Maintaining Permeable Community Boundaries

Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Proper 25, the week of the twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:

10Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ 11He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 890)

AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53]

Ezra 6:1-22; Rev. 5:1-10; Matt. 13:10-17

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer

David's Reflections

As an Episcopalian, I feel rather sensitive about boundaries between the church and the world.  Growing up Baptist in a small southern Louisiana town with a large Roman Catholic population and a large Pentecostal population, we were very conscious of what made us distinctively Baptist.  At our New Years Eve party, we were self-conscious about dancing (even though we did), because Baptists supposedly did not dance.  And there was no liquor (inside at least), because Baptists were not supposed to drink and we were minors to boot (although the “no drinking” rule did not always hold true).

What makes us uniquely Episcopal;  what distinguishes us from other Christian groups?  And, what marks the boundaries between church and world?  Our liturgy contains one.  Baptized Christians are invited to Holy Communion, no matter what their church affiliation.  Unbelievers, those unbaptized, are not invited.  Even that boundary has proven chaffing to me. Why would I preempt what the Spirit might do with a person who has not yet exercised faith? What if the Spirit draws them to encounter Christ in bread and wine?

The 1979 Prayer Book has no rubric forbidding the unbaptized from receiving communion.  That prohibition came in 1984 in a revision of our churches canons after the 1979 Prayer Book was published without a rubric about who could receive communion, and the editing committee refused to add one. That absence of a rubric gave clergy the freedom to stretch the boundaries and make pastoral exception for unbaptized people to receive communion. The canonical change was intended to prevent that, which goes against the intent of the creators of our prayer book.

This parable evidences one boundary.  Jesus explained the Parable of the Sower to his followers and referred to them as "you," while referring to those outside the band of followers as "they."  The dividing line between those "inside" and those "outside" was their response to the teaching of Jesus.

For us, that still is true.  Those of us within the church have staked everything on our faith in Jesus' identity as God in flesh, as God's Son and our Savior.  We have staked everything on his identity and the truthfulness of his teachings.  Our faith consists in trusting Christ as the fullest revelation of God and Christ’s teachings as true and as offering the supreme pathway for living.

We invite everyone to share that faith and we grieve over those who do not.  In one sense, it is irrelevant what we think happens to people after death, whether there actually is a separation of believers and unbelievers into heaven and hell (however one conceives that).  Even if I knew there was no risk for unbelievers after death (which I do not know), it would feel urgent to me to encourage people to consider placing their faith in Christ.  I have discovered in recent years that what energizes me to witness about Jesus comes from believing that Jesus' love and forgiveness and his transforming presence will make people’s lives so much richer today.

Everyone should have the chance to know what Jesus offers them and what a difference Jesus can make.  They know that by what we might share about Jesus, but they also know it by seeing the difference Jesus makes in our lives and hearing us speak to that difference with people we love and grieve for spiritually.

When we minimize the boundaries people must pierce to experience community, we live into the intent of Jesus’ teaching and example. Faith in Christ remains the most nonnegotiable boundary. But, even that boundary can be made more porous if we welcome seekers into the experience of community and allow them to belong in order to believe. Their ongoing participation in worship and community life can serve as a sort of Episcopal 101 that heals wounds and teases them toward faith. In that journey, the unbaptized person might find their way to the altar and encounter Christ’s love for the first time in communion. Without showing disregard for the canonical prohibition, we can avoid fencing the alter so that they cannot approach.

The Collect of the Day, Proper 25, the twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.   (BCP, 235)

A Collect for Grace

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)

For the Poor and the Neglected

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those

who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (BCP 826)

A Prayer for Light

Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)

Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 13:10-17

10Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ 11He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” 14With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. 15For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn-- and I would heal them.” 16But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer