Fourth Sunday after Trinity: 8 Jul, 2001
Isaiah 66:10-14 / Galatians 6:7-16/ Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

"Go on your way."(Luke 10:3) Jesus' words to the seventy missionaries that he sent ahead to prepare the way for his coming.

"Go on your way." Words, which I feel I heard clearly and that describe the decision, I finally, came to last February after two years of prayer and searching. This was how I was to respond to my sense that I was being challenged to do something new and different with my life. I was aware of a clear answer to prayer. I was to move on in a totally new direction. Two years into retirement from my job at The American School in London after twenty-five years of teaching there and 15 years of teaching in the USA. I was living in Primrose Hill in London, in a lovely flat, provided for my use by St. Mary's. I was serving as a priest in a church that had been a part of my life for twenty-eight years. I was one of the first women to be priested in the Church of England. I was in a parish that I love and treasure. I was working with colleagues who are wonderful and caring. I was with friends, both old and new. It seemed to me that everything should feel perfect, and yet I was forced to acknowledge an inner urging that I should prepare myself for a new direction.

While in the snow and ice of winter in Michigan far away from all of you, finally after driving my confidantes crazy with e-mails and phone calls and bombarding God with prayers-I made a decision which is still a mystery to me and still frightening, scary, sad and exciting. I know in my being that it is the right decision. I never doubted the decision once it was made. What the future really holds I do not know.

"Go on your way. I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves."(Luke 10:3) Jesus' words to the seventy he sent out speak to me loudly. I feel like a lamb that is being removed from her mother. I don't think there are any wolves waiting to devour me; however, I do not know where my journey will take me or the welcome I will receive.

This quote from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien holds real truth in my life and I share it with you, thinking that it may resonate for you as you experience your own life's journey.

"The road goes on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say."

For each of us, life holds real uncertainties which are part and parcel of its fullness, delight and challenges. Each of you has surely had moments like those that are so pointed for me at this juncture.

I feel as if I am walking in the footprints of the first missionaries of Jesus. I know not what the future holds for me but I know that wherever I go and wherever I serve I will be taking St. Mary's with me. You are part of me, each of you and each of those who have been a part of this church family. God has richly blessed St. Mary's and all of us. We have struggled together, we have grieved together and we have laughed, played and rejoiced together.

We have caressed each other, soothed each other's wounds and we have nurtured each other. We have prayed for one another and we have worshipped together. We have had disagreements and we have made up our differences. We have helped our children to grow spiritually and lovingly and we have watched each other grow old and comforted each other as we have aged. This is what a Christian family does for each other and I will be taking all of this with me into the wider world. I will be sharing what St. Mary's has taught me about the joy of worshipping, of working for God and of spreading the good news of the gospel.

I pray that I will enter each new experience with the words of the first missionaries, "Peace to this house" (Luke 10:5), and that this may not be just a message from one Christian to another but a message from all of you to other Christians who share in the Kingdom of God. For we all are sharers of the peace of God, sharers of the peace of the Son of God. Luke tells us in Acts 16 that to proclaim the peace of Christ to others is to proclaim that God reigns supreme in our lives.

The most meaningful part of our liturgy and worship for me personally, other than the sharing of the most holy meal at Our Lord's table is the sharing of the peace and our sending forth at the end of each Eucharist - "Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord." The ultimate reason for our lives. Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with all who will hear, see and accept it.

I hope this is the prayer that you will send me out with – for it is certainly the one that I will leave with you.

"Peace to this house."(Luke 10:5)

Sally Webster