When Jesus picked out His twelve, He obviously did not demand a substantial set of qualifications. He did not seem to care whether they had unusual spiritual insight or proven ability. He did not seek the best and brightest, but the ordinary. Still, He trusted them to spread the kingdom of God. He sent them out to do the very work He had been doing, and for them to continue after He was gone.
The important lesson for today, is that we 21st-century Christians are the current, “dozen”, for Jesus. Of course, the dangers we face are seldom as dramatic as those faced by Jesus’ apostles. Still, remaining faithful in following Jesus remains a formidable task. But, there is hope because we bear a significant resemblance to the commonplace apostles.
God’s perspective is, that what needs doing in the world, requires ordinary people, like most of us. Christ Church, God’s work, requires the very experiences we have had at work, or at school, or at play, or raising a family, or doing whatever is normal for us; all of which we can use to help others.
He sends us out to proclaim a word of salvation to a dying world, helping heal a broken people, being Jesus’ dozen for this generation, as we carry out the imperatives of the gospel, loving our neighbours as ourselves, as the Kingdom of God is advanced.
Today, we give thanks to Almighty God for the joyful occasion of the Ordination To The Sacred Priesthood of the Reverend Fr. Preston Pinder, which took place this past Thursday, June 11th, the Feast of St. Barnabas.
On this significant day in the life of the Church, as we remember St. Barnabas, the “son of encouragement” and faithful servant of the Gospel, we celebrate Fr. Pinder’s response to God’s call, and his commitment to serve Christ and His Church as a priest.
We rejoice with Fr. Pinder, his family, and all who have supported him along this journey of faith. May the same Holy Spirit who called and equipped the apostles, continue to guide, strengthen, and inspire him in his ministry.
Congratulations, Fr. Pinder, and may God richly bless your Priesthood.
The Very Reverend Dwight Rolle
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