Who do you say I am? A question with consequences
Romans 12 1-8 Matthew 16 13-20
When I can, I rather like to watch the BBC TV programme “Who Do You Think You Are?” You probably know that it’s a programme where well-known people are helped to look into their family history. It often has surprises in it, not least that people you don’t know, or aren’t specially interested in, can turn out to have the most fascinating stories. How often do we find that in life? – There’s more to someone than meets the eye?
I knew I would be interested in this week’s subject, J K Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books. But last series, I found a quite unexpected interest in the gardener, Monty Don. Well, you probably know that I have no interest at all in gardening!
It turned out that Monty Don was related to someone who had been Vicar of our home church – someone whose portrait we had seen countless times in the church. And there was our friend, the current Vicar, on TV talking about it all! Who would have thought it?! (Actually, it came as quite a surprise to Monty Don too!)
Of course, when Jesus questions his disciples in our passage from Matthew’s gospel, he turns the question around: not “Who do you think you are?”, but
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Mt 16 13b GNB)
The disciples come back with a variety of answers: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or some other prophet. People differ on exactly who Jesus is, but the general opinion is clear – he is in the tradition of the prophets of old; those who have interpreted God to his people, and, on occasion, pleaded with God on their behalf.
But Jesus is interested in more than just the consensus view. Away from the public gaze, he probes his followers still further:
“What about you? … Who do you say I am?” (Mt 16 15)
And Peter, never backwards in coming forwards, has the answer:
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16 16)
We have reached a turning point.
It may not yet be for general consumption, but the disciples now know beyond doubt who Jesus is. They are soon to begin to discover what it means that Jesus is the Messiah. And things are different – radically different – from what they expected when the Messiah came.
That question: “What about you? … Who do you say I am?” is the point around which everything turns: the key question.
• It was so for the disciples;
• it has been for every generation since –
• and it is for us today.
Jesus asks us
“What about you? … Who do you say I am?” (Mt 16 15)
Are we admirers of Jesus or are we followers?”
It’s possible to respect and admire Jesus, and that’s a perfectly appropriate reaction – but it doesn’t quite fit in with who Jesus is.
Once we begin to understand just who Jesus is – the Messiah, the Son of the living God, the one who is both God and human, come to reconcile us to our Heavenly Father – then mere admiration is not enough. Our lives are changed.
Saint Paul saw this plainly. He realised Jesus is exactly who Peter said he is.
And the implications of this amazing fact were quite clear.
Paul was not just an admirer, he was a follower of Jesus.
The answer to Jesus’ question – the realisation of who Jesus is – changed Paul’s life utterly. He dedicated his life to helping others to understand who Jesus is, and helping them to take on board the implications of Jesus’ life and death and resurrection.
As we heard, he wrote to the Romans
“So then, my brothers and sisters, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him.” (Romans 12 v1)
Those words are very familiar to us. We often use them towards the end of a Communion service, appropriately enough as a response to our sharing in the Eucharist. It’s good to be reminded of them regularly, because recognising Jesus, dedicating ourselves to serve God in this way, is not just a sudden realisation, not just a one-off decision – it is the work of a lifetime.
Moments after Peter made his wonderful declaration about Jesus, he was “in the doghouse” – showing by his reaction to Jesus’ words about his suffering and death that he still had a lot to learn about the Messiah and his mission. And so it is for each one of us.
We respond with joy to the realisation of who Jesus is, but our understanding and our faithful response develop over time – over a lifetime.
It’s telling that the original Greek verbs in the next verse of Romans 12 reflect this. The instructions are in the continuous imperative – go on being transformed . Paul says
“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.” (Romans 12 v2)
This transformation is a process of growth – continuous growth brought about by God. We are none of us the finished article. In the jargon I used to hear in Further Education, we are all “Lifelong Learners”!
So, if we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, then we have to make a response. Recognising our Lord, our lives are changed,
• as day by day we offer ourselves in service to God,
• and as we allow God to transform us into the people he calls us to be.
We serve God in humility – how could it be otherwise? – but we serve him, too, trusting in his grace and love for us.
We serve as part of the body of Christ, using our God-given gifts, in the church and in the wider world.
And as we serve together, then God’s will and purpose is revealed, is fulfilled – that which “is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”
Maybe that sounds like a tall order? I’m sure it did to those who first heard Paul’s words, living at the very heart of the Roman Empire which cruelly oppressed the fledgling Church.
• But the miracle is that, in us, just as much as he was in them, God is at work.
• God has promised to transform us, and to transform his world.
• And all this flows from the answer to one question:
“What about you?” [Jesus] asked … “Who do you say I am?”
Labels: Church, Ministry, Theology
God’s Kingdom: challenge and comfort
Sunday 27 Feb 2011
God’s Kingdom: challenge and comfort
Matthew 6 25-34; Romans 8 18-25
As you probably know, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. And, even for me, who came to faith largely through the Good News Bible – even for me, our reading from Matthew’s gospel echoes somewhere in my mind in the traditional words:
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Mt 6 28, 29 KJV)
Consider the lilies of the field …
And yet, the trouble is that I’m not a poet!
It’s not just the language that I find a problem – it’s the imagery too.
They are wonderful images: don’t worry about food and clothes – look around you at God’s beautiful provision. “O ye of little faith”.
But I immediately want to rationalise!
My mind says: It’s easy to say “Don’t worry” – I’m pretty well off really, especially if you consider the world’s poorest people. My mind says: It’s easy to say “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” – but the Diocese still wants it’s Parish Share: and it’s going up!
I’m not a poet.
The good news is that the Bible contains all sorts of literature and styles of writing.
• It nurtures and shapes the life of the church and of individuals.
• It presents a God whose character is revealed in Jesus, and who engages with people in many different ways.
The Bible makes clear
• what life under God’s reign looks like,
• how faithful disciples think and act,
• what priorities they set
• and what passions control them.
And much more often than not, it does this
• not by laying down rules,
• but by prodding our imaginations,
• telling stories, describing scenarios.
It does it by asking questions about life without giving direct answers.
God forces us to stop and take stock; and he does this for all of us, whether poets or not.
• He encourages us to think,
• and he makes us sensitive to the things of his Kingdom.
Nowhere is that more clearly the case than in this part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
We are confronted with a series of choices:
• serving God, or pursuing wealth
• trusting God, or fretting over life’s necessities
• seeking God’s rule, or worrying about tomorrow.
One commentary on this passage offered rather helpfully
“There is little a preacher needs to say about this passage.”
And I know what it means – even if I find it difficult advice to follow!
As I said a few weeks ago about another part of the Sermon on the Mount, we need to allow the passage to speak for itself. Its images are powerful, and its challenges are clear. They give us all pause for thought – they create an opportunity for God to speak to us; to speak into our situations.
So what more do I have to offer, apart from encouraging you to go and pray and reflect on that gospel passage?
Well, one thing that struck me was a parallel between our gospel and the reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans. Jesus tells his disciples to seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness, whilst Paul says:
“I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” (Rom 8:18 GNB)
Paul is acknowledging what is plain to all of us – that all is not as God intends it to be. And yet he is saying quite clearly that this will change – that God’s purpose (for us and for all creation) is glorious!
“That creation itself would one day be set free from its slavery to decay and would share the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Rom 8:21 GNB)
So much that we see in the world today is less than it could be, less than it should be.
We know that a great deal of the suffering we see is caused by us, by human beings – the way we treat each other; the way we treat God’s creation.
We know too that much of the suffering we all face is beyond our control – suffering caused by decay and by death.
But we have the hope, the promise of glory.
Jesus says we are to seek first God’s Kingdom.
Yes, (in the words of Romans), we wait with patience for glory to be revealed – but our waiting is active waiting.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to seek the Kingdom by challenging everything that is contrary to it – all that stands in the way of the fullness of life that Jesus came to bring.
We stand together with everyone who opposes injustice, who struggles against poverty, who works to bring in the values of God’s Kingdom. As we do this, we begin to glimpse glory; to see just a little of what will be when God’s Kingdom truly comes.
And we seek God’s Kingdom too in the midst of decay and death.
We cannot know or understand why life is as it is, why, as Paul said, all creation is in slavery in this way. But we have the promise that it will not always be so.
By his own death and his resurrection, Jesus has opened up for us all the way to glory. He has promised us that God’s Kingdom will come. In the midst of grief and sorrow, God gives us grace to offer, with his love and compassion, the hope and the assurance of life with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
As I said, I’m not a poet.
But I do thank God for the challenge and the comfort he offers us, both in the words of the Bible, and in the Living Word, his Son Jesus Christ.
• I long for my trust in God to grow, so that I may learn not to worry, and realise that he knows what I need.
• I long too to see God’s Kingdom come more and more – to glimpse the glory that is going be revealed.
May God make us sensitive to the things of his Kingdom – both now, and for all eternity.
Amen.
For some of the ideas in this sermon, see
Walter Brueggemann, Charles B Cousar, Beverly R Gaventa James D Newsome Texts for Preaching – Year A Westminster John Knox Press 1995 pps 161 ff
Labels: Church, Ministry, Theology
Faith as big as a mustard seed?
This sermon is based very heavily on one by Lesley Fellows - see http://bernwodeblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/faith-size-of-mustard-seed.html But since Lesley herself was kind enough to encourage me to blog it, here goes ...3 Oct 2010 18th Sunday after Trinity CW Proper 22Faith – as big as a mustard seed?
Luke 17 5-10 & 2 Timothy 1 1-14
The Frenchman Jean François Gravelet was better known as The Great Blondin. He was a tight-rope walker and acrobat who achieved his greatest fame in 1859, when he became the first person to cross the Niagara Falls on a tightrope! Blondin walked the 335 metres across the Falls in just a few minutes.
On other occasions, he did the walk in different ways – I suppose just to show it wasn’t a fluke! He crossed the canyon on stilts, on a bicycle, and blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow!
He was obviously a showman with a sense of humour. When he reached the other side with his wheelbarrow, Blondin asked the crowd: “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?”
Well, the crowd had seen his wonderful achievement and they knew his reputation – the greatest tight-rope walker ever – so they had no doubt: “Yes, of course! You can do anything!”
“OK”, said Blondin, “Who’s getting in?”
And nobody moved!
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Make our faith greater.’” (Luke 17 v5 GNB)
Well, faith is an interesting thing, isn’t it? Nothing on earth (or, I suspect, in heaven) would ever have made me get into that wheelbarrow! You’ll remember that when my wife and son went abseiling a few years ago, I stayed with my feet very firmly on the ground! But as the Letter from James reminds us, faith is more than just theoretical – it shows itself in actions.
The disciples spent all their time with Jesus – and yet they knew that their faith could be greater. It’s a common hang-up, isn’t it?
• How often do people say “I wish I had your faith”.
• How often do we ourselves wish for more faith?
A common hang-up, and a common misunderstanding. We imagine that faith is something we call up within ourselves – something we generate by effort of will: “psych-ing ourselves up! And yet the Bible tells us different.
We read in the Letter to the Ephesians
“For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.”
(Eph 2 vv8-9 GNB)
• The truth is that faith is a gift from God.
• And what’s more, according to Jesus, we don’t even need that much of it!
He answers his disciples’ question in a remarkable way:
“If you had faith as big as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Pull yourself up by the roots and plant yourself in the sea!’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17 v6 GNB)
Mustard seeds, I understand, are very small – and mulberry trees rather bigger, and not very mobile!
This understanding of faith as a gift from God is borne out in our reading from 2 Timothy. Paul remembers Timothy’s sincere faith; recognises too that it has been nurtured in him by his mother and grandmother. But he urges him above all to hold firm, to remain in that faith in union with Jesus himself.
I suspect we all have our ups and downs – times when we feel our faith is firm, and others where we wonder if we have any faith at all. But it’s very difficult to hold on to faith on our own.
Saint Paul was by any definition a man full of faith. But he constantly asked for the prayers and support of his fellow Christians. And he was honest enough to admit that his “thorn in the flesh” made him feel desperately weak at times.
He was Saint Paul, for goodness sake! And we’ve already heard about the disciples!
We know that we must remain united to Jesus. It’s a good theory, but in actual fact we need help – the help, encouragement and support of one another when (for whatever reason) holding on to him is difficult; when faith seems too much like a tightrope. That’s why God has called us together as his Church – we need each other.
Paul goes on to give Timothy some specific instructions –
• to keep alive the gift that God has given him;
• to witness to, and hold firm to, the truth of the gospel.
Again, faith is expressed in actions.
• But this is done within the context of the Church,
• with the support of other believers.
• Timothy is not left to sustain or to express his faith on his own.
Sadly, it’s all too easy for us to feel guilty when it comes to faith. We would all say, with the disciples “Make our faith greater”. And we would all admit, as someone else who came to Jesus said: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9 v24b NRSV)
But Jesus tells us we only need faith the size of a mustard seed. I think on most days, in most situations, we could all manage that much!
And the truth is that – in faith – we can all make a difference. We can all play our part in fulfilling God’s purposes – in carrying forward the Kingdom of God.
• It’s not fashionable to believe it these days, but ordinary people can do extraordinary things together – and particularly together with God.
• Sometimes faith just involves recognising that truth and acting upon it; refusing to take on board the negativity and cynicism that so often surround us.
Taking up the image Jesus uses in the second part of our gospel reading, Revd Lesley Fellows writes this about Christian service:
“We just need to see it as something ordinary, that we are like servants, put on this earth to do our bit. And whether that bit is at work, or in the home, or in the community, or in the nation; whether it is to do with spiritual things or material things, all of it is part of our calling.”
• Like Timothy, we have all been given gifts by God.
• Like Timothy we are called to keep alive those gifts – including the gift of faith – and to use them in the service of God and of our neighbour.
May your faith and mine – small as it is – make God’s world a better place for everyone, as we
“remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus”.
(2 Tim 1 v13b GNB)
Amen. Labels: Church, Ministry, Theology
God’s Kingdom breaking in – through us?
22 Aug 2010 12th Sunday after Trinity CW Proper 16Luke 13 10-17, Hebrews 12 18-29
Both our readings this morning, from the Letter to the Hebrews and the gospel of Luke speak about the difference that faith makes – faith in God through Jesus Christ. But I think it’s fair to say that they are very different in character – I wonder which one of them you respond to best?
It’s not easy to interpret the book we know as Hebrews. We don’t really know with any certainty who wrote it, when it was written or who it was intended for – though it’s clear from the style and content that it was written for a Christian community with a Jewish background. It’s even been suggested that it was originally the text of a sermon – in which case the congregation would need to be able to concentrate very well, and probably for a long time!
I think the biggest problem for us as readers of Hebrews today is that it expects so much of us by way of prior knowledge. So many of the images and ideas draw on aspects of Judaism and Jewish history
• which for the original audience were second nature, part of their identity
• but which for us are obscure – the sort of thing you need to study in depth to achieve any sort of understanding.
Rather like an occasion, many years ago, when I took a French friend to watch a cricket match. I can tell you, it certainly spoils your enjoyment when you have to stop every few minutes to explain what’s going on! And however carefully I had prepared him for the experience, he couldn’t possibly interpret what was happening – much less have read a report of the match – with anything like the understanding of an Englishman, who had grown up watching the game! I think he gathered that my team won though!
So, if Hebrews can seem a bit obscure, how do we respond to the passage from Luke?
Well, again it’s rooted in an aspect of Jewish belief and tradition – but we do have some sort of grasp of the Sabbath and it’s importance to the Jewish community. And it’s not so very long ago that the same sorts of issues about working on Sunday were discussed and debated in our society. (I think it’s still a live issue in the Western Isles of Scotland).
And of course, our reading from Luke is a story – the account of an individual woman whose meeting with Jesus was a life-changing experience. It’s much more interesting to engage with a story (or so [my wife] tells me! Our tastes in reading are very different!) Jesus heals the woman of her physical condition, but he also restores her to her community – transforming her daily life, and truly setting her free.
I think in their own way, each of our readings has something to say about God’s Kingdom. The imagery of Hebrews is tricky because it draws so heavily on the Exodus from Egypt and an experience of God which even terrified Moses. Although there is some comfort for believers, I (at least) am not tremendously reassured by the reminder that “our ‘God is a consuming fire’.” But as our passage says:
“since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful.” (Hebrews 12: 28 NIV)
Thankful, too, that we are part of the New Covenant, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Perhaps the picture of God’s Kingdom in Luke is easier to understand – a Kingdom where God’s people are healed, restored, set free; where we live the “life in all it’s fullness” of which Jesus spoke in John’s gospel. Those are experiences which cross all cultural boundaries – the fulfilment of very human and universal longings: the life for which all have been created.
By this very practical demonstration of his power to heal, his power over evil, Jesus shows that, through him, God has broken in to human history. God has acted decisively in his creation, and has acted for good. In Jesus, God’s Kingdom has come – though future events in his own life and ministry, (and present realities of which we are only too aware), show that that Kingdom has not yet been fully realised – that the promise is not yet fulfilled.
And if we believe in Jesus, if we believe that God has broken in: inaugurated his Kingdom, even if it has not yet fully come …
then we must make a response. As the writer to the Hebrews puts it:
“See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.” (Hebrews 12: 25a NIV)
Of course, for each of us our response is individual and personal. But I believe we can properly ask ourselves whether our belief in God and his purposes, our faith in Jesus really sets us free? For this woman, her encounter with Jesus transformed her life – and she is by no means alone in this experience: it seems to have happened a lot to people Jesus met!
Our Christian faith should have something of the assurance and confidence expressed in our Hebrews reading; something of the wonder and compassion of the woman’s story.
• That’s not to make us feel guilty when things are difficult – things were difficult for Jesus and his companions too.
• But perhaps we need God’s help to be more aware of him at work in our lives, more conscious than we sometimes are of the good things, the wonderful blessings he grants us.
What’s more, our faith is not just an individual matter. It’s worth noticing that Luke told this story as an example of Jesus challenging the religious leaders – condemning the narrowness of the organised Religion of the time. (Now, there’s a thought!)
Here we are today, meeting in church, part of the Church of England (in all its diversity!) What about us? What about me? (Because I’m really not trying to let myself off the hook!)
What is our Christian faith like?
• Does our faith set us and others free?
Or are we sometimes indignant when Jesus seems to be doing something unexpected?
• Does our worship in any sense foreshadow
“thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, … the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven”? (Hebrews 12: 22-23 NIV)
Well, don’t write it off too quickly –
when I read that passage again on Friday, I couldn’t help but think of the wonderful funeral for [N] that so many of us were able to share in this week.
• And is our faith expressed in practical action, showing glimpses of God’s Kingdom breaking in?
These are challenging questions, drawn from challenging passages of scripture.
Our society these days is largely sneering and cynical, but I believe that God is at work in his world.
What’s more, I believe God is at work in us, as individuals and as a Church – that in and through people like us may be glimpsed signs of the Kingdom of God.
The real challenge is to continue to work with God,
drawing on his power and his resources,
so that God’s Kingdom may come more and more:
amongst us, in our communities and throughout God’s world. Labels: Church, Ministry, Theology
On the recent GAFCON statement, this is the response from The Most Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of the USA.
"Much of the Anglican world must be lamenting the latest emission from GAFCON. Anglicanism has always been broader than some find comfortable. This statement does not represent the end of Anglicanism, merely another chapter in a centuries-old struggle for dominance by those who consider themselves the only true believers. Anglicans will continue to worship God in their churches, serve the hungry and needy in their communities, and build missional relationships with others across the globe, despite the desire of a few leaders to narrow the influence of the gospel. We look forward to the opportunities of the Lambeth Conference for constructive conversation, inspired prayer, and relational encounters."
Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Ministry
To dwell together in unity
One of the Psalms set for Morning Prayer today in the Church of England is this one. I don't imagine it 's being said throughout the Anglican Communion, but we would all do well to meditate on it, supposing of course that we could suspend our collective sense of irony and shame. Psalm 133Refrain: Mercy and truth are met together,righteousness and peace have kissed each other.Behold how good and pleasant it is •to dwell together in unity.It is like the precious oil upon the head, •running down upon the beard,Even on Aaron’s beard, •running down upon the collar of his clothing.It is like the dew of Hermon •running down upon the hills of Zion.For there the Lord has promised his blessing: •even life for evermore. RRefrain: Mercy and truth are met together,righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Grant to your people, good Lord, the spirit of unity,that they may dwell together in your love,and so bear to the worldthe ointment of your healing and the dew of your blessing;through Jesus Christ our Lord.Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Ministry, Theology
Catching up!
I knew I hadn’t blogged for a while, but I was surprised to find my last entry was back
in the middle of March! It’s been busy since then, but surely not
that busy?!
What have I been up to? Well, 17 March was the
first anniversary of my Dad’s death, and as you can imagine, there was a whole lot of emotion around that time. But I don’t know if I can really reflect coherently about that. As with other bereavements, I’m very much
up and down. The biggest things I can sometimes carry off, whilst the smallest things “get me”! A familiar pattern.
I have taken on some responsibilities within the
Diocesan Readers’ Association, including a role in
our Archdeaconry, which is interesting and stimulating, but demanding too.
Sometimes I don’t cope so well with “demanding”! It is literally years and years since I took on a new job!
Of course, there has been
Easter – and
Easter holidays! We managed a few days in London, including a trip to the theatre to see
Stomp! I also managed to see the
Cabinet War Rooms again – I’d been wanting to see the new
Churchill Museum there, which is excellent, but I had
seriously underestimated the time I would need to go round it all, so I ended up rushing. (Those who know me would probably say that one can
never underestimate the time I take in museums …!) Actually my best trip to London was an indulgent day to see
Richard Schiff – yes,
Toby in
The West Wing – in a one-man tour de force
Underneath The Lintel. I even got to hang around at the stage door and meet him after the performance! (I
know …!)
My wife arranged for a group of us to see
African Snow at York Theatre Royal, so I’ve been to the theatre more times in the last couple of months than I usually manage in years. That, too, was a remarkable presentation. I have been
greatly affected by what I have learnt around the anniversary of the Abolition of the
Slave Trade Act. In reality, that whole era of slavery is
a Holocaust we British are responsible for – I’d never really thought about it before. We saw
Amazing Grace at the cimema too – a superb film, well worth seeing.
What else? In football, Free Agency and the NFL Draft, of course.
The Packers are still re-building – no big acquisitions and some impatience from us fans – and from
the franchise Quarterback too, by all accounts. And looking back, it’s surprising how many
friends have dropped in – or attempted to – which rather makes me wonder why I sometimes feel isolated, happy as we are in our “new” place.
So, that’s a
very quick sketch – am I up to date? Haven't even mentioned the prospect of a
new Prime Minister, the
replacement of the England Cricket Coach … What have I been thinking about all of that??
As for blogging - must try harder!
Labels: American Football, History, Ministry
Community
I have had the opportunity to listen to 2 wise Christian leaders in recent weeks –
Archbishop Sentamu and
Rev Graham Carter, current President of the Methodist Conference. Both were inspiring and much of what each said seemed to me to echo the other.
(My reflections on what they said are mine alone – sadly I cannot vouch for the reliability of my memory, so I should emphasise that these are my impressions of what I heard!)
They both touched on the subject of
community, in terms of how we relate to
other Christian denominations and, as Christians, to
other faith groups, whilst remaining true to our own distinctive beliefs. To me, and doubtless to others too, this had resonance for the differing groups within the CofE and the Anglican Communion too!
Graham Carter made the point that unity and community is about
much more than simply going down a statement of faith and
ticking boxes. Both he and Abp Sentamu stressed the importance of
listening to each other with respect, but that those of other faiths did not expect – or want – Christians to abandon our beliefs. We should however
engage in dialogue and
work together wherever we can, as a recognition and reflection of
our common humanity. Both leaders were also very clear that we cannot expect – nor should we claim – to understand God, nor to know the entire truth.
In her blog,
Kathryn has recently reminded me of
Henri Nouwen’s book of reflections,
Bread for the Journey. I have started to use these again – and just the other day there was this reflection on community:
Community, a quality of heart.
The word community has many connotations, some positive, some negative. Community can make us think of a safe togetherness, shared meals, common goals and joyful celebrations. It also can call forth images of sectarian exclusivity, in-group language, self-satisfied isolation, and romantic naiveté. However, community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own (see Philippians 2:4). The question therefore is not “How can we make community?” but “How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?” [Emphases mine]
Are we as a Church – am I as an individual –
exclusive, self-satisfied and isolated? Or are we – am I –
open-hearted, looking outwards, seeing the interests and concerns of others as more important than my own?
May God build in us, and through us, broad, inclusive communities where we can share our humanity in safety, trust and love.
Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Ministry, Politics, Theology
Mixed weekend - and a refresher course!
A very
mixed weekend was last weekend!
Some discouragements at church - about which probably the less said the better - but
one of the
high points was the
Service of Admission and Licensing of Readers at the Minster.
Archbishop Sentamu battled laryngitis (if that's how you spell it) to preside and preach. The sermon and the service were
both encouraging and challenging - which is as it should be! There's a report
here -
scroll down to the bottom to read Sentamu's
sermon.
I always find such services
a good reminder of what I "signed up to" - a kind of "
refresher course." It's exactly the same when I attend
weddings!! How about this, from the Admission and Licensing:
"Readers have the
privilege and responsibility of participating in a ministry whose form reflects
the richness of God's gifts to them,
affirmed and
celebrated by the Church. They are
called to care, in public and private ministry,
for God's people. They should
share, with the clergy alongside whom they serve,
a ministry of mutual upbuilding, encouragement and support."
Wow! I need to reflect on that regularly!!
The trouble is that it takes
an awful lot of affirmation, mutual upbuilding, encouragement and support to overcome some of the
other stuff which we receive from time to time!
But hey, that's just my personality type coming out - and my
thin skin!
I think the point is that, (rather than checking for specks of dust in other people's eyes),
I need to concentrate on fulfilling
my calling:
my "privilege and responsibility."
"By the help of God, I will."
Labels: Church, Ministry
