“Making Long Journeys to Faith”
A Sermon for the Feast of the Epiphany
by the Rev. Edward Chinn, D.Min.
Sunday, 2 January 2000
Many persons make long journeys until they finally find religious faith. Let’s explore this matter of long journeys today. We begin by contrasting the shepherds and the wise men in the Christmas story. The shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem only had to travel a couple miles to the manger where Christ lay. It was a short trip for them. These shepherds represent those who have grown up in the atmosphere of faith. Their act of commitment is quick. Sometimes, they respond more with their hearts than with an involved mental search.
For many others, it is a long journey until they find a religious faith with which they can live. The wise men, the magi, stand for those of us who have had to make a long journey to faith. These wise men were “some men who studied the stars” (Matthew 2:1, The Good News Bible). Matthew’s gospel account does not say they were three in number. It does not say that they were kings. It does not give us their names. Our popular image of the magi has been greatly influenced by the Christmas carol written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. The carol is “We three kings of Orient are.” Consider the fact that a growing number of persons are making a long journey to religious faith. I offer you three examples of these journeys. First, there is Kirk Douglas. Second, there is Bishop James Pike. Third, there is Jim Haas.
Kirk Douglas Made a Long Journey to Faith.
Kirk Douglas’ real name is Issur Danielovitch. He was born on December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, NY. His father, who came from Russia, earned his living by collecting and selling rags. Issur, his son, went to Hebrew school as a boy. Many times other boys attacked Issur on his way home. They beat him up because he was Jewish. At age 14, Issur gave up Judaism when he decided he wanted to be an actor, not a rabbi. In 1942 – at age 26 – he joined the Navy. When he left the Navy, Issur returned to the New York stage. By 1946, he was a Broadway actor. He has been a Hollywood star since his starring role in “Champion” in 1949.
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”
Those words from T. S. Eliot are a good summary of the life of Kirk Douglas. Miramax Films will soon release his 82nd film,”Diamonds,” with Lauren Bacall. In 1946, Bacall suggested him to producer Hal Wallis. Wallis put him opposite Barbara Stanwyck in “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.” He first won wide acclaim for his portrayal of a prizefighter in “Champion” (1949). In 1990, Kirk (at age 74) was in a helicopter crash. During his painful recovery, Kirk asked himself, “Who are my ancestors? Where have I come from?” One day, he recalls, “like a sign from heaven, the early-morning sun hit the Chagall Bible prints on my wall . . . My God, here were my ancestors! They go back for thousands of years and are more famous than movie stars.” Douglas has spent the past several years studying with rabbis about his Biblical ancestors. “It’s nice to know that I’m not alone,” said Kirk Douglas, with a chuckle. “It’s nice to know that I have a constant companion.” Kirk was referring to God. In 1997, Kirk published a sequel to his autobiography (The Ragman’s Son). He called this sequel, Climbing the Mountain: My Search for Meaning. Last October, Kirk’s latest book was published, Young Heroes of the Bible. Soon you will see Kirk playing a stroke victim in his latest movie, “Diamonds.” What a long journey Kirk has made to his present religious faith.
James Pike Made a Long Journey to Faith.
Everyone who enters the front door of All Saints’ Church passes under a cross on the outside of this building. In the 1960s, Cary and Dodie Rush, Judy and Derek Keene put this cross there in honor of Bishop James A. Pike. James Pike was born in 1913 in Oklahoma City. He was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. While he was a college student, Pike drifted away from formal religion. He became an agnostic and studied law. He entered the Episcopal Church in 1944, He became an Episcopal priest in 1946. In 1952, he became the dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. When I was in seminary in the 1950s, many of us went to New York City once a year for a street procession by the Urban Priests League, an Episcopal organization. Our street procession ended at the Cathedral. When Dean Pike knelt behind the altar, all you could see was “Pike’s peak.” In 1958, the Diocese of California elected Pike to be its bishop. During his journey of faith, Pike continued to support liberal social causes. He attacked social injustices. In 1960, Pike publicly expressed discontent with several Episcopal doctrines (The Trinity and the Virgin Birth). He resigned as bishop in 1966. His long journey to faith led him in 1969 to Israel. He went there to investigate the origins of Christianity. He died there in the Judean desert (John Booty, “Pike, James Albert,” The World Book). Pike’s long journey took him from Roman Catholicism through agnosticism to the Episcopal Church and onward to clarify his understanding of basic teachings.
Jim Haas Made a Long Journey to Faith.
Our third example is typical of many persons in our congregation. All Saints’ Church member Jim Haas died on March 16, 1998. “Jim” was a friend to all. He started life as a Presbyterian in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. He was always proud of his Kensington roots. He journeyed by his religious reading and his visits to many local churches until he came here some thirty years ago. He made a long journey of faith. Jim and I read and admired the same Christian writers. The Episcopal Church is a community of faith that has room for people who have journeyed from many directions. As the Book of Psalms says, “We went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a spacious place” (Psalm 66:12,NRSV). Within the confines of the Creeds, there is space for people to grow as they make their long journeys to faith. Jim and many of you, indeed, all of us are making the long journey to faith. This journey is not over for us. This is the reason that the Star Follower’s theme is significant to me. We all are traveling and following what light we have. Hear again T. S. Eliot’s words:
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”
Cheers,
(The Rev.) Edward Chinn, D.Min.
Rector, All Saints’ Church
Discussion
No comments for “Epiphany”