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The Gifts and the People
Holy: set aside for a high purpose; belonging to or associated with a divine power.
I was asked recently if the phrase – the gifts of God for the people of God – included him. The look on his face was serious and so was my response. I answered, simply and firmly, “Yes, it includes you.” He replied, “But I don’t feel holy; how can it be for me?”
Does the phrase people of God (which is meant to be inclusive) feel exclusive?
Should one dare consider themselves to be included with the holy people of God?
The answer is a firm yes. Let me explain why.
The Episcopal Church USA has had three prayer book revisions in our 235-year history. The first U.S. prayer book was ratified in 1789. It was a revision of the English book from 1662. The 1789 book was updated in 1892. It was revised in 1928. That prayer book was updated and ratified in its current form in 1979. Interestingly enough, the 1979 prayer book is the first prayer book, written in English, to bear the phrase, The gifts of God for the people of God. Let’s let that sink in a bit; from the first English book of common prayer from 1549 until 1979, the gifts for the people was not included. Did someone just make it up and insert it into the prayer in the late ‘70’s for the fun of it? No, of course not.
Eastern liturgies of the fourth century contained the phrase, The Holy for the holy. Those words were said before administering communion. Other ancient documents show this phrase: holy things for holy people. Bear in mind, Christianity was persecuted during the first part of the 4th century. That means these liturgical documents (they didn’t have “prayer books” back then) represent some of the earliest Christian expressions of worship. Many of the documents from the late first century and much of the second century were burned as a part of the persecution from the Roman empire and are lost to history. This means the eastern liturgies of the fourth century most likely represent what was passed down by the apostles.
In Peter’s first letter, he writes this: You are holy – a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation – God’s own people [and] possession. (2:9)
Many believe Peter was quoting Moses from Deuteronomy – If you keep the Lord’s commandments and walk in his ways the Lord will establish you as his holy people. (28:9)
And from Isaiah: They shall be called, The Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord. (62:12)
This means that the phrase, “The holy for the holy”, comes from Scripture – from Peter the chief apostle, from Moses, the giver of the Law, and from Isaiah representing the prophets. We are commanded to continue in the breaking of the bread, of the teaching of the apostles, and in the prayers. When you see the priest lift up the broken bread, you are continuing in the tradition we were given from generation to generation. By participating in the eucharist, you are following what the Lord has commanded and are walking in His ways, thus, you are God’s holy people.
The definition of “Holy” can mean a set aside time, or place, or ritual. It can also mean belonging to or being associated with a divine power. And, because we are Episcopalian, it can mean all of those things and more! With the prayer book revision that started in the 1970’s, they went back to the ancient liturgies to mirror our day with theirs. They found this beautiful phrase that is associated with Peter who received instructions from Jesus himself. You don’t have to feel holy to be included or associated with the Divine. You simply have to see, or hear, it happening. The command to continue in the breaking of the bread, the teaching and the prayers does not have strings attached or prerequisites or metrics for accomplishment and success. The command only requires the willingness to show up, in person or online, and to be a part of it. As such, when I say, “The gifts of God for the people of God,” I’m talking about you.
- Fr. Dave
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