There's an odd thing about being a cleric in that you live in a world of expectations unmet or done differently and assumptions that hinder and distract. A couple of weeks back one of the children received a telephone call from someone who huffed and puffed and, to be totally honest, sounded like a bit of a Twit. To her credit, the child who took the call, having been hung up on once they person's rant was over, called them back and handled the call exceedingly well (by the sound of it, better than the caller - but perhaps the motorcycle fumes and living on an island does stuff to you) but the end result is this: Rude and ignorant can be the property of each of us at times regardless!
Having a quiet night I happened, foolishly, to look at my emails and found something that needed a call to discuss, so I stopped the film and bothered someone else, and cleared the matter from my head. I felt awful imposing myself on the person at the other end of the wire and grovelling apologies for the call. Thankfully they were someone who is full on and committed to everything they do and being kindness itself, tolerated my intrusion.
But my day was filled with a number of people who had expectations, demands and denials and that makes it all very tiring - the filler in the sandwich came in the shape of kindly people who, almost apologetically, had needs to be met. There was the fall out from things taken on and undelivered - which met I had now had to take them on and deliver, as well as try to smooth over the bumps left in the road - and the newly hatched needs, some of which were less of a need and more of something else!
But every time the bells go down the cleric, well this cleric, stands to and prepares to engage whatever is before them. Life is always varied, often fun, more often than not more complicated than it needs to be (that's because we work with people I guess) and . . .
Lord, help me to meet the needs of those around me with grace, good humour and patience. To overlook the bad behaviour of others, their ignorance (and I don't mean knowledge), their demands (sometimes unreasonable) and their self-absorbed bits - and yet to never excuse, or permit them to behave badly.
Help me to have the courage to just say 'no' and to draw lines that protect me.
Help me to lead people to the Christ rather than get caught up in the desire in others for me to be Christ for them!
Help me to see real needs and meet them whilst avoiding the wants in others adding to the need in me and causing me real harm.
Lord, we walk to the cross by may routes and the burden on that wood and the the lashes on our back are so often added to by those we seek to serve. Give me the strength to make the journey; give me the grace to bless those who fling insults and wound by their words; give me the strength to give what I should and the courage to deny what I ought to.
Help me, dear Lord, to minister our of my calling and not from the demands of a career!
You have given me life today - fed me - forgiven me - followed me (carrying me in when I stumbled and fell) - enabled me - together, in unity, we have worked to make Your kingdom come, equally yoked and in our continual love affair.
Tomorrow, my Sabbath, may we relax together in that same relationship as we worked today, and when the needs come (and they will I am sure) may we be ready to meet them with love, grace, wisdom and honesty.
Father, forgive them, for even if they know what they are doing, they rarely understand why :-)
This place of reflection is here for me to dialogue internally and gain insight and perspective. It first appeared in this current form for some of those looking at creating their own journal as part of the their journey to discerning vocation. The Morning prayer is there also for that same purpose: to create the discipline of prayer. Dialogue, insights and experience of others concerning this entry is always welcome - all grist to the mill.
Showing posts with label loving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label loving. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Saturday, 7 January 2017
When 'doing enough' is called for . . .
Words from the Larry Norman song - with the added emphasis, "I wish we'd all been ready!" Hit me today.
Today was another varied and challenging day as work started at the desk by seven am and in the office around half past four - today we celebrated the feast of epiphany and the arrival of the world to Jesus' door and in the act, we celebrate the message and ministry of the Christ becoming known by the Gentiles (that's all the non-Jews).
The Communion service was pretty well attended - amazing how many folk seek to keep the feats isn't it? - and once we'd done the service, had a brew and a chat it was time for a funeral visit and a funeral service before the joy of being able to visit family and take them Communion where they were.
I think the biggest problem we have with Church today is that we are so preoccupied with the church before us that we forget the Church who are no longer able to come into our buildings - and this is not just a tragedy but a disgrace.
Today, with no Kid's Club, I drew the line and was done by six pm - and I enjoyed immensely the opportunity to chill and relax (so be warned) and yet still felt pulled by the work on the desk.
A colleague recently sent me this:
The working day should be divided into three sessions:
morning, afternoon and evening; clergy should be available for 2 out of 3 sessions per working day. So if a cleric has undertaken a funeral services in the morning and has a PCC in the evening, they should work morning and evening i.e. two sessions out of the working day.
Whilst doing my Area dean training I was taken to task by one of the people leading the course after they asked me about my work practice. I think they were 'concerned' that I had done a communion in the morning, a funeral after lunch and then joined the course for the start in the late afternoon.
As we chatted they told me how I 'must' have the evening and the whole of the next day off - returning to work at the start of the day the day after so that I could take, "Proper time off!" One of the others in the group chimed in with the fact that where they were they, once a month, they ended work at six in the evening (let's make it a Wednesday) and then had all the Thursday and Friday off, returning at nine am on the Saturday. To my surprise, others around me nodded in approval!
Boy, did I feel like a naughty schoolboy - because I wasn't bunking off!!!
But, encouraged by someone who acts as a spiritual director and bookseller, I have decided not only to follow Jesus but to engage in a box of plastic spoons. looking at the weeny-four hour period I am closing off the day at 22:00 and opening again for business at 09:00. This leaves me thirteen hours to split into morning, afternoon and evening slots. from this I guess that I can take a couple of hours off to each lunch and dinner which leaves me with eleven hours. Now I can remove a couple of hours for morning and evening office and reflection so that leaves me with nine hours which I can split into three and before I know it I'm hardly doing stuff at all. Doesn't sound as much fun as the sixty hour week I often enjoy.
Is the problem in the fact that I'm not doing a job (although those who tell me they don't 'do church' on a day off seem to think it is!) and if I'd have left work and taken a pension I'd have been doing as much (more possibly) as I do know. This is all about being available and about keeping myself mentally, physically and spiritually squared away.
Think I will need to revisit this - I know day's off and time in the evening something get swallowed up but that's because of the people You gave me Lord - Perhaps I need a perfect parish where everyone is healthy and there is no need and all the church members fight to do the stuff that needs doing :-) Seems the average week for me has more hours in the day that others think we've been given.
So I'm booking a retreat and I'm going to have a think, pray and reflect on it for a couple of days.
Night Boss :-)
Today was another varied and challenging day as work started at the desk by seven am and in the office around half past four - today we celebrated the feast of epiphany and the arrival of the world to Jesus' door and in the act, we celebrate the message and ministry of the Christ becoming known by the Gentiles (that's all the non-Jews).
The Communion service was pretty well attended - amazing how many folk seek to keep the feats isn't it? - and once we'd done the service, had a brew and a chat it was time for a funeral visit and a funeral service before the joy of being able to visit family and take them Communion where they were.
I think the biggest problem we have with Church today is that we are so preoccupied with the church before us that we forget the Church who are no longer able to come into our buildings - and this is not just a tragedy but a disgrace.
Today, with no Kid's Club, I drew the line and was done by six pm - and I enjoyed immensely the opportunity to chill and relax (so be warned) and yet still felt pulled by the work on the desk.
A colleague recently sent me this:
The working day should be divided into three sessions:
morning, afternoon and evening; clergy should be available for 2 out of 3 sessions per working day. So if a cleric has undertaken a funeral services in the morning and has a PCC in the evening, they should work morning and evening i.e. two sessions out of the working day.
Whilst doing my Area dean training I was taken to task by one of the people leading the course after they asked me about my work practice. I think they were 'concerned' that I had done a communion in the morning, a funeral after lunch and then joined the course for the start in the late afternoon.
As we chatted they told me how I 'must' have the evening and the whole of the next day off - returning to work at the start of the day the day after so that I could take, "Proper time off!" One of the others in the group chimed in with the fact that where they were they, once a month, they ended work at six in the evening (let's make it a Wednesday) and then had all the Thursday and Friday off, returning at nine am on the Saturday. To my surprise, others around me nodded in approval!
Boy, did I feel like a naughty schoolboy - because I wasn't bunking off!!!
But, encouraged by someone who acts as a spiritual director and bookseller, I have decided not only to follow Jesus but to engage in a box of plastic spoons. looking at the weeny-four hour period I am closing off the day at 22:00 and opening again for business at 09:00. This leaves me thirteen hours to split into morning, afternoon and evening slots. from this I guess that I can take a couple of hours off to each lunch and dinner which leaves me with eleven hours. Now I can remove a couple of hours for morning and evening office and reflection so that leaves me with nine hours which I can split into three and before I know it I'm hardly doing stuff at all. Doesn't sound as much fun as the sixty hour week I often enjoy.
Is the problem in the fact that I'm not doing a job (although those who tell me they don't 'do church' on a day off seem to think it is!) and if I'd have left work and taken a pension I'd have been doing as much (more possibly) as I do know. This is all about being available and about keeping myself mentally, physically and spiritually squared away.
Think I will need to revisit this - I know day's off and time in the evening something get swallowed up but that's because of the people You gave me Lord - Perhaps I need a perfect parish where everyone is healthy and there is no need and all the church members fight to do the stuff that needs doing :-) Seems the average week for me has more hours in the day that others think we've been given.
So I'm booking a retreat and I'm going to have a think, pray and reflect on it for a couple of days.
Night Boss :-)
Friday, 22 August 2014
Daily Quiet Time or Prayer or . . .
Office or study or . . .
It doesn't matter what you call it the issue is that if you do it you do it right and this is where it gets hard (as if doing it wasn't hard enough)!
When I was a student there were a bunch of really dedicated Christians in the Christian Union(CU). They got together and did their daily study, getting together each morning and having their 'Quiet Time'. They would read their Bible study notes and the passage set for the day.
Another group were the Navigators - a disciplined bunch who would work through various themed programmes - using the Topical Memory system these guys would learn a new passage each day and would test each other on the verses that had passed. These were the storm troopers of the CU, they learned their stuff and could be found stopping students in the corridor and asking them (in various ways) what they thought of Jesus and Christianity.
Then came another group who were a bit hit and miss with their Quiet Times. They tended to start the month well and slowly slide into variable observance. This was the group I was usually part off and it was not because I didn't see the benefit of reading the Bible or didn't want to spend time reading, thinking and praying but because I had a life. I can hear some say that the life I had was probably indisciplined and you may well be right, but things got in the way and the best plans and highest intentions were binned because I'd be out all night praying with people or discussing the Bible and arguing with the atheists (always been there) or doing other stuff.
What I noticed was that then, and now, that some who did their daily wotsit religiously, by which I mean, legalistically and without much enthusiasm or joy. They ticked the box and 'did their duty' and as much as I applaud their commitment (would that there were more who were committed) I was, and am, sad that some do it as drear and dread duty rather than as a place of sanity and a source of joy.
I made a promise when I was ordained that I would do my daily office - that is my morning and evening prayer - and this promise, and the keeping of if, is a commitment and a challenge. A commitment because, like feeding the cats, it is something I have to do because I need to feed the spiritual man (and I promised God and a pointyhat - not one and the same thing I'd do it) and a challenge because it requires a discipline - that's why I do it the minute I wake, getting up earlier to ensure it happens before the demands and distractions of the day conspire to distract me - and it needs to be something I want to do.
So here's a little plea to those who stumble across these words:
If you are a Christian you need to feed the spiritual person every day - lest they become emancipated and eventually starve.
If you are a Christian you need to find some joy in being so, if it is a joyless, lifeless and draining experience then slowly, but most assuredly, you're living in a time stamped existence - one that leads to being an ex-Christian!
If you don't take time out to consider the world around you and the needs nearer to you and to regard them with spiritual eyes and listen regarding them with anointed ears then how can you make sense and pray intelligently and form a world view and a rational understanding that fits your faith view and satisfies those of no faith?
So my plea is this:
Read your Bible
Understand what's happening in the world, work, home, church, elsewhere
Use your brain
Use your tongue to talk to God (and people)
Get excited
Be passionate (or as passionate as you can be)
Do this and you'll find yourself craving time where you can dialogue, reason and rejoice in being a person of faith - and you'll find people want to be doing it with you.
Happy Friday
It doesn't matter what you call it the issue is that if you do it you do it right and this is where it gets hard (as if doing it wasn't hard enough)!
When I was a student there were a bunch of really dedicated Christians in the Christian Union(CU). They got together and did their daily study, getting together each morning and having their 'Quiet Time'. They would read their Bible study notes and the passage set for the day.
Another group were the Navigators - a disciplined bunch who would work through various themed programmes - using the Topical Memory system these guys would learn a new passage each day and would test each other on the verses that had passed. These were the storm troopers of the CU, they learned their stuff and could be found stopping students in the corridor and asking them (in various ways) what they thought of Jesus and Christianity.
Then came another group who were a bit hit and miss with their Quiet Times. They tended to start the month well and slowly slide into variable observance. This was the group I was usually part off and it was not because I didn't see the benefit of reading the Bible or didn't want to spend time reading, thinking and praying but because I had a life. I can hear some say that the life I had was probably indisciplined and you may well be right, but things got in the way and the best plans and highest intentions were binned because I'd be out all night praying with people or discussing the Bible and arguing with the atheists (always been there) or doing other stuff.
What I noticed was that then, and now, that some who did their daily wotsit religiously, by which I mean, legalistically and without much enthusiasm or joy. They ticked the box and 'did their duty' and as much as I applaud their commitment (would that there were more who were committed) I was, and am, sad that some do it as drear and dread duty rather than as a place of sanity and a source of joy.
I made a promise when I was ordained that I would do my daily office - that is my morning and evening prayer - and this promise, and the keeping of if, is a commitment and a challenge. A commitment because, like feeding the cats, it is something I have to do because I need to feed the spiritual man (and I promised God and a pointyhat - not one and the same thing I'd do it) and a challenge because it requires a discipline - that's why I do it the minute I wake, getting up earlier to ensure it happens before the demands and distractions of the day conspire to distract me - and it needs to be something I want to do.
So here's a little plea to those who stumble across these words:
If you are a Christian you need to feed the spiritual person every day - lest they become emancipated and eventually starve.
If you are a Christian you need to find some joy in being so, if it is a joyless, lifeless and draining experience then slowly, but most assuredly, you're living in a time stamped existence - one that leads to being an ex-Christian!
If you don't take time out to consider the world around you and the needs nearer to you and to regard them with spiritual eyes and listen regarding them with anointed ears then how can you make sense and pray intelligently and form a world view and a rational understanding that fits your faith view and satisfies those of no faith?
So my plea is this:
Read your Bible
Understand what's happening in the world, work, home, church, elsewhere
Use your brain
Use your tongue to talk to God (and people)
Get excited
Be passionate (or as passionate as you can be)
Do this and you'll find yourself craving time where you can dialogue, reason and rejoice in being a person of faith - and you'll find people want to be doing it with you.
Happy Friday
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Church: A place of safety
An increasing problem in Church, it seems to me, is not that of personal sin but the fact that leaders are increasingly encouraging their members that they are 'somewhere safe' with regard to their faith when it is obvious that many are very far from being safe!
I challenged a colleague over this and was told, "The members don't want to be told they're wrong all the time, do they?" And of course they don't but they should surely expect, and welcome, gentle correction, shouldn't they? Anything else is merely leaving people to their own devices. My colleague, with typical humour (or was it resignation?), told me that there were, "Many Christians who welcomed their errors and shortcomings being pointed out and worked on by the Vicar. The problem is that none of them come to this church!" Wherein lies the problem!
Another minister I know views Thomas (the doubter) as the, 'Cancer that destroys the Church!' When it comes to doubt or areas of unbelief they are animated and rather vocal in calling upon members to believe because anything else is the path to separation from God and the demise of the Church. "Put aside your doubts and live in freedom," was their mantra. But is is true? It is odd that this same person also tells people they are' safe' because they come to church and 'do stuff'. 'Safe' is indeed a moveable, and variable, feast!
If I tell people that they are safe and that all is well then I'm sure this will leave them happy and will mean that they live in the peace (at all levels) that those words bring. But if it is a false peace then what I am doing is sowing seeds that, when the harvest comes, will bring a healthy crop of weeds. Worse still is that if I am telling people that all is well when perhaps it isn't the issues that need to be addressed and remedied will remain untouched and I have perhaps condemned them (and surely condemned myself by my complicity) to live in sinful situations.
We are called to carry each other's load (Galatians 6.2), to restore those 'caught in sin' (Galatians 6.1) and to let our 'Yes be Yes and our No be No' (Matthew 5.37) and this means that we provide a place of honesty and love. The problem is that we live in a world where people, thinking they're being 'kind', offer what they think is supportive and kind words when, instead, God calls us to tell the truth in love (Ephesians 4.15).
Church should be a place of safety but for it to be this we need to make it a place of loving honesty and openness; something I have in times past been guilty of not always doing choosing 'peace' and 'keeping members' rather than bringing loving correction.
Now I am very aware that this is not the easiest of areas to discuss because those outside the Church will see hypocrisy (when it's merely being human) and those inside the Church will . . .
Will what?
Cry out to be told they're doing it wrong, or at least could do it better?
Move somewhere else if you point out, however gently, that they are in error?
Welcome an honest leader trying to fulfil their role with integrity and love?
You tell me - and tell me how you would like to have it as a member and as a minister.
Inclusive not permissive
Loving not condoning
Seeing not ignoring
Pax
I challenged a colleague over this and was told, "The members don't want to be told they're wrong all the time, do they?" And of course they don't but they should surely expect, and welcome, gentle correction, shouldn't they? Anything else is merely leaving people to their own devices. My colleague, with typical humour (or was it resignation?), told me that there were, "Many Christians who welcomed their errors and shortcomings being pointed out and worked on by the Vicar. The problem is that none of them come to this church!" Wherein lies the problem!
Another minister I know views Thomas (the doubter) as the, 'Cancer that destroys the Church!' When it comes to doubt or areas of unbelief they are animated and rather vocal in calling upon members to believe because anything else is the path to separation from God and the demise of the Church. "Put aside your doubts and live in freedom," was their mantra. But is is true? It is odd that this same person also tells people they are' safe' because they come to church and 'do stuff'. 'Safe' is indeed a moveable, and variable, feast!
If I tell people that they are safe and that all is well then I'm sure this will leave them happy and will mean that they live in the peace (at all levels) that those words bring. But if it is a false peace then what I am doing is sowing seeds that, when the harvest comes, will bring a healthy crop of weeds. Worse still is that if I am telling people that all is well when perhaps it isn't the issues that need to be addressed and remedied will remain untouched and I have perhaps condemned them (and surely condemned myself by my complicity) to live in sinful situations.
We are called to carry each other's load (Galatians 6.2), to restore those 'caught in sin' (Galatians 6.1) and to let our 'Yes be Yes and our No be No' (Matthew 5.37) and this means that we provide a place of honesty and love. The problem is that we live in a world where people, thinking they're being 'kind', offer what they think is supportive and kind words when, instead, God calls us to tell the truth in love (Ephesians 4.15).
Church should be a place of safety but for it to be this we need to make it a place of loving honesty and openness; something I have in times past been guilty of not always doing choosing 'peace' and 'keeping members' rather than bringing loving correction.
Now I am very aware that this is not the easiest of areas to discuss because those outside the Church will see hypocrisy (when it's merely being human) and those inside the Church will . . .
Will what?
Cry out to be told they're doing it wrong, or at least could do it better?
Move somewhere else if you point out, however gently, that they are in error?
Welcome an honest leader trying to fulfil their role with integrity and love?
You tell me - and tell me how you would like to have it as a member and as a minister.
Inclusive not permissive
Loving not condoning
Seeing not ignoring
Pax
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Bl**dy Bankers - deserve all they get
So went a conversation this morning as the news that almost 20,000 Barclays staff were to lose their jobs over the coming months - around half coming from the UK - hit the news.
I take a look at the news ticker and what do I see:
I take a look at the news ticker and what do I see:
- Barclays cuts 14,000 jobs this year
- Morrisons sales fall 8.2%
So it's definitely not a rosy morning (actually it's raining as I type this) is it?
But of the 'bankers' - the reality is that when people want to lash out at the fat cats in the banking world, those people who drove the world's economies onto the rocks (with loads of help from the rest of the world who never stop to ask where profits, dividends and cheap prices on what should be more costly goods have their roots and realities) are cheering the wrong things. Those who lose their jobs will be the ordinary folk who live up your street and sit next to you on the train and shop at Aldi and Lidl rather than Fortnums and Horrids, drive flashy cars and live exorbitant lifestyles (thanks in some way - to us).
But of the 'bankers' - the reality is that when people want to lash out at the fat cats in the banking world, those people who drove the world's economies onto the rocks (with loads of help from the rest of the world who never stop to ask where profits, dividends and cheap prices on what should be more costly goods have their roots and realities) are cheering the wrong things. Those who lose their jobs will be the ordinary folk who live up your street and sit next to you on the train and shop at Aldi and Lidl rather than Fortnums and Horrids, drive flashy cars and live exorbitant lifestyles (thanks in some way - to us).
 |
| Not the most rational thought around! |
Worse still those who claim to be Christian and are cheering are taking pleasure from the distress of others. The Bible tells us that love is what Christians are supposed to be about. That said, we do a great job of masking it behind our outrages and righteous indignation and our petty hatreds.
In 1 Corinthians 13 (RVV) the Apostle Paul tells us that:
Love never gives up, regardless.
Love is concerned with caring more for others than it does for ourselves.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have but takes joy in what it does!
Love doesn’t strut, posture, boast, brag or pose.
Love doesn’t force itself on others but respects private space and the dignity of of others.
Love isn’t concerned with a 'me first' culture or mindset but prefers and serves others.
Love doesn’t fly off the handle, or get the punch in first, even when we think it is justified.
Love doesn’t keep score of the sins of others but is concerned with our own sins first.
Love takes no pleasure when others are reduced to tears, pulled down or humiliated.
Love takes pleasure in truth, in all its aspects, regardless of how that might make us look or feel.
Love puts up with stuff because, all things considered, look at the model Jesus left us!
Love trusts God and always looks for the best in others.
Love is forward looking, it doesn't keep a record of what has been, only of what can be and it keeps on looking even when experience might lead others to stop.
So - pray and seek to help those who might just be losing their jobs (regardless of where they work).
Pax
In 1 Corinthians 13 (RVV) the Apostle Paul tells us that:
Love never gives up, regardless.
Love is concerned with caring more for others than it does for ourselves.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have but takes joy in what it does!
Love doesn’t strut, posture, boast, brag or pose.
Love doesn’t force itself on others but respects private space and the dignity of of others.
Love isn’t concerned with a 'me first' culture or mindset but prefers and serves others.
Love doesn’t fly off the handle, or get the punch in first, even when we think it is justified.
Love doesn’t keep score of the sins of others but is concerned with our own sins first.
Love takes no pleasure when others are reduced to tears, pulled down or humiliated.
Love takes pleasure in truth, in all its aspects, regardless of how that might make us look or feel.
Love puts up with stuff because, all things considered, look at the model Jesus left us!
Love trusts God and always looks for the best in others.
Love is forward looking, it doesn't keep a record of what has been, only of what can be and it keeps on looking even when experience might lead others to stop.
So - pray and seek to help those who might just be losing their jobs (regardless of where they work).
Pax
Sunday, 16 February 2014
Can't make it to church today?
This morning - were you to have found yourself in church (of the CofE variety) you might well have found yourself with the readings below and this brief homily:
In the light of the Bishops of the Church of England and their, if I might say so, most unusually clear line on same sex marriage on the grounds of consistency of the Church's (that's universal) teaching, the call to obedience and submission to that which God calls us in this passage is perhaps more than just coincidental (but I might say that as I am, other than feeling for those who might feel wounded by the edict, am otherwise outside of its impact).
But as Christians we are called to look to one another in love and stand together in unity, yes even when we disagree, to work as building ourselves into a spiritual entity that corporately ministers to God; making Jesus known and reconciling ALL people to Him and his salvation.
Church has place for difference (for we are totally inclusive) but no place for division.
The Gospel also challenges us to act rightly with those around us - for the 'judge not' and the 'do unto other as you would have them do to you' are both great epitets to live by, but we are called to peace and this peace is broken when we engage in ad hominems, offend and anger. We are called to peace and this peace, when broken, breaks the unity of the Church and turns the bread and wine into wormwood and gall. So if you have a problem - stop playing at Church, get out there and fix it and come, together, to share in the bread and wine (with the Trinity).
It is easy to entertain lust and this is not always restricted to the area of sexual things - I often find myself lusting after equipment, computers, electronics and stuff and was once someone who would have done anything to let these things possess me. How about you (and how are we both doing now)?
I could go on (and usually do) about how a bill of divorce is issued to permit remarriage and how practical the Church is - but time (like me) is short and so we will leave this for another day and move on to the crunch, which for me comes from the ending of our Gospel passage in which we find ourselves being told to let our 'Yes' be 'Yes' and our 'No' seen to be 'No'. None of the saying one thing and meaning another - we are called to be as clear in our responses as we are in our lives. And we are called also to ensure that when confronted with those things that are wrong - we make the right choice and stick by it.
Consistency means people know where they are with us - now wouldn't that be nice if those around us were?
Wouldn't it be nice if we were?
Some quick thoughts in case you miss church today - hope they help :-)
Deuteronomy 30.15-20
'See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.
If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.
But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.'
1 Corinthians 3.1-9
'And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, ‘I belong to Paul’, and another, ‘I belong to Apollos’, are you not merely human?
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.'
Matthew 5.21-37
'You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire.
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.”
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a another person with lust has already committed adultery with them in his heart.
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
‘Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.'
In the light of the Bishops of the Church of England and their, if I might say so, most unusually clear line on same sex marriage on the grounds of consistency of the Church's (that's universal) teaching, the call to obedience and submission to that which God calls us in this passage is perhaps more than just coincidental (but I might say that as I am, other than feeling for those who might feel wounded by the edict, am otherwise outside of its impact).
But as Christians we are called to look to one another in love and stand together in unity, yes even when we disagree, to work as building ourselves into a spiritual entity that corporately ministers to God; making Jesus known and reconciling ALL people to Him and his salvation.
Church has place for difference (for we are totally inclusive) but no place for division.
The Gospel also challenges us to act rightly with those around us - for the 'judge not' and the 'do unto other as you would have them do to you' are both great epitets to live by, but we are called to peace and this peace is broken when we engage in ad hominems, offend and anger. We are called to peace and this peace, when broken, breaks the unity of the Church and turns the bread and wine into wormwood and gall. So if you have a problem - stop playing at Church, get out there and fix it and come, together, to share in the bread and wine (with the Trinity).
It is easy to entertain lust and this is not always restricted to the area of sexual things - I often find myself lusting after equipment, computers, electronics and stuff and was once someone who would have done anything to let these things possess me. How about you (and how are we both doing now)?
I could go on (and usually do) about how a bill of divorce is issued to permit remarriage and how practical the Church is - but time (like me) is short and so we will leave this for another day and move on to the crunch, which for me comes from the ending of our Gospel passage in which we find ourselves being told to let our 'Yes' be 'Yes' and our 'No' seen to be 'No'. None of the saying one thing and meaning another - we are called to be as clear in our responses as we are in our lives. And we are called also to ensure that when confronted with those things that are wrong - we make the right choice and stick by it.
Consistency means people know where they are with us - now wouldn't that be nice if those around us were?
Wouldn't it be nice if we were?
Some quick thoughts in case you miss church today - hope they help :-)
Deuteronomy 30.15-20
'See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.
If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.
But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.'
1 Corinthians 3.1-9
'And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, ‘I belong to Paul’, and another, ‘I belong to Apollos’, are you not merely human?
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.'
Matthew 5.21-37
'You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire.
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.”
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a another person with lust has already committed adultery with them in his heart.
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
‘Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.'
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Church - like being family
Today I had one of the nicest compliments anyone could pay with regard to what being part of a church is all about. As they talked about the pressures and politics that sometimes occur when people get together (clubs, interest groups and church all fit here) they said those wonderful words, 'Not like your church which is more like a family!'
These words were a joy to hear for they offered an endorsement from someone who is outside of the membership but close enough to know us, our engagements with the community and the relationships between us. Not that this means we don't have our characters and struggles - for they exist in our little family just like every other family. The good thing is that even when those who might test and try us perform at their worst, they are still loved, tolerated and supported - because that's what families do.
So I move towards Sunday in the joyful knowledge that I exist with a bunch of people who are family because of the blood if Christ and we travel together on the same road, bearing each others trials and seeking to support one another when the bumps appear and the going is tough. Some are close family, some are more distant and others are rarely seen (or have removed themselves for a multitude of reasons) but the reality is that when hardship, trial or tragedy comes knocking - we are still there for one another.
Because we are family.
May tomorrow bring you blessing, joy and God's peace and may you never forget that being family means you are never forgotten or alone - the door (and the welcome) is always there.
So if you've left and wish you hadn't
If you've moved away and feel the pain of separation
If troubles are surrounding you and the pressures are mounting
Remember that Church is a place where you are, and always will be, welcomed.
Pax
These words were a joy to hear for they offered an endorsement from someone who is outside of the membership but close enough to know us, our engagements with the community and the relationships between us. Not that this means we don't have our characters and struggles - for they exist in our little family just like every other family. The good thing is that even when those who might test and try us perform at their worst, they are still loved, tolerated and supported - because that's what families do.
So I move towards Sunday in the joyful knowledge that I exist with a bunch of people who are family because of the blood if Christ and we travel together on the same road, bearing each others trials and seeking to support one another when the bumps appear and the going is tough. Some are close family, some are more distant and others are rarely seen (or have removed themselves for a multitude of reasons) but the reality is that when hardship, trial or tragedy comes knocking - we are still there for one another.
Because we are family.
May tomorrow bring you blessing, joy and God's peace and may you never forget that being family means you are never forgotten or alone - the door (and the welcome) is always there.
So if you've left and wish you hadn't
If you've moved away and feel the pain of separation
If troubles are surrounding you and the pressures are mounting
Remember that Church is a place where you are, and always will be, welcomed.
Pax
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Sunday and its choices beckon
And, as usual, there's loads to be done and yet, regardless, it never gets to be anything but exciting.
I wonder how many of us will be getting stuck in to all the work today with just a little of the feelings of Lazarus' sister, Martha, who asked Jesus to tell Mary, the other sister, to get stuck in a bit.
Now Jesus answers Martha by telling her that there are choices to be made and whilst she has chosen to do the stuff, Mary has chosen to sit in Jesus' presence and learn. 'She has chosen what is better and it won't be taken away,' He says and this is a thought for some of those who choose to be just that little too busy working for Jesus rather that living (and working) with Him.
In my daily dealings with people I get to meet many who are so taken up with the business (and busyness) of Church that they don't get to hear sermons, or worship God through Jesus, the Christ. I meet so many who choose to be the person who makes everything happen and they, like Martha, are at times found moaning about the others doing nothing.
We make our choices and whilst we sometimes carry our loads without complaining, the reality is that we should be carrying just enough - that which is our calling, rather than trying to do it all on our own or in our own strength.
Those who seek to sit at Jesus' feet should do so remembering that what we learn there is empty unless it's put into practice and part of that is seen by us sharing the loads of others.
So today, sit in Jesus' presence as much as you can - learn from Him, emulate Him - for tomorrow, when the Resurrection has been celebrated, we are called to take up our cross, denying ourselves, and share the load with others.
Church is a team sport - isn't it?
I wonder how many of us will be getting stuck in to all the work today with just a little of the feelings of Lazarus' sister, Martha, who asked Jesus to tell Mary, the other sister, to get stuck in a bit.
Now Jesus answers Martha by telling her that there are choices to be made and whilst she has chosen to do the stuff, Mary has chosen to sit in Jesus' presence and learn. 'She has chosen what is better and it won't be taken away,' He says and this is a thought for some of those who choose to be just that little too busy working for Jesus rather that living (and working) with Him.
In my daily dealings with people I get to meet many who are so taken up with the business (and busyness) of Church that they don't get to hear sermons, or worship God through Jesus, the Christ. I meet so many who choose to be the person who makes everything happen and they, like Martha, are at times found moaning about the others doing nothing.
We make our choices and whilst we sometimes carry our loads without complaining, the reality is that we should be carrying just enough - that which is our calling, rather than trying to do it all on our own or in our own strength.
Those who seek to sit at Jesus' feet should do so remembering that what we learn there is empty unless it's put into practice and part of that is seen by us sharing the loads of others.
So today, sit in Jesus' presence as much as you can - learn from Him, emulate Him - for tomorrow, when the Resurrection has been celebrated, we are called to take up our cross, denying ourselves, and share the load with others.
Church is a team sport - isn't it?
Sunday, 7 July 2013
So what is my job? Correction
Those of you who follow the blog will remember that I recently wrote:
'Those who are happy to come to the show and sing the happy songs and have their ears tickled - the day is coming when the battle will be engaged and you will find yourself 'not fit for purpose' - time to 'man up' Church!'
This brought about the following response:
'How much more emotional manipulation are you going to employ on your site to get people to be doing what you, Vic, think people should be doing?
This isn't your job, Vic - your job is to seek after God and put yourself at his disposal. Be loved by him and then love others as you are loved.
Your job is not to guilt-trip, embarrass or intimidate people into conforming to your ideology... this is the fast-track to burn-out.
Come back to me on this one, and tell me why I'm wrong.'
Well, I did indeed come back to them and this is instalment number three (in a series of goodness knows how many) because another of the jobs I do is to tell people when they are doing wrong, or doing it wrongly. Now of course I don't employ emotional manipulation or guilt-trips, embarrassment or intimidation (after all, I'm not a liberal you know :-) ) but I do employ telling the truth in love as per today's reading of Galatians 6 which I have paraphrased elsewhere as:
'Guys, if you see someone doing something wrong, those of you who know me should restore them gently; but take care in the way that you do it so that you don't end up being wrong too!'
Now this 'wrongness' that we need to take care not to fall into is often demonstrated by the hardline fundamentalist and the 'Jesus wants everyone to be happy' liberals alike who point the finger and denounce, attack, vilify and engage in the finely tuned art of the ad hominem.
But you see my role means that when I see people who are sitting in front of the TV when they should be getting fit for the role for which they've volunteered I have to tell them that they are slacking. When I see people who claim to be Christians and yet their attitudes, lifestyles or behaviour deny this, then it's my role to come alongside and help them understand, accept and amend their ways accordingly. This is not the wicked application of rules and regulations but helping people to reach their fullest potential as people and as disciples - and we do want that, don't we?
My critic is wrong because to do anything other that strive to get one's own life sorted and working as well as possible and take this as the datum for those who are part of the Church is to be a hypocrite - and I struggle to ensure that I'm not that. My critic is also wrong because not only do I avoid all the things they accuse me of (and in accusing me perhaps come close to owning them for themselves) but I work hard to train, equip and release (I know some don't like this terminology but isn't that Biblical language) and to work alongside (and for if the opportunity arises) others in the Church.
The problem is that some would see just being in the Church as enough and the more those in the Church are like the world the better it is. After all, if we don't confront people with their errors then they are happy to have us around and therefore Church is popular.
And of course it is because it doesn't ask for set standards of behaviour but accepts everything (including the spirit of divination according to Schori's last sermon on the wicked Paul!) on the premise that whatever makes you happy pleases God.
Psalm 119 tells us that the person who keeps God's laws and seeks the Lord with all their heart - they are truly happy, not the foolish who will perish because of their folly and their desire to make their god in their own image.
No, I'm sorry but when I see people who claim to be Christian avoiding the discipline that comes from denying ourselves and taking up our cross and embarking on a life of discipline, prayer and praise that is the hallmark of true discipleship, then I have to offer correction by coming alongside.
We have one chance at this life (Heb 9.27) and my role is to do it the very best I can and to help others. I use the same measure on them as I do for myself and this is right - for it's part of my job as a family member.
We watch out for and correct each other in love - don't we?
'Those who are happy to come to the show and sing the happy songs and have their ears tickled - the day is coming when the battle will be engaged and you will find yourself 'not fit for purpose' - time to 'man up' Church!'
This brought about the following response:
'How much more emotional manipulation are you going to employ on your site to get people to be doing what you, Vic, think people should be doing?
This isn't your job, Vic - your job is to seek after God and put yourself at his disposal. Be loved by him and then love others as you are loved.
Your job is not to guilt-trip, embarrass or intimidate people into conforming to your ideology... this is the fast-track to burn-out.
Come back to me on this one, and tell me why I'm wrong.'
'Guys, if you see someone doing something wrong, those of you who know me should restore them gently; but take care in the way that you do it so that you don't end up being wrong too!'
Now this 'wrongness' that we need to take care not to fall into is often demonstrated by the hardline fundamentalist and the 'Jesus wants everyone to be happy' liberals alike who point the finger and denounce, attack, vilify and engage in the finely tuned art of the ad hominem.
But you see my role means that when I see people who are sitting in front of the TV when they should be getting fit for the role for which they've volunteered I have to tell them that they are slacking. When I see people who claim to be Christians and yet their attitudes, lifestyles or behaviour deny this, then it's my role to come alongside and help them understand, accept and amend their ways accordingly. This is not the wicked application of rules and regulations but helping people to reach their fullest potential as people and as disciples - and we do want that, don't we?
My critic is wrong because to do anything other that strive to get one's own life sorted and working as well as possible and take this as the datum for those who are part of the Church is to be a hypocrite - and I struggle to ensure that I'm not that. My critic is also wrong because not only do I avoid all the things they accuse me of (and in accusing me perhaps come close to owning them for themselves) but I work hard to train, equip and release (I know some don't like this terminology but isn't that Biblical language) and to work alongside (and for if the opportunity arises) others in the Church.
The problem is that some would see just being in the Church as enough and the more those in the Church are like the world the better it is. After all, if we don't confront people with their errors then they are happy to have us around and therefore Church is popular.
And of course it is because it doesn't ask for set standards of behaviour but accepts everything (including the spirit of divination according to Schori's last sermon on the wicked Paul!) on the premise that whatever makes you happy pleases God.
Psalm 119 tells us that the person who keeps God's laws and seeks the Lord with all their heart - they are truly happy, not the foolish who will perish because of their folly and their desire to make their god in their own image.
No, I'm sorry but when I see people who claim to be Christian avoiding the discipline that comes from denying ourselves and taking up our cross and embarking on a life of discipline, prayer and praise that is the hallmark of true discipleship, then I have to offer correction by coming alongside.
We have one chance at this life (Heb 9.27) and my role is to do it the very best I can and to help others. I use the same measure on them as I do for myself and this is right - for it's part of my job as a family member.
We watch out for and correct each other in love - don't we?
Restoring the wrong
Today's readings bring the SS Sermon into port to tie up against what is one of the hallmark passages of the Bible for me and the life and ministry I seek to live. The Passage (Galatians chapter six) tells me that those of us who are 'spiritual' are to 'restore' those who are doing wrong stuff; the brilliant thing about this being that rather than give some a 'corrector's charter' it actually grounds and perhaps even restricts those who would go out seeking to correct (and there's enough of them in the world isn't there?).
The big thing about going out to put others right is that we need to be right ourselves (well that's me sitting down and not taking part I guess). Not only that but we need to be right in the way that we offer the correction as the potential for us sinning and doing it wrong is immense!
Let me explain (my paraphrase), for God says:
"Guys, if you see someone doing something wrong, those of you who know me should restore them gently; but take care in the way that you do it so that you don't end up being wrong too!"
When I see something that I think is wrong (and I gauge 'wrong' by using my Bible, the example of Christ and an innate sense of justice and fair play) I approach the person who I consider to be doing that wrong and offer a corrective along the lines of, 'Let me show you a better way!' I don't (despite the comments of some here :-) ) condemn or bully, browbeat or harangue but I do point out what is the better path as I understand it.
The potential for being wrong when doing this is to engage in 'righteous anger' (always angry and rarely righteous) or to issue an ad hominem and assault the focus of my correction verbally. Such actions causes the person who is wrong to become entrenched in that wrongness and leaves me looking nothing like Jesus (who simply and gently wrote in the dust and told the wrongdoer the truth in love).
Today is an invitation to the Church (well the Church what uses the lectionary anyway) to get engaged with the world and help those outside of the Church to see a better way to think, act and live - I pray to God that we take it up and make it ours.
And for those who act awfully towards others in the name of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) - STOP IT!
And to those who are not Church yet like to portray things as they are not, engage in flawed self-serving logic and seek to condemn those who act in love and faith - YOU CAN STOP IT TOO :-)
The big thing about going out to put others right is that we need to be right ourselves (well that's me sitting down and not taking part I guess). Not only that but we need to be right in the way that we offer the correction as the potential for us sinning and doing it wrong is immense!
Let me explain (my paraphrase), for God says:
"Guys, if you see someone doing something wrong, those of you who know me should restore them gently; but take care in the way that you do it so that you don't end up being wrong too!"
When I see something that I think is wrong (and I gauge 'wrong' by using my Bible, the example of Christ and an innate sense of justice and fair play) I approach the person who I consider to be doing that wrong and offer a corrective along the lines of, 'Let me show you a better way!' I don't (despite the comments of some here :-) ) condemn or bully, browbeat or harangue but I do point out what is the better path as I understand it.
The potential for being wrong when doing this is to engage in 'righteous anger' (always angry and rarely righteous) or to issue an ad hominem and assault the focus of my correction verbally. Such actions causes the person who is wrong to become entrenched in that wrongness and leaves me looking nothing like Jesus (who simply and gently wrote in the dust and told the wrongdoer the truth in love).
Today is an invitation to the Church (well the Church what uses the lectionary anyway) to get engaged with the world and help those outside of the Church to see a better way to think, act and live - I pray to God that we take it up and make it ours.
And for those who act awfully towards others in the name of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) - STOP IT!
And to those who are not Church yet like to portray things as they are not, engage in flawed self-serving logic and seek to condemn those who act in love and faith - YOU CAN STOP IT TOO :-)
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Church: finding the focus
Yesterday was one of those amazingly varied ministry days which began with the daily office, moved on through funeral conversations and planning to an amazingly well organised and challenging St George's Day lunch, complete with politicians of all colours and complexion from local, national and European settings. There were senior members of the military, those who employ many and engage in commerce, industry, private and private sectors and more besides.
Following on from this I found myself engaged with young men and women delivering some of their basic training values and standards syllabus. After the lessons some of us stayed on to share communion and this was one of the most energising sources of blessing I have available to me.
A really good meal with challenging, informative and engaging people,
or
A simple meal of bread and wine with brothers-in-arms bringing into focus the love, acceptance and enabling of Jesus, the Christ.
As we read the word and affirmed our faith I was reminded of another man who was, like us, a soldier too. He served with distinction, rose up the ranks and was destined for preferment (sounds like Richard Dannatt doesn't it?). But then he found himself in relationship with God through Jesus and put aside rank, privilege and status and took up his cross and followed Jesus; a journey which cost him his life!
The man was, of course, St George, and in a time when our nation needs a hero we give thanks for this soldier, servant and champion.
May we copy him and his faithfulness and make our stand against the dragons that threaten to corrupt, oppress and overpower us, our communities and our nation in the name of the risen Christ.
May we see life clearly and in true focus; celebrating the simple meal that speaks of sacrifice and resurrection power; family and Christian fellowship.
Pax
Following on from this I found myself engaged with young men and women delivering some of their basic training values and standards syllabus. After the lessons some of us stayed on to share communion and this was one of the most energising sources of blessing I have available to me.
A really good meal with challenging, informative and engaging people,
or
A simple meal of bread and wine with brothers-in-arms bringing into focus the love, acceptance and enabling of Jesus, the Christ.
As we read the word and affirmed our faith I was reminded of another man who was, like us, a soldier too. He served with distinction, rose up the ranks and was destined for preferment (sounds like Richard Dannatt doesn't it?). But then he found himself in relationship with God through Jesus and put aside rank, privilege and status and took up his cross and followed Jesus; a journey which cost him his life!
The man was, of course, St George, and in a time when our nation needs a hero we give thanks for this soldier, servant and champion.
May we copy him and his faithfulness and make our stand against the dragons that threaten to corrupt, oppress and overpower us, our communities and our nation in the name of the risen Christ.
May we see life clearly and in true focus; celebrating the simple meal that speaks of sacrifice and resurrection power; family and Christian fellowship.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Jesus says . . . It's about more than just 'Love'
Yesterday we looked at the story of the teacher of religious law's encounter with Jesus and, as might be expected, there was much in this account to instruct us in the way we should live.
The teacher asks the simple question, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
The words Jesus uses to answer will be familiar with those who encounter it at the beginning of the Eucharist in the 'summary of the law':
"Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
And you know it is so very easy to assume that we can merely tell those around us that 'All we need to do is love God and our neighbour' but, as is often the case, there is much more below the surface - more than meets the eye! So let me try to explain where I am coming from and what I am thinking:
The first thing Jesus is speaking of is called the 'Shema', a word that encompasses many words for it refers to Deut 6: 4 - 9, and loving the Lord (our God) will all our heart, soul, mind and strength requires more than mere love - it requires action too. Just like god's love which was more than words but includes the action that is the cross, it requires commitment, application and selflesness!
The word itself 'Shema' means 'hear', the first word of the passage. 'Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.' These words are said by many Jewish believers every day as part of their religious observance. This passage is the reason that some don 'Tefillin' (the little boxes containing four elements of the Torah), placing them on left arm and forehead and put little boxes (mezuzahs, which actually means 'doorpost') like them on their doorposts. But it requires more than just that; for Jesus tells his questioner something so very deep; deeper than just 'love'. He tells the man that he needs to keep the Shema (Deut 6: 4 -9) and to love his neighbour (Lev 19:18) and to do this he also needs to:
i. Love the Lord your God with all your heartand with all your soul and with all your strength.
ii. keep the commandments that follow on your hearts:
And then he is also required to:
iii. Not seek revenge,
iv. Not bear a grudge, and
v. Love your neighbour as yourself.
As we can see, there is more than 'love God and your neighbour' (which is what I hear preached all too often, but there are fourteen discrete elements implicit in the words Jesus uses in answer to the teacher of religious law.
I meet so many people who love the Lord their God with all that they choose to love Him with (i.e. the time that I choose to give at the time I choose to give it.) but their intentions may be good and yet hearts and minds are often a fair bit distant from them.
We struggle to keep any commandments (and probably don't even know of those contained in the shema - so they have no chance!).
Perhaps if we impressed them on our children and spoke about God when we walked, went to bed, got up and all the time we'd be seeing more children remain with a faith than we do. Instead we encourage them to play rugger on a Sunday and go to events that are out of sync' with what we believe (after all, we don't want to appear to be killjoys now do we?) and live lives that demonstrate something different to that which we believe. What chance do our children have?
I'll let you off the boxes of Scripture on body and home (do you know where your Bible is right now?) but when did you last read your Bible or pray and when did the kids (or anyone else) see you doing it?
And then we get to 'loving our neighbour'. How do we do with bearing grudges or not seeking revenge. Take a look at the media and Jimmy Savile and the so many other people where 'making them pay' - even when they're dead - is all part of our social character!
We love ourselves, often to the point of spoiling ourselves rotten - and yet how do we deal with the needs of others in our own families, let alone those around us who are friends or perhaps neighbours.
I would love to think that the next time you read the 'summary of the law' or think about 'loving your neighbour' that you have read this and it has made a difference.
I really would ;-)
pax
The teacher asks the simple question, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
The words Jesus uses to answer will be familiar with those who encounter it at the beginning of the Eucharist in the 'summary of the law':
"Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
And you know it is so very easy to assume that we can merely tell those around us that 'All we need to do is love God and our neighbour' but, as is often the case, there is much more below the surface - more than meets the eye! So let me try to explain where I am coming from and what I am thinking:
The first thing Jesus is speaking of is called the 'Shema', a word that encompasses many words for it refers to Deut 6: 4 - 9, and loving the Lord (our God) will all our heart, soul, mind and strength requires more than mere love - it requires action too. Just like god's love which was more than words but includes the action that is the cross, it requires commitment, application and selflesness!
The word itself 'Shema' means 'hear', the first word of the passage. 'Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.' These words are said by many Jewish believers every day as part of their religious observance. This passage is the reason that some don 'Tefillin' (the little boxes containing four elements of the Torah), placing them on left arm and forehead and put little boxes (mezuzahs, which actually means 'doorpost') like them on their doorposts. But it requires more than just that; for Jesus tells his questioner something so very deep; deeper than just 'love'. He tells the man that he needs to keep the Shema (Deut 6: 4 -9) and to love his neighbour (Lev 19:18) and to do this he also needs to:
i. Love the Lord your God with all your heartand with all your soul and with all your strength.
ii. keep the commandments that follow on your hearts:
- Impress them on your children,
- Talk about them when you sit at home,
- Talk about the when you walk along the road,
- Talk about them when you lie down, and
- When you get up.
- Tie them as symbols on your hands, and
- Bind them on your foreheads.
- Write them on the doorframes of your houses, and
- On your gates.
And then he is also required to:
iii. Not seek revenge,
iv. Not bear a grudge, and
v. Love your neighbour as yourself.
As we can see, there is more than 'love God and your neighbour' (which is what I hear preached all too often, but there are fourteen discrete elements implicit in the words Jesus uses in answer to the teacher of religious law.
I meet so many people who love the Lord their God with all that they choose to love Him with (i.e. the time that I choose to give at the time I choose to give it.) but their intentions may be good and yet hearts and minds are often a fair bit distant from them.
We struggle to keep any commandments (and probably don't even know of those contained in the shema - so they have no chance!).
Perhaps if we impressed them on our children and spoke about God when we walked, went to bed, got up and all the time we'd be seeing more children remain with a faith than we do. Instead we encourage them to play rugger on a Sunday and go to events that are out of sync' with what we believe (after all, we don't want to appear to be killjoys now do we?) and live lives that demonstrate something different to that which we believe. What chance do our children have?
I'll let you off the boxes of Scripture on body and home (do you know where your Bible is right now?) but when did you last read your Bible or pray and when did the kids (or anyone else) see you doing it?
And then we get to 'loving our neighbour'. How do we do with bearing grudges or not seeking revenge. Take a look at the media and Jimmy Savile and the so many other people where 'making them pay' - even when they're dead - is all part of our social character!
We love ourselves, often to the point of spoiling ourselves rotten - and yet how do we deal with the needs of others in our own families, let alone those around us who are friends or perhaps neighbours.
I would love to think that the next time you read the 'summary of the law' or think about 'loving your neighbour' that you have read this and it has made a difference.
I really would ;-)
pax
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