1 I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. 2 Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.
3 The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: 4 ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”
19 Long ago you spoke in a vision to your faithful people. You said, “I have raised up a warrior. I have selected him from the common people to be king. 20 I have found my servant David. I have anointed him with my holy oil. 21 I will steady him with my hand; with my powerful arm I will make him strong. 22 His enemies will not defeat him, nor will the wicked overpower him. 23 I will beat down his adversaries before him and destroy those who hate him. 24 My faithfulness and unfailing love will be with him, and by my authority he will grow in power. 25 I will extend his rule over the sea, his dominion over the rivers. 26 And he will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’
Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favoured woman! The Lord is with you!”
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favour with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”
38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Homily by Rev’d Jo Joyce
‘Let it be to me according to your word.’
How do you think of Mary? Young, innocent, trusting perhaps? Maybe naïve, a small figure dressed in blue, who seems meek and obedient. And yet…
‘Let it be to me according to your word.’
Those must be some of the most daring words in scripture, brave and determined, courageous. I wonder how many teenagers you know that you would trust with such a momentous event, and yet she proves the doubters wrong. She faces the wrath of her fiancée and more than likely her family – who is ever going to believe a pregnancy that happened in this way, and still she goes ahead.
‘Let it be to me according to your word.’
Mary gets somewhat of a raw deal in the Anglican tradition. Often, she is airbrushed out of things, a brief mention at the nativity, a silent, compliant figure barely known beyond the words of the Magnificat, which is a shame because we have so much we can learn from her. In Mary we have humanity at the very heart of God. For the Orthodox she is the Theotokos – the God bearer, mysteriously connected to the Trinity through being the mother of Christ. For Catholics she intercedes on our behalf, lifting our prayers to God. It is worth thinking on. What would our faith be like with a greater appreciation of her story?
‘Let it be to me according to your word.’
Perhaps if we reflect a little on her story, we will start to get some appreciation of just how momentous and courageous she was. I wonder too if we need some of the faith that she had – unsullied by the cynicism of age, trusting and confident – God has spoken so it will be, rather than ‘did God really say?’ Perhaps we need to move beyond the meekness of the figure in blue giving birth in a stable, to the joy of the Magnificat, the wonder of the pregnancy of her cousin Elizabeth, her faith at the wedding in Cana, the rebuke of her son, or the vigil at the cross. It is not just her pregnancy and motherhood that is remarkable, it is her presence alongside our Lord throughout his life. Her hopes for her new-born, her pondering in the temple.
Sometimes people criticise the song ‘Mary did you know’ as mansplaining at its worst, but I like it because it voices for me those things about her that I wonder at. How much did she know as a young girl, saying yes to the angel of what was to come? Did she have any inkling of the story that was to unfold? Was it one moment of faithfulness and lifetime of trying to work it out – or did she indeed know deep in her heart that this miraculous birth was going to go on to be something far greater? My prayer is that as we reflect on her story, we too may have a little of the courage she had, and that by the grace of God we too will be able to say:
‘Let it be to me according to your word.’
Prayers
To all who wonder about the Divine, who grasp at the words of this season with hope. Come, Lord Jesus.
To all who live with confusion and uncertainty praying for insight and understanding. Come, Lord Jesus.
To all who would tread gently, cautiously, On a tenuous, fragile path, but who long to be brave. Come, Lord Jesus
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favour has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.…
8 “For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants will be recognized and honoured among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. 11 The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.
John 1: 6-8,19-28 (NLT)
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” 22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”
24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25 asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?” 26 John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. 27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
28 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
Sermon
A little over a year ago, I had the opportunity to visit Bosnia on a peace and reconciliation pilgrimage. For most of the time, we stayed in Sarajevo. I was in my teens when the bloody and brutal break-up of the former Yugoslavia dominated the nightly news. To actually land in the airport at Sarajevo, and to see the city encircled by mountains, suddenly brought back memories of the news footage of the long siege the city endured. It was easy to imagine the tanks sitting on the hilltops around Sarajevo while the inhabitants of the city were trapped and vulnerable. Twenty-five years on, the city bustles with life, yet evidence of the war is everywhere with shell holes visible in blocks of flats and shopfronts. The physical scars are an outward sign of the emotional scars the country still bears. Older members of our congregation today might not remember much about the second world war, but will remember growing up with gaps in streets where houses used to be and playing in old bomb craters. Such traumas take a long time to heal, both in the landscape and in human hearts.
I am talking about this because both Isaiah and John the Baptist were talking to profoundly traumatised communities. As Jo explained last week, the book of Isaiah was probably started by Isaiah son of Amoz, but continued at intervals by others over about two centuries. It’s writings cover the times before, during and after the Babylonian exile. Our reading today comes from the end of the book, when the exiled people of Judah had returned home. But it wasn’t home. Their temple was destroyed. Their city was rubble. And they didn’t have the resources, practically or emotionally, to restore all that had been lost. To them, Isaiah beings a message of hope: God has sent him to bring good news to the poor, comfort to the broken-hearted, joy to those who currently mourn. This isn’t the end of their story. There is hope. One day, their mourning will turn to celebration. Once again, they will be known as the people of God.
John on the other hand is speaking to a community who haven’t left their homeland, but are under occupation and longing for their freedom. His ministry is attracting the crowds and the religious officials want to know why. There is an uneasy truce with their Roman occupiers, but the religious leaders don’t want anyone rocking the boat and bringing the Romans down on them like a ton of bricks. Who is John, and what is he up to? He quotes Isaiah and says he is a voice calling in the wilderness, telling people to get ready for the coming Lord. Another message of hope. Another reassurance that God has not forgotten. Another encouragement to be God’s people again.
I have already spoken this year about Provost Howard, who stood in the ruins of his beloved cathedral the morning after the Coventry Blitz – 80 years ago this year – and spoke of peace. Just a few weeks later in a Christmas broadcast, he spoke of building a kinder and more Christ-child-like world in the days beyond the war. Of course, then, the end of the war was a very long way away. Britain was clinging on by a thread as Nazi forces occupied most of Europe. Provost Howard’s words must have sounded ridiculous. They certainly weren’t popular. But that is what prophets do. They stand in the wildernesses of the world, whether that is a occupied country or a ruined cathedral and speak God’s words of hope.
We are living in a profoundly traumatised country. Coronavirus has brought so much suffering – for those who got ill, for those who are vulnerable, for keyworkers, for those losing employment, for those unable to see loved ones and for those who are grieving. We are also a divided and hurting country in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum and many are deeply worried about what the future holds out of the single market. Our country is experiencing a wilderness time. What might it be for us as followers of Jesus to speak words of hope today?
Of course, the most important thing to remember is that the prophets, whether John or Isaiah or any of their colleagues, never dealt in twee platitudes. They didn’t say what people wanted to hear, but what they needed to hear. They were straight-talking about the peoples’ own responsibility to make things better, and were particularly hot on justice. That might be a challenge to us today. How do we best speak out on things like the fact that last month Nuneaton foodbank fed 338 people, including 141 children, because somehow as one of the world’s richest countries we haven’t worked out how to ensure people don’t go hungry? How do we best speak out about the fact that almost half of people on benefits, which aren’t much at the best of times, have money deducted to repay loans they needed to take out to keep them going until their Universal Credit kicked in? How do we best speak out about the large number of PIP assessments which are refused then overturned on appeal, but not before they cause huge suffering and stress for the people who need them and are entitled to them? Sometimes we need to stand in the wildernesses of injustice and SHOUT, however uncomfortable or unpopular that makes us.
But for the poor and the brokenhearted and the grieving; for those who are frightened and lost and struggling, our voice must be so gentle. It won’t always be like this. God has not forgotten. You are not alone. And by our words and our actions, we offer hope that things might change.
Today in the journey through advent, we think of joy. As a church may our joy in Christ be fierce in the face of injustice and tender in the face of pain. May we stand with Isaiah and John in the wildernesses of the world and help people know God has not forgotten them, may we get them ready to meet the Lord.
Prayer
The heavens can no longer hold your abundant love, So you pour out the gift of your embodied self Relinquishing the beauty of your majesty, To adorn the pale colours of our humanity. Choosing to enter into this world in a place of scarcity and need.
Reveal to us this hidden world of poverty, of refugees, of suffering. As you choose this as the place of your birth Let us choose this to be the place of our rebirth.
Rebuild us, Transform us, Make us anew. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
40 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.”
3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! 4 Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. 5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”
6 A voice said, “Shout!” I asked, “What should I shout?”
“Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”
9 O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout, and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, “Your God is coming!” 10 Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
Sermon
Isaiah 40:1-11
Isaiah 40 is one of the great passages of scripture, often read at this time of year, a prophetic poem crying out from God; “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God, speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her”… But as with all scripture, if we are going to understand what it was saying then, and what it might be saying now we need to delve a little bit deeper; Why was God comforting his people? How does this fit with the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures? Why do we read it now, in Advent?
First as always with studying the bible we need to understand the context. In the Hebrew scriptures the book of Isaiah follows the book of Kings. At the end of Kings there is the announcement of exile, as the nation of Israel was overrun by the mighty Babylonian empire, and the Israelites were carried off into slavery. You might remember the desperation recorded in psalm 137:1:
‘By the rivers of Babylon— there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion.’
The first part of the book of Isaiah, chapters 1-39 its thought was by Isaiah son of Amoz and recalls the judgement of exile. This second part starting at Isaiah chapter 40 was written about 150 years later, in a similar style but clearly not because of the time gap by the original Isaiah, indeed its thought that there could be three distinct Isaiahs, or maybe even more, contributing in a sort of school of Isaiah – a bit like the great painters taught those who followed on after them to develop a similar style.
This second part of Isaiah deals with a very distinct part of history. Here after all the anguish of exile there is light at the end of the tunnel. The rise of King Cyrus of Persia meant the Babylonian empire of King Nebuchadnezzar was coming to an end. The horror of slavery under the Babylonians and the destruction of Jerusalem is coming to an end, and hope is on the horizon. The end of chapter 39 and this part of the beginning of chapter 40 tell of the loss of that and period and moves towards the hope of restoration. It’s in the book of Isaiah that the theme of the God of Israel as one God, the creator of the universe begins to emerge, here is God almighty, who oversees the destruction of the god’s of Babylon, who promises hope and a future – it’s here that the writer begins to use the term glad tidings, good news – the same word as is used for the gospels of the new testament.
And of course these were the holy Scriptures for those first Jewish Christian believers, and as they looked back to the themes of faith familiar to them, maybe they too started to see the prophesy of Isaiah as not just about the ending of the Babylonian empire and the beginning of God doing a new thing for the Israelites then, maybe they too started to understand Isaiah’s words in the context of the ending of the Roman occupation of Jerusalem of their own time, and the beginning of God doing a new thing through Jesus.
The themes of lament and hope that speak through this passage, the cry to God to step in are of course things that all of us can recognise, especially in this year of sadness, frustration and the exile of isolation. There is now too a longing for this time to end and for a time of new hope. And of course advent is a time of looking forward, of preparation, a time of longing, a time of repentance and a time when we anticipate the incarnation of God on earth, Jesus – God come to live as a tiny human baby, God humbled and vulnerable, God who identifies with and walks with us in all the struggles we now face, just as God walked with the Israelites in their time of exile long ago.
As we look to the future and long for a rescue from this time, lets hear Isaiah’s words of encouragement spoken in the darkness once more, and lets remember that God is with us, God cares and weeps as we do too:
“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God, speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her”…
Prayers
In joyful expectation of his coming we pray to Jesus, saying, Maranatha. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to your Church as Lord and Judge. We pray for all who seek to follow Jesus and share his gospel of love and hope. Help us to live in the light of your coming and give us a longing for your kingdom. Maranatha. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to your world as King of the nations. We pray for all nations stricken by war, famine and climate change. We pray for all nations with the means to make a difference. We pray for all nations where coronavirus is causing such suffering. Before you rulers will stand in silence. Maranatha. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to your people with a message of victory and peace. We pray for all beaten down by injustice, poverty and cruelty. Give us the victory over death, temptation and evil. Maranatha. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to us as Saviour and Comforter. We pray for all unwell in mind, body or spirit. We pray for all who grieve. Break into our lives, where we struggle with sickness and distress, and set us free to serve you for ever. Maranatha. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to us from heaven, Lord Jesus, with power and great glory. Lift us up to meet you, with all your saints and angels, to live with you for ever. Maranatha. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mark 13: 24-end (NLT)
24 “At that time, after the anguish of those days,
the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.[g]
26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man[h] coming on the clouds with great power and glory.[i]27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world[j]—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
28 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation[k] will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert[l]!
34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”
Sermon by Colin Udall
I want to begin by looking back a bit, just before moving forward. Over the last few weeks the lectionary readings, the readings that are set for us to use in our services, have been from Matthew’s Gospel, looking at some of the teaching that Matthew places in the last week of Jesus’ earthly life as he taught in the Temple during the build-up to that fateful Passover festival and his arrest and crucifixion.
A couple of weeks ago, the reading was the parable of the Talents when the master gives his servants different amounts of money to make more money with and then last week it was the parable of the sheep and the goats, when Jesus talks about what will happen on Judgement Day as he sits on the throne as Christ the King.
Kate’s sermon for the parable of the talents, as I am sure you all well remember (!) talked about the 3rd servant, the one who was only given one talent, being “paralysed by fear of the master”. But as it was also the anniversary of the Coventry Blitz, having talked about the bombing, death and destruction that took place that night, she talked about the need to be driven by hope. We have seen that hope through the ministry of reconciliation that has arisen through Coventry Cathedral from the destruction of the old cathedral. I was lucky enough to be at the 50th anniversary commemoration service at the cathedral attended by the Queen Mother and the then Chancellor of Germany and the talk that day was about what we all had to celebrate that was common, not what was different.
I have been struck at different times by such services in different circumstances. Once, when I was visiting Kiel in Germany which was a great submarine building yard and harbour I saw a family gathered at the memorial of a submarine’s crew on the anniversary of its sinking during the 2nd world war. The second was at a gathering once when visiting Hungary and a man told me of a visit made to the UK of a twin city delegation to a town in the UK. It happened to fall over Remembrance Day. The Hungarian delegation were duly invited to lay a wreath and to say prayers for the people they knew that had been lost in the war. The leader of the Hungarian delegation was anxious and confused. “But we fought with the Germans against you”, he said. “And you lost men and women in that fight and you should remember them, for that is entirely the point of today”, replied the British Mayor.
Both of these incidents remind me that there is hope as we come together with our former enemies to celebrate the common good and live in peace together as we have mostly done in Europe for the past 70 years. That we can mourn together for those losses and we move forward in finding new ways to work together in the future.
About this time last year we were visiting Jane’s mum in Yorkshire and on the Sunday Morning we got a message that Nick Baines, the Bishop, was going to be preaching at the church we usually go to when we are up there. Many of you will have heard Nick on Pause for Thought on Radio 2 or Thought for the Day on Radio 4. I have known Nick for a number of years when I worked in Leicester Diocese and Nick was a rural dean and vicar just north of Leicester, and we have met on a number of occasions over the years, usually at Greenbelt Festival. So we decided to go along. Nick’s sermon that morning was largely about communication – how do we, as Christians communicate the message of Jesus Christ in today’s world. The central part of his sermon was a story he told of being invited to be a speaker at a conference to talk about using Social Media. He was challenged to describe being a Christian in 145 characters, then the limited size of a single tweet on the Twitter social media site. The tweet he came up with that pleased him and his followers the most was, [Quote] “Christians are not driven by fear but inspired by hope”. Well, at least you all understand why I remember Kate’s sermon so well.
And in this strange year that has been 2020, surely this is a message that we should be communicating about the birth of Jesus? We are inspired by hope, not driven by fear. I am sure it has been very hard for some of you since that original national lockdown was called in March. Many of you have not been able to visit families or friends, or even neighbours as you were able before March. A minister friend who has a church in the Glasgow area last week appealed to his congregation to get out and visit neighbours by knocking on the window or meeting them in the garden as Glasgow went into lockdown. We should be doing the same if we are able.
And this brings me neatly onto the parable of the sheep and goats, because the true message behind that story is that you will be asked on judgement day not what you think of God, or think of Jesus, or even if you believe in either, but the question you will be asked is “What did you do?” What did you do for your neighbour, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, homeless or the prisoner? What did you do for the least of these?
And this is what Advent is about. It’s about communicating that the coming celebration of the birth of Jesus is about hope. As we face an uncertain future economically, or health-wise, as many struggle financially or mentally from the factors surrounding the pandemic and the lockdown, we remember that Jesus gives us hope. He gives us a way forward, he gives us teaching and example that shows us how we should live our lives. Not paralysed by fear – hard that may seem for some at the moment – but driven by hope. Not just looking after ourselves but also our neighbours.
We can take an example from Isaiah, the prophet who is much quoted at this time of year, though I chose not to use the Isaiah reading set for this morning. Isaiah gave his message to people in very different but probably more difficult circumstances, for Isaiah preached to the Israelites in exile. Forced to move a long way from home and prevented from returning for at least a couple of generations, they longed for home and they longed for hope. Isaiah tried to give them this message of hope. When Isaiah confidently preaches that the “glory of the Lord shall be revealed” – still in the future – he is asking this depressed people to trust in something that looks impossible. It defies reality and all the evidence. The prophet is however, seeking to awaken hope. Not wishful thinking or mere optimism, but hope.
We have hope that is beyond a vaccine. A successful vaccine will allow us to return to life as it perhaps once was before March. Possibly even better. Perhaps some of that hope, optimism and community will still linger from those Thursday evenings clapping for the NHS and will enhance our lives in 2021 and beyond.
But what a time as we approach Christmas, approach a time perhaps beyond lockdowns and restrictive tiers to communicate our belief that Jesus gives us hope. Hope and a way of life.
Not paralysed by fear but driven by hope.
Amen
Prayer
God of Salvation, Wake us up Lord! The night is nearly over. Let us begin our Advent journey. Move us from our lives Of greed and selfishness, From our globalised world Of inequality and exploitation, To your kingdom Of righteousness and mercy. To a transformed world, Where peace is built on understanding not weapons, The poor are empowered to live their lives to the full, Businesses are built on need not greed And your Creation is nurtured not abused. Wake us up Lord! Let us live as people of the light. Amen.
From Prayer Card produced by St Clare’s at the Cathedral
Opening Hymn
Bible Reading
Ephesians 1: 15-end
15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Meditation
Today is the feast of Christ the King, when we remember that God has raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. Spend a moment to settle your mind and body, and to know that Christ is here with us.
Pause
As you look at this image, notice the sumptuous royal robes, and the crown that Christ is wearing. He is our king, far above all earthly rule and authority and power and dominion. His is a kingdom of justice with mercy, of peace and of love.
As you look at Christ in all his splendour, know that nothing in this world – not death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Pause
Notice the halo that surrounds Christ’s head, a symbol of his holiness. Remember that Christ sits at the right hand of God; with God and in God and of God. He hears our prayers; knows the cries of our hearts; shares in our joys.
As you look at this holy Christ, know that he understands what it means to be human and is now in the heavenly places, watching over you, sustaining and upholding you by his Spirit.
Pause
Notice the book that Christ holds in his left hand. A New Testament, open for us to receive all that is within. Christ is our teacher. As we come to know him through his word, we receive his spirit of wisdom and revelation.
As you look at this open book, ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, that you may find renewed hope in Christ, and come to know him ever more deeply.
Pause
Notice Christ’s right hand. It is raised to offer a blessing. His blessing, his favour and protection is with us. With us even when we are poor, when we are hungry, when we weep, when we are hated or persecuted.
As you look at his hand, receive his blessing. Know that Christ loves you and protects you.
Pause
Finally, notice Christ’s face. See his eyes, wide open and looking at you.
Is there something that you want to say to him; to give to him; to leave with him?
Pause
Is there something that Christ wants to say to you?
Pause
God the Father, Help us to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, Whose kingdom has no end; For he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, one glory. Amen.
Prayers
We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom.
You sent your Son to bring good news to the poor, sight to the blind, freedom to captives and salvation to your people: anoint us with your Spirit; rouse us to work in his name. Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Send us to bring help to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Send us to tell the world the good news of your healing love. Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Send us to those who mourn, to bring joy and gladness instead of grief. Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Send us to proclaim that the time is here for you to save your people. Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Lord of the Church, hear our prayer, and make us one in mind and heart to serve you in Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing Hymn
Meditation first published by St Clare’s at the Cathedral and used with kind permission
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labour pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Matthew 25:14-30 (NLT)
‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents,[a] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” 21 His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” 23 His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26 But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Sermon
Towards the end of the church year, which finishes next Sunday, the set readings get rather stark. We hear various depictions of the Day of the Lord – a day of judgement and fear, a terrible day when all the mundanity and pretence of our lives will be stripped away and the truth will be known, a day for which we should be prepared. Our gospel readings have a sense of urgency as Jesus urges his listeners to take seriously the choices put before them. Our faith and how we live it is not a nice thing to do, it is a vital and urgent part of helping the world to know God, encounter God’s love and become more the place God made it to be. It is a vital part of becoming the people we are meant to be. Your actions mean life or death for others. Don’t be distracted by the dross of life. Do not be paralysed by fear. Take your beliefs seriously. Use your talents well. Stay focused, stay committed, stay faithful and follow Jesus!
This week the House of Bishops published a book accompanied by a suite of resources called Living in Love and Faith. It is all available free online, and is designed to help the Church of England have a better conversation about sexuality and marriage. My personal hope from it is that the Church as a whole will become a more welcoming, affirming place for LGBT+ Christians and their loved ones, but that is something we will perhaps think about more fully in the New Year. The responses to what could have been a rather controversial publication have been in the main measured and positive. However, one article I read about it suggested that the book focused too much on God being the God of love. This has been niggling me ever since. I always have a bit of a warning klaxon that goes off whenever someone argues that we should see God as less loving! I think it happens when people confuse love with niceness. Love is not nice. Love is fierce. Love demands justice for every precious creature harmed on God’s good earth. Love also goes beyond and meets the demands of justice on a Cross, so every precious creature on God’s good earth might have hope. And so, like the writers of LLF, I too say that God is love – real fierce, never-ending, never-giving-up love. Amen.
With those two ideas in mind, a story: Last night was the 80th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz. In one night 500 tonnes of high explosives were dropped on the city followed by 36,000 incendiary bombs. 500 people died, 4000 homes were destroyed and 40,000 damaged. The city’s beloved cathedral went up in flames. To this day, in France and Germany, the word coventriate means to destroy something totally. As the generation who lived through this Blitz have died, I have done funerals for ordinary women and men who lived through that night – some hunkered in basements of the factories where they worked as the city above them was pounded by the attack, some hiding in hedgerows to avoid the glass bursting from vehicles and buildings with the force of the blasts. It must have felt like the prophets’ descriptions of the Day of the Lord which we have heard in recent weeks – like the world was ending. But it wasn’t the end.
I don’t want to understate the anger, grief and despair of the residents of Coventry as dawn broke over the battered city. I know from talking to people who lived through those times, who experienced firsthand the destruction and suffering their enemies had caused, that the first instinct was to hate and to long for revenge. I cannot imagine feeling much different myself. But amongst the group who gathered in the ruins of the Cathedral that desperate morning was a man called Provost Howard, a man whose life was shaped by Jesus. Jesus, for whom all seemed so pointlessly and cruelly lost on a cross on a rubbish dump outside Jerusalem. Jesus, for whom that day was not the end either. Provost Howard in the midst of his city’s own Good Friday, had an eye on Easter Sunday. They would rebuild, he promised those around him, they would not give in to hate and they would work for peace. Six weeks later in a Christmas radio broadcast, to a nation at war, he challenged everyone to work for a kinder, more Christ-child-like world. His words weren’t entirely popular at the time, but his vision has shaped the city ever since. Now Coventry, with its iconic new Cathedral is a global centre for peace and reconciliation with especially strong and affectionate links with their old enemy, Germany.
The human propensity to stuff things up, what theologians call original sin, mean that human beings will face many disastrous days. There will be disasters and wars and poverty and climate disaster. The natural justice of the world we inhabit means that actions, in the main, will have consequences for ourselves or others. From time to time, we will be brought face to face with what really matters. From time to time, we will be made to recognise the part we have played for good and for ill. Provost Howard famously refused to write Father Forgive THEM on the wall of the ruined cathedral – he insisted it be Father Forgive – for we all play a part in the brokenness of this world and we all need forgiveness. As beloved creatures of Almighty God, we matter, what we do matters and as a result there will be judgement.
But as Paul says in Thessalonians God chooses to save us, not to pour out anger on us. As older translations put it, we were not made to suffer wrath. Because God loves us, what we do matters and there will be realisation and reckoning, but because God loves us, that will never be the end of the story. In this life, there will always be hope, always a chance to work for a kinder, more Christ-child-like world. In the next, there is the forgiveness we have in Jesus and reconciliaton to the God who loves us. As the American writer, Anne Lamott puts it, Grace bats last. In the end, all is grace and love.
So what does this all mean? I think it means that it is not simply valid but important to talk about judgement. If there is no judgement, there is no justice, and for everyone who has experienced pain or betrayal or hurt, that is simply unacceptable. But we know too that judgement will not be the end of the story, because of the forgiveness won for us by Jesus. If we treat this forgiveness as some sort of lazy “Get out of jail free” card, we have missed the point. Our forgiveness cost God everything, and our response cannot be “Ta muchly, I’ll carry on as normal” Rather, our call is to take the grace, hope, freedom and love God has given to us – just like the master distributed those talents – and make sure we use them to bless others with every ounce of energy we possess.
In these last days of the old church year, after recalling again all those truths and teachings we hold dear, we are reminded this matters. It matters in this world and it matters in eternity. And , you matter. So take your beliefs seriously. Use your talents well. Stay focused, stay committed, stay faithful and follow Jesus. Someone somewhere is depending on you to be the person God has made you to be. Amen.
Prayer
Jesus our exalted Lord has been given all authority. Let us seek his intercession, that our prayers may be perfected by his prayer.
Jesus Christ, great high priest, living for ever to intercede for us: pray for your Church, your broken body in the world … Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, King of righteousness, enthroned at the right hand of the majesty on high: pray for the world, and make it subject to your gentle rule … Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, Son of man, drawing humanity into the life of God: pray for your brothers and sisters in need, distress or sorrow … Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, pioneer of our salvation, bringing us to your glory through your death and resurrection: pray for all who are dying, that they may trust in your promises … Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, Lord of all things, ascended far above from the heavens and filling the universe: pray for us who receive the gifts you give us for work in your service … Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, first-fruits of the new creation, keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, until you bring the whole created order to worship at your feet; for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
18 What sorrow awaits you who say, “If only the day of the Lord were here!” You have no idea what you are wishing for. That day will bring darkness, not light. 19 In that day you will be like a man who runs from a lion— only to meet a bear. Escaping from the bear, he leans his hand against a wall in his house— and he’s bitten by a snake. 20 Yes, the day of the Lord will be dark and hopeless, without a ray of joy or hope.
21 “I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. 22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. 23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.
Luke 12:49-56 (NLT)
49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.
53 ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’[a]”
54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
Sermon by Colin Udall
Remembrance Sunday is about remembering and honouring those who have fought and died in wars. Principally the 1st and 2nd World Wars, but also other wars and battles that have taken place where people have lost their lives in defending others.
In a podcast I was listening to earlier this week, one of the commentators, referring to the First World War, the “war to end all wars” remarked that we hadn’t learnt our lesson, wars had happened since and were going on even now.
Jesus says in the Bible that he has come to give us peace, and yet here we are in this passage from Luke hearing Jesus/ tell us that, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Where is the unity, love and grace we know is associated with Jesus? What might he be referring to?
Every Christian who truly relies on God has come to know the importance of peace from the assurance of the Jesus’ words. So, why they are these words recorded and should they be taken literally or metaphorically?
The mood here is with a definite meaning of division or disunity rather than war. Still, the apparent change in attitude by Jesus can be disturbing to some who focus on his message of peace and love, of whom the prophet Zechariah says, “would guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Of course, within a short time Jesus’s own prophecy came true with His followers. Whilst on the one hand, what we now know as the Catholic church was set up, on the other, less organized churches were banned and leaders even murdered.
A friend of mine, a Christian, works for a company and often has to conduct interviews. He is curious to know what drives people, particularly young people, in terms of their moral standpoint. He is not allowed to ask directly about any religious beliefs and instead asks, “what is your code of conduct?” To his dismay, the younger interviewees don’t know the answer and have never thought about it. There are stares into space but never eye-to-eye contact after that question. Comments on integrity, loyalty, patience, kindness and other prized qualities are welcomed, yet not once can my friend remember a prospective employee mentioning those things. If the answer is, “The Word of God or similar religious statement,” then the positive qualities that make a great person are understood. Here is another dividing point—those with a Code of Conduct and those without. Christ brought a message of truth that leads to love. Division comes when those who want to do only what they want, without regard to truth or love, or even of another person in the equation make this way of life their code of conduct.
I was struck by a comment made in an audiobook I have been listening to. Talking about the philosophy of religion, he described a picture in the Louvre he had seen of St. Michael standing over Satan with his foot on Satan’s throat. I guess rather like the depiction of the same scene on the side of Coventry Cathedral. The comment that struck me was that he said that it was ok for the world to have the devil in it, as long as we keep him under our feet. I have thought about this comment ever since and have concluded that what he meant was that we should recognize and accept the evil that is in this world and we should be doing whatever we can to control and eradicate it.
In the passage from Luke, Jesus calls the crowd hypocrites. “How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” he asks. The reason for this outburst was that He knew they could predict weather-related events by watching the sky and feeling the wind blow, but they failed to recognize Him despite all the signs pointing toward Him in the Scripture and all the miracles He performed and teaching he gave that would prove who He was. Had He not been performing miracles before their eyes and shared heavenly wisdom long enough for them to have a clue? The crowd was made up of people who had knowledge of Scripture and even witnessed for Him. He expected the scribes and other teachers in this crowd to anticipate His coming pain and grief, which had also been well described in the prophecies. He also knew that his coming death and resurrection and everything else that followed would bring change into hearts as well as society. This division would be deep and painful. Families would disagree. Jesus said, “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” To put it mildly, chaos would come to not only nations, but to the most intimate relationships. He could probably already see it happening around him and anticipated the worst. Not only was it eating away at the scribes and Pharisees, but at His family and the families of those that followed him. He knew He was teaching against the philosophy of those that ruled in both religion and Government, as was to be seen by those Christians who came up against the Roman rulers.
But he never said the way would be easy. Instead teaching a narrow way that was hard to follow. A way of forgiveness and of peace.
Many of the wars that have taken place and many of the acts of violence we see in our cities now are blamed on religion, some rightly so. We have lived in relative peace in Europe for 75 years now. That relative peace has come with relative wealth and decent standards of living. Many of the wars and acts of violence we see today are because people do not have the opportunities for such healthy well-being. They are oppressed, abused, put into desperate situations and feel they have to fight – literally, sometimes – to get anything worth having in their lives.
And this is where the reading from Amos comes in. This is God asking my friend’s interview question. “What is your code of conduct?” God is saying, “Well, here you are before me, worshipping, offering sacrifice, music, singing (when allowed under Covid rules), offering me love and respect and asking the same in return. But what is your code of conduct? When you aren’t here, what are you doing to spread peace, kindness, happiness, loyalty, integrity and justice amongst others? What are you doing to stop division amongst your families, your neighbours and other countries? What are you doing to help those in need? What are you doing to ensure people aren’t oppressed and need to fight for all they have?
We need not just to honour those who fought and died by reading their names, but ensure that others don’t have to follow them by having a code of conduct and acting upon it. We need to actively be pursuing peace amongst neighbours and countries. We need to learn the lessons that have been taught to us and to read the signs that are there for us to plainly see.
Amen
The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, Father, forgive.
The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own, Father, forgive.
The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth, Father, forgive.
Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others, Father, forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee, Father, forgive.
The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children, Father, forgive.
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God, Father, forgive.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar,
“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”
11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 12 They sang,
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
13 Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.
15 “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. 16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. 17 For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
Matthew 5:1-12 (NLT)
One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Homily
Revelation is a funny book. It sits at the end of the bible a kind of postscript written in weird apocalyptic language. It is a record of a vision given to John – it’s not clear which John this is, it might be John the Apostle and Gospel writer, but he doesn’t refer to himself as that and there are some differences in the writing style, what’s important is that the record of the vision he had was considered sufficiently significant that the early church sought to protect and store his writing, eventually including it in the canon we have today. It’s a description of a vision he had which frankly reads like something out of science fiction in places! As a result that can often throw people, who read a bit, think it’s weird and hard to understand (both of which are true!) and move on to something easier, which is a shame, because in doing that you can miss some of the most exciting passages in scripture.
The important thing to remember is the bible is made of many books, it’s a library if you like. Now, you don’t read poetry in the same way you read a text book, a newspaper article or a novel. In the same way it’s helpful to remember Revelation is not meant to be an historical account, like the gospels, or a letter of advice, like the epistles, or a poem like the psalms. It speaks into the future and is a record of a dream or vision held by the authour.
Now think of some of the dreams you have had – weird, aren’t they? And Revelation is the same. So why record it? Well the early church thought it was worthy to keep and share because they thought the picture language it uses tells us about God. It’s not meant to be read as a text book of what will happen, or an historical account of what has happened, it’s meant to be something that speaks into the situation of the person who had the vision, John, given for a specific place and time. It might be helpful to recognise that much of it is written in symbolic language and code. Some of this was down to the persecution Christians were facing at the time from Roman Emperor Nero. It was safest to keep that which might prove controversial (i.e. worship of a God other than the Roman Emperor) a secret. Christians were thought to be subversive and so they had to live out their faith often as secretly as possible. When you learn of the circumstances its easy to see why they might think the end of the world was imminent, and why this vision was precious to them.
So why keep it? Why is Revelation useful for us to read today? I think one of the most important things it brings is hope. How we find hope when we think about the life to come. After all our passage from the epistle set for today from 1 John 3 says that no one really knows what it will be like, and we should always be wary that there is a real danger of trying to read things into the text, but I think there are a few helpful things we can draw from this passage;
Firstly the picture is of ‘a multitude from every tribe and tongue and nation’ there is no discrimination in the kingdom of God, this is a place for us all, not just for those who might have considered themselves God’s people at the time.
Secondly this is a place of unity, all bow and worship together saying the same words of worship, there are no denominations, no favoured groups in the kingdom of God, all people are equal before the throne.
Thirdly they have come through as great ordeal and are robed in white, if we assume that white is a symbol of purity we can assume that despite being tested, despite the troubles of life, whatever that ordeal may have been they have prevailed, they are forgiven and washed clean of all that was bad.
Finally, this is a good place, they are not thirsty or hungry, they are not in any discomfort, there is no more sadness, heaven, if we choose to call it that, is a place of joy and worship, a place where no longer can the trials of this life harm us. For all who have lost loved ones or who are approaching the end of life, this is an important passage.
It’s a beautiful picture, something that has given hope to the bereaved, the dying and the oppressed down the ages. That, I think, is why Revelation, despite its weirdness was kept as part of scripture. For the hope which shines through it, we cannot understand it, we will never really know what eternity is like on this side of life, but John’s vision gives hope that there are better things to come.
As we come together on All Saints day to remember all those faithful who have gone before, we can be comforted by the picture from Revelation of the hope of heaven, a place where there is no more hunger or sadness, crying or pain, rather it is a place of hope, of joy and of worship.
Intercessions
United in the company of all the faithful and looking for the coming of the kingdom, let us offer our prayers to God, the source of all life and holiness.
Merciful Lord, strengthen all Christian people by your Holy Spirit, that we may live as a royal priesthood and a holy nation to the praise of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Lord, in your mercy Allhear our prayer.
Bless Christopher and John our bishops and all ministers of your Church, that by faithful proclamation of your word we may be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets into a holy temple in the Lord. Lord, in your mercy Allhear our prayer.
Empower us by the gift of your holy and life-giving Spirit, that we may be transformed into the likeness of Christ from glory to glory. Lord, in your mercy Allhear our prayer.
Give to the world and its peoples the peace that comes from above, that they may find Christ’s way of freedom and life. Lord, in your mercy Allhear our prayer.
Hold in your embrace all who witness to your love in the service of the poor and needy; all who minister to the sick and dying; and all who bring light to those in darkness. Lord, in your mercy Allhear our prayer.
Touch and heal all those whose lives are scarred by sin or disfigured by pain, that, raised from death to life in Christ, their sorrow may be turned to eternal joy. Lord, in your mercy Allhear our prayer.
Remember in your mercy all those gone before us who have been well-pleasing to you from eternity; preserve in your faith your servants on earth, guide us to your kingdom and grant us your peace at all times. Lord in your mercy AllHear our prayer.
Hasten the day when many will come from east and west, from north and south, and sit at table in your kingdom. Lord in your mercy AllHear our prayer.
We give you thanks for the whole company of your saints in glory, with whom in fellowship we join our prayers and praises; by your grace may we, like them, be made perfect in your love. Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honour and power, be to our God for ever and ever. AllAmen.
Prayers from Common Worship (c) Archbishops Council 2000
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Matthew 24:30-35 (NLT)
30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
32 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
Sermon
In these days of uncertainty about rules and regulations, wondering what tier we’re in and whether we can meet with family and friends, work colleagues or school mates or whether Zoom will yet again gain from our custom, it can put a strain on our lives and particularly on our mental health. In the garden centre we are still getting customers for whom this is their first trip out since March. Indeed, my dad, who, at 98 is living on his own has only left his house for an occasional stroll around his cul-de-sac, or to be taken to hospital and doctor appointments.
In reflecting on this, have come across two pieces in the last couple of days. One is about being kind to ourselves and the other about being kind to others. The first is called “WISE COMMANDMENTS”.
Thou shall not worry; for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.
Thou shall not be fearful; for most of the things we fear never come to pass.
Thou shall not cross bridges before you come to them; for no one yet has succeeded in accomplishing this.
Thou shall face each problem as it comes; you can only handle one at a time anyway.
Thou shall not take problems to bed with you; for they make for very poor bedfellows.
Thou shall not try to relive yesterday (for good or ill), it is forever gone; concentrate on what is happening in your life and be content now.
Thou shall be a good listener; for only when you listen do you hear different ideas from your own. (It’s hard to learn something new when you’re always talking.)
Thou shall not become “bogged down” by frustration; for 90% of it is rooted in self-pity and will only interfere with moving forward.
Thou shall count thy blessings; never overlooking the small ones, for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one.
We find in our reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians an instruction about being kind to others. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
“A little disabled boy was hurrying to catch a train. In the crowd he had difficulty in walking with his crutches, as well as carrying a basket full of fruit. As the passengers rushed along, one hit the basket by mistake, knocking oranges, apples, and grapes in all directions. The man who caused the accident paused only long enough to scold the lad for getting in his way. Another gentleman, seeing the boy’s distress, went to his aid. Quickly he picked up the fruit and added a silver coin to the collection, saying, ‘I’m sorry, Son! I hope this makes up a little!’” With a smile he was on his way. The young boy who had seldom been the recipient of such kindness called after the ‘good Samaritan’ in gratitude and awe, ‘Mister—please sir, are you Jesus?’ “No,’ replied his new-found friend, ‘I’m only one of His followers.’
We as Christians are called to act in such a way that our actions show what we believe in. The people whose lives we touch need to see the Lord in our acts of compassion and Christian kindness. We see Paul tell the church at Colossae this calling right off the bat., We, who have accepted Christ are clothed in Christ; as such, there should be a huge change in our attitude. Our attitude should be the same as that of Jesus, an attitude of kindness, as well as humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness.
A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: “Today my best friend slapped me in the face.” They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the quicksand and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: “To day my best friend saved my life.” The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?” The other friend replied: “When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”
LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.
So many times we are ready to write off those we consider our enemies and this is not KINGDOM KINDNESS, this is not what God wants from our church. This is not about showing people kindness by giving them things, or helping pay their bills or even giving them money. It is about giving of ourselves.
A man told a story about the time his son’s birthday was approaching. The dad asked him what he would like for his birthday present.
“Dad, I’d like a ball to play with for my birthday.”
Dad said “Great, what kind of ball?”
“Oh, I don’t know, either a football or a basketball.”
“Well, which would you want more?”
The boy thought about it. Then he said. “If you have some time to play ball with me this year, I’d really like a basketball so we could throw it back and forth in the garden. But if you’re busy this year, maybe you should get me a football, because I can play soccer with the rest of the kids in the street.”
The dad thought about this and said, “Let me surprise you. How does that sound?”
The little boy smiled and said, “Oh that would be great Dad. I really love you.”
Then the man went in and shared this little encounter with his wife and together they agreed, their son was not so much interested in the gift. He was interested in the giver. He was being both kind to himself – still wanting a present he would be pleased with, whatever the circumstances, but also kind to his family, not putting pressure on dad to play if he was going to be busy, knowing he had other friends to play with.
Jesus says to love one another as I have loved you, but he also says we should treat others as we would expect to be treated, and as I said a few weeks ago, in the Lord’s prayer Jesus asks that we forgive others as we would be forgiven. We need to treat ourselves kindly, too. In these difficult times remember that Jesus is there for us to lay our burdens upon; He is there to help us to treat ourselves kindly.
Be kind and show love to yourself and do the same to others.
Amen.
Intercessions
O God, we come to pray not for ourselves, but for each other – for those we know and those we don’t, for situations we understand and for those that confound us.
The news tells us of trauma and heartache across the world and we try to grasp the intensity of it all. Bless, O Lord, all involved in the hurting and the healing. We hear of death and dying, of grieving and weeping… We hear of pain, scarring and disfigurement… We hear of anguish and confusion… We hear of those in need of help, and those who struggle to find it… We hear of the grieving and the sorrowful… We hear of the lost and the alone… And we know, Lord, there are myriad others known only to you. Bless them all in their hurting and their healing. Amen.
29 Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. 2 This was after King Jehoiachin, the queen mother, the court officials, the other officials of Judah, and all the craftsmen and artisans had been deported from Jerusalem. 3 He sent the letter with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah when they went to Babylon as King Zedekiah’s ambassadors to Nebuchadnezzar. This is what Jeremiah’s letter said:
4 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
8 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, 9 because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
Matthew 13:51-53 (NRSV)
51 “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place.
Homily
Rather than give a Vicar’s report during the annual meeting which follows this meeting, I am going to use this sermon to think a little about where we are as a church in these peculiar and difficult times. Our annual meeting is supposed to look back at the activity of 2019, and certainly there was much to look back upon. There was a year of varied and dedicated worship as we fulfilled our calling as the Church for this community by adoring God and praying for God’s world. We served the community in so many ways, meeting the needs of the young, the old, the jobless, the grieving… We stewarded well our building which has been passed on to us by generations gone by – keeping it in good repair and making it available to community groups who also bless our community. We were careful, yet generous, with our finances – giving with dedication, fund-raising with joy and supporting a variety of charities with love. We were watching the Church family grow steadily and were well on our way to our dream of a Church of 200 by our 200th birthday in 2024! All this was only possible because of the time, talents, care and commitment of our church congregation and I thank you all for the part you played.
But 2019 feels like a different country now. Our hopes and plans for 2020, like so many plans for so many people this year, have been upended by the global coronavirus pandemic. Our building closed, our worship in that building suspended, our groups and clubs and activities stopped with no idea of when or if they would ever start again. I will confess after the initial adrenaline rush of the crisis had passed – and once the mountain of risk assessments had been conquered – I had a few weeks when I was very low and demoralised. It took me a little while to realise that what I was feeling was grief – I was grieving for the Church life we had shared together and the Church we had been. I couldn’t begin to imagine how we might be Church going forward. As Psalm 137 puts it “How can we sing the Lord’s song in this strange land?” For goodness sake, we cannot even sing!
Psalm 137 is a psalm which comes from a time in the history of the Israelite people called the Exile. After they had escaped slavery in Egypt, the Israelites established a Kingdom and under David and Solomon, and their faithfulness to God, it prospered. They built a Temple to the Lord and their national life was shared around the festivals and observances that God had given them through Moses. But then things got more tricky – the people forgot God, the Kingdom divided and the surrounding nations became more powerful. Eventually, both Kingdoms of Judah and Israel were overrun by their enemies, the Temple was reduced to rubble and many of the people were taken hundreds of miles away into Exile. The exiles were disorientated physically as they were so far from home. They were disorientated culturally – they were amongst people with different customs and different Gods. They were disorientated spiritually – how could they be God’s people without their Temple and their shared national festivals?
We might not have been taken hundreds of miles from home – in fact we are spending far more time in our home than many of us are used to! But we might be able to relate to that feeling of disorientation. Everything around us has changed – how we shop, how we go to the doctors, how we work, and most importantly, how we can be with our family and friends. And when we need it most, our spiritual world has changed – we have our building, but have to use it very differently; our worship doesn’t look like it used to; even we don’t look like we used to with our pandemic haircuts and faces covered with masks! We long for things to go back to how they were. Some put their hopes in a vaccine – maybe by Christmas! Some try to pretend the danger to themselves and others isn’t real and live like the whole thing isn’t happening. The government’s advice that restrictions will be in place for at least six months is hard to hear and accept. What will be left of all we love and value by then?
The prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to the people in Exile with a message from God and part of it is our first reading this week. The advice must have been surprising – and possibly unwelcome – to those recipients who were longing for the home and the world they had known. Learn to live well in this, God tells them. Don’t listen to the conspiracy theories and the fly-by-nights telling you it will all be over soon – their lies don’t help you. Settle down, settle in – make a life in the midst of all this. It will not be forever, but it will be for a while. And never doubt that I am with you and have plans for good – I am the God who can bring light out of darkness, hope out of despair, life out of death…
And I think that message to the exiles is pertinent to us today as we work out how to be God’s people, how to be St Paul’s Church, in these strange and difficult times.
Now don’t hear me wrong – I am not for a second saying that God planned coronavirus. I don’t think God works like that. But if we seek God and pray, as God’s message through Jeremiah’s suggests, we can find that God can even bring blessings out of disasters. You can’t keep a good God down, as someone once said, and even coronavirus won’t stop God loving us, blessing us and helping us to love and bless others.
So what does it mean to live well, to be church well, in these times of pandemic? Well, we go back to basics and remember our values, what matters to us. Some of that has already happened. It matters to us that our Church is a place where people from our community who are struggling will be helped, and so even in the depths of lockdown, the Churchwardens, PCC and I worked hard to make sure that Foodbank could continue. Our relationships matter to us, and so a number of dedicated people have phoned round the congregation regularly to check in and stay in touch. The Griffiths worked hard to provide covid-safe garden parties and Lesley organised a Zoom Murder Mystery. Prayer matters to us and our Prayer Circle have been called upon to pray for all sorts of situations both in the congregation and in the community. Worship matters hugely to us and so with a bit of headscratching and hard work and lots of learning from our mistakes, Jo, David, Liam, Andrew and I have cobbled together ways of ensuring that people at home and in the building can share in worship. Children and Families matter to us, so we ran a virtual Holiday Club – and Messy Church at Home starts this weekend. Celebrating festivals matters to us, so we have been imagining creative ways of sharing them with our community in covid-safe ways – a Scarecrow Festival for Harvest, Lights for Loved Ones at All Souls, then decorated Remembrance pebbles to be placed at the Cross. This is only the start. Our challenge is to continue asking “what was it we loved best about our Church as it was in 2019?” and then working out creative, sustainable and safe ways to carry those values forward into the Church we can be now. As Jesus says in the Gospel, those of us who are trained for the Kingdom will be able to bring treasures old and new out of the storeroom – sometimes we need to do old things in new ways, and God will help us.
There are still gaps. One of the most difficult things for me is how we best support some of our older members, when companionship is the thing they most valued and companionship is the one thing we cannot safely offer, so I would love any ideas God might be prompting in you to help with that! There are things which are inaccessible if you are notconfident with technology. There may be gaps we haven’t yet noticed. So please do tell us.
But be encouraged. God’s message of love has survived persecution, the Dark Ages, Crusades, the Black Death, the Reformation, two world wars and so much more. It is a message that still needs told through and after this pandemic. So grieve for what has been if that is where you are – it is very much allowed. The Church we enjoyed in 2019 was very good indeed. But then, take a deep breath, look around and ask “what might it look like to live well in the middle of this?” Hibernating until it is all over sadly isn’t an option – the world needs us now, Stockingford needs us now, to continue being God’s people of love and hope. And God will be with us and help us. Amen.
Prayers
Lord God, through your grace we are your people: through your Son you have redeemed us; in your Spirit you have made us as your own. We pray for your Church, especially in these challenging times. Make our hearts respond to your love. Lord, receive our praise and hear our prayer.
We pray for the many needs of our world and our community. For those affected by the pandemic, by climate change, by poverty and injustice. For those whose employment is uncertain; those in debt and those worried about accommodation. Make our lives bear witness to your glory in the world. Lord, receive our praise and hear our prayer.
We pray for all who are unwell in mind, body or spirit, and for all who are bereaved. Make our wills eager to obey, and our hands ready to heal. Lord, receive our praise and hear our prayer.
We give thanks for your overcoming love which gives us hope in all circumstances. Make our voices one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Lord of life, hear our prayer, and make us one in heart and mind to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.
Sermons at St Paul's 