Holy Angels Anglican Church
The 19th Sunday after Trinity Sunday
(October 11, 2026)
St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians 4:17-31
“Put on the New Man”
Given by: The Rev. Fr. Vincent J. Varnas
It was many years ago that my mother related a joke to me that she had heard when she was a young lady. President Calvin Coolidge went to his church one Sunday morning. And when he returned home, his wife asked him what the preacher had spoken about in his sermon. Coolidge had the reputation of being taciturn, as are many Vermonters. Thus, he acquired the moniker: “Silent Cal”. So, he answered his wife by saying only one word: “sin”. When his wife pressed him for more detail, predictably he answered: “He was again’ it”. My sermon for this morning is also about sin and like St. Paul who authored today’s Epistle reading in opposition to sin, I’m also again’ it. However, my homily is a bit longer than just one word! But don’t worry, it will not be a harangue: just a friendly reminder.
In the Book of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher or Qoheleth states that: “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9). Indeed, “There is nothing new under the sun”.
Today’s Epistle reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians makes reference to putting off the old man and putting on the new man (Eph. 4:22,24). He speaks of putting away lying, anger, stealing, corrupt communications, bitterness and wrath, clamour, and evil speaking with all malice. And, giving no place to the devil. Instead, being kind to one another, and forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven us (Eph. 4:25-29, 31-32). That was in the first century A.D. Have things changed so much today that St. Paul’s admonitions are no longer relevant or is it much the same today as it was 2000 years ago?
Here in the United States and elsewhere throughout the world people are polarized over politics, religion, morality, traditions and good vs. evil. There is nothing new under the sun. It may just be more intense in certain sectors and among certain people. Unfortunately, the “old man” is alive and well among us.
Putting on the “new man” is often heard in Christian baptism, as those who are being baptized into the mystical Body of Christ become a new person. There is an ontological change that takes place in baptism, as our very being is transformed into the image of Christ. Henceforth, we walk in His ways and know and live His truth for the rest of our lives.
Ah, that it were that simple and that profoundly ingrained in us. But it is not. From the Letter of St. James, we know that “... every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: ...” (James 1:14-15). The temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil get in the way. And our weaknesses resulting from Original Sin, adversely impact this ideal life in Christ.
St. Paul reminds the Ephesians of their conversion to Christianity and all that entails. He emphasizes that, “There are only two ways of living: the way of the wise or righteous and the way of the foolish or wicked”. (Bergant, Diane, Preaching the New Lectionary, Year B, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN., p.320.)
It has often been said that we are not condemned to Hell for our unrepentant mortal sins, but; rather, choose Hell and death of the soul by our manner of living. Of course, no one has a desire for eternal punishment and damnation with all its pains and sorrows, but it is by their own free will that some will lead a life of sinfulness, while others lead a life of holiness. I like to believe that the majority of us are on a path toward holiness.
Christ brought us His words of truth in Himself in Sacred Scripture. We are free to follow His teachings and His truth or reject them. It is a question of faith that we do one or the other. Those who believe in God and that Jesus is His Son, our Lord and Savior, are the ones who choose eternal life in His Heavenly Kingdom. “Acceptance of Jesus as the source of our life and the very nourishment of our spirit effects a total transformation in us”.(Ibid, p. 323) It is, “… putting on the new man [or new woman]”. And that is St. Paul’s message to the Ephesians and for all of us.
It has been said that our conversion of heart to the virtuous life only becomes apparent and is only fully realized in our actions when we reach the second half of our lives. In his book entitled: Called, Formed, Sent, Father Richard Rohr says: “The spiritual task is the second half of life, [it] is letting go of the very ego that we formed in the first half of life.” (Rohr, Richard, (with Welch, Thomas C), Called, Formed, Sent, National Association of Diaconate Directors, Rockford, IL., p.37) How true that is for most of us.
The Book of Proverbs tells us: “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head [that is wisdom]” (Prov. 20:29) and from the Book of Wisdom of Solomon: “… wisdom is the grey hair unto men. And an unspotted life is old age” (Wisdom 4:9).
Think back to your early years. What were you doing then? What were your concerns? As for myself, I was Roman Catholic most of my life and strictly adhered to their 3rd Commandment (our 4th) to keep holy the Sabbath. I went to confession at least once a year and received Holy Communion often. I always said my night prayers just before going to bed, but that was about it. I was a minimalist Catholic!
Then came my engagement to my future wife. Patricia. She invited me to go to Bible study with her and so I did. And then, I began to experience a conversion of heart. I really liked this! I married Patricia three years later. One month after our wedding, she asked me: “Do you think about God during the day?” I answered: “yes, when I say my nightly prayers.” She said: “That’s not what I mean.” “How about during the day?” I said: “no, should I?” She said: “I do; every day.” Well that also was a conversion moment and it progressed from then on.
Fr. Rohr, in his book, also said: “God comes to you disguised as your life.” (Ibid, p. 32.) What Fr. Rohr is saying in this cryptic sentence is that God is always there, in the background, coaching, directing, guiding, coaxing and admonishing us to seek and find His path for us to follow. He is an intimate part of all that we do. And many times, He calls upon others to become His instruments of love, keeping us on that path of holiness that I speak of so often.
But God’s presence is not always apparent. For example: He is there in our parents’ guidance. He is there in the victories and defeats of life. He is there in the joys of living, such as marriage, childbirth, graduation and a pat on the back from a friend or superior for a job well done. He is there in the criticisms and admonishments that we receive from others. He is there in our tears. And He is there in our prayers, as we open ourselves to Him. For, you see, whether we like it or not, our lives are bound up in Him. You can’t escape Him. He is the “hound of Heaven”. He will follow you wherever you go and whenever you least expect it, He will appear to you in a sometimes subtle and sometimes obvious fashion. He is in the face of others and in the events that daily affect our lives. He watches. He listens. There is no hiding from Him. We are in Him and He is in us, always and everywhere, but never more intensely or more intimately than in the Eucharist: the Sacrament, par excellence.
Fr. Rohr emphasizes that God’s presence in our lives is for a purpose. “God does not love me if I change. God loves me so that I can change. It’s a big difference.” (Idem, p.15) You see, my friends in Christ, God knows our faults and weaknesses. He made us that way. And, He is there for us always and everywhere. He wants us to succeed. He wants us to be repentant of our sins and to lead a virtuous life of love both for Him and for our neighbors. His Son, Jesus died on the cross for our salvation. And, although it sometimes seems like we almost want to mess that up through sinfulness, He is there for us with forgiveness and with the graces we need to make it to Heaven. Thusly, we put on the new man or new woman, as St. Paul exhorts us to do. That is the reason for His love! That is our purpose in life! It is change, my friends, and conversion of heart to a life of holiness in the image that He created for us.