Lent 1A (RCL) 2005
Father Charles Ridge’s last sermon as Interim Rector

When I looked back at the sermon that I preached on this Sunday nine years ago, I noticed that I had a difficult time deciding on a text because… I find the propers for this First Sunday in Lent (A) are so full I want to preach on everything. The 1996 sermon, in fact, had no one text but I did give it a three-fold title, “Myth… Sin… and Temptation”

In my preaching I often quote Patricia Datchuck Sánchez, a Roman Catholic theologian, who week-by-week writes on the Sunday propers for the publication, Celebration, and who really “speaks” to me. I am happy to share with you, today, her opening paragraph this year, on the propers for today—Fig Leaves or Naked Truth.

How easy it is to read the primeval myth of Adam and Eve and their fall from grace and to lay the burden of guilt for the human condition upon their shoulders. How easy it is to misconstrue Paul’s words to the Romans and blame the disobedience of one man for the concupiscence, evil and death that all of us are made to suffer. How easy it is for us to read the Matthean account of Jesus’ being tempted in the wilderness and diminish his triumph by reasoning: “After all, he was God, and the tempter is no match for the Source of all strength and goodness.”

But Lent is not about assigning blame or guilt to others. Lent is not about diminishing the struggle against evil that Jesus willingly accepted as his own for our sake.

Lent is about rediscovering God and uncovering ourselves before God by setting aside the fig leaves we’ve been hiding behind. (My emphasis)

I propose to you that the leadership transition from “former rector” to “interim rector” to “new rector” is a particular, parallel journey of rediscovery for St. Paul’s!

In the reading from Genesis, Adam and Eve have separated themselves from God. They have put their personal agenda and leadership before God’s and, in so doing, realize that they are naked—embarrassed before each other and ashamed before God—the God who created them out of love.

There are helpful images in this Genesis narrative to keep in mind for new leadership at St. Paul’s? How about…

“Did God say?… but God said… But the serpent said…”

• Beware the serpent of gossip, rumor and, most of all the “everyone is saying…” serpent!

• It will be so important to each of you and your new rector to communicate openly, respectfully, and lovingly no one claiming that they have God’s truth, nor assuming that another speaks with evil intent.

How about later in Genesis when God asks if they have eaten of the fruit and they pass the buck? Adam, Eve, and the serpent all pass the buck when in fact the story says… “she took of [the tree’s] fruit and ate… and he ate”

You will have the choice in the months ahead to question whose fault some things at St. Paul’s might be or to embrace your connectedness, share ultimate responsibility, and know that you all are equally naked before the Truth. Then, being St. Paul’s… you will sew the most beautiful loincloths in the whole Church!!

The Apostle Paul, in the reading today from Romans, using the Genesis story picks up on the origin and result of original sin, and assures us that by the grace of God in Christ, the penalty of original sin has been canceled. To do this, Paul presents, what is to me personally, one of the most powerful images of the Christian faith—that of Jesus as the “2^nd Adam.” Jesus is the proto-human who gets it right this time Jesus is the “New Revised Standard Version” of humanity who remains faithful to God’s purposes for humanity

Therefore just as one man’s, (Adam’s) trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s (Jesus’) act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

While not directly relevant to my point, I think it is both helpful and important to understand that while the Church has agreed that original sin—sin at the root of our being—exists, the Church in the East and West have not been of one mind in expressing how it continues to be passed on. In the West (Council of Trent) it was understood to be passed on genetically, through human reproduction; In the East, however, it is seen as an environmental influence with on-going repercussions like concentric circles. That difference of understanding can significantly impacts one’s feelings about our daily experience and participation in original sin as well as our feelings about human sexuality.

Paul’s words to the Romans are a perfect corollary to the first reading from Genesis, describing humanity’s rehabilitation by grace. As St. Paul’s Parish anticipates and begins your new life together with new clerical leadership, never forget the presence and concentric effect of sin, but never doubt that, by faith, it can be overcome through the grace of the second Adam. The ultimate correction has been made, by grace.

In the gospel Jesus offers, by his own example, how we are to appropriate God’s gracious gifts in our continuing struggle in this world with the legacy of sin and separation.

Jesus’ three temptations are, interestingly, also parallel the history of Israel. Jesus’ first temptation (hunger—and he really can turn stones to bread) parallels God’s gift of manna to Israel in the desert. This first temptation raises the question of how Jesus would use his material power in the world—his power that we see as miraculous or supernatural. Beware of and resist with all your might, the temptation to sit back with the attitude (acknowledged or not) that Mother Melissa will turn St. Paul’s stones into St. Paul’s bread! Achieving will take, first, God’s grace and then your working just as hard as Mother Melissa.

Jesus’ 2^nd temptation (throwing himself off the pinnacle of the Temple) parallels Israel’s wilderness experiences of complaining against God and goading Moses into asking God for a show of power. The question raised is how Jesus was going to use his fame in the world. Instead of being the biggest and the best—a superstar—Jesus chose faithfulness to God, even though it led him to the cross. Remember as you start a new phase of St. Paul’s 100 years+ life, the cross—not being caught by angels in mid-air—is the way to eternal life in the Kingdom. Keep your focus where it belongs. By baptism St. Paul’s must share in Christ’s death in order to share in his resurrection.

The 3^rd temptation (the whole world forever, just for one split second of praise to sin) parallels Moses surveying the promised land from a mountain top—the Interim image I offered you two and a half years ago—and raises the question of how Jesus would use his socio-political power in the world.

How will St. Paul’s embrace the leadership of the rector you have called to lead you without being exploitive of her?

If you have not read the list of St. Paul’s amazing accomplishments in the past two and a half years—viz., my report at the annual parish meeting last Sunday—I urge you to take a copy from the narthex and read it prayerfully. Not to say, “Well, we’ve done all this so now the new rector can keep it going” but, rather to dedicate yourself anew to keeping the momentum with the new leadership you have called.

To express all of this in words that St. Paul’s can really understand… to get busy and, together with Mother Melissa, make the most beautiful loincloths in the whole Church—and wear them with proudly and with the humility of redeemed sinners that come only from knowing that through the second Adam, we are saved by God’s grace.