Sermon on John 6:35-59

Sermon on John 6:35-59
Given 13 February 2022 at St. Alban’s Church, Coventry

Flesh and blood and bread. Today’s Gospel reading is pretty meaty, both literally and metaphorically. So how can we go about sinking our teeth into it? Okay, I’m done with the puns. But this is a really difficult passage to grapple with. Not only is there the constant repetition of bread and flesh and blood, but it could also be interpreted as a fairly exclusivist reading, suggesting that only those who partake in a eucharistic celebration are worthy of eternal life. But I suggest a different interpretation. Since we know that Jesus was a devout Jew, it doesn’t make sense that he would ever encourage people to drink blood as drinking blood is against Levitical law. And Jesus came to fulfill the law, not destroy it. So instead, I think the scholar Tom Wright was correct in his explanation that we drink the blood of Christ in that we profit from his death, his blood which was shed because of us. In our eucharistic prayers, it is said ‘this is my blood, which is shed for you’, so it is the death of Christ we remember. Christ saying ‘drink my blood’ could also be understood as him telling us ‘benefit from my death’, which we have done. We have benefitted because we have eternal life.

The reading begins with the first ‘I am’ statement in John’s Gospel, with Jesus saying ‘I am the bread of life.’ Last week Reverend Zoe talked to us about life, explaining that God came to give us abundant life without any conditions or restrictions, regardless of our faith or belief. She explained that healing can lead to a longer life, but that is not the life that God has planned for us. God has more than a mortal, temporary life planned for us, but an eternal life. I found her words so moving, and I’m sure those of you who know me won’t be surprised that I cried while listening to them. I cried thinking of all the prayers of healing I’ve said, and all the prayers I thought had been left unanswered when healing didn’t come. I cried because it was the first time I heard someone stand at the front of a church and proclaim that faith does not dictate healing, and a lack of healing does not mean a lack of faith. Nor does it mean God is absent or apathetic. You may be familiar with God’s three answers to prayer: Yes, no, and not yet. But there is another aspect of how God answers prayers. Sometimes God answers prayers in ways we could never imagine or understand. Sometimes we think we have an answer, but hindsight eventually tells us things weren’t quite what we thought. Because even in moments of our greatest sorrows, God is with us. And this is why the Psalmist says we shall continually praise God. Even when we don’t feel especially praiseworthy, our Creator continues to be with us and guide us.

Jesus saying he is the bread of life is a reminder that God nourishes and sustains us. In our moments of feeling empty with what the world has to offer, Jesus is with us to fulfill our needs. When we feel drained of all energy, Jesus can help us survive another day. Of course, at this point, I’m talking about spiritual hunger, so once again, this gets a bit complicated. Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, ‘the Good News to a hungry person is bread.’ In this case, he was referring to physical, consumable bread to sustain physical life. If you are spiritually hungry, then Jesus saying ‘I am the bread of life’ gives you the sustenance you need spiritually. But how is it Good News to tell a hungry person Jesus is the bread of life and only offer our hopes and prayers? How can a hungry person see that God provides abundantly for all of creation?

I think the answer should be obvious. When we drink the blood of Christ, we become one with him. And in so doing, we become the Good News. Jesus didn’t only say, ‘I am the bread of life’, he also said ‘feed the hungry.’ It is not enough that we pray for God’s blessing, we must also be God’s blessing. 

But, there are a lot of hungry mouths to feed. And we are only human. So maybe it is asking too much. The thing is, you don’t have to save everyone, Jesus already did that. So if you can only help one person, or pick up one piece of litter, or write one letter to your MP, or give one homeless person a meal, or stop using electricity for one hour, or do any one simple thing, then you have saved something. You don’t have to make big gestures to be the Good News. It’s not about massive changes, it’s about setting an example. Because when someone sees you feed that homeless person, or pick up that litter, then they get an idea. And the next day they might feed another homeless person or pick up more litter. And maybe the one letter you wrote to your MP was the one that tipped them over the edge to do the right thing and become a voice for the voiceless. The Gospel is a movement and each of us can be the ripples to create a world-changing wave. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and all it takes is one small act of kindness. 

In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray for our daily bread. Jesus, the bread of life is our daily bread. We also pray for the will of God to be done, and who else can do the will of God but those of us who feed on the daily bread. And as we go out, having been spiritually nourished, we can realise our prayer to bring the kingdom of God to earth. We can be the Good News on earth, and by our small actions help to bring all of creation back to being very good.

Sermon on Matthew 4:1-11 and Romans 5:12-19

Sermon on Matthew 4:1-11 and Romans 5:12-19
Given 01 March 2020 at Four Acres Care Home

The Gospel reading this evening is about the temptation of Jesus. As I considered the reading, I began to question what it is that tempts humans. The first thing I thought of was wealth. But the problem with money is you can’t take it to the grave. And anyway, Jesus told us to store our treasure in heaven. So if it’s not riches, is it perhaps life that tempts us? If you were offered the elixir of eternal life, would you drink it?

A few weeks ago, I heard someone say that humans are too concerned with their own survival. At first I was a little confused by the comment. I thought that’s the point of life, to live, to survive. Otherwise, what is there? But then I thought about it logically and realised nobody gets out of here alive. Jesus Christ himself died in his human form. So, would you be tempted by life eternal, a life experienced by no other human in history?

When we look at the health and beauty industry worth billions of pounds, isn’t that just Satan tempting us with stones? Jesus said, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Our culture is taught that death and dying are taboo subjects. We aren’t told that loved ones die, but rather they’ve ‘passed away’. When someone receives a terminal diagnosis, we talk about the power of healing prayer instead of praying for comfort in the knowledge of death. All of this echoes our human desire for the survival of our own human flesh.

I think all this points to the greatest human temptation: the desire to beat a human death. Honestly, it makes sense. We all fear the unknown. Even the most devout Christian cannot possibly know what lies behind the veil of death. But not knowing, doesn’t mean we need to look at death as something to fear. One of my favourite fictional characters explained, ‘Death is but the next great adventure’.

For Christians, this sentiment couldn’t be more true. In the epistle reading, Paul talks about death in Adam, but life in Christ. Though we are all born mortals with an expiry date for our flesh, we have the assurance that we will become a new creation in Christ.

Think of a time when you were care-free, with no worries, no challenges, no pain, a time with no tears or struggles. Perhaps it was many years ago, in your golden days of youth. The temptation of the devil is giving us that yearning for a time we can never return to. But the hope in Christ is the promise of a Kingdom in which there is no pain and no tears, where death is no more.

We need not be concerned with our own survival. The shackles of our mortal flesh are the temptation that keeps us from fully loving Christ. 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 Luke 10:1-16

Sermon on Luke 10:1-16
Given 13 November 2016 (Remembrance Sunday) at Studley Parish Centre

Mark 10:45 tells us “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” This verse highlights that even Jesus himself served others, just as we should do.

As Christians, we are called to serve in the name of Christ. We have all heard that actions speak louder than words and James 1:22 declares, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Thus, service is very much a cornerstone of Christianity. Christ served us with His works and ultimate death on the cross, and we serve Him as a form of praise and love for our neighbour.

Today’s reading from Luke talks about Jesus sending out His servants. He gave them instructions to heal the sick and give a blessing to all, even those who refused it. It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t expect His disciples to decipher who deserved a blessing, promoting the idea of loving all people without judgement.

In today’s modern society, it would be quite easy to look at this story and many other stories from the Bible and say, “it was so long ago, it doesn’t apply to me. I can’t possibly do the things the Bible talks about.” But that mindset forgets that Christ is eternal. Just as He called the 72, He calls each and every Christian to serve His Father, Our Father.

But what does it mean to serve? In a few moments we will gather around the cenotaph to honour those who have served their country. There are parallels we can draw between military service and Christian service. In World War I, the soldiers were called to serve their King; Today, we are called to serve our heavenly King. They served on the battlefields of Europe; we serve on the battlefield of life. They were armed with weapons of destructions; we are armed with the greatest weapon of all: LOVE.

John Wesley summarised the Christian calling when he proclaimed, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” This motto clarifies that Christians are not called to be perfect, but rather to be as good as we can.

In Chapter 12 of Romans, Paul puts this idea into more practical terms instructing us that “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to on another in love. Honour one another above yourselves… Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need… bless those who persecute you… rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.”

As a young mother working 40 hours a week and trying to juggle the roles of Christian, wife, mother, friend, cook, cleaner, etc., etc. I have been fortunate to receive Christian service. I know when a friend says, “Let me know if you need anything” they genuinely mean it. But I am fortunate. There are so many people in this world struggling day to day just to get by. Sometimes something as simple as holding a door open can make all the difference in someone’s life. The smallest actions done with love can make and amazing impact. So, as Christians, let us seek to do all things with love.

And in our daily lives, let us remember to serve the Lord in all the ways that we can. In closing, please join me in saying the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, which reminds us that we are all called to serve:

Lord, Make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen

Sermon on Mark 5:21-43

Sermon on Mark 5:21-43
Given 10 November 2019 at Studley Parish Centre – Centrepoint

I am always thrilled about this time of year, because Autumn is my favourite season. Or, rather, as Americans logically call it, Fall. After all, it is the time of year when the leaves fall off the trees, and the Earth begins its preparation to fall into a winter hibernation. One aspect about this time of year that we don’t often mention though is the hope behind the dreariness of the naked trees. There is always hope, because every year we know that the fall of the leaves is not the end for the trees. As the seasons change, we are aware that the long sleep is simply part of a cycle, which always comes back to rebirth. After the fall of the Autumn, and the still of the Winter, there is restoration in the Spring.

In chapter 6 of the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus is telling us not to worry, he uses the illustrations of the birds in the sky and the flowers in the fields. He explains that if our loving Creator God is so concerned for the well-being of these things, then of course God will take care of us too. In the same way that God cares for the created world, God will care for us and in the same way God restores the world, God will also restore us.

The video we watched based on Mark 5:21-43, shows us the restorative power of Jesus. Not only does Jesus restore health to the unnamed woman, he also restores life to Jairus’ daughter. As with any story from the Bible, there are levels to this one. On the surface, it is simply a story of healing, but on deeper inspection, it is also a social commentary on who Jesus deems worthy of healing. Spoiler alert – all are worthy in the eyes of God.

I don’t like saying the unnamed woman, so I’m going to call her Annie. Annie, who had been bleeding for twelve years, had spent all the money she had on doctors who couldn’t heal her. From this, we can infer that Annie is poor. Additionally, due to the context of that time, there is a good chance she was unmarried, as her continual bleeding would by law cause her to be unclean and anyone she touched to be unclean as well. Basically, Annie was on the fringe of her society as she was a poor, unmarried woman. But when Jesus discovered he had inadvertently healed her, he didn’t rebuke Annie. Instead, Jesus called her ‘daughter’ recognizing her as a child of God. For Jesus, even someone who would be considered an outsider is worthy of God’s magnificent, healing love. Then, after healing Annie, Jesus continued to cross gender boundaries by bringing Jairus’ daughter back to life. Gender and class are no hindrance for Jesus, and neither is sickness, or even death. This is the power of a God that can and does heal, repair, and restore, who loves everyone equally regardless of differences or societal standards of etiquette.

This power is shown through the many miracles of Jesus, but we also see healing in the name of Christ by Peter and Paul in the book of Acts. Furthermore, James 5:14 tells us “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” So it’s not only Peter or Paul, that can bring the restoring power of God in the name of Christ. Every single one of us is called as Christians and followers of Christ, to bring about radical restoration in the name of Jesus.

This past week in one of my lecture rooms, there were two questions written on the white board that couldn’t be erased. Though some would say it was down to someone using the incorrect marker, I viewed these questions as a nudge from God. The questions were: What will stay with you? And what will you do next?

From what I have said today, I hope the answer to the first question is the knowledge that in the name of Christ we too can heal, repair, and restore. I want your takeaway to be that there is power in the name of Jesus that we as Christians can utilise to bring about restoration in our life and the lives of others. I believe this leads naturally on to the second question of what your next steps will be, the answer of which is summarised perfectly in the mission for our Arden Marches group of churches: Bringing God’s love to a hurting world.

As we prepare to go gather around the cenotaph and remember the hurt, the brokenness, the destruction caused by war, let us find comfort in the ability of God’s power in us to heal, in Christ’s love in us that repairs, and in the capacity of the Holy Spirit in us to bring all things in and of creation to restoration. Amen.