The Rev. Melissa Remington

Bridge People of God-Eternal Priesthood Sermon by Rev. Melissa Remington for 10-17-2021 Proper 24 Year B When I was living in Charleston, WV I kept hearing about this famous bridge in Fayetteville, WV It is called the New River Gorge Bridge. I finally had and opportunity to see it and wow, it is really something! It is the world's third longest steel single-span arch bridge. And it is the fifth highest bridge in the world that cars cross. Bridges are incredible works of engineering and architecture ranging from the most modern for safe passage for people from one place to another to the very old rickety wooden bridges from long ago. As a matter of interest: A party of Episcopalians were attending an Annual Conference at a private countryside resort. Several of them set off to explore the area, and presently they came upon one of these old rickety bridges that crossed a quiet pond. Unfortunately, they didn't notice a sign declaring the bridge to be unsafe. As they crossed it, the caretaker came running after them. "Hey! You there! Get off that bridge!" he protested. "It's all right," declared one of the Episcopalians "we are in this resort with permission. We're Episcopalians from the Conference." "I'm not worried about THAT," replied the caretaker. "But if you don't get off that bridge, you'll all be BAPTISTS!" (total immersion) or if that didn't make you chuckle, I am sure you have all heard of the one, " why did the duck cross the bridge? To get to the other side." Bridges, they are a wonder! I think it makes a lot of sense that a bridge is a great metaphor used in society and religion. If you look up Bridge building in the Merriam dictionary it defines it as :"To establish a relationship (as to foster understanding and appreciation of cultural differences". I.e. building a bridge between two cultures; and I would add or between two people; or between people and God. If you study the meaning of the historical word priest, you will come upon the meaning of bridge. This Sunday both of our New Testament lessons refer to what it means to be a priest both human and for Jesus, the greatest high priest. Priest means a bridge builder- a link between God and people. The term Great High priest refers to Jesus Christ, the ultimate bridge builder. This word has ancient Hellenistic or Roman roots. You will find the term Pontifex Maximus (Latin, literally: "greatest pontiff"). According to the usual interpretation, the term pontifex literally means "bridge-builder" (pons + facere); "maximus" literally means "greatest". (Greatest bridge builder) . In the lesson from Hebrews the writer makes a distinction between the high priests who are mortals, descendant from Aaron, who made the sacrifices, performed the rituals and acted as mediator between the people (including themselves) and God. Hebrews then compares this to Jesus as the greatest high priest appointed by God and descendant of the most ancient order of priest, Melchizedek; mentioned in Genesis before the line of Aaron. In the Gospel reading James and John recognize Jesus as the great high priest, moreover, the Messiah; but they only want to think of the Messiah as all powerful, able to defeat the Romans and bring glory to the people. Jesus is trying to tell them, to prepare them that this is not how it works for him. (as the Suffering Servant; which we heard a description in Isaiah's reading this morning). After James and John ask Jesus to grant them glory next to Jesus; Jesus tells them you must drink the cup I will drink and live into the meaning of your baptism. If you recall--- anytime one is baptized into the Christian faith, they are welcomed into the eternal priesthood as part of the household of God. A bridge symbolized something very fundamental to what it means to be a Christian or a person of God. Think of the term, "bridge people". As a Christian have you ever thought of yourself as a bridge person, a bridge builder; as part of the eternal priesthood? The Greatest High Priest, Jesus, radically changed what it meant to build bridges between people and God. For starters he emphasized they are Not just for a few people, but, all people can have a loving relationship with God and one another. How did Jesus build bridges? He looked to what people knew, he focused on their cultural context. His parables were based on cultural contexts that people could relate to on a day-to-day basis. In fact, Jesus being God in human form is the most intimate context God can offer us. Ie God became incarnate in human form so we can relate to God and learn specifically how to build spiritual bridges. Being baptized means learning the role of the eternal priesthood in which all people of God are called to build bridges to help one another get through the cycles of life by learning from Jesus, by living the Baptismal Covenant and getting closer to God. In today's Gospel story, Jesus tells his disciples and us, how to be a bridge builder, "whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many". Jesus being the ultimate image of God, God made flesh. We are all as baptized Christians, by God's grace, imperfect priests. Susan R. Andrews, Executive Presbyter, at the Hudson River Presbytery, in Scarborough, New York and a biblical commentator in Feasting on the Word, does a wonderful job describing how we can build bridges today: "We are called to claim God's image in us, and to become one with the "perfect" priest, Jesus Christ. As we follow Jesus' as the great servant leader great high priest we can become great bridge builders. Imagine, building bridges for the well being of all people by building bridges between democrats and republicans, black and red, white and yellow people, between rich and poor between sick and healthy people. " pg. 184, Year B Volume 4, Feasting on the Word. How can we live into our baptism as part of the eternal priesthood; how can you be the best Christian bridge builder you can be? Begin by going back and reviewing the Baptismal Covenant found on page 304 in the Book of Common Prayer. Then as the question: where is God calling you to build a bridge between someone, or others, in your own life and with God? Amen 2