the name of Our Risen Lord, Alleluia! Amen!

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

Happy Easter my dear friends! and while this has been a most unusual and certainly unforgettable Holy Week and now Easter, I want to thank you for your prayers and your virtual presence throughout this difficult and challenging time.

I began my first sermon on zoom quoting the Grateful Dead and little did I know just “what a long and strange” Lenten and now Easter journey this would be.

The thing is, despite all the inconvenience of working remotely, and not being able to gather in person, there has been the joy of connecting with you by phone and email. And if we’ve not had a chance to connect as yet, do not fear, members of the Vestry and congregation and I are continuing our parish wide outreach to you all and will do so in the weeks ahead.

I’d like to encourage you to look at who’s on this call and think about who’s not here and maybe reach out to them by phone or with a card this week, so that they know they are missed.

But it’s good to hear your voices and see your faces on the zoom sessions! I think we realize in these calls how much we miss one another and how much we care about each other.

Being able to meet online though doesn’t take away from the unsettling fact that everything about this Holy Week and Easter is different this year! From the social distancing and stay-at-home orders, to the zoom gatherings and technical glitches, even the liturgy itself is different with weekly Morning Prayer and the unusual Triduum or 3 Days observance. My apologies to you if you got bounced out of the meeting last night. I had to close out the meeting and start it again and I fear some of you got lost in that transition.

How we long for what used to be - to gather in this space, to greet one another with the sign of peace, to hear the footsteps of the children as they run pell mell up the stairs and into the sanctuary after their lessons, to lift our voices in prayer and song, and of course to share in the Holy Eucharist, as well as our coffee hour gatherings and celebrations.

Let us sit with that longing for a moment. Let us take in this sabbath rest from our usual practice as we pause to reflect on the Easter story. For there are things about this story that we can perhaps relate to in ways that we likely couldn’t in years past. Our customs and patterns of being in Holy Week and Easter are so in-grained that perhaps we missed parts of the Easter Resurrection story because after all, we know how this story ends.

This year, we’ve not had to worry about the accoutrements of worship - no banners to hang, no ceremonial stripping of the altar, ... and not that these things are unimportant, but without them, it’s given us more time to reflect on the story without being swept up in the busyness of the season’s preparations. It’s allowed us space to think about what really matters in this season.

Although in other ways, we are more distracted on the home front from juggling working from home, and online learning for our children to worrying about whether you’ll have a job or a small business to return to. There are fears about lost income and getting needed medications, anxiety about vulnerable loved ones with activities and learning curtailed. There are fears around testing positive for COVID-19 and enduring the awful effects of the virus. Indeed it is a time fraught with worry and fear as we consider the bigger picture of what is happening to the world as we know it.

We all long for an end to this coronavirus and for things to get back to “normal.” But what is normal and what if this is an opportunity to create a new normal? What shall we keep? What needs to change? The text this morning from Matthew even feels strange; I’m so used to hearing the Easter proclamation from the Gospel of John. And reading the account of the women at the tomb has made me go back and read it again as the details are not so familiar.

For unlike the other gospel writers, Matthew does not mention the women’s task of bringing spices to anoint the body of Jesus as the burial happened so quickly in order to finish before the sabbath had begun. Instead Matthew has the women going back just to see the tomb. They had been there earlier; they had watched as Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus’ body in the new tomb and then rolled a great stone to the door and went away. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb until the start of the sabbath when they returned to their home.

What was that Sabbath like for the women? Surely it was unlike any other. They must have been reeling from the events of Jesus’ death and the unfairness of it all - what wrong had he done? No wonder they went back to the tomb at the first opportunity when sabbath was ended and the light was just beginning to break in the day.

In his account, Matthew describes the scene with “dramatic effect” recalling a great earthquake and the descending of an angel of the Lord with a dazzling appearance who then rolled back the stone and sat on it. There were guards who fell over like corpses and the 2 women were filled with fear and awe.

I wonder if the earthquake was an aftershock or even set in motion by the shaking of the earth and splitting rocks that occurred when Jesus drew his last breath on the cross? it was during that shifting of earth that the understanding of the centurion shifted as did that of the others who were keeping watch over Jesus. With their new realization, they announced, “Truly this man was God’s Son.” Was it seeing the mighty hand of God rumble the earth that convinced them? What would they think of the greater act of God’s power that would come in the morning?

The appearance of the angel proved too much for the guards at the grave. They shook and became like dead men themselves, and as such they missed the messenger of the Lord. But the angel spoke to the women bringing a word of comfort: “Do not be afraid.” The angel went on to confirm what had taken place saying to the women, “I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said would happen.” And then he invited them to come and see the place where Jesus’ body had been laid.

Again, Matthew’s gospel leaves out some of the details of the other accounts; there is no sharing of what was seen inside the tomb, no talk of the burial clothes left behind. The sense is that we need not linger at the tomb, and the time for grieving is done. Instead we must go and share the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, for he who was dead, is now alive.

Having heard that Jesus would meet them in Galilee, the women immediately left the tomb to go and find the others and tell them what they had seen and were told. They were filled with both fear and great joy. Would the others believe them? They were women after all, living in a culture that did not count women among those to be trusted or believed. But things had happened just as Jesus said they would when he told them that he would die and on the 3 day be raised again.

You can almost feel their excitement and curiosity, the mix of emotion running through them as they try to make sense of the messengers’ news. And if all was not feeling surreal enough for the women, suddenly they were joined on the road by a figure who said to them “Greetings!”

Who was this? Could it be Jesus? Surely they recognized him as they came to him. They took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus echoed the words of the angel saying “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The joy of Easter is that though the tomb is empty, Jesus is with us still. And though he died, he lives again in glory. Like the message to the Mary’s, Jesus calls to each of us, Be not afraid! for despite the dangers of this world, we are forever in God’s care.

Things are changing all around us, some more rapidly than others, and it’s hard to take it all in, and it’s easy to be filled with fear and dread, but know that because Jesus lived and died and rose again, God is with us. Listen to Jesus and do not be afraid. May we sing with the psalmist who said, “On this day the Lord has acted, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

In whatever you are facing this day, may you know the comforting presence of the Risen Christ!

A blessed Easter to you my sisters and brothers!

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Amen.

The Rev. Melissa Buono

Sermon for the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday 4.5.2020

Church of the Good Shepherd, Acton, Massachusetts

Rev. Melissa Buono, Interim Priest 

Readings: Matthew 21:1-11; Psalm 31: 9-16; Isaiah 50;4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (26:14-27:66)

This week I’ve been wrestling with the question: What is the significance of Palm Sunday? 

Yes, it’s our remembering of Jesus’ Triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem. 

You will recall, the population of Jerusalem had swelled as 1000s of pilgrims journeyed to the Holy City to celebrate the High Holy day of Passover. Many of the people gathered there in Jerusalem, were from the villages of Galilee and had witnessed Jesus’ healings, and heard his teaching. And having seen Jesus enter the city, they gave him a hero’s welcome, as he too came to observe the Passover. 

The picture though is not one of military strength, but of a humble king riding not on a well decorated steed, but on a donkey - and not even a donkey, but the calf of a donkey. He wasn’t dressed in the finest royal capes with rings on his fingers - he wore his usual garb - a tunic and sandals. There were no trumpets blaring “Hail to the Chief” - just the cheers of the crowd as they gathered and reached out to touch Jesus and moved with him through the crowded narrow streets. And instead of the Hollywood red carpet, the peasants laid down their cloaks (probably the only one they owned) and laid them on the ground for Jesus and the donkey to walk on. Others cut branches from palm trees to lay before his path. Dating back to ancient Egypt, the palm branch is a sign of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. Even in ancient Greece, winning athletes were awarded a palm branch. 

The peasants loved Jesus. They saw in him someone who was on their side for a change. He gave them hope in God’s vision for a new kingdom, a world without pain and suffering and hardship. And they were excited for Jesus to enter the city because they expected that he had to finally clash with the powers that be, and free them from the occupation they were living under with the Roman Empire. 

But of course, that’s not what Jesus rode into Jerusalem to do. He knew it would be his last visit to that city. He knew the end of his life was near. And he braced himself for the betrayal and arrest and false charges and mockery that was to come. 

The thing is, Jesus wasn’t the only parade in town that day. Because the city would be overflowing with visitors and pilgrims to celebrate the Passover, the Romans wanted to make sure there were no uprisings among the people, no one causing any trouble. So, on the opposite side of the city, at the western gate, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor entered the city with the Imperial procession of calvary and soldiers and all the fanfare you would expect from a mighty leader. This royal parade was meant to show off the power and authority of the Roman Empire, lest the pilgrims forget who was in charge. Yes, they could have their festival, but it would not get out of hand. You see, the Romans were particularly vigilant about Passover because it was the celebration of the liberation of Israel from the violence of another empire that once ruled - Egypt and Pharaoh. And they didn’t want the Jews to be getting any ideas about another possible escape. 

Ultimately, Jesus’ crucifixion was the result of the clash between these two claims: Jesus and the Kingdom of God versus Pilate and the Roman Empire of which Caesar considered himself to be god. 

The significance of Jesus’ life and death for us today is located in the fact that Jesus did not succumb to the temptation, to the taunts and jeers of his captors. Just as Satan had done to Jesus in his 40 days in the wilderness after his baptism in the 3 temptations: turning stones into bread to eat; jumping off the peak of the Temple and asking God’s angels to rescue him; and bowing down to Satan in exchange for immediate power and authority over all without dying on the cross. The tempter had returned - as the voices say: Rescue yourself from the cross; come down here and prove to us that you’re the Son of God; He saved others, but he can’t save himself. 

The thing is, if Jesus had called on God to rescue him, we would have missed the greatest sign of God’s power over all, the Resurrection. In this one act, God shows ultimate power, taking on death and the grave, and showing that death does not have the final say, but that there is life in Christ after death. Why is this significant? 

Because today as we are living through this coronavirus outbreak, we know and can trust that God is with us - in our homes, in the hospital wards, the ICU, in hospice, in the ER and in the morgue. God is in the prisons, and in all the places where hope is diminished, God brings light and life. WHY? 

Because God is ALL IN. God doesn’t leave the scene when the going gets tough. God is ALL IN with us throughout the horrors of this pandemic - and God’s promise to be with us (Emmanuel) means God is with us to face whatever life throws our way - the loss of a spouse, of a parent, of a child, of a job, a home, a limb, one’s memory, whatever befalls us, God is with us in it. And when we think we can’t take another step or face another day, God is with us to be our companion, our strength, our whatever is needed in that moment to get us through. Think about Jesus, when he could barely carry himself to Golgotha let alone the heavy cross beam of his execution, Simon of Cyrene was pushed into service to help carry Jesus’ cross. 

God is ALL IN and doesn’t bail when the going gets tough. Jesus knew the difficult road before him, the brutality of the soldiers and the mocking of the people, and instead of rescuing himself from that moment, Jesus trusted in God to see him through to the other side - to the resurrection and life in God’s glory. 

Jesus is not afraid of the hard times; Jesus is not afraid of the pain of life; And that’s not to say that we’re supposed to behave in the same way as Jesus. Not at all. The point is, we don’t have to be the strong independent brave one facing every difficulty alone. Jesus is there for us to lean on, and Jesus has been through it before. And until Jesus returns to earth, he comes to us in the Body of Christ which is the church. and it is in that imperfect body that God works to provide what is needed at the right time. 

The last point I’ll make is that God is ALL IN for each and every one of you. And the beauty is that, it is true whether we believe it or not - because, our belief doesn’t change who God is. 

God is our creator and God loves who and what God has made. and while God may not like the choices and decisions we make in the way we treat one another (immigrants, poor people, prisoners, enemies), God is still ALL IN for us ALL.

AMEN