View from the Vicarage

March Newsletter

The first question we want to ask when we first meet someone is “Who are you?” Such a question sounds rather abrupt, so we usually ask something else. I suppose we’re not so much interested in their name as how they earn a living and where they live. So after asking their name, we come out with something like “What do you do?”

I’ve never been honest in my reply to this question. When I worked for Clarks, I didn’t admit to it because people then told me how uncomfortable their last pair of shoes was. I never said I was with John Lewis, or people sought my help with faulty washing machines or wanted to relate their last experience of customer service. Now, for the first time, I can admit to being what I am and see how people react.

Our desire to categorise folks in some way is all very well, but what do you say if you are have just been made redundant? What if you are retired? What if you are bringing up children? Do you say what you are, or what you used to be? The question, you see, is not just a request for information. It’s more than that. It’s so we can assess someone’s importance. It’s so we know how to treat others. Rightly or wrongly, it’s how we judge their worth.

I sometimes have to ask a person’s profession. When they get married, for example. When a child is baptised. When I have to sign official forms or fill in a register. That sort of thing. Occasionally people are reluctant to give ‘full time mother’ or ‘home maker’ instead of their previous profession, even though the job of rearing children is one of the most important anyone can have.

Christianity, on the other hand, is a great leveller. All are equal in the sight of God. This is especially true at times of crisis, which is after all when clergy tend to see people who otherwise don’t consider themselves religious or attend church. The Chairman of HSBC becomes just another Anglican priest. High court judges hand round biscuits. Distinguished careers are unknown to the person next to you in the pew. They’re just fellow seekers of the truth.

Yet there is importance in the Kingdom of God. Look for the words ‘you are…’ in scripture and you will quickly discover your true worth. You are a child of God, a friend of Jesus, a citizen of heaven, one of the saints, a child of the light, or a branch of the vine. Perhaps best of all ‘you are loved and forgiven.’

Isn’t that why Jesus gave such importance to the humble, the meek, those who mourn, the poor and hungry, and the pure in heart? There were no blessings for the well-to-do, for bankers or government ministers in the Beatitudes no matter how holy they might be. The words of Christ turn our worldly values upside down. Suddenly the number of people who love you becomes more important than what you earn.

The supreme example is God himself. When Moses encountered God in the burning bush and was sent to free the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, he asked for God’s credentials. “Who shall I say has sent me? What is his name?”

The answer came back “I am who I am.” That was all. No description of omnipotence or majesty. No everlasting creator, redeemer or sustainer. No proper title at all. God has no name. He is what he is. We have to encounter Him through a personal relationship. Whatever attributes God has are not displayed openly, but left for us to discover for ourselves.

I’m currently reading one of the oldest books in the English language. It’s called The Cloud of Unknowing. It’s short but written in Middle English by a contemplative monk. The book teaches that we can never encounter God through our intellect, through thought processes, or intense enquiry. We can only find God by setting aside all thought and encountering him by love, through the heart. Love is all, and God is love – that’s as good a name as any other.

It sounds hard, and it is. But we can also encounter God through love of each other. That’s easier – the self-sacrificing love of a mother for a child, or a married couple, or a long term partner – all are models of the love of God. Ask yourself – what would someone write on my epitaph? What would I want them to say in my obituary? “Who am I?” is so much more important a question than “what do I do?”

Ruth and Naomi

All-Age Service at St Giles

Sunday 20 February 2011

A Playlet for the Children

The Story of Ruth

Narrator The story I am about to tell you took place almost 3,000 years ago. A certain man named Elimelech lived in Bethlehem. You remember Bethlehem don’t you? It was the same place where Jesus was born. We’ll call him Eli.

Eli The girl I married was called Naomi. Together we had two sons. We were very proud of them. They were good boys. They worked hard and did well.

Naomi My husband Eli and I had no daughters, so I did all the work in the home. When my boys were still teenagers, all our crops failed. There had been no rain for ages. Everyone was starving. We couldn’t stay in Bethlehem, so Eli suggested we should move to another country where we could buy food to eat, and where there was work.

Eli Me and my two boys went with Naomi to Moab. At first everything worked out fine. Both my boys got married to local girls. One was called Orpah. The other was called Ruth. They were lovely girls, and we made a happy family together.

Narrator Then tragedy struck. First Eli got sick. Then he died.

Eli (Eli falls down and dies)

Narrator Then Naomi’s two sons also became sick and died.

(Eli’s two sons both fall down and die)

Naomi So I was left on my own with my two daughters-in-law. What was I to do?

Narrator In those days, there was no income support, no social security, no benefits. When her money ran out, Naomi and the girls would starve. So she decided to return home to Judah, where she had family who might help her.

Naomi (addresses Orpah and Ruth) My daughters. We have no food. Our money has run out. What can we do? We have no alternative but to beg food from our families, or we will end up on the streets. I will travel alone home to Bethlehem. Maybe some relatives will help. You girls must return to your fathers, and ask them to take you back. May God have mercy on you, my daughters!

Narrator Naomi’s daughters wept and clung to their mother. (Orphah and Ruth are in tears). They did not want to leave her. But Naomi said

Naomi You must stay. My family may not take even me into their homes. They certainly won’t have pity on you too. Besides, maybe you can find husbands from your own people. It’s too late for me. I am too old. But you are both young. You can marry again and have children. So stay here, and God be with you!

Narrator So Orphan kissed her mother, and went back to her father’s house. But Ruth would not leave her.

Ruth Mother, do not make me leave you. (Ruth and Naomi and crying and in each other’s arms) Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die. And where you are buried, I will also be buried.

Narrator So Naomi and Ruth take the long and dangerous journey together, back to Bethlehem. They arrive exhausted, having walked all the way and slept in the open, with nothing to eat and no roof over their heads.

Naomi The famine here has ended. Look at the fields. The barley is ready to harvest. See these fields? (points to the fields) This land belongs to a relative of mine. His name is Boaz. He is a rich man.

Ruth Let me go into the field tomorrow. I will walk behind the reapers. I will ask them for permission to pick up any grains of barley that and left on the ground after they have cut and stacked the stalks. That will give us a little food to grind into flour and make bread.

Narrator Next day, Boaz came to check on the harvest and he spotted Ruth picking up grains from the ground.

Boaz Who is that young woman, and what is she doing here in my field?

Narrator The workers said to Boaz

Harvester “Her name is Ruth. She was the girl who returned from Moab with your kinswoman Naomi. She has been working here since first light. She has taken no rest, even for a moment, but has carried on working in the heat of the sun all day.

Narrator Boaz went to speak to Ruth and said to her

Boaz Listen, my daughter. Do not be afraid. You can work in my fields. Don’t go onto anyone else’s land. You can carry on picking up grain here. No one with bother you. And if you get thirsty, go and drink from the water provided.

Ruth (kneeling down at Boaz’s feet) My lord, why are you doing this? I am only a foreigner.

Narrator Then Boaz said

Boaz I have heard how you would not leave your mother. How you left your family and your country to remain with her. You have come to a people you do not know. God will reward you for what you have done!

Narrator Then Boaz told his workers to drop more grain deliberately for Ruth, so that she would have enough to collect.

Harvester It’s time for lunch! Today we have bread and wine. Look – our master Boaz has invited Ruth to join him for his meal. How amazing is that?

Boaz Ruth – have this morsel of bread. I have dipped it in wine. And some roasted barley. Eat your fill.

Ruth May God bless you, for you have spoken kindly to me. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, because you have taken care of me.

Naomi Look – it’s Ruth coming home after her day in the fields. She seems to be struggling! Goodness – she’s carrying a large bag of barley. How is that possible, my daughter?

Ruth Mother! You’ll never believe what happened to me today. Our kinsman Boaz spoke kindly to me and offered me lunch. He allowed me to pick up grain even among the workers, and told them not to chase me away. He treated me like his own servant girls, and told me not to go into anyone else’s fields but to come back tomorrow and gather more grain. Here’s this big bag I have gathered for us today. Mother – we can now bake some bread and not starve!

Narrator Time went by, and Ruth continued to work in the fields. At the end of the harvest, Naomi said to her

Naomi My daughter. The harvest is coming to an end, and it’s time I found a proper home for you, rather than staying with me. Maybe Boaz our friend and kinsman will be able to help? Tonight there will be a party. The workers will be celebrating a successful harvest. Why don’t you go along? Make yourself look gorgeous. Put on your best clothes. Wash and put on some perfume. Then when Boaz finishes eating, see where he lies down. Then when he is asleep, go and uncover his feet!

Ruth Wow! OK mother – you know best. I will do as you say.

Everyone That was some party!

Harvester We are really tired. Time to fall asleep. (Boaz and Harvester lie down)

Ruth Here’s Boaz. I will uncover his feet, and lie down with him.

Boaz (after a short pause) My feet are cold! (looks around and rubs his eyes) Look! A young woman lying down beside me. Who can this be?

Ruth It’s me, Ruth. Spread your blanket over me too. We can keep warm together

Boaz This kindness is greater than you showed to your mother. Don’t be afraid. I will look after you. Everyone knows you have a good reputation. You have not run after the young men. So stay here with me tonight, and in the morning I will see what I can do for you.

Narrator Next morning, Boaz got up early and made sure Ruth left whilst everyone else was still asleep. Then he poured 6 measures of barley into her shawl and put it on her. Then he sent her home.

Naomi How did it go, my daughter?

Ruth Look! Boaz sent me home with all this barley. He was kind to me, and said he would let me know what he will do for me.

Naomi Wait in patience, my daughter. He will not delay, but will settle something for us today.

Narrator Boaz went to meet the elders of the town. They sat in the gateway out of the sun, and Boaz spoke to them about finding the most suitable young man as a husband for Ruth.

Boaz I thought I should come and speak to you all about my kinsman Ruth, who came back from Moab with her mother-in-law Naomi. Unfortunately, Naomi and Ruth are very poor. She has no dowry, so it may be hard for her to find a husband. But as she is my relative, I myself will provide some money.

Elder Times are hard, what will the credit crunch and all. No one can afford to buy houses. Jobs are scarce. The young men will not want to lose face by taking money from you.

Boaz That’s true. Well, with your permission, this is what I suggest. I will buy the fields and property that belonged to Eli from Naomi, and with that money she can provide Ruth with a dowry. And if no suitable young man can be found, I will marry Ruth myself!

Elder That is a right and proper suggestion you have made

Narrator So Boaz took off his sandal, as a sign he had bought the property, and the sale was recorded in the town register office. Then the elders said

Elder We are witnesses to the sale.

Boaz (to Ruth) This is what I have arranged. If I can find a young man for you, you can marry him with the money. If not – I will marry you myself – if you will have me?

Ruth Oh yes!

Narrator Then Ruth and Boaz were married, and there was a great celebration. Soon Ruth became pregnant and she had a baby boy. His name was Obed, and Naomi loved to have the baby in her lap and care for him.

Narrator Many years later, when Obed himself grew up and got married, Obed had a son whose name was Jesse. And Jesse was the father of King David. Jesus was of the line of David, so you see, God works in mysterious ways.

I wonder what you think of this story? I wonder whether you think Ruth did the right thing, by staying with her mother-in-law Naomi? I wonder if you think she should have married Boaz, or found someone younger? I wonder where you think God was in this story?

While you think about all this, this is where my story ends.

© Copyright 2011 Robert wright

Be perfect!

St Giles Sunday 13 February Holy Communion

First Reading Deuteronomy 30.15-20

Moses said: “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

“But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Gospel Matthew 5.21-37

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

Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body 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 part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 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 even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

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

Sermon

Demonstrations in Cairo – stopped for prayers. More to Islam than ritual observance – also more to OT religion than following the Law.

Jewish law – foundation of Jesus’ teaching. Like Islam - contained ritual – sacrifices – set prayers each day – feast days observed.

Deut. – book of Law – love the LORD, walk in his ways – choose life. Turn away – be disobedient, bow down to other gods, you will not live long in Promised Land.

Words of Moses – end of Deut. – his disobedience denied him Promised Land and he died. Irony.

Epiphany – recent readings warning of danger of reducing God to ritual formulas – trying to use communal practices to avoid giving ourselves, hearts and minds to God. Ritual observance not enough – Jesus calls us to a whole new life in God.

Matthew 5 – begins Sermon on Mount. Jesus has left crowd – teaches disciples. They are aware of Law of Moses. His teaching has strong ties. Takes them beyond Law. His ethics more radical. Demands of Christ-like Christ-filled life go way beyond.

Choose life says Moses. Under Law – a person is justified – mainly by what he has and has not done. Attendance at Temple. Sacrifices made. Laws followed.

We tend to think same way. You might say – I have not murdered, committed adultery, stolen from the poor. Isn’t that sufficient? I am justified. Ten Commandments. Isn’t that what we tend to believe?

Jesus says no. Not nearly enough. Says has not come to abolish Law but fulfil it. How? Intensifies. Extends into every facet of life. Not just deeds but our very thoughts. Nothing taken away – much added.

He gives examples. You might not have murdered – but have you been so angry you almost did so in heart? Not just behaviour – attitudes, emotions, thoughts. Adultery – was intent there, given half a chance – or adultery of the heart – lust? Who can say not guilty?

Is this not what the Law intended? That we should be above the Law? Higher standards than mere compliance. Internal behaviours, not just external. Means we must avoid anger, derision, slander, arrogance, temptation, desire, envy, loose speech, wrongful thoughts.

Joining the dots. Picture emerges from random pattern. Jesus joins dots. Dots are outward acts – pattern emerges internal orientation. Lesser murder=anger. Lesser adultery=lust. Lesser theft=envy, desire, covetousness. Joins dots – internal orientation revealed. That’s what judges us. Who can say not guilty?

Beatitudes – blessed are – poor in spirit, pure in heart, those who are humble, those who mourn. They are righteous because of internal orientation of hearts. Not because kept the Law. Went far beyond.

We all know of people who get away with it. Walk thin line of keeping rules whilst behaving badly. Have not killed anyone – ruined reputation by spreading slander and lies – hinted at unsuitability through resentment and jealousy – said one thing to face, another behind back.

We can all think of parallels. Dark side of life. Discrimination. Bullying. Ostracism. Rumour mongering.

Good news of Christ – light coming into dark world – illumines nooks and crannies of our lives – dark corners when are hidden things we are ashamed of. Joins dots – makes recognisable picture not of big sins but the way we are inside.

Not the Jesus we signed up for? One who – released from law – set us free from rules and regs.. – made life easier? Now we are told we can’t even dislike people. Can’t look on member of opposite sex without risking mental adultery. Famous Jimmy Carter interview Playboy 1976. Can’t call another driver a fool (Raca) without risking fire of hell! Standards have moved up several notches into the impossible region. Can’t be done.

Good news is also we do not have to live lives through our own power alone. Yes Jesus asks more of us – much more than is within our power unaided – much more than can escape temptation and failure – but he offers and promises much more too. God incarnate brings into the world abundant life. Has made perfection a reality.

Look at rest of chapter, esp. v48.   

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Law of Moses still applies – his words. “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you ... may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”

Salt and Light

First Reading Isaiah 58.1-9a(b-12)

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.
For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarrelling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

Gospel Matthew 5.13-20

When the Gospel is announced the reader says
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
All Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practises and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

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

Sermon

Baroness Warsi recently gave a speech in which she warned that hatred of Muslims had passed the dinner-table test of Britain. I don’t think Islamophobia is rife in Cheddington, but on the other hand I don’t think we can dismiss statements like hers out of hand either.

Extremism and fundamentalism are not confined to the faith of Islam. They can be found in very many places. To identify any one faith as being characterised by fanaticism is almost certainly wrong, and this goes for Christianity the same as any other. If there is discrimination or persecution against any faith it is contrary to our basic human right to freedom of expression.

Reacting against perceived threats to one’s faith with violence is wrong, but the grave risk is that the very many places where Christians are persecuted tends to go unnoticed because their resistance is peaceful.

Recent headlines include:

• New Year’s Day bombing of church in Egypt
• Last Christians ponder leaving their home town in Iraq
• Gunmen kill soldier guarding church in Nigeria
• Christians might die out in Middle east, say experts
• Eritrean government arrests 100 Christians in major crackdown
• UN condemns ‘rising religious fanaticism’
• Burma army oppresses Christians, study says

Isaiah’s advice is that his people should shout aloud and not hold back. But all they have done for their faith is mute. All they have done is to observe days of fasting. Yet God condemns them for exploiting others, for violence, quarrelling and strife. They did not share their food with the hungry, they did not shelter the poor or help the homeless.

God says ‘I do not want fasting. I want you to do away with the yoke of oppression. Stop pointing the finger and using malicious talk. Spend money on the homeless, and satisfy the needs of the oppressed.’

It’s a very practical gospel, isn’t it? Much more about doing good, and less about religious rituals, observing feast days, coming to church, or worshipping in a particular way.

During Epiphany, we heard a lot about light and darkness. Here Jesus uses the analogy again: this time it’s about justice and fairness, through which our light will shine forth. The other analogy he uses is salt. We must be like Salt and like a Lamp. What does this signify? What do we have to do, in order not to lose our flavour? How do we have to act, if we are to shine out like a light on a hill?

The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ mission statement. In it, he teaches us about the nature of righteousness. Justice and Fairness is the in-phrase. It’s popping up everywhere. In legislation, as a test for each new measure, as a universal benchmark for how people are treated. The aim is to ensure everyone gets what they deserve.

The sermon opens with the Beatitudes. They are not commands. God is not demanding anything of us. Jesus tells us whom God favours: those who mourn; those who have an active peace-making strategy; those who have a hunger for righteousness; those who show mercy, and so on. Once again, they are all things we do, not just religious observance. Nothing Jesus says countermands the law: but to obey his words, that is the new law.

So against this practical background of righteousness and justice, does that help us decide how we should act if we are to be like Salt? Salt does many things. It doesn’t just flavour, so why do we immediately think about that one property? Salt purifies. Salt preserves. Salt seasons. Salt was a currency – it represented a Roman soldier’s salary.

Notice that Salt is no use on its own. Its importance is its application to other things. It’s what it does not what it is.

Light is the same. It cannot be touched or felt. Light is no use, except to illuminate. That’s its application. Obscure light, and it ceases to have any effect at all.

In Jesus’ world, the darkness was extreme. To be without a lamp was to be blind. Lost. In danger. Darkness of course can be physical, but it can also be spiritual. Transparency is something light can shine through – very often we hear of government wanting to hide things. Withholding evidence from public enquiries in the national interest. Making announcements on days when the news won’t be noticed. Playing with statistics to conceal the truth. All this shows a lack of transparency.

So – these are the properties of Salt and Light. Putting them together with the Beatitudes is one way of trying to determine what it really means for us to be like salt or like the light – after all this passage comes immediately after the beatitudes in the sermon on the mount.

Who then are the salt of the earth? They are the humble, the ones who mourn, the meek, and those who thirst after doing what is right in the world.  Who are 'light'? They are the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who receive abuse for standing up for what is right.

This is what follows for those who would follow Jesus. They must be like him. They must be more committed to God’s justice and fairness than any of the standards of this world. They must lead virtuous lives. They must have the characteristics of those who are blessed by God, according to the Beatitudes.

But putting it in this way risks giving you yet another thing you should do. Something else to fail at. Happily it’s not like that. Being salt – being the light – is not a burden, it’s a gift. Not something you have to make sure you do. Something you are. So rejoice in it.

Great. But it does beg a couple of questions. One – where have you seen or encountered someone who acts like they are salt or light? Where have you seen God at work in others?

Secondly – at a more personal level – what does it mean to live like that? Ponder this – if you will – during the week to come. How can you be light salt in the world? How can you be the light? And how will that change the way you are, and the way others see you?

Amen

On a lampstand – or under a bucket?

Thursday midweek communion at St Giles – 27 January 2011

Gospel Mark 4

Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ was revealed in flesh, proclaimed among the nations
and believed in throughout the world.
All Alleluia.

When the Gospel is announced the reader says

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

A Lamp on a Stand

²¹ He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? ²² For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”

²⁴ “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. ²⁵ Those who have will be given more; as for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

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

Sermon

This one’s for Philip – who likes a simple gospel message every now and then. What could be simpler than the lampstand?

Sunday’s sermon was about the shining light. Not based on gospel, but Isaiah 9: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. Prophecy referred to lands of Zebulun and Naphtali, who were prey to invasion and exploitation. Could not be protected by rest of Israel. Located at far north – Galilee.

Prophecy was that into their deep darkness of domination by foreign powers comes the shining light of the Messiah. To us, the interpretation is Jesus the Messiah, as a shining light coming into the world as an epiphany. God breaking into the world through the incarnation of Christ.

When Jesus talks of the light, he is referring to himself. The light of the gospel. The parable he tells is about those who have seen the light. They have accepted it. But instead of radiating the light to others, they hide the light under a bushel, as the AV says. They put it under the bed, or beneath a bucket rather than lifting it high onto a stand.

Why do they do this? Because they are ashamed of the light. It is for them, but not something they want to admit to others in case they are ridiculed or accused of preaching to them.

It’s all a misunderstanding of the nature of the gospel. Rarely are we asked to preach. Hardly ever do we have to justify our faith by what we say. When did you last enter into a theological discussion with anyone about religion?

No – we show forth the light by what we are, as much as what we say. How we act, especially towards others. If our light is held high, others will be able to see it. We don’t have to attach a loudspeaker to the light. What we are is normally sufficient.

But there may still come a time when we have to stand up and be counted. And we must be prepared to stick our necks out when that time arises. This is what the last part of the reading means.

Our response to the gospel should be whole hearted. We must not hold back. If an explanation of our faith is required, it must be a full one.

With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you – and even more. It’s a market analogy. If you shortchange someone in your dealings with them, you will get that reputation and you will be shortchanged in return. It’s a quid pro quo.

So in God’s eyes, those who have will be given more; as for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken away from them.

Transparency – that’s the modern term. It means nothing is hidden. All is clear. All is on display, and there’s nothing that is opaque in the gospel. But that carries a responsibility – the way we act and the way we explain must be like the light, clear for all to see and understand, not obscured or hidden.

Nothing can be clearer or simpler than that, Philip…

Amen

What is a priest?

Midweek Communion at St Giles – 20 January 2011

Reading Hebrews 7.25 – 8.6

²³ Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴ but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

²⁶ Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

¹ Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, ² and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

³ Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. ⁴ If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. ⁵ They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” ⁶ But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

Sermon

Author of Hebrews admits passage about Christ and Melchizedek is long and difficult.

Nature of priesthood. How Christ can be a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. Quote from Ps. 110 – starts The Lord says to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” This was the verse quoted by Jesus in Matt. 22 when Pharisees asked whose son is the Messiah? They reply David’s son” and Jesus then asks how David in the Ps. Could call the Messiah Lord when he is his son.

Who was M? He appears in Genesis, when it says Abraham defeats coalition of 5 kings and rescues his kinsman Lot. M of Salem appears, blesses Abraham, and in return A gives M one-tenth of his spoils.

Many speculations of who he was, and why he is important. Suffice it – he is a priest who blesses A. For Hebrews, this leads to discourse about priesthood.

In OT priests lived and died. Christ did not die, and remains a priest forever. OT priests were human, fallible, and sinful. Christ is holy and blameless. So where earthly priests offered sacrifices for their own failings before could intercede for others, Jesus had no need to do so. His sacrifice was not for his own sin and then for the sins of others, but he sacrificed himself for our sins.

In this sense, as M was important in OT, so in NT Christ has superseded M as our high priest. But where many priests in OT lived and died, making offerings for sin, in NT there is only one priest, Jesus Christ. He did not require to be perfected, but through suffering became part of the divine plan for salvation in himself, not through any offering he made for us to God.

Likewise, earthly priests had to continue making sacrifice day after day, night and morning, as a ritual of atonement. By contrast Christ’s offering of himself was once and for all, having no need to be repeated.

Where does this leave the Christian priest? What is out business? We are not here to offer sacrifice, but to act as kind of apostles in the community called Church. As Rowan Williams put it:

The fundamental task is that of announcing in word and action in the middle of the community what the community is and where it is; it is telling the Church that it is the created universe insofar as that universe has been taken up into the activity of the eternal Word and transfigured by this fact, and that it is in consequence the place where Christ's self-offering continues to be most freely real and effective. The priest is therefore in the business of – as we could put it – immersing in Christ's action the gifts and prayers and love of human beings.

Takes some ‘getting your head round.’ Comforting, at times when we feel least successful, to know the task is an impossible one, but one we have to strike to aim for. Task we all share – not just delegated to the one ordained by the church to lead it. May God give us the strength needed to continue with this task, because it cannot be done from our own strength alone. Amen.

Daniel & the Lions’ Den

All-Age Service at St Giles – Sunday 16th January 2011

1. Characters: Narrator (Emily Nathan)
2. Daniel (Daniel Nathan)
3. Belshazzar (king of Babylon) (Anna Wallace)
4. Writing on the Wall (Phoebe Greenstreet)
5. Ghostly Hand (Ben Ells)
6. Chief Good Official (Madelyn Key)
7. Chief Nasty Official (Abi Mandry)
8. Darius (king of Persia) (Juliet Wallace)
9. Good counsellor (Emily Hale)
10. Wicked Counsellor (Adam Spencer)
11. Lion Keeper (Immy Pledge)
12. Guests
13. Good Officials
14. Nasty Officials
15. Bloodthirsty Lions (Church Mice)

Narrator I’ll tell you a story that happened 2,500 years ago. The hero of my story is Daniel.

Daniel Hi, I am Daniel. I come from a place called Judah. My family was taken from our home by the King of Babylon. He conquered the whole of Judah and carried all the important people into slavery. But of all the young men, I was singled out for my good looks and intelligence. They gave me the best food and beautiful clothes, and trained me to be a high official in the king’s palace.

Belshazzar (Proudly)
I am Belshazzar, king of Babylon. I worship gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, and no one dare defy me.

Narrator But Daniel refused to worship the king’s pagan gods. Instead, he worshipped the one true God, which made him unpopular and sometimes got him into trouble.

Daniel That’s true. I was thrown into prison, and released only because the king needed my help. There was a great banquet. They all feasted and drank wine from the sacred vessels they had stolen from the Temple in Jerusalem. The king gave them gifts, for he liked to be kid to his friends, to keep them on his side.

Belshazzar As my friends and I feasted and drank a ghostly hand appeared. It had no body – it was just a hand.

All the guests gasp in alarm

The Ghostly Hand floats towards the Writing on the Wall character

The Writing on the Wall character slowly opens a scroll

Ghostly Hand (Points along the opening scroll and reads)
May nay may nay teckel yoo farsin.

Belshazzar (Frightened)
The hand floated towards the wall, wrote words there, and vanished.

All the guests gasp in alarm

Chief Good Official What does it mean?

Chief Nasty Official I don't know. I can't understand it.

Chief Good Official Nothing good. That's for sure.

Chief Nast Official I'm scared. I'm going.

Chief Good Official Me too.

All the guests run away

Belshazzar I was alone and scared. I trembled. I could not understand what the words meant. No one could interpret them. But they frightened me. So I sent for Daniel.

Daniel The hand wrote these words. “To the King. You have been weighed on the scales. You are a lightweight. Your days are numbered. Tonight you will die.”

Daniel points to Belshazzar who shrinks back

Narrator The great king Belshazzar shrank into a corner. His knees knocked with fear. All his friends deserted him. That very night he was killed

Belshazzar Aaaaargh!

Belshazzar falls down dead, as flamboyantly as he likes

Narrator The new King was Darius.

Darius I am Darius. I conquered all the nations round about. My empire grew, so I needed many officials to help me rule it. (Darius points to the nasty officials) They made me a god.

Nasty Officials (Bowing down)
Oh great god Darius.

Darius It was silly. I am not a god but a man. But they insisted. They also insisted that I make a decree, that no one in my kingdom should worship any god except me. Anyone who worshipped other gods would be thrown into a den of bloodthirsty lions.

Darius points to lions

Bloodthirsty Lions growl and claw at the air

Daniel How horrible! But what can I do?

Narrator Daniel was in a jam. He liked King Darius and became his friend. But he could not worship him. The king's nasty officials were jealous of Daniel's friendship with the king and plotted to get rid of him.

Wicked Counsellor While Daniel is the king's friend we get no presents or favours like we did in Belshazzar's day. We must find a way to trip him up.

Nasty Officials Aye!

Narrator And they found a way. For despite the king's decree, Daniel prayed prayed as usual to the one true God. The nasty officials spied on him and discovered this.

Nasty Officials He-he-he! Now we can get our revenge on Daniel and destroy him.

The nasty officials rub their hands together in glee

Narrator So they ran to King Darius and told him what Daniel was doing.

Nasty Officials Throw him to the lions!

Good Officials Spare him, oh king!

Nasty Officials Throw him to the lions!

Good Officials But Daniel is your friend!

Darius What shall I do? Daniel is indeed my friend. But I have made my decree. How can I go back on it?

Good Counsellor Be merciful, oh king! Spare you friend! Your people will love you for it.

Darius Yes. Yes. If I am kind my people will love me.

Wicked Counsellor Be strong, oh king! Punish you friend. Your people will respect and fear you for it.

Darius Yes. Yes. If I am strong my people will obey me.

Good Counsellor Your people will love a merciful king.

Wicked Counsellor But they will only obey a strong one. Remember Belshazzar. He was kind to his friends. Look what happened to him.

Darius He's right.

Nasty Officials Throw him to the lions!

Good Officials Spare him, oh king!

Nasty Officials Throw him to the lions!

Wicked Counsellor Remember Belshazzar!

The Bloodthirsty Lions growl at Daniel

Darius Alas! I have no choice. Daniel my deputy has been caught praying to his God three times a day as usual. I cannot revoke my decree without appearing weak and probably ending up murdered like Belshazzar. A king must be strong. My order must be obeyed. Poor Daniel must be thrown into the den of bloodthirsty lions and be killed. Alas!
(Points at the Lion Keeper)
Throw Daniel to the lions!

The Bloodthirsty Lions growl and claw at the air

Lion Keeper (Seizes Daniel)
Here you are, lads. A nice tasty little snack.
(He throws Daniel into the lions' den)

The Nasty Officials cheer

Daniel Aaaarghhh! Now I’m in big trouble. These lions look very bloodthirsty. And they’re starving.

The Bloodthirsty Lions growl and claw at the air

Daniel All I can do is pray to God and ask him to rescue me.

Daniel prays

The Bloodthirsty Lions stop growling and look meek

Narrator King Darius could not eat or sleep. All night he paced up and down his bedroom wishing he had been merciful. In the morning he went sadly to the lion’s den. The stone was rolled back, and he anxiously looked in. To his amazement he saw Daniel, alive and well, and unharmed by the lions who were lying around like pussycats.

Daniel Long live the king! I prayed to my God and he sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths. God did this because I have done no wrong, and because I put my trust in him.

Darius I am overjoyed. Come out my friend!

Darius extends his hand towards Daniel

Daniel walks to Darius, bows, and stands beside him

The Good Officials cheer

Darius But Daniel, how is it that the bloodthirsty lions did not eat you?

Daniel I was spared because I prayed to the One True God and he protected me.

Darius Then I withdraw my decree. From now on, my people will no longer worship me. Instead they will worship the One True God of Daniel.

The Good Officials cheer

The Nasty Officials scowl and shrink back defeated

The Bloodthirsty Lions turn towards the nasty official and growl

The Nasty Officials run away terrified

Narrator The nasty officials who had tried to destroy Daniel fled in terror, but they could not run far enough. King Darius arrested them and threw them all into the lions’ den, together with their nasty families.

The Good Officials throw the Nasty Officials into the lions' den

Lion Keeper (To the lions) Here you are, lads. Grub up!

Narrator Even before they reached the floor, the bloodthirsty lions overpowered them and ate them all up.

Daniel Oh dear. That wasn’t what I had in mind at all! But I suppose they did deserve it.

Narrator And that is how King Darius decreed that all his people should worship the God of Daniel. He even wrote a song to the living God, who rescues and saves, and who performs signs and wonders in all the earth. After this, Daniel went on to interpret many dreams, and to have visions himself.

Daniel You can read about all this in my book, the Book of Daniel, which you will find in the Old Testament after Ezekiel, among the prophets.

Narrator So – did the story end happily ever after? What do you think? Was Darius a good or a bad king? Was he strong or weak? Was Daniel brave or foolish? Think about this story and what happened in it, and then make up your own minds . . . .

Baptism of Christ

Reading Isaiah 42.1-9

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope.”
This is what God the LORD says –
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
“I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”

Gospel Matthew 3.13-17

Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ was revealed in flesh, proclaimed among the nations
and believed in throughout the world.

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

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

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

Sermon

Father’s funeral.
Found it hard to offer encouragement. Counselled against taking risks – could seem negative. Did not often say ‘well done’ but said what could be done better next time.

Sons often have difficult relationship with fathers. Same with daughters and their mothers. Either very close, or constantly at war, especially as teenagers.

Baptism of Christ
When Jesus came to John for baptism, clearly John thought it inappropriate. I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me? John’s doubts – his baptism is for repentance – how could Son of God need to repent? Jesus responded it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.

What was going on here? Baptism signalled start of Jesus’ ministry. Joseph and family return from Egypt to Nazareth. Then nothing about early life, until John the Baptist bursts on scene. He prepares the way and immediately Jesus comes to him and is baptised with water. Jesus is acting in obedience to God. His is a compliant spirit – from the outset, Jesus gives a powerful picture of obedience to God’s call.

Affirmation by God
His action receives God’s approval. Jesus saw Spirit of God – third person in Trinity descending onto him. As if to encourage him – affirm his status – God plainly states This is my Son. With him I am well pleased.

God’s approval is unequivocal. Jesus confirmed as God’s Son at start of journey to cross. He is assured of God’s love – even though his life characterised by suffering, and his baptism experience immediately followed by long and arduous temptation. During those 40 wilderness days, he can think back to what happened with John in Jordan – and strength he gained from that knowledge. So it is with our high points – they can carry us through the dark nights of the soul – the slough of despond.

In whom I am well pleased...
This incident is one of three in Matthew when God directly affirms his faith in Jesus his Son. No words were spoken in Transfiguration, yet Jesus’ face shone like the sun. The other occasion was in chapter 12 when Pharisees plotted to kill him when he healed on Sabbath. Jesus withdrew from that place and Matthews explains his escape was in fulfilment of prophecy by Isaiah. This prophecy is exactly the passage we read from Isaiah 42 just now:
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.

Suffering Servant
Passage from Isaiah part of Suffering Servant oracles. Servant never named. Seen by evangelists as prophecy concerning the Messiah, what is will be like, and what he will do.

According to Isaiah, God will hold the Messiah by his right hand. He calls him by name. He calls him in righteousness. The Messiah will open eyes of blind, set prisoners free, and bring forth justice.

Later on in chapter 53, we read those familiar words: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." The Servant of God will indeed experience persecution, but he will endure it in silence.

The Messiah is gentle with those who are weak. He will not break a bruised reed. He will not snuff out a smouldering wick. He will give the underprivileged justice and not falter or be discouraged. He will establish peace and justice.

Personal Faith
Most of what is preached today and much of what we read is about me and you and our personal faith. Our personal relationship with our creator. The ‘me generation’ puts us at the centre of our own universe. We twitter and tweet – and hundreds of people can read our thoughts, as soon as we have them.

Our faith must of course be rooted in a personal relationship with God, but that’s only part of the picture. The Christian faith is heavily steeped in social justice, the pursuit of justice and peace, reconciliation and forgiveness, care and concern for the oppressed, the deprived, and underprivileged. These are what will sing God’s praises, and not just the me-relationship with him.

Remember that those Jesus denied were the ones that did not clothe him when he was naked, and did not visit him when a captive, or give him something to eat when he was hungry. Practical ‘doing things’ not mere faith and prayers.

Message of the Baptism
All these are tied up with the prophecy of Isaiah, the Suffering Servant as he calls him, and the way we interpret the ministry of Jesus and what he seeks to achieve. Justice, not through force, but meekness. Quite the opposite of what it says on the Golden Syrup tin – out of the strong comes forth sweetness.

For me, there is one more important message to be learned. Jesus saw his baptism as symbolic, but the confirmation was not for him alone, and was not just to offer him the comfort of knowing God was with him and his vision of Messiahship was approved.

Likewise, for us, when our own personal faith is challenged, when our relationship with God is dry or weak, we can turn to the more practical aims of working for others, visiting those who are lonely or in hospital, providing practical help for those in need, supporting the weak, promoting justice, fairness and peace. Not only are they laudable aims in themselves, but these practical issues go to the heart of our faith. And in the very doing of them give glory to God.

See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”

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