A Process Wrapped in Prayer

 HOMILY, ST. PAUL’S, FOLEY – 7 EASTER, YEAR B

MAY 16, 2021

 

TEXT:                        ACTS 1:15-17, 21-26

 

            In the first lesson today, we have the account of the first successor among the disciples.  Judas, of course, had betrayed Jesus – and followed his dastardly deed by committing suicide. So, the 12 disciples were left one-short, with just 11.  So, they began the first discernment process.

 

            Discernment processes have changed quite a bit over the years. Two centuries later, Fabian was chosen Bishop of Rome in 236 A. D. by having a dove land on his head as he stood outside the electing council of the church. It was Rome, so that dove was likely a pigeon.  At any rate, the crowd saw the bird – whether a dove or pigeon – as a sign that the Holy Spirit had chosen Fabian.

 

            The Diocese of Mississippi, from which I hail, has an 80-year tradition of electing priests named Duncan Montgomery Gray to be bishop.  In fact, over the years, we have elected three of them.  The first Bishop Gray, who served from 1942 until his death in 1965, once commented on the process of electing bishops: “Anyone who wants to be bishop deserves to be bishop.” You can guess what that meant.

 

            When I was much younger, I was pondering a possible call to the ordained ministry. Several priests had this advice for me: “If you can do anything else, do it.” Not the highest recommendation for a vocation.

 

            But, in the first lesson today, two men made themselves available – Barsabbas, called Justus, and Matthias.  When the eleven disciples narrowed the list of possible apostles, they prayed for those two.  And then they cast lots – trusting the Holy Spirit to speak through a game of chance.  And she did.  Matthias was chosen.

 

            It would not be too long before the disciples felt a need to discern again.  This time it would be the discernment of the first seven deacons.  That was when St. Stephen was chosen. They were tasked with connecting with the community and bringing the needs of the community to the church.

 

            Now a committee of this parish is charged with the task of recommending the next rector for St. Paul’s, Foley.  Their job is to make a recommendation to the Vestry.  It is the Vestry’s job to discern whether their recommended candidate should be called as rector.  And it is the responsibility of the recommended candidate to discern whether he or she is called to be the rector of St. Paul’s, Foley.

 

            Throughout two millennia of discernment, the job of calling someone to a sacred role has been wrapped in prayer.  Sometimes the determining process has been the casting of lots, the descent of a bird, or the choice of a familiar name.  But it has always been enveloped in prayer.

 

            If you have paid attention over the last nine months, we have included a prayer for our parish’s search committee and process in every worship service.  The prayer is more than words.  It is the invitation of the Holy Spirit to guide the work and hearts of the search committee and Vestry.

 

            The hope, the prayer is that the Spirit will speak clearly above the din and clamor of daily life and guide our leaders to the person who is called to be rector.

 

            It is Holy Work.