MTR. LINDY ROOKYARD
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2010-05-16

Mtr. Lindy Rookyard

Sixth Sunday after Easter (Year C)

Acts 16: 16-34 The ministry of Paul & Silas in prison

Psalm 97

Rev 22: 12-20 Come, Lord Jesus

JOHN 17: 20¡V26 Jesus prays for all believers.

On the night before his arrest Jesus prayed for his disciples and for those who would come to believe, saying: ¡§Father, I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them¡¨. (Long pause ¡K.. )

This has been a special Easter season and Lent season prior to Easter. Let¡¦s cast our minds back a few weeks. It all started on Ash Wednesday (17th Feb); then the various themes through the six weeks of Lent; then rejoicing on Easter morning; after that enjoying the resurrection appearances of Jesus, to today, (16th May), the Sunday between the Ascension and Pentecost. Pentecost, that wonderful day we will be celebrating next Sunday. What an incredible journey!

If we think about it, it¡¦s a journey similar to that which those first disciples had taken with Jesus. They walked with him as he experienced life through those few weeks before and after his arrest. They watched as he was convicted; they were there on the day of the crucifixion; they experienced the wonder of the resurrection; they were present as he ascended to the glory of heaven.

They had journeyed through those few weeks with Jesus, the man, in physical form, and after his resurrection, during the resurrection appearances, they came to experience a little of his spiritual form, his divinity, with him still being visible to them. They came to realise and understand, as best they could, that this was their ¡¥risen¡¦ Lord. During this time they came to understand some of what he had been teaching them, and revealing to them, over the past few years.

What an amazing few weeks to have lived through!

Hopefully, you and I have experienced a little of this wonderful journey as we moved through these past few important weeks this year.

On Thursday this past week, we celebrated the Ascension ¡V the culmination of the visible form of Jesus. The time had come for the completion of God¡¦s intention for the earthly life of Jesus. The disciples would no longer see him in visible human form. Jesus was to return, as he had said he would do, to the glory of heaven to prepare a place for all believers. The next step on the life journey of those first disciples was for them to wait for the coming of God¡¦s Holy Spirit. Before Jesus disappeared from their sight he promised they would receive empowering from God to carry on living and working in the world.

I may have used this comparison before because, for me, it explains a great truth so simply. I believe that the events of the Ascension and Pentecost can be compared to a relay race. In this race a baton is passed from one runner to the next.

At the ascension Jesus passed the baton of his work to the disciples. He said, ¡§go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them everything I have commanded you ¡K.¡¨ Those disciples, after being empowered by God¡¦s Holy Spirit at Pentecost, passed that baton of command to people who came after them, the early Church Christians; they in turn passed it on down through the ages and now it is our turn to pass it on to others. St Luke tells us that Jesus said; ¡§when the Spirit comes on you, you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem & in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth¡¨.

You and I have been handed the baton of Christ¡¦s command. We are the ones running the race at this time and in this place. We have been handed the responsibility. We are called to run, as best we can, with the love of Christ, and to continue running to the end of our life race here on earth. If we profess to be Christians, followers of Christ, the baton has been handed to us. We may say; ¡§but who am I; am I strong enough in my faith; am I sufficiently equipped to carry Christ¡¦s baton¡¨? Oh yes, each and every one of us is equipped to do so!

We are equipped firstly through our baptism.

Our baptism brings us into the race; brings us into the family, brings us into the team of believers.

From the event of our baptism we run our earthly race with the abiding presence of God¡¦s Holy Spirit in our lives, empowering us, strengthening us. Baptism puts us in Christ¡¦s team, we are marked with the sign of Christ, we are given the baton of Christ¡¦s power and love to reach out and touch the lives of fellow runners at this point in the race.

(This morning we will be welcoming a new team member --- Emily Assink)

Secondly, we are equipped through sharing the Eucharist.

Remember the words used by Jesus in his prayer we heard this morning: ¡§.. that the love You have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them¡¨.

This prayer which Jesus prayed to his Father on the night before he died took place at the time of sharing his Last Supper with his disciples. This was that moment in time when he instituted the Holy Eucharist; he said, ¡§take, eat, this is my body, ¡K¡K¡K this is my blood, do this in memory of me¨.

By receiving the body and blood of Christ we are fed, strengthened, and reminded of the Holy Spirit¡¦s empowering. We are enabled to reach out renewed and strengthened to pass the message of God¡¦s wonderful love to all fellow human-beings.

When you and I reach the finishing line of our lives here on earth will Jesus be able to say, ¡§well done my good and faithful servant, you have been my witness; you have carried the baton of my love; come, enjoy the place I have prepared for you¨.  Amen.
 

2010-04-01
Mtr. Lindy Rookyard
 MAUNDY THURSDAY - FOOT WASHING 7pm

John 13: 1-15

So what is tonight all about, this holy, sacred night? We’re here to remember, aren’t we – we’re here to remember how Jesus met with his disciples in the Upper Room on the night before he was led up to Calvary – the place of crucifixion.

We’re here to remember how, in that Upper Room Jesus instituted the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. He then told them to continue doing this in memory of him.

We’re here to remember how, during the course of the meal, he stooped to wash his disciples’ feet, and then gave them the instruction to continue doing this for one another.

We’re here to remember these things, like we do on every Maundy Thursday … and then … and then what … are we going wait until next year … to carry out the ritual … again? No folks, surely there is more to tonight than that. Surely, the intention is deeper. Surely, the command means more than just … this … more than just … remembering? Tonight – tonight we’re going do more than just remember – tonight we going make it real – tonight we’re going to BECOME all that we’re remembering … or at least I hope we are.

You see, there’s a big difference between ‘remembering’ and ‘becoming’. There’s a big difference between being obedient to the ritual, and being obedient to the command. But there is no difference between tonight, and any other night – why then does it seem like there is?

Jesus came to show us, in a very real way, how to live our lives – not just during this holy week, but every week. And while we may share communion week by week, when last were you the bread that fed another soul, and when last did you stoop to wash someone’s feet?

But what does it mean to be the bread, and what does it mean to wash another’s feet?

Some food for thought: The question is never asked of the bread used for the Eucharist, “Would you like to be consecrated?” Imagine if the bread responded, “No, no thank you. You see, I’m just ordinary bread. I’m only good to become a sandwich! Besides, I’m not so keen on being the body of Christ anyway – it might hurt!”

Is it not our belief that we are the ‘Body of Christ’? Does that not mean that every time we receive that bread we are once again consecrated for God’s use – set apart as holy nourishment for God’s world? I believe that at each celebration of the Eucharist – each time we remember that holy meal instituted on that holy night – each of us is personally asked, “Do YOU wish to be consecrated?” Unlike the bread, we can refuse, saying, “No, no thanks. I’m just an ordinary person. I’m only good for ordinary things. I’m not so keen on BEING the body of Christ – it might hurt. I just want to GO to communion, I just want to RECEIVE communion, not BECOME communion”.

But what’s the good of that? What’s the good of ‘remembering’ something, what’s the good of carrying out a ritual, if it’s not effective or if it does not lead to anything? If nothing good happens as a result of receiving Communion, what’s the point?

Ronald Rollheiser, a renowned spiritual writer, once wrote of the liturgy of the Eucharist, “The truly important consecration that takes place is the consecration of the people there” (Repeat). This belief was also expressed long ago by St Augustine (354-430). When he distributed Holy Communion, he would often say, “Receive what you are”.

Having received the body of Christ, having become the body of Christ – what then was Jesus’ command? He commanded that the disciples, and now us, do this in memory of Him. Surely the command was not to simply keep the ritual within the confines of the Upper Room, or for us to keep the ritual within the confines of our church building? Continuing to keep that memory is like throwing a pebble into the pond of the world to create an ever-widening circle of consequences that flow outward to the edges of the universe. If the sacred consequences and healing influence of the Eucharist seem to have been restricted, is it because we have restricted “Do this in memory of me” to the inside of church buildings? Surely the command is to go out – renewed and nourished and strengthened – to feed others! And since we are ‘the Body’, we are in fact the spiritual food for a hungry world! When last though, did we feed a spiritually hungry soul?

Jesus gave them another command too, a command which now is ours as well. In John’s account of the Last Supper, the foot-washing bowl seems as important as the sacred cup. That common washing bowl becomes important through the holy action and ritual of Jesus.

I found something so interesting the other day. In Edward Hays book, “The ascent of the Mountain of God”, he says that the Greek word for ‘sacred bowl’ is the same word used for a woman’s womb. From that sacred bowl, that womb, Jesus brought forth a new sacrament: it was the birth of ordination to servant-hood; the birth of all of us – ordinary, common-place people, clergy and laity alike – being ordained, being set apart, to emulate that example of humility and servant-hood. This is why we become; this is why we are, the ‘Body of Christ’. There is simply no other reason, or purpose, or intention for our lives.

That is why the memory of that holy night, the memory of that Holy Thursday, is so poignant – That night, Jesus consecrated the common-place into the divine. The bread and wine, the drinking cup, the washing bowl, and all who were present – were made sacred, consecrated by the power of his love. This was no ordinary love it was a loving unto death.

As we said earlier, there’s a big difference between ‘remembering’ and ‘becoming’. There’s a big difference between being obedient to the ritual, and being obedient to the command. That is why tonight can be different, for tonight we’re given the opportunity and the choice to do more than just remembering, to do more than just obediently performing the ritual. That choice is ours – are we going to merely remember, or are we going to become broken and spilled out in love for God’s world?

As we stretch out our hands to receive the bread and the wine tonight may these words be on our lips: “Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord for Thee”. Amen.
 

2010-03-28

Rev. Lindy Rookyard

PALM SUNDAY (Year C)

Isaiah 50: 4-9a The Lord’s Suffering Servant

Psalm 31: 9-16

Phil 2: 1-11 Imitating Christ’s humility

LUKE 22: 14 – 23: 56 The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Today you and I begin the great Holy Week of our faith. We follow a series of events unfolding from today (Palm Sun) through to the morning of the resurrection (Easter). By participating in these events we could in some way reach a better understanding of God’s plan for our salvation.

In the centre of all the drama taking place this week stands Jesus the Saviour of all humankind. Jesus, the Christ, Jesus the long awaited Messiah, Jesus the sacrificial Lamb taking away the sins of the world, Jesus the One who has opened up for us the joy of eternal life with our Creator God.



Our readings this morning have been powerful in description. It would be good for you to re-read them, in the quietness of your own homes, before today is over.

Each reading speaks effectively into the message, I believe, God wants to share with us.

The prophet Isaiah often spoke of ‘the One’ who would come to the rescue of Israel – as we know the people of Israel had often deserted, often turned away from God. Surely Jesus is ‘the One’ who came to rescue, to heal the individual, as well as the nation, Israel? Jesus came to turn the people back to God, to restore, to heal, to strengthen that relationship once more.

The words of the Psalm speak of the helplessness felt by someone who is ailing. (“My strength fails me because of my affliction and my bones grow weak”. These words cause us to think of how Jesus must have felt during those hours of trial, condemnation and crucifixion. Yet it is because he suffered so, that we are able to be strengthened and healed from many afflictions of body, mind, and soul.

Paul’s words to the Philippians make us realise that we are called to take on a servant attitude; called to serve others through the love of God. He writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; humble and obedient, serving others even unto death”. Humble service to others brings unity and renewed strength.

If you have been following our Lenten Journey here at the Cathedral this year, you would be aware of the various themes highlighting each week. We have journeyed through the themes of ‘Love’, ‘Peace’, ‘Forgiveness’, ‘Reconciliation’, ‘Justice’, and today we culminate our journey focussing on ‘Healing’. Can we not say that through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus we have been gifted with God’s Love, Peace, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Justice and Healing?

Jesus suffered and died for us because of God’s ‘love’ for us.

Jesus brings ‘peace’ into our lives; inner peace into our lives when we offer our anxieties, fears, and our burdens to Him. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

He teaches us the very essence of forgiveness by his life example and especially through his words from the cross, “Father, forgive them”.

Reconciliation comes from accepting his redemptive concern over us. By admitting and confessing our sins we are assured of a restored, a reconciled, relationship with God our Father and with one another.

Leaving justice in God’s hands will help us to live in peace and harmony with family, friends, fellow citizens of our land, and beyond.

Today, in St Luke’s account of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the sharing of Passover Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, through the hours of his arrest, and up to the crucifixion on Calvary, reminds us that through his suffering, through his wounds, we have been healed.

This is a week when we are once again urged and encouraged to reassess our own relationship with God and with one another.

As we walk with Jesus this week we are reminded that God came to earth in human form to set an example for us to live by and to show us, in a very tangible way, that eternal life with God is what God intended for us from the very beginning.

The events of Good Friday and Easter morning show us that God will welcome us into eternal life when our earthly life comes to an end.

Getting back to the excitement of today, Palm Sunday, we feel a sense of anticipation as we journey through today and into the week that lies ahead.

We, like those people in that crowd that day, sense that something is going to happen!

Here is a little food for thought:

If an artist, living at the time of Jesus, were to paint a picture of the coming of the messiah, he would probably paint a powerful person riding a magnificent horse – waving triumphantly to the crowds - chariots and horsemen – masses of people dancing – rejoicing - blowing trumpets – Jerusalem City of God in all its splendour – there would be people rejoicing and worshipping in and around the Temple - Romans lying dead along the streets – and perhaps even the city of Rome, in the distance, on fire.

That’s the kind of messiah the Jews of that time were expecting because they were anxious to be free of foreign oppression – needed a mighty saviour to rescue them.

If you or I were asked to paint a picture of the coming of the Messiah our picture would probably show Jesus sitting quietly and pensively on the back of a little donkey – some people running excitedly alongside him waving palm branches - the disciples following close behind with Jerusalem, the City of God, ahead of them – the Temple with many people in and around the area – some close friends waiting a little ahead of him – a hill on the outskirts of the city.

My question is: “where would you place yourself in that picture”? Would you be one of the group running alongside Jesus; would you be walking behind with the disciples; would you be watching from the Temple courts; would you be waiting at one of the city gates; or would you not be there at all?

The week ahead is eventful and I encourage you to attend as many Holy Week worship services as possible. I also encourage you to carry that question, “where would you place yourself in that painting”, throughout this week and hopefully by Easter morning we will know without a doubt where we fit into the picture.

And so may this be a rewarding week for each of us as we enjoy a closer walk with Jesus; and ultimately a closer relationship with God. Amen. PALM SUNDAY (Year C) 28.03.2010 St Dunstan’s Cathedral Isaiah 50: 4-9a The Lord’s Suffering Servant Psalm 31: 9-16 Phil 2: 1-11 Imitating Christ’s humility LUKE 22: 14 – 23: 56 The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ Today you and I begin the great Holy Week of our faith. We follow a series of events unfolding from today (Palm Sun) through to the morning of the resurrection (Easter). By participating in these events we could in some way reach a better understanding of God’s plan for our salvation.

In the centre of all the drama taking place this week stands Jesus the Saviour of all humankind. Jesus, the Christ, Jesus the long awaited Messiah, Jesus the sacrificial Lamb taking away the sins of the world, Jesus the One who has opened up for us the joy of eternal life with our Creator God.

Our readings this morning have been powerful in description. It would be good for you to re-read them, in the quietness of your own homes, before today is over.

Each reading speaks effectively into the message, I believe, God wants to share with us.

The prophet Isaiah often spoke of ‘the One’ who would come to the rescue of Israel – as we know the people of Israel had often deserted, often turned away from God. Surely Jesus is ‘the One’ who came to rescue, to heal the individual, as well as the nation, Israel? Jesus came to turn the people back to God, to restore, to heal, to strengthen that relationship once more.

The words of the Psalm speak of the helplessness felt by someone who is ailing. (“My strength fails me because of my affliction and my bones grow weak”. These words cause us to think of how Jesus must have felt during those hours of trial, condemnation and crucifixion. Yet it is because he suffered so, that we are able to be strengthened and healed from many afflictions of body, mind, and soul.

Paul’s words to the Philippians make us realise that we are called to take on a servant attitude; called to serve others through the love of God. He writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; humble and obedient, serving others even unto death”. Humble service to others brings unity and renewed strength.

If you have been following our Lenten Journey here at the Cathedral this year, you would be aware of the various themes highlighting each week. We have journeyed through the themes of ‘Love’, ‘Peace’, ‘Forgiveness’, ‘Reconciliation’, ‘Justice’, and today we culminate our journey focussing on ‘Healing’. Can we not say that through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus we have been gifted with God’s Love, Peace, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Justice and Healing?

Jesus suffered and died for us because of God’s ‘love’ for us.

Jesus brings ‘peace’ into our lives; inner peace into our lives when we offer our anxieties, fears, and our burdens to Him. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

He teaches us the very essence of forgiveness by his life example and especially through his words from the cross, “Father, forgive them”.

Reconciliation comes from accepting his redemptive concern over us. By admitting and confessing our sins we are assured of a restored, a reconciled, relationship with God our Father and with one another.

Leaving justice in God’s hands will help us to live in peace and harmony with family, friends, fellow citizens of our land, and beyond.

Today, in St Luke’s account of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the sharing of Passover Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, through the hours of his arrest, and up to the crucifixion on Calvary, reminds us that through his suffering, through his wounds, we have been healed.

This is a week when we are once again urged and encouraged to reassess our own relationship with God and with one another.

As we walk with Jesus this week we are reminded that God came to earth in human form to set an example for us to live by and to show us, in a very tangible way, that eternal life with God is what God intended for us from the very beginning.

The events of Good Friday and Easter morning show us that God will welcome us into eternal life when our earthly life comes to an end.

Getting back to the excitement of today, Palm Sunday, we feel a sense of anticipation as we journey through today and into the week that lies ahead.

We, like those people in that crowd that day, sense that something is going to happen!

Here is a little food for thought:

If an artist, living at the time of Jesus, were to paint a picture of the coming of the messiah, he would probably paint a powerful person riding a magnificent horse – waving triumphantly to the crowds - chariots and horsemen – masses of people dancing – rejoicing - blowing trumpets – Jerusalem City of God in all its splendour – there would be people rejoicing and worshipping in and around the Temple - Romans lying dead along the streets – and perhaps even the city of Rome, in the distance, on fire.

That’s the kind of messiah the Jews of that time were expecting because they were anxious to be free of foreign oppression – needed a mighty saviour to rescue them.

If you or I were asked to paint a picture of the coming of the Messiah our picture would probably show Jesus sitting quietly and pensively on the back of a little donkey – some people running excitedly alongside him waving palm branches - the disciples following close behind with Jerusalem, the City of God, ahead of them – the Temple with many people in and around the area – some close friends waiting a little ahead of him – a hill on the outskirts of the city.

My question is: “where would you place yourself in that picture”? Would you be one of the group running alongside Jesus; would you be walking behind with the disciples; would you be watching from the Temple courts; would you be waiting at one of the city gates; or would you not be there at all?

The week ahead is eventful and I encourage you to attend as many Holy Week worship services as possible. I also encourage you to carry that question, “where would you place yourself in that painting”, throughout this week and hopefully by Easter morning we will know without a doubt where we fit into the picture.

And so may this be a rewarding week for each of us as we enjoy a closer walk with Jesus; and ultimately a closer relationship with God. Amen.

2010-03-14
Reverend Lindy Rookyard
RECONCILIATION - MOTHERING SUNDAY


 2 Cor: 5: 16-20 The ministry of reconciliation Psalm 32 The joy of being reconciled to God Romans 5: 1-11 Peace and Joy LUKE 15: 11-32 Parable of the Lost Son I mentioned at the beginning of the service that this is a Sunday of rejoicing ! It is the 4th Sunday, or half-way stage, in Lent – that’s cause for rejoicing especially if you have been fasting!

It is sometimes called Refreshment Sunday – a day on which Lenten disciplines, such as fasting, can be relaxed a little – that’s cause for rejoicing! Traditionally, Simnel cake, a rich fruit cake, is enjoyed on this day - Simnel coming from the Latin word ‘simila’ meaning fine flour.

Today is also known as Mothering Sunday – a day of joyful thanks-giving for all womanhood, for our mothers, and especially for the Church, ‘the mother of us all’. Traditionally mothers are given posies of fresh flowers by their children on this day – here at the Cathedral a tradition seems to have developed, that of giving all women a sprig of rosemary – rosemary symbolising ‘remembrance’ – in remembrance of our mothers. Rosemary, a shrub belonging to the mint family, has long been associated with the Virgin Mary, the mother of God. There is a legend which tells of the plant having white flowers until one day, on her flight to Egypt, Mary placed her cloak on a rosemary bush and the flowers turned blue.

In some areas this Sunday is known as Rose Sunday – perhaps a title ‘stemming’ from the ancient catholic tradition of popes blessing roses on this day – roses to be sent to Catholic sovereigns in the then known world – or it can be a title ‘stemming’ from the fresh flowers given to mothers on this day. I’m sure you would agree that simply gazing at the beauty of a rose brings joy to ones heart. And then, within our own parish, the Cathedral Church of St Dunstan, we have been following certain themes during Lent 2010; this week we are focussing on “Reconciliation” – what joy comes from being ‘reconciled’ after estrangement!

As you look around you see references to our Lenten Theme of ‘Reconciliation’. Once again our Lay Ministers have been creative in their displays. Posters with relevant words from Scripture; the wooden cross reminding us of God’s reconciling love for us; the roses reminding us of the love offered and shared by mothers and Mother Church; (and during the prayers today you may like to glance at the over-head screen where beautiful scenes will be displayed;) but now I’d like you to take a good look at the bookmark you received this morning. Do you recognise the picture? It is a picture taken of the stained glass window above the west door of this Cathedral Church. I believe the symbolism of that window assists us in correlating ‘Reconciliation’ with Refreshment Sunday; with Mothering Sunday; with Rose Sunday; and also with the baptisms about to take place here (at the 9am service) on this 4th Sunday in Lent.

Hold that bookmark and focus on the cross, the light behind it, and the rays emanating from it. When light shines onto the window the empty cross radiates the light of Christ’s love for us. The shining light on that cross draws attention – it is a beacon which cannot be ignored – it’s the first item our eyes are drawn towards. That cross is visible to all who approach the Cathedral door. Some may approach the Cathedral door like the repentant son in the parable; others may come like the disgruntled older brother, yet others may come like one of the by-standers, but that cross seems to draw us closer – invites us to enter – invites us to bring with us all that we are carrying in our lives. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. By taking up that offer – by stepping into the church – under the cross - we learn to walk a closer walk with Jesus through worship; through fellowship; through prayer; through listening to words from Scripture, and the offer will come from Christ to lay our heaviness at the foot of his cross. In trusting in his reconciling love for us we will be refreshed – we will find renewed joy in our lives and be reconciled to God and to fellow pilgrims on our life journeys.

Baptisms in many churches are performed close to the west door of the church signifying entrance into the Christian community. It seems such a pity that we do not use the font at the Cathedral west door but for various reasons it seems more sensible to use our portable font placed on the sanctuary steps. Persons being baptised are washed in the water; refreshing them from all sinfulness; they are marked with the cross the sign of Christ – they are given a candle symbolising the Light of Christ – reminding them that Christ will light their life journey. They will be welcomed into this Christian community. They will have entered the Church! In fellowship and worship they will encounter the love and joy offered by God and shared by members of this Mother Church – they will be refreshed – they will be renewed – they will be reconciled – there is cause for much rejoicing!

It would do us well to remember that since our own baptisms we carry the sign of the cross, the sign of Christ on our foreheads – we belong to Christ – He is our Light – if only we would look up and acknowledge his reconciling love for us. The beauty of His love can radiate from us if we offer ourselves, with all our prickles – with all our blemishes – to be refreshed by Him. Lent can be a very meaningful time in every Christian life.

When we turn to leave the Cathedral this morning, to go out into the world, we will pass through the west door once again. Take time to look up at that cross on the window – be reminded that Christ’s light guides us, his love renews us, and his presence protects us, and that, if we are willing, His love can and will radiate through us into the world around us. May this be a very meaningful Lenten journey in YOUR life.

Amen.
 

2010-01-31
Reverend Lindy Rookyard
 4th Sunday of Year C

Jer 1: 4-10 The call of Jeremiah Psalm 71: 1-6 God’s constant help – from childhood to old age 1 Cor 13: 1-13 Faith, hope, and love LUKE 4: 21-30 The rejection of Jesus at Nazareth Okay, so what has changed? Generations come and go – congregations come and go – membership in synagogues and churches come and go – and yet those words, ‘people remain people’ ring true. And is it not true that we, as ‘people’, when coming to church –

• Firstly, like only to hear nice things; like only to hear words which make us feel comfortable; to hear a message which makes us feel good about ourselves and, • Secondly, when someone says or does something which makes us feel uncomfortable or uneasy – we get upset and unpleasantness usually follows? I recently overheard someone saying “you do not need to go to Carnival City or the Standard Bank Arena to see a good fight – just go to church!”

Today’s gospel message is exactly about these two issues: Coming to church to hear what we want to hear; and then getting upset when we feel challenged or uncomfortable. Let’s keep these two issues in mind as we journey through this sermon this morning.

If you had been in church last week you would have heard the beginning of this saga in the synagogue in Nazareth. Jesus had come from Capernaum and was visiting Nazareth. He went, as was his custom, to the local synagogue to worship, just as you and I have come to our local church today to worship. Being invited to read and to preach he read a portion from the writings of the Isaiah scroll then sat down, as they did in those days, to preach. At first the people there hung on every word he said. He had chosen a good text – one they liked and were familiar with. He reminded them that they were indeed God’s special people. We like to hear that too – am I right? We like to hear that God loves us and will protect us – this makes us feel content. But then he went on to say things which made them feel uncomfortable – which stirred up their emotions – and the atmosphere turned hostile! Suddenly those people were hearing only with their ears not with their hearts.

The audacity of this young man intimating that he is the long awaited Messiah! This young man had grown up in front of their eyes – he was Joseph the carpenter’s son. He was no messiah that would come and free them from Roman oppression! He had no army; no wealth; no fixed home. He had become a wandering preacher with a band of fishermen and tax collectors as followers! These people who had been so eager to hear his words now wanted to throw him off a cliff!

What happens when we don’t like what we hear? When the words or actions of people, especially people at church, upset us? The buzz word these days is CONFLICT. Yes, countries, congregations, couples become caught up in conflict – even our Lord did on that day and on many other occasions. It’s often the way we human beings react.

We can ask ourselves, ‘if something as simple as telling the TRUTH can cause conflict how are we to live out our Christian lives in community with other people’? Probably by listening with our hearts and not simply with our ears before we react or speak!

I love the story of the husband who didn’t think when he became angry with his wife. He blurted out “how can someone so beautiful be so stupid?” She answered without a moment’s hesitation, “God made me beautiful so you would marry me; and He made me stupid so I would marry you!” Oh dear – conflict, conflict, conflict.

Let’s delve a little deeper into our own lives, into our own souls this morning. What is it that our loving God is revealing to us through the words from Scripture, read right here, in this worship service, this morning?

If we look closely at each of the readings, the call of Jeremiah the prophet; the psalm; Paul’s letter of ‘love’; and Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth; we find answers to how we can listen with our hearts and not simply with our ears before we react or speak, when interacting with people around us.

In the calling of Jeremiah, and in the words of the psalm, we are reminded that God has loved us and has been with us since before the time of our conception.

In Jer 1: 5 God says; “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart”

In Psalm 71: 6 the psalmist writes; “You are he that brought me out of my mother’s womb; on you have I leaned since my birth”

In the words of another beautiful psalm, psalm 139; “For you created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb; you knew my soul when I was formed”. In Rick Warren’s book “A purpose driven Life” Rick reminds readers that each one of us is created by God for a purpose. We are not here simply to take up space or to use up precious oxygen! We have been created for a purpose, God’s purpose. God has an intention for each of our lives.

Surely our loving Creator God intends for us to live out our earthly lives listening with our hearts and then reacting in ways which are beneficial and uplifting to our fellow human beings living on earth with us?

How do we do that? How do we listen with our hearts? Perhaps the words written by St Paul will give us a little light. Paul’s hymn of love is the best known of all his writings. First, he contrasts love to other spiritual gifts that were so eagerly sought by the people in Corinth. But he reminds those people that without a deep sense of love, all these other gifts were useless for the community. He picks out two qualities that mark love, its patience and kindness. Patience and kindness require us to listen with our hearts and not simply to react to what our ears hear!

In love God created us; in love God can reveal His intention for us. Does this message today encourage us in any way to transform our ways of listening with our hearts to God’s calling on our lives?

Perhaps this is the year when we need to delve a little deeper into our own understanding of our lives? Perhaps God is saying to us “please listen with your hearts”?

Before Bishop David Beetge died he shared with the clergy of this diocese his vision of a year of ‘Evangelism, Mission, and Renewal’ within parishes and arch deaconries of this diocese, but as you well know, God called him to glory before that vision or intention could be implemented. Bishop David Bannerman has since taken up that intention. We as the people of this diocese are being challenged to make this a year of ‘Evangelism, Mission, and Renewal’ from Pentecost 2010 to Pentecost 2011. We are being asked to be creative in our worship; in our liturgy; in our home groups; in our Bible studies; in our working with young people; in our working with the not so young people; in our outreach programmes; in our ecumenical interaction with faith communities around us. It is to be a year of ‘evangelism, mission and renewal’.

Now I know it’s a little early to be talking about Lent, but next week, the 7th Feb, I will not be here with you; the following week, 14th Feb, we have our annual Vestry meeting, and Lent begins on Wed 17th Feb! So, perhaps today is the best time to talk about our upcoming Lenten journey, Lent that time of inner reflection; that time of thinking about God’s intention for us; thinking about our purpose in life; that time of endeavouring to strengthen our relationship with God. Surely Lent is a good time to get this theme of Evangelism, Mission, and Renewal into perspective?

So, on Sunday 14th Feb, the Sunday of Vestry, the Sunday before Ash Wed, you will find in your pew-leaflet a programme of services taking place during Lent to Easter. You will also find an invitation to this year’s Lenten appeal with a difference. It’s an invitation to “Count your blessings” during Lent. You will also find a booklet of ‘personal prayers and thoughts from Scripture’ for each day of the week leading you into the theme for the upcoming Sunday. The six Sundays during Lent will each have a specific theme guiding our thoughts; helping us to listen with our hearts; and encouraging us to strengthen our relationship with God, which will lead us into personal renewal and into a mindset of our own response to evangelism and mission through the way in which we conduct our lives and acknowledge our blessings from God.

You and I have a wonderful opportunity here at St Dunstan’s Cathedral to truly reflect what God is asking of us. This very morning, if we look around we will see people of various cultures; various backgrounds; various races; various orientations, all drawn together through our love of God. May this be the beginning of our own inward reflection, seeking to renew our lives; seeking to strengthen our relationship with God; seeking to listen with our hearts, because through that renewal and revival we will be inspired to go out into the world of 2010 and make a difference! I believe Mission and Evangelism come from within!

Amen.
 

Fourteenth Sunday (Year  A)     (03.07.2011)                                         St. Dunstan’s Cathedral

 Exodus   1: 6-14, 22 -  2: 10     The Israelites oppressed / Birth of Moses.

Psalm 124                                God delivers us from those who seek to destroy us.

Romans  7: 14 – 25a                Struggling with sin.

Matthew 11: 25 – 30               Jesus promises rest for the soul.  

A few nights ago this happened to me – I know it happens to all of us - you find yourself in the middle of a terrible nightmare – awful things are happening – you feel trapped and helpless – calling for help – running away but getting nowhere – struggling to get free – desperate! Then, you wake up – your heart is pounding – feel hot and clammy – try to lay very still - thoughts running through your mind – is this really happening or was I dreaming? Then, slowly start relaxing and breathing normally, realising it was simply a dream – thank God for the peace and stillness around you – you are able to turn over – then lay there for a while and feel very grateful that it was just a dream! The nightmare starts to repeat in your mind but now you are able to push it aside feeling a sense of relief and freedom and peacefulness as you close your eyes – all is well – thank God! 

That’s the kind of feeling we are asked to bring to mind this morning – the feeling of being over whelmed or burdened – then a sense of relief and peacefulness.  

Something similar takes place in the lives of the Israelites we heard about in the reading from Exodus. Those people were suffering under tremendous burden in Egypt – it was at a time when they were being tortured with heavy labour – life was extremely difficult for them – and then came a new unbearable suffering - their baby boys were being removed from their families and killed!

This was a living nightmare and they called out to God and God intervened through the faith of an Israelite woman and her young daughter. An Israelite baby boy survived – Moses. We know that God would use Moses to bring freedom and liberty, at God’s appointed time, to the oppressed and burdened people and that after a period of time they would once again be able relax and live in peace and freedom in a new land which God had in store for them.

 This feeling also comes through in the words of Psalm 124 – “If God had not been on our side – when men attacked us – they would have swallowed us alive – the flood would have engulfed us – torrents of water would have swept over us – raging waters would have swept us away”. What a nightmare! But then the Psalmist goes on to say, “Praise be to God - we have escaped – because our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” – a sense of relief from their burdens.

 This sense of burden, and then relief, continues through the N.T. reading.

St Paul, writing to Christians in Rome, describes what he and each one of us feels, and struggles with, at various times in our lives.

Paul says, “I do not understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I cannot. I do what I don’t want to – what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. But I can’t help myself, because I’m no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things”. 

We can just imagine St Paul tossing and turning, trying to come to terms with life at that time – struggling with personal inner turmoil.

 Do you and I not go through similar turmoil? Do we not feel burdened with the many conflicts in our own lives, our own relationships, and our own spirituality? Do we not often feel, especially in this present economic and political climate that life with all its pessimism and distrust is very difficult to bear? Are we not confronted on a daily basis with negativity and a sense of hopelessness?

 Thank God for the Gospel message this morning!

St Matthews describes Jesus coming to our rescue. He records Jesus saying; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Not maybe, or I’ll think about it, he says I will.   He also says; “take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden light”.      

 Now what is this “yoke” all about because the word ‘yoke’ is not often heard in this day and age? What is it relevance to us today? Well, Jesus used this word because it was a familiar item used, from ancient times, to harness animals together for a purpose. It consisted of a heavy wooden bar laid across the shoulders of oxen binding them together for ploughing purposes. Being yoked allowed them to work together in unison more effectively and each yoke was specially made for each individual animal. It was a perfect fit, comfortable and easy to work under. A yoke could be seen as a symbol of submission not always with the implication of oppression.  

If we go back to the reading about Moses and we recall all that Moses did for the Israelites, could we not say that it was only when Moses agreed to work with God, to be yoked with God, that great things could be achieved and the people could be relieved of their burdensome way of life and God’s intention could be revealed. But, Moses had to put aside his own fears, his own insecurities and the burden of his own speech impediment and submit to working with God for a new way of life to be enjoyed.   

 Then when we recall St Paul’s words regarding the turmoil in his life, the frustrations he endured, the sin he acknowledged in his life, we know that it took time and effort on his part to work through all those areas and agree to be yoked to Christ. Being yoked to Christ enabled St Paul to become what God intended him to be - one of the greatest examples of Christian living. His writings about his life, work, experience and witness were, and continue to be, of infinite value to all believers throughout the world but firstly he had to submit to be yoked with Christ.

So what about us today? Does this message, this teaching of Jesus, not enable us to see the bigger picture? Do we need to continue in our frustrated, fearful, burdened state of living? No, because today’s message is that Jesus invites us to be yoked to him …...to be bound closely to Him … to live in unison with Him……. to be free of the burden which hampers our everyday living.

I can imagine Jesus standing beside us, holding out His arm, inviting us to link up with Him, so that we can step out into the fields of our life, in a secure relationship with the One who has a definite purpose for the field we’ve been asked to plough and once we’ve linked up with Jesus – we don’t have to do it on our own anymore! Jesus gently teaches us, guides us to live our lives according to his purpose, and in doing so … the heavy burdens we do carry are lifted onto His shoulders, our souls find rest, and we are able to regain inner peace!

Jesus waits patiently for us to come to Him, to be yoked with Him and who knows what plan of God can then be revealed, acknowledged and enjoyed!        Amen.
 

EASTER VI    (Year A)             05.06.2011                                      St Dunstan’s Cathedral

 Acts      1: 6-14                   They gave themselves to prayer

Psalm 68: 1-10

1 Peter 4: 12-14 & 5: 6-11   Sharing Christ’s sufferings

JOHN 17: 1-11                    The high-priestly prayer

 For many people the name John Lennon conjures up a spectrum of reactions, thoughts, musings or even feelings. For those of you who did not live through, or take any notice of, the “hippy era”, the late1960’s through into the 1970’s John Lennon was an integral member of the group The Beatles. They took the world by storm at that time and their music continues to be enjoyed to this day.

 Would you agree when I say that it is often only after a person has died that people take more notice of, or seek to find meaning in, what that particular person had once said or done, and credit is then given where credit is due? It is with this in mind that I would like to use a few sayings by John Lennon as we explore our message from God through Scripture today. Let me add that at times John Lennon was not very popular with what he said but taking these few sayings and viewing the words carefully shows his deep inner acknowledgment of the meaning and sanctity of life.       

 John Lennon once said; “life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans” (repeat), meaning life is that routine which carries on regardless of what you are planning or organising or preparing for. Life is that simple every day routine which is given to you and to me to live.   

 I think we may at present be experiencing our day to day life as a simple routine, an “in between” time. It is nearly the middle of the year, a time of levelling out so to speak, a time of trudging through this winter, anticipating and looking forward to summer and whatever else is being planned for later on in the year.  

In our church life it is also at an “in between” stage. We have enjoyed the planning and experiencing of Lent, Holy Week, Easter and then the resurrection appearances and now, this morning, we stand in remembrance of the Ascension, (last Thursday), and the celebration of the Spirit that came at Pentecost, (next Sunday), and then what? Church life will continue to progress through to the next set of planning, the planning of the Advent and Christmas season, but for now it’s an “in between” time, a time of waiting.

St Luke describes, in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, a time of waiting. He tells of how the disciples had experienced Jesus’ risen appearances, how they had listened intently to his words of encouragement, how they walked with him out to the hill of the ascension, how they watched him disappear from sight and then how they turned and walked back into the city of Jerusalem to wait for the gift Jesus had promised them, the gift of the Holy Spirit of God. They had no idea what that entailed or what it meant. The routine of life continued for them as they waited. It was an “in between time”. We are told that they stayed together as a group as they watched and waited in prayer and that’s an important point to hold onto this morning. They watched and waited in prayer.    

Another saying of John Lennon was; ”how can I go forward when I don’t know which way I’m facing”?  The reading from 1 Peter tells of people in distress, people whose lives were in turmoil, people who were frightened and traumatised, people who did not know which way they were facing. Does that not sound familiar? At times we ourselves are in that situation and we certainly know of people around us experiencing trauma, distress and uncertainty on which way to turn.   St Peter says; “humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may life you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. How do we do that? How do we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand? By staying in the fellowship of believers and turning to God in prayer. When we cast all our anxieties and the anxieties of those around us on him we will find it far easier to turn and go forward in the knowledge that God cares for us.      

By the way, John Lennon also said; “living is easy with eyes closed”. This is so true. It is so easy to blank out, ignore or choose not to see the distress in another’s life. “Living is easy with eyes closed”. In this case we need to open our eyes, to pray for one another and in fellowship lift one another up out of despair!

 And then there’s those lovely words from a song he composed; “I am he as you are he and you are me and we are all together”. The gospel reading tells of the disciples hearing Jesus praying for them. He prays to God the Father with the words “those whom you gave me; I gave them the words you gave me; all I have is yours; glory has come to me through them; protect them by the power of your name so that they may be one as we are one”. 

 Could Jesus not have uttered these words? “I am he as you are he and you are me and we are all together”.

What a profound statement John Lennon was making without even realising the depth of his words! That statement reminds us that we are joined to one another, by God our Father, through Jesus Christ the Son in the love and power of The Spirit.  

So, what is it that we can carry away with us this morning? What is it that we are being led to explore and experience?  I believe we are being led to explore and experience life with all its ups and downs, its disappointments and failures, its anxieties and hurts, its times of joy and peace, in the presence of Jesus who came to show us how to find fulfilment.

How do we experience life in the presence of Jesus? Through offering our life as a prayer, giving praise where praise is needed, giving assistance where assistance is needed, uttering words of encouragement where encouragement is needed, through depending on the love of God and by offering ourselves in service to one another. In other words preaching the gospel of Jesus through the way in which we live the life God has entrusted to us. I think it was St Francis who said; preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.  

And so, as you experience life while you’re busy making other plans, as you try to go forward when you don’t know which way you’re facing, as you experience life perhaps with your eyes closed, remember, be conscious of, the One in whom we live and move and have our being!  

 Amen.
 

HARVEST FESTIVAL                               6th March 2011                        St Dunstans Cathedral

 Deut    26: 1-11       Offering the first fruits

Psalm   65               Praise and Thanksgiving

James   5: 7-11       Waiting for the fruit of the earth

Matthew 13: 1-9     The Parable of the Sower.

 Harvest Festival :

·         A festival celebrated from very early Biblical times

·         A festival celebrated during the time of Jesus

·         A festival celebrated through to modern times

·         A festival you and I have come to celebrate here this morning.

We have gathered to worship God with the special intention of reminding ourselves of the many blessings God showers upon the earth, upon all creation.

 The verses read from Deuteronomy, written around 1400 B.C., tell of the people of Israel being reminded of how God had blessed them in the past as a nation.

  • The words reminded the people of a past generation that had lived in the desert for 40years in search of the Promised Land.
  • Those words told of how many people had died in the desert and how Moses had prepared their children to posses the land promised by God.
  • The words reminded the people of the Law they were to follow and the covenant which God had made with their ancestors.
  • The words also reminded them of how they should be responding to God in thanksgiving for what God had done for them as a nation.
  • They were also reminded of how the first fruits of their labours should be taken to their place of worship.

We know that in later years, when the Temple in Jerusalem had been built, people would gather at various points along the road leading up to Jerusalem. From these gathering points they would go up as a huge throng of worshippers to the Temple carrying their baskets of harvested crops. What a magnificent sight and sound that must have been, all the people singing and dancing, bringing their first fruits to God; laying them on the altar.

 Today we have done something similar. Our cathedral looks beautiful – and if you’re standing where I am standing you can even smell the goodness of God’s creation!

Today we simply buy fruit and vegetables arranged on polystyrene trays covered with glad-wrap from the shelves of a supermarket, not giving a thought to the process which has taken place before it ended up in our shopping trolley! Very few people today know or understand the effort involved in producing good crops. Farming is not an easy task, but very rewarding when the harvest is successful.

Bringing to mind our Gospel reading this morning, I believe Jesus may have looked out from where he was sitting on that day and watched a farmer scattering the seed over the land. Jesus then used that visual aid to teach the people gathered around him. His listeners would have understood the efforts and rewards of planting and harvesting.

This is a famous parable. It is one which we sometimes skim over because we have heard it so often, but there is so much depth to this teaching.

 We usually think along the lines of Jesus being the sower; the seed being the message he proclaims; and the ground being the various types of people who either accept or reject the message – but this morning I would like to change this usual interpretation and ask ourselves if we perhaps could be the sowers.

 An article I read some time ago might help us to answer that question.

 It was written by a man named Frank. He told of how in a small English village church where he worshipped there was a lonely, quiet old man, named Thomas. He told of how the old man Thomas had outlived all his family and that hardly anyone knew him. Thomas kept very much to himself so when he died, Frank had the feeling that no-one to go to the funeral. Frank then decided to go himself so that there might be someone to follow the old man to his final resting place. He was right. There was no-one else at the funeral. It was a very wet and windy day and as funeral cortege left the church door and reached cemetery gate, Frank noticed a soldier waiting. The soldier came to the graveside and when the ceremony was over the soldier stepped forward and in front of the open grave swept his hand to a salute that might have been given to a king.

 Frank walked away from the graveside with the soldier, and as they walked, the wind blew the soldier’s raincoat open to reveal the shoulder badges of a brigadier. The brigadier then said to Frank, “You will perhaps be wondering what I am doing here. Many years ago Thomas was a teacher here when I attended Confirmation classes.  I was a wild boy, often a sore trail to this man.

He never knew what he did for me, I’m sure he has long forgotten me, but I owe everything I am to old Thomas. Today I have come to salute him at the end”. 

At the time of teaching Thomas did not know what effect he was having on that unruly boy. He never did know. Thomas simply sowed the seed. And so it is with you and I – our task is to simply sow the seed, and leave the rest to God.

Just as farmers have to wait patiently for their crops to grow in order to benefit from a good harvest, so we too have to wait to enjoy the benefit of our labours on earth.  That is the message in the letter of James; “wait patiently for the Lord.”  

And so, the story of the old man Thomas reminds us that our task is to be “the sowers” of God’s message – that through our efforts the Good News of Jesus Christ could be scattered and spread.  Now you and I know that this is easier said than done!

We get discouraged especially when we encounter hard, thorny ground. We begin to think it is worthless, pointless to keep sowing the seeds, keep trying to live a Christian way of life, keep trying to show or instil Christians morals and values – when people just do not respond or show a willingness to change their ways. We seldom, if ever, see any progress or difference in people’s lifestyles or attitudes.  In other words, we don’t seem to be harvesting for Christ.

 The most difficult part for us to learn, I think, is that the results are not up to us. The results are up to God.

What we are required to do is to be obedient to the great commission, to go out and keep sowing, keep spreading the Christian message.

Like old Thomas, we may never know what growth is taking place, but that does not matter, because it is not for us to know – we are simply instruments in God’s hands. 

The ground represents the different ways in which people receive the message of the Gospel - each person reacts differently at different times, but the results are controlled by God. 

 Today, you and I have brought our gifts to our place of worship. These material gifts are a token of our appreciation of God’s love for us in acknowledgement of all we have been blessed with, and we ask that these gifts be shared with those experiencing difficult times, but the greatest gift we can offer to God is to keep committed to “sowing” – sowing the seeds of our love and commitment to God – softening the soil of hearts around us!     To God be all honour and glory!  Amen
 

24th Sunday (Year A)             11.09.2011    (D.G. Sunday)                       St Dunstans Cathedral

 Genesis 50: 15 – 21 Joseph reassures his brothers

Psalm  103:   1 – 13

Romans 14:   5 – 12 We live to the Lord, not to ourselves

MATT   18 :  21 – 35 The servant who would not forgive

The readings this morning speak of brothers; of family dynamics; of occurrences in family life – squabbles, jealousies, & even the offering of forgiveness. The readings also speak of what God, the Creator of all life, expects of us His children.   Now, over the past few Sundays we, Gods children, have been concentrating on “Stewardship” and “Dedicated Giving” and today we come to consciously offer back to God a portion of our “time”, our “talents” and our “hard earned money”. Thank you, Vuyo, for your informative talk on how D.G. is handled in Black Parishes and Mike for setting out for us, in a very concise way, the finances of the Cathedral Parish.

At our last clergy meeting, it was decided that I should be the one to draw together, to culminate, to mould all the ideas and suggestions of the past few Sundays into a feasible, workable and acceptable thought pattern for you to consider. In brief, I was asked to preach on this day, but I’ve decided not to do that and to rather, and please forgive me, share with you a personal experience which I believe puts the whole of Stewardship & D.G. into perspective!

 As you are all well aware Tony & I are in the process of relocating to Western Australia. It has been a long journey thus far. Our beautiful 22 acre plot with house and business premises has been sold and last week we watched as the packing company arrived and began wrapping and packing all our household and other goods. I had no idea of the emotions we would experience as room by room our home began to empty. The final step was when we stood in our driveway and watched as the truck drove away with our worldly possessions! That song “there goes my every possession suddenly came to mind”! We then had to hand over the keys to our home and business premises to the new owners; then get into our car and drive away from the home and property we, and our entire extended family, come to love over the past 20 years. It was a feeling which is very difficult to describe.

As we drove away I consoled myself with the fact that our most precious possession we carry with us on a day to day basis i.e. the love we share with family and friends. That is a possession which does not require wrapping and packing it simply accompanies us everyday of our lives and very often we forget its value.

 The next morning, I returned to work here at the Cathedral, and asked the ladies in the office for a square piece of cardboard and a khoki pen. When they asked why I said; “well I need to write --- please help, I’m homeless and my husband is jobless”.  I then went into the vestry and met Bishop David before the 8a.m. Eucharist Service. He asked me how the move had gone and how I was feeling. I said; “Bishop, it is such a strange feeling to see our worldly possessions drive away on a truck and then to hand over the keys and then drive away from our home”.   We chatted for a while and then he shared with me a similar experience he and Joan had had when they were about to leave Zimbabwe. They were not sure whether they would be able to take any possessions with them and it was then that his father-in-law had uttered words which have remained with him to this day, and you may have heard him speak of them before. His father-in-law said; “never forget there are not pockets in a shroud”!  (repeat)

 Yes, I think those are the words which help us to understand what is important. What is important is “the life” God has given us and “the love” with which God enables us to live our day to day earthly lives. All other “possessions” fade into obscurity when we realise the importance of the gift of life and love given freely to each one of us by our Creator God.

It is out of this realisation, or awakening, that we are enabled to make a meaningful gift and offering to God.   

I think the words in the blue A.P.B, at the presentation of the gifts, are so very apt in this situation; “Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendour, and the majesty; for everything in heaven & on earth is yours. All things come from you, and of your own do we give you.    

 As you offer your gifts to God this morning, may you be ever mindful that; “there are no pockets in a shroud”!!   Amen 
 

19th Sunday of Year A                              07.08.2011                                 St Dunstan’s Cathedral

Exodus   14: 19 – 31          God’s people escape across the sea

Psalm   106:  4 -13             Recalling God’s protection over Israel

Romans    9: 1 – 5              Paul protests his love for Israel

Matthew 14: 22 – 33          Lord, save me  (Jesus & Peter walk on the water)

 This morning I would like you to jot down or hold in your mind three ideas which I believe stand out vividly in our readings from Scripture today.

 

1st, the dependability and ever-presence of God in the world throughout the ages

2nd, that people in various situations and at various times turn to or call out to God seeking a connection with that dependability, that ever-presence of God. People call out seeking assistance, strength or support in times of distress or anguish or simply because they are seeking an assurance of God’s ever-presence and dependability.

3rd, ‘turbulent water’ both literally and figuratively play a prominent role in the lives of the people recorded in the readings.

 For instance, in the first reading the Israelites were standing at the edge of the Red Sea. They were experiencing anxious moments as the enemy closed in on them. We can say they were experiencing great inner turbulence as they stood at the waters edge. Then through the faith of Moses, these people were reminded of the ever-presence of God. They saw and experienced the power of dependence on God in their time of turbulence.

 The words from Psalm 106, written many, many years later probably at a time when Jews were returning from exile, that great time of turbulence in the life of the Jewish nation, helped people to recall, to be reminded of, God saving their ancestors at the Red Sea and in fact how God had constantly guided and protected their nation throughout their history. These words helped the Jews rekindle their trust and faith in God’s ever-presence with them enabling them to once again sing songs of praise as the nation continued its journey in history in the warmth of God’s dependability.

 Then, St Paul in his letter to the people of Rome, also many, many years later, expresses his deep love and concern for his own compatriots, his fellow Jews. The tone of this letter reveals Paul’s yearning for Jews to accept Jesus as the Son of God, knowing that this would lead them into a new and meaningful relationship with God. He wants them to reach out, to call out and to depend on Jesus.

 Finally, the gospel reading holds each of these three ideas in the account of Jesus walking on the water and Peter calling out to him.

 The disciples are on the boat; it’s the early hours of the morning; the wind is blowing; Jesus appears in the mists of the morning walking towards them on the water. Their emotions are in turmoil and Peter calls out; “if it’s you Lord tell me to come to you”; Jesus says; “come”.

 The turbulent water is there, the calling out and turning to Jesus in times of distress is there, the dependability and ever-presence of God is there.

 Now it’s all very well to find these ideas in the words of our scripture readings but do they actually apply to our lives today?  

I believe they do and I’ll tell you why. I believe it’s only when, in the turbulent times in our lives, we willingly go to a quiet place, as Jesus did to gather our thoughts and to sit in quietness with God that we realise the dependability and ever-presence of God in our lives and that when we pluck up the courage to call out to him, He always beckons saying; “Come”.

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