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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4>Here is a
draft of my sermon for March 15 on John 2:13-22.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A final version will be posted by Monday
evening, God willing, on our church web site at http:sjnj.org<?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4>Peace and
blessings,<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT
size=4>Joe</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"></SPAN><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4>St. John's
Episcopal Church<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<H2 style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><FONT size=4>61 Broad Street</FONT></SPAN></H2>
<H2 style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"></SPAN><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4>Elizabeth,
New Jersey 07201<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></H2>
<P class=MsoBodyText3 style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><STRONG><FONT size=4>The
Third Sunday in Lent (B)<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText3 style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><STRONG><FONT
size=4>March 15, 2009</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText3 style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><STRONG><FONT size=4>A
Sermon by the Rev. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PersonName w:st="on">Joe
Parrish</st1:PersonName></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText3 style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><STRONG><FONT
size=4><st1:PersonName w:st="on"></st1:PersonName></FONT></STRONG></SPAN><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT
size=4>The Holy Gospel according to<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<H2 style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><FONT size=4>John 2:13-22</FONT></SPAN></H2>
<H2 style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><FONT size=4><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN> </H2>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4>Make us
holy people in your holy kingdom, Lord.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Amen.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=4> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The challenge of
encountering an angry Christ terrifies most of us.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What if we make Christ upset; would he
drive us out of his kingdom?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That
seems to be the conclusion if one reads between the lines here in today’s gospel
lesson.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The late comedian
Richard Pryor told of his experience of having to pick his own switch for his
father or mother to use on him when he had disobeyed as a young boy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If he chose a big switch he would get
bruised, but a tiny switch would cut, so he had a quandary!<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He said he just took a very long time
making the right choice.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But even
his choice and the time he used was regulated so it wouldn’t anger his parent
more than they were already. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What a
decision!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Nowadays, it is
probably somewhat illegal to use a switch on any child in New Jersey, so the
point isn’t so relevant.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However,
words can often harm a child more than a physical reprimand.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We remember forever a sincere comment
about how little a parent may think of us.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>I talked to a man the other day who had left the home of one of his
separated parents at an early age because of an extremely insulting and
demeaning remark that parent had made to him.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Jesus’ actions are
made as a response to how he sees others demeaning his heavenly Father’s house,
the Temple precincts, the court of the Gentiles which was supposed to be the
place non-Jews and women could pray.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Instead, that Temple area, about the size of a football field, had been
turned into a marketplace.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>St. James’ Episcopal
Church on Madison Avenue in Manhattan had opened its doors to any who wanted to
come inside during the week, thinking it would help the homeless find some place
to sit and pray during the day.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>But, lo and behold, the drug dealers caught on to that open building and
quickly began selling drugs inside the church.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Finally, the church had to hire one or
two people to watch the pray-ers to be sure that was what they were
doing!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Suppose we had to wear
a sign on our backs that read, “Call God at 1-800 – DIAL GOD, if you are unhappy
with how this person is behaving.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Wouldn’t that phone line become one of the most clogged in the telephone
system?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And who but a few truck
drivers want someone to report them if they are not driving safely?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However the few trucks who have those
signs always seem to be obeying every traffic and speed limit rule, in my
experience.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But who here would
voluntarily put such a sign on their private vehicle: Call this person’s church
if they are seen operating their vehicle in an unsafe manner!<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, I can see this as somewhat of a
punishment for repeat traffic offenders!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>“Call Judge so and so at 1-800-MY JUDGE if this vehicle is being operated
in an unsafe manner.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Wouldn’t that
be punishment?!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Of course,
pranksters would immediately abuse such a system, so the callers would have to
report their contact information also.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I do a lot of driving
back and forth to Trenton, New York, and various other places.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I take it as my civic duty to report
vehicles who are disabled along the roadway if it seems the person doesn’t have
a cell phone.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And I call the New
Jersey Turnpike Police when I see dangerous obstacles on the roadway.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sometimes they do ask for my name and
phone number, but I gladly give it to them, since I am making a verifiable
report.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But I would not necessarily
want to have my cell phone number on the back of my
car!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Jesus saw through the
rampant disdain for God that was going on in the Temple by all that buying and
selling.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was required that one
had to make an offering in a coinage that did not have any Roman symbol on it,
so common currencies had to be exchanged to make one’s tithe, due to that
artificial Temple law.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And to find
forgiveness for any sin, one had to offer a burnt offering on the continuously
burning pyre of the Temple.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That
required a person to either drive cattle to the Temple, which was understandably
not at all easy, or one had to buy an appropriate sacrificial animal at the
Temple itself.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The main choice of a
sacrificial animal by the rather poor people was turtle doves, so that was what
they had to buy at the Temple.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But
the richer people were expected to buy sheep or cattle.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thus it was quite a farm menagerie that
Jesus found there that disturbed him.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It was more of a zoo and an exchange bank than a place of
prayer.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After I had been at
St. John’s some years I talked to some graduates of Elizabeth High School and
was dismayed to hear them say when I told them where I was the pastor: “Everyone
at the high school knew they could buy almost any drugs there in that
Garden!”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We immediately had to
fence and gate the Garden with chains and locks since we could not afford to
hire someone to monitor what was going on in that Garden all the time.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The few who may have come to pray were
far outnumbered by the ones who came to sell or buy or use drugs or
alcohol.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So the Garden is no longer
open during the weekdays, but only on Sundays when we can have it under some
observation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Before that we
constantly had to call the Elizabeth Police to get people out of the
Garden.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was an unending
battle.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But we were no where near
the football size Temple area Jesus encountered.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=4> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The first century
Jewish historian Josephus reported the High Priest Annas was profiting
enormously from the sacrificial system he had going on in the Temple
precincts.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One estimate of Annas’
income from the businesses in the Temple was over a hundred million dollars per
year!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No wonder the plot to murder
Jesus was laid by the Temple authorities, with surely the high priest Annas’
hand behind that effort, when they heard Jesus had disturbed their Temple
businesses.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=4> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This season of Lent is a
time when we can pray and meditate about how we can redirect our lives towards
the One who saves us, Jesus the Christ.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>We get tossed about by all the rumors and tides of the stock market,
employment figures, taxes, etc., so we tend to lose our focus on the One who
really matters in our spiritual life.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Few people even have a spiritual life they are so beset by the ups and
downs of modern living.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Are we
reading our Bible daily, or even weekly?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Do we talk to any one ever about our faith?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>How about inviting someone to
church?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Bishop is coming Palm
Sunday, April 5, and Easter is April 12, so those two big festivals are
something we can speak to our coworkers and friends about.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Bring them with you to church!<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Let’s have a crowd here those two
Sundays and every Sunday!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Wouldn’t
it be nice to have a reason to open up the big church on those Sundays?!<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So take this as your challenge: each one
bring at least one new person Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday!<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Each one bring at least one other person
who normally doesn’t attend church.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>And make them and all feel at home at church!<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is indeed God’s
house.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=4> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But beyond that, we
ourselves are the new home of the Holy Spirit proclaimed by the prophets.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If we have God in our hearts and minds,
we are the domicile where God lives.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>So our words and deeds are how others find God and God’s Son.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is up to us to bring the gospel to
all whom we come in contact with.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Without us, the world will never be redeemed, the world will never find
eternal hope.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And those in the
world without Christ will be condemned to eternal oblivion.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So we have a big task ahead of us.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We are the feet, minds, arms and hearts
of the One who died on the cross and rose again on the third day.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We are Easter people.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And we need to bring others out of their
sin and into the Resurrection of our Lord.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>By our example and words we are the ones sent out to bring the Good News
to all the world.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And we have to
begin with our friends and family and acquaintances.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Pray that God will lead you to at least
one new person you can bring with you to church on Palm Sunday and Easter.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>God is faithful to hear those
prayers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So pray with
confidence!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And God will answer our
prayers for St. John’s, for America, and for the world.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you take this assignment to heart we
will have a glorious Palm Sunday and Easter!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=4> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The figure of the
cross has been analyzed by some psychoanalysts.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They say the geometric shape of the
cross suggests that of a person with his arms outstretched.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So the cross is seen as a symbol of
love, with arms open and ready to embrace us and offer us sanctuary from the
world [Leonard Sweet, quoting psychoanalysts Bernard G. Meyerson and Louis
Stollar].<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is this sign of
sanctuary we need to offer to others.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Here is where they can find the peace which passes all
understanding.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Savior who heals
our sins gives us victory over evil.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>In Christ we encounter the true character of God’s love, God’s humility,
and God’s meekness.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And in Jesus we
find the strength to bear our crosses in life without having to panic each time
things don’t go exactly our way.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>God does hear our prayers.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=4> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We each need to find
the money changers in our hearts where we are swapping the spiritual for the
physical, the high for the mundane, and we need to clear out those problems in
our priorities and replace them with spiritual readings and holy actions for the
Lord and our neighbor.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Be sure to
spend a regular time daily for bible reading and prayer, and work to add to
those minutes we have with God in our lives.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Each new habit needs to be begun now.
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Holy Spirit will help us to
grow our time with God further day by day.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=4> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>May we have a Holy
Lent.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=4> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Amen.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>