Be An Apprentice | Rev. David Pileggi

04 September 2022 - 13th Sunday after Pentecost - When considering discipleship we often fail to take into account the Jewish context of this practice. Young men would attach, or apprentice themselves to a teacher in order to be mentored in the ways of Torah. The goal was obedience leading to holiness. In the New Testament holiness comes through such apprenticeship to Jesus. But as attractive as holiness might be, we often find ourselves facing challenges from our families or culture, and many of us are just tired and it seems too hard. I would like to remind us that Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me … my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt 11) And despite the challenges along the way we do have the Holy Spirit to help us.

Readings; Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1, Luke 14:25-33.

The Rev. David Pileggi is the rector of Christ Church in the Old City of Jerusalem. He and his wife Carol have lived (and raised their three adult children) in Israel for 40 years where David has worked as a journalist/researcher and for 19 years was director of a study program dedicated to teaching Christians about the Jewish context of their faith. He has an M.A. from the Hebrew University in Jewish Studies and is a licensed tour guide. Fascinated by Eastern European Jewish life that existed before the Second World War, he has led countless trips to Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic, designed to teach Christians about the Holocaust and Jewish life in the modern era. Ordained by Archbishop Henry Orombi of Uganda, he has been the rector of Christ Church Jerusalem since 2008. He also takes a keen interest in the Isaiah 19 Movement and the rights of the Christian minority in Israel.

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