Sermon, Proper 13 (Pente +3 C)

 There’s a great correlation in this morning’s scriptures, between what the Word of God is giving us, and what is happening in our liturgical calendar, and what is happening in our world.

As always, when Jesus invites us to follow him, we have this correlation. Because following Jesus means looking at things from a very different perspective: and that’s not always easy. Or comfortable.

The people in the first village, for example: they like having things their own way, and don’t want Jesus to come and change that. In fact, when they see that Jesus has his face set towards Jerusalem, the reject him: not even allowing him into their midst.
Not for a meal, for a drink of water, for an evening’s rest. Run out before he even arrived.
OUCH! This was a huge insult, a demonstrated example of religious intolerance, and the basis for retaliation of hostility – which is what the disciples suggest.
And Jesus doesn’t dwell on that; instead he just moves on.

Which gives us opportunity to ponder:
How often do we not see the face of Jesus in the guest that approaches us?
How often do we not see the possibility of something new because we’re too focused on keeping things as they are?
How often are we so busy looking for offense that we create excuses to be conflictual?
We’re human. We do this. Yet today’s Good News has Jesus showing us the example (and power) of just moving past the nay-sayers and rejectors. The folks who seem to enjoy sitting in negative spaces.
Jesus moves on. And his true disciples continue along with him.

And it is while travelling, Jesus and his friends interact with three other folks – now these folks could have been from the village they’ve just left, they could be other travellers from far away, they could be folks from the next village who want to welcome him. We don’t know: but we do know that they represent some interesting perspectives, and they receive some unexpected and at times baffling replies from the Christ.
The one who says “I will follow you anywhere!” seems to be a great start – but when Jesus indicates that following him is an itinerant lifestyle – with no fixed address – that person fades into the background again – as though his offer to follow was meant to include a proviso, a second sentence of “so long as I can stay at home where I’m comfortable.”

Then the second traveller doesn’t even initiate conversation; but Jesus invites him to follow. And what an air-tight reason to NOT follow Jesus: I have a funeral to plan.
And Jesus’ response may not be the insult that many take it for:
Anyone who is in the process of grieving knows that numbness, or a temporary deadening of emotions, is normal. When we are in grief, part of ourselves can feel dead inside.
So Jesus’ comment for the dead to bury their dead may be a compassionate and pastoral response to the harsh reality of death and the painful reality of grief; while also extending a ministry opportunity to the man. For in the directive to go and proclaim the Kingdom of God, Jesus is reminding this person of the comfort and hope of eternal life with those that are loved but seen no more; to provide for his family a sacred space where mourners acknowledge their pain and to seek solace by looking forward, and moving in faith towards God.

Finally, the third traveller jumps in with an offer to follow, but includes a substantial BUT in there, as the person has a list of things they want to do first. They are so focused on his own immediate plans that he can’t see the big picture: that following Jesus means movement; it means change.

It’s worth noting that Jesus doesn’t refuse any of these folks: he simply reminds them that the way forward is, in fact, the way forward.
None of these folks is told they cannot be followers of Jesus: they are being given the option to make their own decisions. But they are being invited into that space with their eyes open: discipleship is not a passing fad, it’s a life-long commitment – that’s not always comfortable.

So in this passage, aside from the focus on discipleship, there are two components here that speak to us that I’m going to highlight:

The first is, of course, the call to be a disciple. And as I shared with our younger friends this morning, Paul gives us a nice set of practices of what it means to be a disciple: a follower: through acts of love, joy, peace, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We cannot be disciples just in name or intention; we are meant to live out that reality.
Through tolerance and acceptance, through flexibility, through affirming and encouraging others. It’s inviting neighbours to come to church with us; it’s welcoming guests that we’ve not seen before, it’s in keeping public discourse civil and positive.
Discipleship is a verb: an action word.

Which segues nicely to our second point: movement.
As one of my colleagues this week shared: our call is to “steadfastly looking ahead, not backward; proclaiming God’s dawning reign, not falling back into deadening routines; and embracing a life of getting out and about in the neighborhood, not withdrawing into our foxholes.”1  As the church, we are always moving, following the example of Jesus.

Jesus is always on the move. He is not one to stand still and wait for things to come to him; he engages with the world where he is. And He is clear about where he is going –
In this passage, we hear his face is set towards Jerusalem – this is not just a place on the map, but it is also a faithful response to the what will face him- we hear of the death, but also of the resurrection and the ascension. Jerusalem is not just a physical destination for the people of God in Jesus’; it is their spiritual home – it is the place where folks have gone for generations, feeling closest to the presence of the Divine.
And so Jerusalem – as a spiritual concept – envelops all that has been, all that is, and all that will be. It is the shining example of the culmination of all of God’s promises.
Thus, setting one’s face towards Jerusalem is not merely about a point on the compass; it is a declaration of faith, it is a guide-post for all of life’s activities, it is an assurance and confidence of all that the Holy of Holies has promised us.
And to get there is a constant journey through all time and space – even our own.

And so as we hear these lessons, we put them into our own contexts and settings, moving into the present day and the days to come, with hope and confidence in Christ; .

We are informed by our past but not bound by it; acknowledging with gratitude what successes we’ve had and what lessons we’ve learned – being real with ourselves about who we were, who we are, and who we can be.

We are inspired by those who have gone before, but honouring those who are here now, and energised by those who are yet to come.

We are encouraged and empowered by the rhythms and cycles of being the church – the people AND the institution:

For in the calendar, we are in the early phases of “ordinary time” – approximately 6 months of the year when we hear narratives of people interacting with Jesus. (The other 6 months is stories about Jesus and his divine presence – high feasts and celebrations like Christmas, Easter, and Ascension).

So in the coming months we are going to be given ordinary or normal encounters with Jesus – and we’ll be invited to consider how we can act accordingly in our own lives.

And in the lectionary for this time, in this year, we’re entering into a section of the Gospel known as the Lukan travel narrative – where the stories of Jesus are going to be stories of movement.

They will guide us away from Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, and follow the journey towards Jerusalem: literally and spiritually.

And they will take us away from whatever keeps us bound or limited; whatever keeps us focused on the earthly instead of the spiritual. These readings will take us into the promise of what God is doing for us – and with us! For we know that the mission and ministry of this place is to participate in the mission of God: and that mission is to love.

So what a great time it is: as we embark on our own journey, with each day being a new day.

What a great time for us to embrace the potential and possibility of being the House of God, the house of prayer, the house of grace: today and for years to come.

What a great time for us all to accept and embrace the invitation of Jesus, as we commit anew to follow him.

What a great time – as at every time - to be the people of God.
Amen. 

1 https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/2022/6/22/on-the-move-salts-commentary-for-third-week-after-pentecost

Original Prayers, Apr/May/Jun 2022

03 APRIL
Gracious and merciful God, we raise to you our prayers, knowing that you hear all that we say, and answer as is best for us. Guide our thoughts and actions to do your will, as we pray: Hear us Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for the leaders of your church; especially for those this week who are in efforts to seek reconciliation and wholeness. Strengthen our Primate Linda, our Bishop Sandra, and all who service in your name. May we together live in your love and reveal your glory to the world. Hear us Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for the leaders of the nations; especially those engaging in negotiations for peace. Inspire the hearts of those in our governing bodies towards acts of justice, acting with honour and for the common good, that all may live with freedom from fear and oppression. Hear us Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for this community, asking that we may journey in faith with our families and neighbours. As we encourage one another, may we support the wholeness and well-being of our home. Help us to see and celebrate the blessings that we have, and the blessings we can be. Hear us Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for the world; calling to mind the ecosystems that are in danger of collapsing, the too-numerous countries experiencing war and armed conflict, the hardened hearts that seek division. Make us instruments of your peace, empowering us to acts of love, for your sake. Hear us Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We ask that your comfort and healing may be known for all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. We hold before the names we carry in our hearts:
We give thanks for the lives of those who have died, and beg your solace for those who mourn:
We ask you to grant courage and hope to all in any form of need:
We ask you to strengthen all in their troubles, and bring knowledge of your joy and salvation. Hear us Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We offer our prayers of thanksgiving, for the many blessings in our lives. For longer days and warmer weather, for the hope of a season ahead of us filled with abundance to share, for the privilege of sharing your Good News, and mostly for our journey towards you. With grateful hearts we pray: Hear us Lord,
     For your mercy is great. Amen.



24 APRIL
Coming to you with all we have and all we are, we raise our prayers to God saying:
In faith we pray;
     We pray to you, our God.
We pray for your church; striving to be the people that you have called us to be. We ask you to pour your blessings on our leadership of Primate Linda, Bishop Sandra, and Archdeacon Simon. We ask your healing for all who have been hurt by the church, and your grace on all who walk as yet by faith. In faith we pray;
     We pray to you, our God.
We pray for the leaders of the nations, that they may be moved and directed by your Holy Spirit. Grant them wisdom and guidance, that their governance may be for the goodness of all. In faith we pray;
     We pray to you, our God.
We pray for peace in the world; not merely a fleeting reprieve but the deep peace that can come from you alone. In places of conflict, may there be resolution; in places of pain, may there be healing; in places of discord, may dignity be restored. In faith we pray;
     We pray to you, our God.
We pray for ourselves and our community: that you would strengthen us in our times of our weakness, and accompany us in times of loneliness, that you would inspire acts of loving kindness as we connect with each other to do your will. May our lives serve as an example of our shared connection with you. In faith we pray;
     We pray to you, our God.
We hold before you for those who are sick, in mind body or spirit, asking your healing presence in their lives. (pause)
We remember those whom we love but see no more; and we ask your consolation for those who grieve and mourn. (pause)
We consider the needs of others; and commit ourselves to acts of service in your name. In faith we pray;
     We pray to you, our God.
We offer prayers of thanksgiving, loving God, as you sustain our faith and open our eyes to the beauty and wonder of the world. Keep us ever seeking to be closer to you, as we do our best to live out the Gospel message of truth, compassion, and family. For this you gave us your Son, and we respond in faith as we pray;
     We pray to you, our God. Amen.



14 MAY

Let us offer our prayers with confidence to our loving God, saying "We praise your name, O Lord!”

Limitless God, your love is everywhere; we pray for the church as we gather in many ways as your family. We uphold our Primate Linda, our Bishop Sandra, and all who offer their service of leadership. We ask Holy Spirit to guide and direct us in ways that support your mission in the world.
     We praise your name, O Lord!

We pray for the Queen, for governments and authorities, that we remember them as your beloved children regardless of our own politics and perceptions. May their work honour you and your people through careful decisions and a genuine desire for justice and commitment to peace.
     We praise your name, O Lord!
We pray for the world, seeing the way you connect us to each other and to the world around us. As we experience both the earthly and the heavenly in our praise, we celebrate the mysteries of creation. Help us to work for peace, to advocate for the oppressed, to seek healing and wholeness, that we embrace the web of life in which we are a part.
     We praise your name, O Lord!
We pray for ourselves here in Lunenburg: for those who live in joy and those who struggle; for those who enjoy abundance and those living in scarcity; for those working on the land and on the sea; for the shops and restaurants busily preparing for the summer season. May we greet one another in the peace that you give us.
     We praise your name, O Lord!
We pray for those in any need of mind, body, or spirit: those whose names we carry in our hearts, and those whose names are known to you alone.
We ask your mercies on those who travel, those who are caregivers, those who grieve, those who feel desperation, and those who are apathetic to the needs of others. May all our encounters be a reflection of your grace.
     We praise your name, O Lord!
We acknowledge and recognise the gifts and blessings of this life, and we are intentional in our gratitude. We thank you for our families and friends, for our health and safety, for our opportunities to share the Good News of your gospel. We thank you especially for the life you have given us on earth, and the eternal life promised to us in your kingdom.
     We praise your name, O Lord!
We bring you these prayers, O God, knowing that you hear the words of our lips and the whispers of our hearts. We ask you to answer these prayers, as may be best for us, that we may glorify your name at all times.
     We praise your name, O Lord! Amen!


29 MAY
We respond to the bidding prayers “Let us pray to the Lord” with Hear us, Lord of Glory!

I ask your prayers for the church: for those in positions of leadership; for those who engage in ministry; and those in discernment of their calling. As we come together as the body of Christ we give thanks for our role of service in this community, and look with excitement to continue Christ’s work. Let us pray to the Lord,
     Hear us, Lord of Glory!
I invite your prayers for the leaders of the nations; for the Queen in the forthcoming celebration of her Platinum Jubilee; for the politicians around the world to work for peace and justice; for all who undertake positions of trust and responsibility: that God will guide their hearts and minds toward actions of goodwill for all. Let us pray to the Lord,
     Hear us, Lord of Glory!
I ask your prayers for this community of Lunenburg! For those who live here and those who visit; for the businesses preparing for a busy tourist season; for the filming industry sharing our space right now; for the festivals and concerts to bring enjoyment to our doors. Let us pray to the Lord,
     Hear us, Lord of Glory!
I invite your prayers for God’s world: for peace and concord between nations; for wise use of resources; for our role in sustaining the delicate ecology that sustains us. We are thankful for the spring days as our streets are filled with the sun’s warmth and the flowers’ colours. Let us pray to the Lord,
     Hear us, Lord of Glory!
I ask your prayers for those experiencing difficulty: for the unemployed and underemployed; for those affected by the current housing crisis; for those experiencing hunger or food insecurity in the reality of increasing costs. Help us to recognise our position of abundance, and to extend compassion and grace to our neighbours. Let us pray to the Lord,
     Hear us, Lord of Glory!
I invite your prayers for those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit. (pause)
I invite your prayers for those who have died, and for those who grieve. (pause)
I invite your prayers for all who tend to the needs of those in any distress. Let us pray to the Lord,
     Hear us, Lord of Glory!
I encourage your prayers of thanksgiving; to live every day with grateful hearts, for we are surrounded with all good things. Today especially we give thanks for the gift of music. Let us aspire to be confident in faith and certain in our hope. Let us pray to the Lord,
     Hear us, Lord of Glory! Amen!


12 JUNE
To the petition “Triune God” let us respond “Hear our prayers.”

We pray for the church, that we who call ourselves Christians may be agents of peace, unity, and praise. We ask your blessing especially on our Bishop Sandra and Archdeacon Simon. May your Spirit fill the faithful with power for ministry. Triune God,
     Hear our prayers.
We pray for the Queen, and for the leaders of the nations, and all in authority. Help them to use their position and power for the benefit of all, to live their lives in freedom, peace, and joy. Triune God,
     Hear our prayers.
We pray for Lunenburg, on the cusp of a promising summer season. Help us to be kind and caring, responding to the needs before us, and welcoming guests to our town. May all we do be a reflection of your mercy and compassion. Triune God,
     Hear our prayers.
We pray for the world; that places experiencing conflict may know peace; that people experiencing poverty may have enough; that eco-systems facing destruction may be protected. May your Creating presence be known and respected in every land. Triune God,
     Hear our prayers.
We pray for those in our society experiencing any need or affliction: for the addicted, the violated, the imprisoned, the destitute, the lonely. We pray for those who are sick in mind, body, or spirit. (pause)
We pray for those who have died, asking your comfort on those who mourn. (pause)
We ask that the peace of Christ surround us, and that we will likewise offer peace to all who suffer. Triune God,
     Hear our prayers.
We pray with gratitude; for the many blessings of this life, for the lavish expressions of grace in our days, for the abundant gifts of love that we receive and give. We offer our thanks for the promise of eternal life, and the privilege to live this life in hope and faith. Triune God,
     Hear our prayers. Amen.

19 JUNE
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God, responding to “Hear us, Lord” with “For your mercy is great.”

We pray for the peace and unity of the Church of God; For all who proclaim the gospel, and all who seek the truth. For Sandra our bishop, and for all bishops and other ministers; For all who serve God in his Church. Hear us, Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for the Queen and her family; For the Prime Minister, the Premier, the Mayor, and Town Council; For all who govern and lead. Hear us, Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for all people in their daily life and work; For our families, friends, and neighbours, and for all those who are alone; For those of every age and circumstance; For those who travel from near and far. Hear us, Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for the world: For the just and proper use of your creation, for this community, our country, and the world; For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace. Hear us, Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for those who struggle: For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression. For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
We pray for those who are sick, in mind, body, or spirit (pause)
For those who tend to the sick, the friendless, and those in need. Hear us, Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for all those who have died in the peace of Christ, and for those whose faith is known to you alone, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
We pray for those who mourn, Lord, let your loving kindness be upon them; Who put their trust in you. Hear us, Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We pray for our own needs and those of others. (pause)
Hear us, Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life. (pause)
We will exalt you, O God our king; And praise your name for ever and ever. Hear us, Lord,
     For your mercy is great.
Gracious God, you have heard the prayers of your faithful people; you know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Grant our requests as may be best for us. This we ask in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sermon, Trinity (C)

 Some feasts and festivals are obvious to us when we read the scriptures. Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost – the Bible tells us about these things happening in particular times.

Then there’s feasts of traditions – saints’ days, for example, when we commemorate a particular person: yesterday was the feast of St. Barnabas, for example; St John the evangelist – for whom our worship space is named – we celebrate him on Dec 27.
Then there are other feast days that are great – and we may not know how or why they came about – we just know that we celebrate them.
Today is one of those days! Trinity Sunday!
And obviously, we recognise the importance of the Trinity in our faith journey, and the ability to celebrate it in particular on one Sunday is great – even though we celebrate the Trinity every day.

Does anyone know why the Sunday after Pentecost is named Trinity Sunday?
Let me share! Thomas Becket – he became Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1162. Thomas was a deeply spiritual man, who encouraged a focus on people’s faith – and on ways in which that faith could be put into action. He had strong ethics and morals, supported what we today would call social justice initiatives – making sure that everyone had enough.
Anyway! Very popular guy among the people; not always popular among the royalty – who presumed that their money and titles meant that could control everything – including the church.
So: Thomas: ordained the Bishop of Canterbury on Pentecost in 1162. And as a result of this, he declared that he wanted the following Sunday to be dedicated in honour of the Holy Trinity.
So: to this day, we honour this as Trinity Sunday.
Now you know.

So let’s honour Thomas’ wish – and delve deeply into the mystery of the Trinity.
Now, in the Book of Common Prayer you can find the Creed of St. Athanasius – which offers us a gorgeous three-and-a-half page statement of what our Triune God is – and is not.
Allow me to offer this summary:
One God, in three divine persons: Father, Son, Spirit.
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.
Each person is unique in their relation to one another, but remains one in all else.
They are Co-equal, co-eternal, consubstantial.
Great! Clear as crystal.

Except… no it isn’t.
It’s a human attempt to articulate what cannot be defined.
The Trinity is – and always will be – a mystery. Not mystery as in a puzzle or a whodunnit novel, but an inexplicable sacred … bafflement.
And God knew we would always be baffled by this: and that’s okay.
God doesn’t ask us to define God, but to have faith. And to live in faith.
And many people over many years have tried to come up with examples to describe the essence of the Trinity – and every one of them is not quite right.
(And some folks get *really* upset with these analogies – though for me, if the worst thing someone is doing is trying to describe God as like 3 states of water or 3 components of an egg or the leaves of a shamrock – meh.)

So – rather than jump into that arena, let’s focus on the mystery of the Trinity – and what it means for us today.
The word mystery has two meanings: the Greek mustErion roots in nuanced directions in medieval times – which was when Thomas Becket was practicing his theology. So he understood the mystery of the Trinity as being shared with us in two ways – that remains important to our faith today.
The first was mystery: as in mystic – or mystical: divine revelation that remains elusive and beyond human comprehension. The invitation to believe.
The other way that the Greek parsed out into Latin was ministry – a call to action – thus the Mystery of the Trinity held within it the divine revelation and making it a reality in this world.

So Becket’s emphasis for the church was learning that the mystery of the Trinity is an invitation to participate in that divine revelation: to participate in the coming of God’s kingdom – to engage in the desires of God to be known and celebrated throughout the world. The word ‘mystery’ is a means to use our skills and gifts and opportunities to DO the work of God.
Trinity Sunday emphasises that ministry is meant for us all, that we are called to be a church that shows the presence of God rather than just getting caught up in inadequate words.
Not that those words are not important: they are!
But the church as a whole recognised that we reached a level of human understanding – we have three authorised creeds which declare our faith in the Trinity –
And that suffices. They provide a fullness of what we need for this life and this time.
Instead, we are being reminded to live into the truth of the Trinity – the mystery of the Trinity – the ministry of the Trinity.

This is why in our baptism, we engage in the sacrament in the name of the Trinity:
Our baptismal vows are made and renewed in the name of the Trinity;
Our confirmation celebrates our personal commitment in the name of the Trinity;
Our Communion honours our covenant with God, and is instituted in the name of the Trinity;
Our blessings enfold the wholeness of the Trinity.

This glorious mystery of the Trinity that calls us into ministry.
And ministry – as we know – takes on a beautiful array of forms and expressions – as God has blessed us each with a beautiful array of gifts and skills.
And part of the beauty and mystery of the church is to discern how God is calling us – each and every one of us – into this mystical ministry: serving God’s creation, God’s people, God’s world: through the privilege of being God’s church.

Our baptismal vows offer a great starting point for this discernment, as we consider what we have promised to God and the church that we will do:
to share in the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, to pray,
to practice repentance, to proclaim God’s Good News in all we say and do,
to worship together, to love our neighbours as we love Jesus himself,
to work for justice and act in fairness, to demonstrate respect,
to appreciate all of God’s people, to care for God’s creation for generations to come.

There’s a LOT there. And God wants for us to be regular in our prayerful and careful discernment about how we will live out these vows – recognising that not all expressions of ministry is for everyone; and not all ministry is for every place.
And as discernment – like personal and spiritual growth – is an ongoing process rather than a one-time decision, we recognise that not all ministries are forever (we’ve all heard the anecdotal “I’ll do that just for one year!” that turns into a lifelong commitment!). Sometimes the faithful response is to honour the ending of a ministry; sometimes it is to honour the beginning of a new ministry.
If nothing else, the Trinity reminds us that we are all ministers: for we all engage in ministry.
We interact with the world, ideally in ways that reflect how God is calling for us to serve.

Because – as people of faith, as God’s church, we know that our lives are permeated by the inexplicable glory of God.
We are infused with the utterly amazing power of God.
And our actions reflect the mystery and majesty of God – through our ministry.

So this week I invite us to celebrate the Trinity: for we are in constant relationship with our Triune God! And this relationship draws from us a response – in prayer, in action, in generosity, in presence.
Let’s spend time contemplating mystery in our lives; the revelation of the Divine in our lives, the Holy presence that sustains us, and the possibilities that this unfolds before us.
Let us live in the blessing of the Trinity: the God who loved us into being, the God who redeems us eternally, the God who inspires our actions here on earth.
And let us be a blessing in the name of the God who blesses us.
Amen.

Sermon, Pentecost (C)

 Our scriptures this morning have an interested connection – in Genesis, it seems that God is trying to confuse people and interrupt communication; and in the Acts of the Apostles, it seems as though God is doing everything possible – and then some! – to make sure folks can connect with one another.

Some people may see this as a means to disconnect the Hebrew scriptures from the Greek scriptures – but that’s overlooking some contextual realities.
Let’s consider what’s happening in Genesis: the Tower of Babel!
The word Babel itself is a play on words with the locale of Babylon. Babel means to confuse… hence it not being the tower of Babylon, but of Babel.
So we need to ask ourselves – why would God want people to be confused and scattered, rather then comprehending and collected?

The answer: egos. The folks in this narrative have started to decide that they don’t need God anymore – they can do everything for themselves:
They can travel and eat, they can make their own bricks, they can build their own city. They have decided they don’t *need* God anymore.
And not just that, but they want to show God up – to publicly and definitively show God that they were better than God.
So the Tower was being built… not just as an architectural beacon, but to – in verse 4 – “make a name for ourselves.”
This is not just about reputation, as our present-day understanding addresses. This is about mastery. About being the supreme entity.
These folks want to make a name for themselves as a final act in rejecting God.
They are being defiant in saying NO to God.

And God comes and sees it and says – yup – they could do that… and more! But would that help them in the long run, if the entirety of the generation rejects God?
Obviously not. We know this. So God gives them a different experience – it’s not punitive – no one is hurt, no one suffers, no buildings are destroyed –
But they each get their own language, and they each get their own land, and they each get to discover new ways of living in the world that are healthier and more community-based, rather than the competitive and confrontational inevitabilities of the Tower.
God is actually helping the people in the long run.

And in the Acts of the Apostles, we see that God is again being active in how people comprehend God – by making sure that the message being delivered is not going to be lost in translation. And we all know there can be inaccuracies in translations –
Between languages: for example, the Spanish embarazada doesn’t mean embarrassed but pregnant – a substantial difference!
Or translations from one era to another: in Victorian English ‘awful’ meant full of awe – something amazing. Quite different to today’s usage.
And even words of the same language between cultures: a boot here is footwear, but in the UK it’s the trunk of a car.
Translations are imperfect. Misunderstandings can happen too easily.
And the message of God is too important to be lost in translation.
So God gives us the ability to hear this message in our own language: with the nuance that we need, and the subtleties that help us.
God speaks to us – in ways that we perfectly understand – so that we can say yes to God.

Now obviously not everyone wants to say yes to God: people have their own reasons. The folks watching this experience back in Jerusalem, where our Apostolic friends are sharing a meal around a table; that’s not insignificant, but table fellowship is a sermon for another time.
But some folks could not or would not believe the overwhelming goodness of God that was being offered them. So they said no to God.
They rejected the message, and not just the message, but they insulted those who were saying YES – they’re just drunk. Ignore them. It’s a rather immature act.

And Peter – bless Peter and his outspoken enthusiasm, when he boldly stands up and declares the power of God. What renewal of spirit for this man, who a mere 53 days ago verbally denied God – three times before the cock crowed – and is now standing up to say a profound and clear YES to God.
And thus, the nay-sayers – who were still treated with dignity and respect – removed themselves from the story. After all – in every time – the haters are going to hate – but we don’t have to engage in their negativity.

Instead, we embrace our own positivity – for it comes from God.
And this is what Pentecost is about: all of us, being reminded that wherever we are, and wherever we’re from – and wherever we’re going to: we are being invited to say YES to God.
For God is blowing us in different directions, to do different things, that will always share the love of God.

And I love that imagery of being blown – the sound of wind, the inspiration of flame – we are blown towards ministry.
It reminds me of a time some years ago – a friend was visiting from Kenya, and we went for a relaxing walk. Part way through, William asked what the GORGEOUS flowers were, and how they had been planted – for he was overwhelmed with joy at the bright yellow blossoms all over the yard. Yes – this man was thrilled by dandelions. He saw them as a spring gift from God, to brighten the day.
And we found a few that were at that perfect stage of whiteness, where that perfect sphere of seeds is just waiting to be blown into the wind… He was delighted to watch them blow: with that child-like joy and wonder at the beauty that was before him. He commented on how easy it was to spread that joy of new growth, new life, with a simple gust of wind. Well, you can imagine the look on his face when I explained our cultures’ feelings about dandelions.
But he choose to keep the joy: to focus on the positive, to appreciate those splashes of colour, to see in those dandelions an intentionally created gift from God.
So for him, the blowing in the many directions was an act of sharing in God’s beauty. And as we spoke about the many uses and purposes of dandelions – his joy continued.

He said yes to God, as part of his ministry throughout his life was as a bringer of joy.
And he wanted to be as prolific as the dandelions, in saying yes to new opportunities to allow the Spirit to blow seeds of grace, seeds of love, seeds of holiness to brighten our world.

So again, let’s recognise this Pentecost that God is blowing US –
To positive and healthy ways of BEing the church.
And God is speaking to us in ways that we understand, in ways that will stir us up, in ways that are simple or complex, easy or hard, immediate or longer term.
The spirit is blowing – she’s always blowing! Our opportunity to to determine how we will answer YES to God’s invitation.
So how is God calling you?
How will you say YES to God?

You may tell a friend about church and invite them to worship with us;
you may phone a friend or pray with someone who’s struggling.
You can offer hospitality to a neighbour – or equally to a stranger.
You could volunteer in the community, or get involved with our ministries!
You could sing with our choir, you could knit a prayer shawl.
You can support the food bank or Second Story –
you can respond to the needs of someone right in front of you.
You can smile, you can support justice initiatives, you can choose to perpetuate positivity.
you can learn about environmental protections we can all participate in.
This week, the Spirit blew – HARD! as many of you ABUNDANTLY shared for the resettlement of a Ukrainian family in our community.
We can do our best – every day – to live out our baptismal vows – parsing out our formal YES to God. For the opportunities are endless to say yes to loving God’s people, and God’s world.

We can say YES to God. To the opportunities that God is sharing, to the nudging as we explore our active inter-relationship with God.
For we are not here by accident: God has put us here.
And we are not here alone: God has brought us together.
And we are not here as spectators: God has equipped us ALL for ministry.
And for this we thank God: the God who blows away our apathy, who lights a fire under us, whose very breath fills our bodies and souls with the energy of BEing the church.
So let us BE: active, faithful, empowered, and energised:
Let us be the people of God, saying YES to God. Amen.

Sermon, Ascension (trans) (C)

 This morning, we’re celebrating the Feast of the Ascension.

This is a celebration of Jesus’ return to the Father, from whence he had come. Or, as one meme said this week, it’s the day that Jesus started working from home.
So, as we know, there’s a lot that’s happening. For mere humans cannot merely ascend. We don’t float, we don’t rise in the clouds (without mechanical feats of engineering)
But Jesus does.
And he has his final chat with his disciples, giving these final instructions and lessons as the ascension is beginning. This is like someone heading out the door, calling another “I love you!” over their shoulder as they depart.
There’s a LOT going on.
Because Jesus has just given them a lot of information: that they are his witnesses, that they are being commissioned and sent to carry the Good News to the ends of the earth, that the Holy Spirit is coming to them in a few days to give them what they need for their ministry…

So it’s no wonder that the apostles are a little awestruck, standing there.
Staring. Blankly, I imagine.
Staring at the sky. At the now empty sky.
So overwhelmed at this encounter – remember it’s only been a few short weeks since they entered Jerusalem and witnessed an arrest, mock trial, death, Resurrection, and an abundance of miracles from the Risen Messiah.
They are so overwhelmed that they just stand there for a moment, dumbfounded.

And there: God shakes things up.
Because God has a way of making things known in those moments of calm.
In the moments when we think we just want to do nothing, to think nothing, to keep things as they are….
Into that stasis God tosses in some big news.
But the pause is good. The pause is sacred – the pause that invites us into reflection and increased awareness. It’s a pause that our minds, souls, and bodies need: it’s why we know we shouldn’t make big decisions in a hurry. We want to be able to respond, not just react, to the world around us. We want to use good judgement; and so we need time to think, to pray, to sleep, to eat. We take time to pause.
In these pauses we are encouraged to connect with others whose opinions and advice we respect, so we can discern the best course of action – and discernment is different from decision – a decision can be made by tossing a coin; heads or tails! But discernment is the deep journey into the spiritual places to listen for the calling of God.
So we pause. We let the adrenaline fade a bit; we reduce the external stimuli that distracts; we quiet the noise that is stirring – from the world and within our own minds.
We pause: so that we may find that peace.
The peace for right now; and the peace that will serve as the foundation for the future.

It’s why Jesus invited the apostles to go back to the city and just rest for a little bit.
It’s not for a long time, but time enough to adjust to this latest massive change in their lives.
And to prepare themselves for the next major change in their lives.
For Jesus is clear: the future will not be the past. Change is happening; their day to day realities are not going to be the same as they were before they followed Jesus. They’re not going back to their fishing nets, or their tax collecting, or their other labours: they are going forward, to live in the ministries to which they have been called; to spread the good news.
But first, they need to get back to the present.
Because in their present, they now have 2 new friends standing beside them.
In their present, God is about to stir things up.
The heavenly messengers in their snazzy dazzling clothes are about to give them new focus for their time of pause.

And it’s a question we can engage with ourselves.
For when they ask the apostles "why do you stand looking up toward heaven?" they are asking the apostles to think about their own actions: the immediate ones, and their longer term intentions.
In their gentle comments, these messengers remind the apostles that Jesus was doing what Jesus had told them he would do.
And that they were being nudged to recall that they were meant to be doing what Jesus had told them to do: to learn from the teachings of the past, but not be bound by it; to live in the present with eyes for the future and the amazing opportunities that were about to become reality for them.

What a great commentary for us all:
For we too have opportunity in our foreground. We have the privilege of learning from what was, and pausing in the present to reflect on what may be.
And – with excitement: we hear the Great promise of the gifts and power of God that is being given to all of us, that we can carry forth the love and grace of God throughout the world. We continue the ministry of the followers of God, called to witness to the overwhelmingly Good News of Christ in all the world: in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria – and in Lunenburg.
In exciting ways, in the same ways, in different ways. The power of the Spirit means we are not limited in how we preach the Gospel.

For our experience with Christ is ongoing, for the real presence of God is everywhere and everytime. And we engage with that Christ in unique and exuberant ways.
Yet, no matter how perfect and inspiring our experience with God is, we are not meant to stay still and focus on what was.
The Ascension of Jesus and the promised coming of the Spirit serve to invite us into action, into living fully in the present moment, supported by the gifts of the past and focused on the possibilities of the future.
May our prayers this day be that God will wake us up to the exciting potential of serving one another in the name of the Risen and Ascended Christ! Amen!!

Sermon, Easter 6 (C)

 This morning’s Gospel starts with Jesus answering a question….

And we don’t know what the question is!
So let me clarify that.
Jesus has been sitting with his friends, at a rather famous dinner party, and he’s just invited them to be okay with what is happening – and about to happen – in his life, and in theirs. This is the start of what’s called the Farewell Discourse: where Jesus is not only trying to say his good-byes at that Last Supper, but also to convey that they will fare well – they’re going to be okay despite the enormity of change ahead of them.

And they have questions. Logically! They’re doing their best to understand concepts that are really hard to grasp. Several of them speak up, as they’d like some specifics to the broad strokes notions that Jesus is referencing.
He’s told them to not let their hearts be worried; to trust that God’s house has many rooms; that the Spirit of truth is coming even though the world can’t receive it (but that they can).
It’s a lot to take in.
And just before today’s passage, the question posed is this: “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”

It’s a great question. How will Jesus be revealed in the world?
And – of course – Jesus has a great answer: through love.
Love is a verb: it’s not passive; it means actively following the commandments of God, to do what is right by God and right by the community.
It’s about living in faith, for the benefit of others: not in-fighting or back-biting, not squabbling about who’s best, not gossiping or mud-slinging, not any of those behaviours that we’ve seen in the disciples – as they’ve been jockeying for position compared to each other, and as they’ve had their hearts close towards the “other” that Jesus has called for them to love.
We’ve seen their very human behaviours.
And these are the same behaviours that we can sometimes see in ourselves and our communities, when we bravely spend time in self-reflection.

But note: Jesus knows this. He knows that the very human nature of competition and individualism – he knows these things happen.
But he’s trying to direct the disciples into a better way – a healthier way – a holier way.

And he knows – God knows! – that it’s not always successful. It’s why he reminds them of what he has taught them.
And he says he knows they’ll forget the teachings – which is why the Spirit, the Advocate – will be coming to remind them of everything they’ve been taught.

Well, thanks be to God; for every disciple, every follower of Christ, in every time! who is able to hear that we will be reminded of the teachings of Jesus.
To love. To hope. To be comforted – and comforting.
It is in this environment that Jesus offers all his disciples a new gift:
The peace of Christ.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

A number of things to note about these promises, which are powerful and should fill our hearts with joy.
Jesus starts by saying he will leave his peace: suggesting the peace has already been given.
He continues that he gives his peace: a real and present gift,
And the verb also connotes that he WILL give his peace - a blessing for the days to come.
So the peace of Christ is timeless: it is of the past, the present, and the future.
What a blessing.

And Jesus articulates that this is a peace that is different from a worldly peace.
We know that peace in the world is a good thing: in times of conflict, it’s the cessation of hostilities: a reality for which we pray.
Within our broader society, it’s a lack of civil unrest, a state of security and order.
In a personal capacity, it’s freedom from distressing or oppressive thoughts and feelings, or harmonious relationships.
Peace: sweet peace.

Peace is good. This worldly understanding of peace is – good.
And Jesus offers a peace that is beyond that worldly peace. That is beyond… good.
Because the peace that is being offered here is more intransitive: it’s not tied to one place or time or person or community; it’s a state of being. It’s a silence or quietness that is more than the absence of an audible noise. It’s the stillness of the soul that we all aspire to. It’s the knowing that everything is going to be okay: even without knowing how, or when, or what “okay” will look like.

This peace is not an individual reality: it’s a shared peace. For the peace of God that is given – and is being given – is a gift to the whole community.
And it is the opportunity of all to ensure it is being met.
So if one household is unwell, it is the privilege and obligation to work together to achieve and attain it for all. For none of us can benefit from peace when some of us do not have peace.
The peace of Christ is about who we are; and who we are becoming.

It is so fitting that Jesus shares this with the disciples on the night before his arrest; he is offering to them that holy peace that they will need for the days to come.
He is also offering them peace as the foundation for their lives ahead.
For he knows that change is coming: for him, for them, for the world: forever.

And he knows that many humans resist change. His disciples have shown him that time and again, as they have tried to stay in the past where the “old times” are remembered as a golden age of perfection, and any suggestion of change is automatically rejected – regardless of the way that Jesus says change is inevitable and can be good.

So Jesus invites his followers to embrace those inevitable changes from a place of peace.
The peace that is their state of being; the peace that holds their community together; the peace that grows from their faith.
It is this peace that Jesus gives, the peace that is stronger than the peace of the world; a peace that is more durable, more encompassing, more reliable than the peace of the world.

The peace that is given to all, and is never taken away.
A peace that commands our hearts to be still, to release their troubles, to relinquish our fears.
A peace that passes all understanding – and all questions.
A peace that inspires action: for it is a peace to be shared.
And so it has inspired: it inspired Paul to go to Macedonia and share the Gospel there.
It was shared with Lydia – who was inspired to be baptised, and went on to do amazing ministry in her community.
It’s the peace that gives us the hope of the holy city of God, with open doors and welcome and healing for all.
… that same peace that invites us to build this city.
It’s the peace that draws us together as the people of God: in our many ways and places.
It’s the peace that we too can carry into OUR community: when we choose to.

So this Sunday I invite us to live in the peace that has been given us:
A peace that calms our unrest and invites us into new and exciting possibilities, where we can use that peace to spread the Good News of God, to commit to the well-being of the community, to make this world a more holy and peace-filled place.
I pray that this peace – which is already ours – may be deeply embedded in our hearts and reflected in our lives.
The peace of the Lord be always with you. Amen.