A synopsis of the sermon delivered by the Rev. David L. Hicks at St. Paul’s Reformed Episcopal Church on Sunday, June 29, 2003, Trinity II. Please read Deuteronomy 15:7-11 and II Peter 4:14-18.

At the conclusion of his second letter, Saint Peter bids the Christian to “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). Those who have been baptized, having received the sacrament of new birth, are expected to grow in the new life that comes through Jesus Christ. Just as a physical birth initiates physical growth, so spiritual birth initiates spiritual growth. But how does one grow in grace and knowledge of God? There are certain “stock” answers that one expects to hear regarding such questions – participation in the services of the church, receiving Holy Communion, and the study of the Scriptures. While these answers are correct, they bear further explanation. The Scriptures and the liturgy point us to the conduct of our life in the world and in interaction with others. To fully participate in the aforementioned things they must be lived out in daily life.

Today’s lesson from Deuteronomy emphasizes the necessity of showing mercy to the poor. This is a theme found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In Deuteronomy 15:10 God promises blessing to those who remember the poor and take care to minister to them. Jesus takes this notion of God’s blessing connected to the poor one step further – He identifies himself with the poor and outcast. Most notably, this is found in St. Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus rewards and condemns people on the Day of Judgment for the manner in which they have treated the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and those in prison. The basis of judgment is this, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it [or did not do it] to the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (St. Matthew 25:40).

How do we grow in God’s grace and in the knowledge of Him? Where do we find God to know Him in a more intimate way? One of the primary ways is to seek him among the poor and downtrodden. This takes humility on our part. Human nature tends toward exalting those who are powerful and important. We like to hang around those folks who enhance our standing in society or in the workplace and avoid those who are “going nowhere.” While God loves the important and powerful, He chooses to be found among the weak and lowly. As we grow in grace and knowledge of God, let us be sure to look in the right place. 
Amen.