Maundy Thursday: Blueprint for Community

Homilist: Karen Reeman

St. James, Eatontown
Maundy Thursday, March 24, 2016

John 13: 1-17

12
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to
the table, he said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call
me Teacher and Lordand you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your
Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one
anothers feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I
have done to you.
I.

I have been ordained into a particular Order, the Holy Order of Deacons
The focus of the diaconate is service/ministering diakonia
(dee-ak-on-ee'-ah
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/diakonia.html
).
Servanthood is also the focus of todays gospel.
Deacons are often asked to preach on this day.

II.

In a recent sermon, Fr. Agostino explained that Jesus and his disciples
probably went barefoot or, at best, wore only sandals.
Washing anothers feet would be an unpleasant job
Reserved for a servant or even a slave of the household

III.

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, what are we called to do?
In his letters (epistles), Paul articulates what Jesus demonstrated
through his ministry and in this teachings
Paul explains in his letter to the Galations (3: 26-29) the state-ofbeing achieved through Baptism in Christ. Specifically, Paul
explains what Jesus demonstrated by washing his disciples feet:
26
. . .for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.
27
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed
yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is
no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for
all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ,
then you are Abrahams offspring, heirs according to the promise.
We are called to serve each other as equals. We are to partner
with each other in the Gospel.

IV.

What does that mean? What does that look like in the context of our
faith community?

During every Baptism the celebrant as us, as a community, to

renew our Baptismal covenant:
Celebrant: Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the
prayers? (BCP 304)
People:

I will, with Gods help.

V.

All Baptized Christians are expected to:

Participate in corporate worship inc. Eucharist (breaking of the
bread) and fellowship
Study (continue apostles teaching) and pray
Contribute to the life of the community time (LEM, acolyte,
altar guild, CF Mentor, etc.), talent, and/or money.

VI.

In return, we expect to be able to participate in the sacraments of the

church. Besides Baptism (which we already have received) and the
Eucharist, the sacraments inc.:
Confirmation (the adult affirmation of our baptismal vows; inc.
training), BCP pp. 413-419
Pastoral care Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession),
BCP pp. 447-452, and unction (anointing with oil those who are
sick or dying) BCP pp. 453-467
Matrimony (Christian marriage), BCP pp. 422-438
And if called Holy Orders (ordination to deacon, priest, or
bishop), BCP pp. 510-555

VII.

For my final paper in Ecclesiology (Def: theology as applied to the

nature and structure of the Christian Church, Oxford dictionaries), I was
asked if I thought the current vows for deacon should be changed.
I was appalled to discover that the vow to physically care for
church members in the 1928 prayer book, was removed from
vows in the 1967 revision (adopted in 1979):
. . . it is his Office . . . to search for the sick, poor, and impotent
people of the Parish, that they may be relieved with the alms of
the Parishioners, or others. (1928 PB 533)

And replaced by the vow to mostly to care for people outside the
parish:
. . . you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak,
the sick, and the lonely . . . [and] to interpret to the Church the
needs, concerns, and hopes of the world. (1979 BCP 543)

VIII.

Although I have always considered the Church my second family or,

better yet, my extended family, I have never actually felt cared for.
But at St. James I feel different, because the faith community at St.
James is different.
My ministries are validated and my contributions are appreciated
I receive cards on my birthday and anniversary written by hand
I know that Fr. Agostino is available for pastoral care when
needed
And I am confident that Fr. Agostino would bring me Communion
if I was ever unable to attend church

IX.

And, in the few months Ive been your deacon, I have seen our care for
each other deepening all the time:
Increased tolerance/flexibility members are encouraged to
answer their own calls (i.e. say yes/no)
Increased interest and involvement in our ritual and communal
life e.g. acolyte, music ministries, Christian Formation,
outreach, etc.
And weve opened our doors to Brazilian Community

X.

Being an intentional Christian community takes hard work. We have to

be vigilant about:
Being inclusive. We should always think: who else might be
interested or who else might benefit from our ministries
Being supportive. We should always acknowledge the ministries
of others (e.g. thank the altar guild, coffee hour host, vestry,
etc.)
And continue to extend the expression of Gods love beyond the
four walls of our church

XI.

In a few days we will witness the baptism of two children James and
Kathleen into the Christian faith. Let us continue to strive to make St.
James a community worth belonging to.