Christmas Day Eucharist

Reading Hebrews 1

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father”?
Or again,

“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,
his servants flames of fire.”
But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,
and righteousness will be the sceptre of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
He also says,

“In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.”

Gospel John 1

Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
All Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
All Glory to you, O Lord.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Two of greatest readings in whole of Scripture. Both describe who Jesus is, and what he represents. Profound declaration of what incarnation means.

Author of Hebrews spends most of book celebrating unique status of Jesus as Son of God, through whom God has spoken to us. Like the opening of John’s gospel, the claim is Christ was with God at the very beginning, and took part in creation itself. Through him, John says, were all things made.

Both passages portray a remarkable picture. They could not be further from describing Jesus as an itinerant preacher who did and said many wonderful things and revealed to us the Father. Both pictures are very much the same: they are on an entirely different and higher plane.

According to Hebrews, God appointed the Son as heir of all things, sustainer of all things, agent of creation, and our great high priest who, through his own sacrifice made purification for our sins. But more even than all that, Jesus is the imprint of God’s own essence, the clearest picture we have of what God himself is. Yet the very next chapter focuses on the lowliness of the Son who identifies with us as his sisters and brothers. So we share not only in his humanity, but in his glory as heirs of the promise of God. A staggering thought. It’s almost impossible for us to grasp the enormity of it all.

The imprint or ‘exact representation’ of God means we see God and his image recorded in perfect detail in his Son. More than a mould, a stamp or an engraving – but God’s very DNA revealed in Jesus Christ. We cannot see the Father, but we can observe his perfect likeness through the Son.

The opening of John’s gospel says much the same, this time in philosophical terms. But if we remain on this higher plane, we neglect the very reason why these books were written. Not to enchant us with the glory of it all – though they certainly do that. But to bring us to an understanding of what Jesus represents, and what our response to that should be.

John declares his purpose to be that you may come to believe Jesus is the Messiah, and through believing you may have life in his name. John’s aim is not to wow us with the divinity and glory of the Word made flesh, but he wants us to have a personal encounter with the born and risen Christ and for us to believe in him.

The incarnation means bread is no longer bread, water is no longer water and wine no longer wine. In our Eucharist today all of them reveal the glory of God and call for a response from us. John’s gospel does not leave us floating on the clouds, though: it is an intimate and personal gospel. It has more intimacy than any other. Jesus rubs mud and spit into the blind man’s eyes. Mary anoints feet not head. Mary Magdalene grabs hold of the resurrected Jesus. The disciple whom Jesus loved reclined on his bosom.

Christmas can lift us to the heights, as angels sing, uplifting passages are read, and we see his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. But I invite you, this Christmas, not to gaze upward and be dazzled by the glory and majesty of it all. Instead, look down and see the intimacy of the Christmas message, the personal nature of the response John calls on us to make, and perhaps see in it the Christ of Easter overshadowing the Christ of Christmas. Amen

New Year Resolutions

View from the Vicarage – Village Newsletter

Top ten New Year Resolutions

The urge to start every New Year with a few resolutions seems undimmed. Determining to do something different, to turn over a new leaf, to wind back the clock and start again is, it would appear, as attractive as ever. I wonder – have you made any resolutions yourself, or, for you, are they only for children?

Ever since David Letterman included top-ten lists on his daily show and most probably long before, Americans have been obsessed with them. Some I find wonderfully comforting. For example, some guide books give the top-ten sights in every city. Ticking them off gives you the feeling you have seen the very best. You have achieved a milestone. You are successful as a tourist.

Sadly, the top ten resolutions are not as positive. Here’s one list I found in Pittsburgh:

1. Spend more time with family and friends

2. Take more exercise – get fitter

3. Lose weight

4. Give up smoking

5. Enjoy life more

6. Reduce alcohol intake

7. Get out of debt

8. Learn new things

9. Help others

10. Get better organised

All very laudable I’m sure, but most of them are of the ‘give up’ or ‘do less bad things’ variety. They don’t say how these difficult aims are to be achieved, or how to stiffen our feeble will-power. It’s not surprising therefore that few of these kinds of resolutions last more than 10 days.

The Christian perspective on the upper reaches of the list is fairly clear. Writing to the church in Corinth, where early Christians asserted their right to do anything they liked, St Paul argues: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” That means if we were created in God’s image, we are to honour God in the way we treat our bodies. Excesses of eating, drinking or alcohol and drug dependence dishonour our bodies and the mar its image of God.

As the list goes on though, it becomes more outward-looking. Broadening your mind. Volunteering. Using time more effectively. Simple acts of kindness. Caring about others, especially the vulnerable, rather than just looking out for Number 1. All this starts to sound like the gospel message. But in our own New Year resolutions, we should remember that the Christian gospel is far more radical than just ‘love your neighbour’ and do good to those whom you like. No – in Matthew 5 we are told to love your enemies, do good to those who treat you badly, give your coat to the person who steals your shirt, and give to the one who wants to borrow from you without any expectation you will get your money back.

New Year resolutions all have one thing in common. We believe they are achievable. With some effort, we can turn things around. Christian resolutions are not like that. Try this one: Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Of course, you’d be crazy to adopt that one. It’s obvious you can never hope to be perfect through your own strength alone. The real Good News of Christmas is this: Jesus does not remain the baby in a manger, but becomes the Suffering Servant of Easter. His therefore is the strength, if you will grasp its grace, and not yours alone.

Happy new Year!
The Revd. Robert Wright 01296 661358 Church Blog: http://wrightreverend.com

Advent 3 – Justification by Works?

Reading James 5.7-10

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Gospel Matthew 11.2-11

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Sermon

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. First words of snippet we read from James. Appropriate for mid Advent – season of expectant waiting.

Being patient sounds like advice to be quiet, accepting, unresponsive, or inactive. Not so – unless you read what comes before and after today’s little passage, you’ll misinterpret what is being said. Unless you add in all the things James requires of us to do, you’ll miss the point completely.

James is a doing book. So much so, Martin Luther questioned its status as scripture at time of Reformation. He said it appears to contradict Paul’s teaching on justification by faith alone. Yes it offers a counterbalance, which is why so many Christians are fond of James – to say it contradicts is going too far.

James has been said to be a little like a Christian version of the Wisdom literature in OT, like Proverbs. Offers us practical morality. Echoes teaching of Jesus himself – like Sermon on Mount. Probably written early on, well before Gospels.

James is faithful to the Law. Not characteristic marks of Judaism like food laws and Sabbath day observance, but is full of general good advice on how we should act. If Advent is time of expectant waiting – active not passive – so patient waiting for second coming is all about doing and not just being – works of the law and not just blind faith.

Faith without works is dead – that’s the whole thrust of chapter 2. And the works James is talking about is how we act towards each other. Judgemental? Critical? Colluding with ways of the world, or holding to a higher morality in our affairs?

Here’s a good description of banking crisis:

Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. Your riches have rotted. Your gold and silver have rusted.

2 weeks ago I talked about two strands of Advent. Waiting for Christmas. First Coming. Waiting for Kingdom. Second Coming. But if we see face of Jesus in everyone who is our neighbour (unexpected – like Good Samaritan) then we experience the coming of Jesus again and again throughout our everyday lives. So how do we act – faced with this constant second coming of Messiah?

Not with passive faith, but active works underpinned by faith. One springs from the other.

Here’s a few examples. Like SM, not worrying overly about our lives. God will provide. Patient waiting is acting in a way that is filled with Holy Spirit. Patience deeply rooted in faith. Working towards personal goals. Not grumbling and grousing against God or our neighbours. Not judging, because our own Judge stands at the door.

Show patient endurance in suffering. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. In this, and so many other ways, set yourself apart from the ways of the world.

One theologian sums it up like this:

In fact, it would seem that a characteristic of this is precisely a deep compassion and love towards the other as if James is writing, "slow down, seek first the kingdom of God, be attentive to one another, let all things happen in and for God, then all else will be given. God will grant all in God's time."

When John the Baptist had doubts – in prison – hearing about Jesus’ ministry – not sort of Messiah John had in mind – sent to ask “Are you really the One?” Jesus did not send messengers back with theological exposition. Did not fill them with teaching. Did not call upon them to have faith. No – tells them to see his works:

“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”

So as in this Advent season of Expectant waiting for Christmas, and Second Coming, Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming but let your patience be active not passive, action based not laid back, full of the Holy Spirit, for by their works ye shall know them, and by your works, underpinned by your faith, will you be known. Amen.

Manor House Quartet

A stunning concert on Friday 10 December. Vaughan had spent hour upon hour adapting a range of Christmas carols and other seasonal music for his Manor House Quartet.

The concert was in aid of St Giles Church and its bell appeal.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this concert possible.

 

Manor House Quartet

Are you the one?

Thursday 9 December – Holy Communion at St Giles

Gospel Matthew 15

² When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

   “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. ¹⁵ Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Sermon

Question in Matthew 11 is about who Jesus is? It’s asked by John the Baptist. Clearly has doubts. Not what expected Messiah to be like. Not how expected him to act. So he asks: are you the One, or must we wait for another? Strange question by acknowledged forerunner.

Jesus turns it round. Asks disciples what they expected John to be like? Weak man, swayed by the winds of opposing doctrines? Rich man in fine clothes – like US TV evangelist? Someone tough and uncompromising, like OT prophet of old?

John was expecting imminent arrival of Kingdom of God on earth. In Lord’s Prayer, we also pray for coming of Kingdom. As Martin Luther said - Kingdom will come, whether we pray for it or not. That petition in Lord’s Prayer is that Kingdom will come – for us.

Message sent back to John through his disciples was that John fulfilled OT prophecy – what he said, way he looked, how he acted. But so did Jesus. Invited John’s disciples to report what they saw: blind see, lame walk, sick healed, dead raised, good news proclaimed to poor. All these things prophets predicted of Messiah.

Continue through Advent – we also ask ourselves, what is this Messiah to us? Those who see the way we act, way we look, what we say – can we also tell them, having seen all this, does this point towards the coming Messiah? Are we too his forerunners? Are we preparing the way of the Lord?

The blessings of Advent are here for those who are not scandalised by the message of Jesus. Who do not take offence at him. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear. Amen

Thursday Holy Communion in Advent Week

Reading Isaiah 26

¹ In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

   We have a strong city;
   God makes salvation
   its walls and ramparts.
² Open the gates
   that the righteous nation may enter,
   the nation that keeps faith.
³ You will keep in perfect peace
   those whose minds are steadfast,
   because they trust in you.
⁴ Trust in the LORD forever,
   for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
⁵ He humbles those who dwell on high,
   he lays the lofty city low;
he levels it to the ground
   and casts it down to the dust.
⁶ Feet trample it down—
   the feet of the oppressed,
   the footsteps of the poor.

Gospel Matthew 7

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Sermon

Juxtaposition of readings.

Isaiah – song of praise to God. Like a psalm. Song sung in Judah. City of Jerusalem – matter of pride. New Jerusalem. Purified. Only righteous allowed to enter. They enter through gates to holy place beyond.

Enter into God’s holy presence beyond. People have faith and trust in holy God, who keeps them safe and overcomes enemies.

⁴ Trust in the LORD forever,
   for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

This same rock is faith of wise man, who founded his life on the Rock of Ages.

First Advent reading from Matthew. Salvation. Entry into Kingdom.

Comes from end of Sermon on Mount. Winds down with many warnings. Not everyone who professes faith in Jesus will enter his Kingdom. Only those who do will of Father.

Many will preach in Jesus’ name, prophesy and perform wonders but still their works are evil. By your fruits you shall know them. Not what we say but what we do that counts.

Man who built house on rock is the one who hears the Word and puts it into practice in his life. Not someone who listens but his faith is academic. Understands but does not act accordingly. This is the man whose house looks good – he professes his faith, but does not carry it into action. His roots are not firm, and it does not take much strife for the whole structure to be lost.

As we continue through Advent and read from Matthew, notice there are few shades of grey in this gospel. No half way house – either firmly fixed or utterly washed away.

Sobering thought for all of us – we can use right words, profess the faith, act in a certain way – but when called upon to sacrifice, get hands dirty, walk the narrow way, abandon our cosy existence – yet still not really put into practice what we have been taught.

Advent – a season of expectant waiting – time of self-examination – parallel adventure as we anticipate first coming at Christmas and long for the second coming of our Lord – this is just the time to ask ourselves these hard questions.

Amen

Advent

Reading Romans 13.11-14

Understand the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Gospel Matthew 24.36-44

Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

All Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said: “No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Contrast these two readings. Both about Kingdom. Seem to offer slightly different teaching about eschatology.

· Romans: Paul: hour come; salvation near at hand: let us behave as if salvation imminent.

· Gospel: Jesus: no one know; not even Son. Will be divisive.

Both counsel – be ready for unexpected.

1^st Sunday Advent. Prepare for the coming of Christ. Be ready for the unexpected: Paul gives this advice after quoting 10 Commandments and Golden Rule. Teaching on ethics. Do not commit adultery, murder or steal. Do not covet. All other commandments summed up in : Love your neighbour.

Love your neighbour. We ask: who is my neighbour? Is it not Jesus himself? Good Samaritan – least likely person. We see face of Christ in our neighbours.

Advent: not only preparing for Christmas. Constant, repeated returns of Christ in our neighbours. How prepare for that? Love God; love your neighbour – says Paul.

Awake from slumber. What does this mean? How are we asleep? You know what time it is. Night is far gone. Salvation comes in the morning. Salvation nearer than when we first believed.

What means: to be asleep? Our sleep is sleep of darkness. Sleep of sin. Cast aside works of darkness; put on armour of light. Put on Jesus Christ. Slumber is spiritual darkness. Light is Christ.

Nothing wrong with sleep. Has its place. But if we felt alive when first believed, has that wide awake feeling been dulled by lethargy? If so, how can we reawaken our spiritual eyes – prepared for imminent return of Saviour?

Putting on armour of light – not just ‘being good.’ Doing good works. Loving God and neighbour. These all works. Cannot reawaken ourselves. No alarm clock to set.

No – we can only be made alive by opening ourselves to influence of Holy Spirit. Making us holy. Being clothed with Christ. Being moulded by the Holy Spirit into his likeness. Allowing God’s Spirit to work in our lives. Then real Advent-ure can begin.

Gospel passage stresses end of adventure is unknown. Unknowable. Surprising statement – the Son himself does not know – only Father knows end of time. Like Noah – everyone pooh poohed his warnings. He made himself prepared. Did as he was commanded. Built ark. Invited others to join him. Those unprepared, or who did not believe, left behind.

Are you and I saying judgment will not come in our lifetime? How do you know? Aren’t you just being unprepared, as the gospel warns?

Analogy of judgement. Not only, what we should do – be ready – but what happens if we ignore. Appropriate readings for Advent. Yearly chance to check our spiritual health. Assess our preparedness for call of Jesus Christ. Keep watchful- you don’t know when Kingdom comes.

Divisive when time comes. Notice: judgement self-selective. Elect to take heed, like those who entered ark. Or elect to remain behind. Jesus uses analogy of the times: two work in fields: one taken one left behind. Two women grinding at hand mill. One taken – other left.

Here, as is always the case, God reveals enough about the future to give us hope, but not so much that we do not have to live and walk by faith day after day. We have assurance about the things hoped for, and conviction about the things not yet seen, but what we do not have is a timetable in the Scriptures, nor would that have been very helpful to the faithful anyway.

We all know we are dying. It’s only a matter of how soon. But if we know we are dying tomorrow, on death row for example, we act in a certain way. Take chances. Throw caution to winds. Who cares? We say – tomorrow we die anyway.

Even for those of us who do not know time or date of our death, cannot just ignore it. Analogy is: judgement comes like thief in night. Imagery: surprising, unexpected, least prepared. Hence exhortation: stay awake, be prepared.

Nowadays we know everything in advance. 24 hr. news. Call ahead on mobile phone. Check if convenient to call. Coming of Kingdom not like that. No warning.

Today is start of Advent-ure. Countdown to coming of Christ. Familiar. Know what will happen and when. Challenge: act differently. Prepare for unexpected. Open to influence of Holy Spirit. Be ready. Be holy.

Christ may have come at Christmas. But – Son of Man will come at a time when you least expect him. Amen