THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The Rev. Harold Shepherd, CD, M.A., S.T.M., LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.

Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches... Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad.” Matthew 13:31-32, 47-48

This past week Toronto has hosted Roman Catholics from far and wide for World Youth Day. Today the Pope is scheduled to celebrate the Eucharist at Downsview. How does this international celebration of Christian faith speak to us Anglicans? To what extent is there unity in diversity? What unites us and what divides us? What are the basic principles of ecumenism? Today’s Gospel reading speaks of the kingdom of God, not the Church. What is the difference between the two? Through parables, Jesus helps his listener appreciate the nature of God’s reign. It begins humbly with its proclamation. This message is not steeped in the sophistication of Greek philosophy or the eloquence of Roman rhetoric. It is a simple announcement that God is establishing a new relationship with his people and invites us to participate. This proclamation may appear as foolishness to non-believers. However, for those who embrace it, it contains the power to transform one’s life and the world. Like a mustard seed, it first appears to be unassuming- something that can easily be blown away. However, if it takes root, it produces a tree. Through this parable, Jesus is contrasting the usual things of importance in society with the small and weak in order to articulate the fundamental nature of the kingdom of God. It does not consist of wise sayings and philosophical teachings, but in a core proclamation that is living, dynamic and life-changing. This is what unites all Christians. In Christ, we have been made part of the new covenant- the new Israel that has been gathered around Jesus to experience the presence and power of God. All who have been baptised into Christ are part of his one body. Through dying with Christ at baptism and raising to new life, all Christians participate in the person of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. This theme is re-enforced by the parable of the net. Christian art has sometimes used a ship as a symbol for the Church. The term “nave” in Church architecture for the main body of the Church comes from the Latin word for ship. Through evangelism, “fish” are brought out of the water into the ship of faith. The net does not bring people into a denomination per se, but into the body of Christ. All Christians share a fundamental unity through baptism and sharing in the person of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This having been said, what do we make of denominations? A secular comparison can be found in Canadian political parties. Although we are united as Canadians by citizenship, history, political and legal institutions and shared values, we do not all agree on how best to give expression to some of these values. Questions of distributive justice, equitable allocation of wealth and the nature and extent of social programs are just a few examples. The same is true of the Church. Not all agree on issues of theology, worship and ministry. Like political parties, denominations enjoy institutional independence and different historical and philosophical roots, but are united by citizenship in the kingdom of God. Just as Canada has benefited from vigorous political debates, so has the Church been enriched by the perceptions, experiences insights of various Christian traditions gained through different history and experiences. This unity in diversity can serve a positive role, provided that it does not degenerate into intolerance, mean-spiritedness or even hate. Healthy debate and dialogue, like Canadian political discourse, can help us grown into maturity as a Church. Let us celebrate God’s work in other Churches and rejoice with them in the new life of Christ enjoyed by all Christians.