Sermons

The story of Abraham and Sarah entertaining three strange visitors in the desert, which we hear today in our first reading, has inspired Christian artists from very early times.

One example of this is the icon that is on the front of our bulletin this Sunday, which is one of the most famous and popular of all Eastern Orthodox icons, sometimes known as "The Hospitality of Abraham" or alternatively "The Old Testament Trinity," by the 15^th Century Russian iconographer Andrei Rublev. This is a relatively late example of an icon based on this theme of "The Hospitality of Abraham," and Rublev, who was provisionally added to the Episcopal calendar of "Lesser Feasts and Fasts" at the last General Convention in 2009, has refined the theme down to its most basic elements, so that it is really focused on an Old Testament manifestation of the Trinity, with the three angelic visitors being the only characters depicted. 

"Who is Our Neighbor?"

Today we hear what is probably Jesus' most familiar parable, the story of The Good Samaritan. This story is one of those Biblical references that is recognized by most people, and is widely used within secular writing and conversation to describe anyone who comes to the aid of another. Many commentators note that the story of the Good Samaritan has been described as providing the essence of Christianity, of "doing unto others as you have them do unto you." For who wouldn't want someone to help us when we have been a victim of violence or inflicted with pain?

When Greensboro native John Isner stepped on to the grass courts of Wimbledon this week, it is safe to say he had no idea that he would be there days later trying to wrap up one set, a set that would significantly outlast the longest match ever played.

Isner was asked immediately after the match how tired he felt during the grueling marathon of serves and volleys. He said that, even though he was very tired at the present, that while the set and match was going on he didn't think about the tiredness, but kept focused on the game. His opponent said much the same.

There is a sense, in this historic tennis match, in which the professional aspect of the sport gave way to the amateur. Certainly not in terms of skill, but in terms of the root meaning of amateur, which basically means doing something purely for the love of it. These two competitors created what many are calling the greatest tennis match ever played because they entered body and soul deeply into a kind of love of the game. Of course, professional honor and prize money were at stake, but their achievement will likely stand long after the winner of this years Wimbledon will be forgotten, which in this case will be neither Isner nor his opponent.

"God's Judgment, Not Ours"

"When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. When the
mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a
son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord..."