Today’s Gospel (John 20:19-31) invites us to celebrate that Christ is truly risen, that he is to be found in the assembly of his disciples, the Church, and that he breathes his Holy Spirit into us so that we share his divine and human eternal life. 

We hear how he gives authority to his church to forgive and retain sins, creating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Confession, for our spiritual healing. 

We see also the dangers of missing church – we can miss meeting the Lord – and the crucial importance of going after our friends and fellow parishioners and helping them to get back to church!

Topping it all off we have Jesus’ wonderful words, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Remember these words in a few minutes when we, 2000 years later, stand and proclaim “We believe in one God . . .”

What more could I ask for to sum up what I have tried to live and share with you over the last 15 years as your rector. 

Next week a variety of people may tune in to share our last Sunday together. This week it is probably just us, those who have worshipped and worked together over the years. I want to tell you how proud I have been to be your priest and pastor. St. Mary’s is built on the firm foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ and you the “living stones” of this Church help to make it a place of deep worship and loving care for one another.

A priest’s ministry covers a vast spectrum of worship, preaching, pastoring, planning, managing, locking up buildings and all the rest. I am grateful to God that I have done some things well and grateful to you for being partners with me in worship and study and service.

As priests we are responsible for doing all that we can to help people be saved, to help them grow up into the maturity of Christ, to share Christ’s life in God here and now and to enjoy it fully forever in heaven. We priests always fall short of that standard. Can we ever say that we have done “all that we can”? 

There have been times when I could have reached out with a word of encouragement or challenge and did not. There have been times when I have reached out with a word of encouragement or challenge and should have kept quiet. There have been times when I was trying to do the right thing but did it poorly or inadequately. And there have been times when because of fatigue or discouragement or self–indulgence I didn’t do what I could have for you. 

For making it harder for you to be authentically Christian, I deeply apologize and I ask your forgiveness for the ways I have wronged you in that.

I want to say a few practical things about the months to come that I think will help St. Mary’s move into the future well.

First of all, there is going to be a long stretch with no rector. Fr. Faupel has agreed with the Vestry to be priest-in-charge, ably assisted by Mother Tomei during season. You know what fine priests they are and they will serve you well.  

Nonetheless a tremendous weight will fall on your wardens and Vestry members and other parish leaders. On the one hand, the search for a new rector requires their time and attention and on the other hand the life of the parish goes on. If you want them to be wise they need ample leisure. Whatever you can do to lighten their load, please do it. Certainly do not add to their load!

Secondly, take this opportunity to think carefully about what priests and rectors are for. There is a tendency over a period of years for all sorts of things to end up in the rector’s inbox, because he cares, because he knows what needs doing, because he knows what will result if this or that is not attended to.

But Parish Priests are called to lead in worship, administer the Sacraments, preach and teach the Gospel, and pray for and visit God’s people. They help identify and foster the gifts God has given to the faithful so that they in turn, can exercise their ministries. And rectors have a particular responsibility to lead and guide the whole parish, helping it be a living part of the Body of Christ.

Your new rector, whoever that may be, has not received special grace to keep parish records, or maintain the property or balance the budget. You can oblige your rector to do these things but that will take him away from what he is called and equipped to do.

Over the course of the next year you will seek God’s will together for the future of St. Mary’s. You will have my deep interest and love and prayers but you know I will have no role in that. But here are some basics that will help St. Mary’s to go from strength to strength, building on what God has already done among us.

Above all, have confidence in yourselves. We know what God can do in us and through us. This is a wonderful parish with devoted, talented people. You are called and equipped by God. There is no limit to what St. Mary’s can do and be. As a line from the Cursillo Movement puts it, you and God are an overwhelming majority

Then, come to Church every Sunday, online for now and physically when you can. When attendance is good everyone is encouraged, community is built, God is praised and everyone moves forward together. “Don’t neglect the common assembly” as the Epistle to the Hebrews (10:25) says. Barring sickness or unavoidable job commitments, let’s be here. It’s one way of saying, “The Church is important to me – and I am important to the Church.”

Third, give your tithe to the Church. If the clergy, wardens and Vestry are freed from worry about making ends meet, they can and will focus on the building up of the Church. We owe God that10% of our income. He shouldn’t have to send someone around to collect! 

Fourth, pray for your new rector and family, whoever that may be. Pray now for God’s direction in making the choice. Pray for the people who will be considered and who will consider St. Mary’s. And when the choice is made, pray constantly, insistently, lovingly for that person. It is your duty and your privilege and it is essential for a vibrant, growing Church.

And get to know and trust your rector. Someone has said, If you like someone, you’ll listen to him. If you trust him, you will do what he asks; you will follow him. Give your new rector your trust and affection.

Can I say something here about the changing of the guard? You know what I mean. A new priest comes, and a whole bunch of people say, “Isn’t this great!” and march in to worship and work. And a whole bunch who had marched in for the previous rector say, “Isn’t this awful?!” and march out.

This is a terrible thing and really damages the Church. You weren’t baptized in any priest’s name. No priest will save you. You are Christ’s and an active member of his Church. 

All priests are different and appeal to different people; so if you ever find yourself in a Parish where you think the priest is misdirected, incomprehensible and peculiar, then PRAISE GOD! That priest must be tremendously appealing to a whole different group of people. You’re already here and when they come in, what a Church you’ll have!

Every parish has people who say, “I used to attend when wonderful Fr. So and so was there.” But don’t we have to say, If Fr. So and so was so wonderful, why haven’t you learned to be faithful to God and his Church all the time and not just sometimes? You see, there may be plenty of reasons why people drop away, but there is no excuse. I never want anyone to say “I used to go when Fr. Michael of blessed memory was here but now I don’t because…” I will turn over in my grave even if I’m not dead yet! 

Lastly, do your bit. Discover in conversation with God and your pastor what your ministry is, from floor sweeping to visiting the sick, and do it.

   As Rabbi Hillel is reported to have said: If not me, who? If not now, when? 

And Isaiah the prophet, when God says, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” answers: Here am I. Send me.

St. Mary’s has a vision and a call to worship God reverently, to grow in love of him and of our neighbors and to help others to embrace Christ as Savior. We certainly haven’t fulfilled this vision but we are well on our way.

More to the point, we are living in and following the one who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, our risen Lord Jesus Christ. 

God bless you all. AMEN