Homily for Epiphany (Matthew 2:1-12)

Homily on Matthew 2:1-12
Given 06 January 2022 at St. Alban’s Church, Coventry

!Los Reyes han venido! The Kings have come!

A lifetime ago, I celebrated Epiphany in Spain, where it is commonly referred to as the Day of the Kings. Culturally it was more common for Spanish children to put out treats and drinks for the three Kings and their camels, as opposed to waiting Christmas Eve for Santa and his reindeer. An argument could be made that an Epiphany gift exchange is more biblically logical. After all, Epiphany is when we remember that the wise men brought gifts to Mary and Jesus after the birth. But my theological issue with this celebration is that the spotlight seems to be taken away from the main hero – Jesus Christ. Of course Christmas has also become incredibly commercialised, and most children would respond that Christmas is about Santa rather than Jesus, but at least Christ gets named in that celebration. For the so-called King’s Day, it’s about the wise men and their presents, but very little about the one true King.

When I read through these verses in Matthew 2, I actually have quite a few issues about the visit of the wise men. If they hadn’t got lost and ended up in Herod’s palace in the first place, then Herod wouldn’t have known about the birth of the Messiah which led to the brutal murder of all boys in Bethlehem under the age of two. Or if they had returned and simply said they never found such a child, that could have also averted such a massacre. And what about the gifts? Well, I assure you having experienced being the mother of a newborn, gold, frankincense, and myrrh isn’t very helpful. A baby can’t play with gold, nor can it be washed in the oils produced from frankincense and myrrh, and would likely respond quite negatively to their fragrances. But when I start getting worked up about my critical analysis of biblical stories, I realise it’s probably time to take a step back.

As the Vicar of Dibley beautifully explained, this is the greatest story ever told. And that’s what I need to check myself on – it is a story. And any story has plot devices to move the story forward, and perhaps even a few plot holes for those with a critical eye. But I think I should probably cut the wise men some slack. They are vital to this story because they show that Jesus Christ came not just for an exclusive group in a little town, but for all people in all corners of the world – north, south, west, and even east. Their gifts show that this helpless baby born to humble beginnings was true royalty, and that his life would be one of pain and sacrifice. But it is because of his sacrifice that each of us will have life eternal. 

So the real question about this story is what does it say to us as followers of Christ and what does it call us to do? I suggest that just as Mary welcomed strangers from the East to her home, we should also be open to everyone with hospitality. And although we aren’t able to bring gifts to the Christ child in the traditional sense, I think we can bring gifts to Christ every day we live our lives with love for our neighbour. Today as we celebrate that the kings have come, let us keep our heart on our divine King who came to serve us and still lives in each of our hearts today and evermore. 

Sermon on Acts 14 (and International Women’s Day)

Sermon on Acts 14 (and International Women’s Day)
Given 08 March 2020 at Studley Parish Centre 

1849 – Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery and formed the Underground Railroad, bringing hundreds of slaves to freedom.

1913 – Emily Davison was killed when she jumped in front of the King’s horse, a protest for women’s suffrage in England.

1955 – Rosa Parks was arrested and fined $10 for sitting in the white only section of a bus, sparking the American Civil Rights movement.

1969 – Marsha P. Johnson led protests at the Stonewall Inn Riots in New York City as a response to police brutality and raids on gay bars, the beginning of the Gay Liberation Movement in America.

1984 – Lois Jenson won the first sexual harassment class action suit in the United States, a precursor to today’s Me Too Movement.

On today, International Women’s Day, we recognise the many women who changed the face of history. They created a future of equality which was unimaginable even 26 years ago, remembering that this Thursday marks only 26 years since the first 32 women were ordained to the priesthood in the Church of England. Yet even today, women priests are controversial in the view of organisations such as Forward in Faith.

Throughout history, these women who stood up, fought back, and made their voices heard were unpopular in their time. Speaking truth to power has never been popular or easy. Some approaches failed numerous times and in different situations these women may not have been recognised for their impact. In this sense, these women highlight what we find in the reading from Acts 14.

Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe speaking the truth of the Gospel. In Iconium, this truth caused anger among some Jews and Gentiles. In Lystra, Paul and Barnabas were perceived as gods to start with. Yet in Derbe, they made many new disciples.

There has always been opposition to truth. Historically, abolitionists, suffragettes, Civil Rights activists, and LGBTQ activists have been beaten, arrested, and even murdered. In our reading, Paul was so hated for preaching truth that he was stoned and left for dead.

But through it all, God is at work. From the healing of the man who had never walked, to the survival of Paul despite being stoned, to the spread of the Gospel in the face of great opposition. God is always present. When speaking truth, God has the power.

Something must also be said about perseverance. It was a hundred years between the Emancipation Proclamation and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, calling out the injustices of racism in the sweltering summer of America, which even today has yet to cool off. Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903, although women didn’t get the full vote in England until 1928. And even  though Paul nearly died in Lystra, he returned in order to support and strengthen the disciples there.

Christian witness is not easy. So often in our lives we remain silent for fear of embarrassment or discrimination. In some parts of the world, confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Saviour to us all can result in physical abuse, or sometimes death. Different situations require different kinds of witness. We all have our individual strengths and abilities which we can use to the glory of God. Psalm 139:13-14 tells us about God, ‘For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.’

Every single one of us has been wonderfully made by our Creator. We are all God’s tools for witnessing to the world. And we can use Paul’s experience to inform how we witness in four steps.

First, start where you know. Paul and Barnabas began their ministry in the synagogues of Iconium. Where do you spend your time? What knowledge can you bring to different situations? Second, look for the immediate response. In three different cities, Paul had three different reactions. If the message isn’t getting through, perhaps try a different angle, or try again a different time.

Third, expect opposition. Chances are you won’t be stoned, but there will inevitably be people who are not interested in the truth. Fourth, and most importantly, always remember that God is at work through us and in every situation. If at first you don’t succeed, do try again, try a different angle, but don’t try to do God’s job.

In the end, our greatest witness is living out our faith by speaking truth to power, faithfully loving God with all our heart and all our mind and all our soul, and radically loving all our brothers and sisters who were fearfully and wonderfully made by our God, our Creator, our Redeemer.

Amen.

 

Sermon on Luke 4:16-21 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Sermon on Luke 4:16-21 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Given on 27 January 2019 at Studley Parish Church

Some of you may be familiar with the story of the Rabbi’s gift. To tell it briefly, there was once a monastery in decline. The abbot, greatly concerned about its future, visited a Rabbi who lived nearby in order to ask for his thoughts and advice. The Rabbi said that while he empathized about the decline in the church and spiritual belief, he had no advice for the abbot. On parting, the Rabbi said only, “The Messiah is among you.” The abbot went back to the monastery and informed the monks: “The Messiah is among us.” As they prayed and contemplated what this meant, they questioned who among them might be the Messiah.

Each of the monks were very different, with different temperaments and different flaws, but also different gifts and different talents. With time, the monks began treating each other and themselves with more respect, knowing that the Messiah was one of them. As they began to hold each other in higher regard, people outside the monastery began to take notice. Eventually, the once declining monastery became active and lively, with new members enthusiastically joining.

The point of my retelling this story is to highlight two important aspects: One, we are all unique with our individual gifts bestowed by our Creator; Two, once we recognize and accept the gifts and talents within ourselves and others, we fulfill God’s promise.

Today we draw from two readings: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and Luke 4:16-21. The first reading focuses on unity and diversity in the body of Christ, or among Christians. The second is about Jesus Christ fulfilling scriptures in His hometown of Nazareth. On face value, these are two very different readings with different objectives. But if we delve into them, we can find a connection that makes the two appear as if they should always be read together.

Let’s look first at the 1 Corinthians reading. These verses were written by the apostle Paul at a time when there was much discord and disharmony within the Church. If you heard Alan’s sermon last week, he spoke a bit more on this topic and how these readings within our current political and social climate are actually quite apt. I won’t go into that today, but I’d like us to look at verses 12-14: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” Paul then goes on to say in verse 27, “now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

Just like the monks in that monastery, each of us as Christians within the Church have a role to fill. Furthermore, within society as a whole we all have our unique contribution. This may be our vocation, that which we are called to do as our profession. Sometimes it is simply a hobby, something we do in our spare time. Although we may not all find that dream job we wake up every morning loving to do, we do all have a purpose, and there is no purpose too small. Just as every part of the body whether big or small works together to help make us fully functioning beings, every role we uniquely fill helps the world to endure.

This brings me smoothly to the second reading, Luke 4:16-21. In this reading, Jesus proclaims what His unique role is. Jesus is come to bring “the year of the Lord’s favour”. What a glorious pronouncement. And it is so fitting that this is found in the gospel of Luke, which is referred to as the “gospel of joy”. Favour and joy – two concepts we may be struggling to see at a time when the world seems so chaotic and cruel. Perhaps, it is because the world has become exceptionally dark in recent times that our liturgical calendar should fall on the readings from Luke, the gospel of joy. The fact is, we can find hope in Jesus’ announcement in verse 18 that He will bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free. Even in the darkest of times, Christ has come to restore light, to bring us the year of the Lord’s favour. By stating to everyone His gift, Jesus is fulfilling God’s promise to heal a broken world. In the same way, when we accept our gifts and recognize the gifts of others, we help make the world a better place. We bring the world closer to the Lord’s Prayer of “Thy Kingdom come”. When we use our gifts and respect that everyone has a part to play, just like the monks from the story, we will grow more confident in Christ. And our confidence will shine as a beacon into the darkness of the world and bring others to our warmth.

Thus, once again, when we look at the two readings side by side, one is telling us we all have a singular contribution to make to the world. The other says we fulfill not only our purpose, but God’s purpose when we embrace our role. So, let me leave you with this thought: Are you pursuing God’s purpose for you? Amen.

Sermon on Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon on Matthew 22:15-22
Given 22 October 2017 at Studley Parish Church

Have you ever lied? How can you call yourself faithful if you have lied? Because the 9th commandment says not to bear false witness against your neighbour (Exodus 20:16). Do you love your neighbour as yourself and do you pray for those who you don’t like? Because how can you call yourself Christian if you don’t love your enemies? Since Christ did say “…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) If God is all-knowing, then why did He put the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden? I mean, He should have known Adam and Eve would eat from it causing the fall of Human (Genesis 3:3). And if God is all-loving, why did he let my friend Rachel die from colon cancer at the age of thirty?

I actually have my own answers for all of these questions, though these topics are a bit too deep and complicated for a ten minute sermon on a Sunday morning. So the real question I have is how many of you have confronted these types of questions when you reveal to people that you are a Christian?

The first verses of today’s reading are about the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus into saying the wrong thing. Many times people will try to trap us in our faith and trick us into giving what they think to be the wrong answers. Many non-believers are so arrogant in their non-belief they want to catch us out, make us doubt, or convince us we don’t really know our faith.

But not only do we encounter personal trials of trying to justify our beliefs and evading tricky and complex topics among friends and family, we also have to navigate a world that is incessantly trying to trap us. The fact is that the world is of the flesh, and as Christians we are instructed to battle against the flesh.

See, the trickery of the world is to convince us we are not ENOUGH. Not smart enough, not slim enough, not healthy, funny, or talented enough. Just look at any newsstand and you can see that they’re selling the idea YOU are not enough, but according to the world, these people on the cover of the magazine are. You are not enough, but you can spend your money to find out how the world thinks you can become enough. Spend your money to find out how to get perfect abs, a perfect sex life, the perfect job. Spend your money to find out what perfection looks like.

But let me save you a few quid: To find perfection, simply look in a mirror. If we know that God is perfect and we know that we were created in His image (Genesis 1:27) and He doesn’t make mistakes, then it logically follows we must only look to our true selves to find perfection.

Which brings me back to today’s reading: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.” I hope we all pay our taxes and follow the laws of the land, but do we know what belongs to God? If coins are made by Caesar, what is made of God? Well, obviously, the answer is everything, but especially us.

God created each one of us uniquely as individuals with our own talents and gifts. We all have different abilities that we are called to use to the glory of God. In Paul’s letter to the Romans he says:

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

To summarise, we have all been perfectly created by God with special gifts that only we can give. When Christ commands that we give to God what is God’s, the expectation is that we give ourselves; the understanding is that we are more than enough.

Each of us has a calling, something that we were quite literally made to do. Sometimes our calling is not only apparent but easy to follow. Other times the path to our calling is challenging and it may seem easier to turn away from it. But if we turn away from that which God created us to do, then we are denying ourselves and denying God. When we ignore our calling, we are not giving to God what is rightfully His, that which he made us for.

Sometimes, the trickery of the world will lead us away from our calling, but with vigilant prayer we can remind ourselves of our reason for living as Christians. That is to fulfil our God-given purpose and thereby give ourselves to God.

As we navigate the flesh of this word, we must always keep our hearts on Christ. In our daily lives as we try to model a Christian life, we will inevitably fail from time to time. As we are only human we will get caught up in the distractions of Satan. And that’s okay. As long as we come back to Jesus, all will be forgiven. We must only give to God what is God’s, which is our whole heart and soul by doing that which He uniquely created us to do.

So my challenge for you today is to make that commitment. Open your heart to the will of God. Listen to His instruction for your life. When the Lord says, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Be like Isaiah and respond, “Here am I. Send me!” With all the blessings God gives us, the only payment we must give to God is ourselves. Amen.