Imagine - A Reflection
Today’s song is a little more controversial than last weeks song by Simon and Garfunkel. But it is a song worth reflecting on because according to the latest Watch and Listen magazine poll from the 9th July 2023, John Lennon 1971's hit Imagine is now considered to be the Greatest Song in the History of Music. I guess different polls give different results, but it certainly shows that it has been hugely popular and has inspired people all over the world. Growing up as a teenager, I couldn’t help being drawn to the simplicity and beauty of the song… but I was also a little conflicted about it. As a fervent young Christian should I have been enjoying it at all when it’s lyrics appeared to be anti-religion and seemingly promoting an idealistic atheism. Before we examine the song itself, the background story to the song is quite interesting in itself. While John Lennon took full credit for writing the song for almost 10 years after it was first released, a year or so before his death he admitted that his wife Yoko Ono should really have been credited as the co-writer of the song because some of the lyrics had in fact been inspired by some of her poetry that went back as early as 1964. For all the idealism expressed in the song, he had to admit 9 years later that in “...those days I was a bit more selfish, a bit more macho, and I sort of omitted to mention her contribution”. It is another example in history of a man taking credit for something where at least part of the credit belonged to a woman. Another source of inspiration for the song was interestingly a Christian book on prayer that was given to John Lennon by Dick Gregory an American comedian, civil rights leader. In an interview with David Sheff, John Lennon spoke of how in that prayer book he was quite taken with the concept of what he calls ‘positive prayer’, for example, that if you can imagine something you can bring it into being, if you can imagine a world at peace…. then it can be true. That is quite a powerful statement. It reminds us of the power of imagination. Before anything can become a reality in this world, it begins as an idea in the imagination of someone. What if we had to all begin to imagine a world at peace with itself? That in a sense is the first step in what might actually be a long and hard journey to making it a reality… but if it is going to begin anywhere, it first has to become a seed in the imagination. In the 1800’s in Victorian England, it took inspired Christians to imagine a Britain without poverty, to begin to advocate for political and economic changes that would help to make that vision a reality. Without the possibility having been planted as a seed in some-one’s mind, (positive imagination one could call it), the kind of grinding poverty that Charles Dickens wrote about might still be a part of life in the United Kingdom today. Social change begins with an imagining of how life might be different? And that is what John Lennon seeks to do in his song “Imagine”… He invites the listener to imagine with him a world living in peace and harmony. It is filled with a sense of idealism and a sense that this could actually be achieved if enough people are able to imagine it with him. And I think that this is a large part of the power of the song – it taps into a universal human longing for a life of greater peace and harmony in this world. In the depths of almost every human heart, there is a longing for some kind of ideal world where things are peaceful and harmonious. There is almost something religious about this longing. We long for peace… Peace on earth and good will amongst humanity. And that is perhaps one of the ironies about John Lennon’s song “Imagine”… it imagines a world without religion, and yet there is almost something religious about his idealism. In fact some of the imagery in the song could be said to be almost thoroughly Biblical echoing ideas expressed in book of Revelation,, where the author in the last few chapters likewise invites us to imagine a world made new, a new creation. The parallels are striking: Firstly, in Revelation, the final vision is not of people getting beameded up to heaven, but rather a vision of heaven coming crashing down to earth, heaven and earth somehow becoming one in a cosmic marriage. In the final vision of Revelation, ironically, it also seems that there is a doing away with religion, for the author of Revelation sees a new creation in which there is no temple… The Divine Presence is everywhere and so there is no need for a Temple. In other words, no need for religion. Secondly, in Revelation, the final vision is also of a new creation in which the boundaries and borders between people have been erased. It is a vision of people coming from all corners of the earth, from different nations and countries and all living in a new harmony with one another. In the New Jerusalem the city gates are left open for people to come and go… no border posts. Thirdly, John Lennon imagines a world where people are free from their attachments to possessions suggesting the people of the world living lives of greater simplicity in which everyone has free access to the necessities of life. This is echoed in Revelation with the idea that the fountain of the water of life is freely available to anyone who thirsts. People’s needs are freely met. For anyone who has read the Gospels with any degree of seriousness one can see echoes of these themes in the life and teaching of Jesus. Jesus repeatedly calls his followers to a life of greater simplicity rather than living for the accumulation of possessions. He calls us to be rich in spirit rather than having large back accounts. Jesus, by his own actions, also demonstrates a life lived in which the divisions caused by race and nationality are transcended. He crosses the boundaries that keep Jews separated from Samaritans and Gentiles. All people appear to have equal value in Jesus eyes, and not just the people from his own Jewish nation. And so, it is quite ironic that John’s Lennon’s vision of a world living in peace and harmony, a world without religion, without borders and without materialism or the hoarding of unnecessary stuff is in fact a vision that is in fact echoed in various parts of Scripture… The Bible also invites us to Imagine, to imagine a new heaven and a new earth. What are perhaps some of the difficulties with John Lennon’s song - Firstly, the song gives the impression that John Lennon was advocating and idealistic atheism... Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us, only sky But the truth is that John Lennon was not an atheist. Just two quotes can help to clear that up: John Lennon said: “I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong. He also said: “Christ said, "The Kingdom of Heaven is within you." ...We all have everything within us and the Kingdom of Heaven is nigh and within us, and if you look hard enough you'll see it.” And so John Lennon was not anti-God. In truth he was in fact rejecting is an outdated world view. In a pre-scientific world, the idea of God living up there somewhere beyond the sky was an acceptable and an understandable idea. For people today, schooled in Newtonian physics and having a faint conception of Quantum Physics, this is a view of God that makes very little sense to many people today. I think it is one of the reasons that many people no longer see value in coming to church. The churches conceptions of God or the Divine as up there as and old man sitting somewhere up there above the sky just doesn’t connect with a lot of people any-more. But there are other conceptions of God or the Divine that can make more sense to modern people. For example the idea that God is the very Wisdom and Intelligence of Life itself and that to live in harmony and in relationship to the Divine is in fact to live in harmony with the Wisdom and Intelligence of Life itself. The conception of a hell below us where God condemns people to an eternity of suffering is another concept that many modern secular people cannot relate to any-more and in fact find repulsive. If a human parent couldn’t conceive of throwing their own child into a lake of burning sulphur how on earth are we to believe that God could do such a horrendous and barbaric thing and on top of that, keep people in that state of suffering for all eternity. To paraphrase words of Jesus, if we as human beings, as self-serving as we are know how to give good gifts to our children how and why do we believe that God’s love is less than that of imperfect human beings. Is it possible that the conception of God that John Lennon rejects in this song might well be a conception of God that we too might do well to consider rejecting as well, because there are in fact better and more inspiring conceptions of God or the Divine that are not simply projections of our frail imperfect humanity onto some Big Controlling Man in the Sky. Secondly, John Lennon said he was not actually anti-religion but in this song I think he may have expressed a one-sided view of organised religion. It is true that over many centuries, religion has at times been divisive, and responsible for many terrible atrocities, and this includes all the major religions. While fundamentalist religions of various creeds have been responsible for fuelling many atrocities and conflicts in the world over the centuries, it is also true that at other times, religion has been the inspiration and impetus behind some of the greatest acts of love and compassion, the establishment of hospitals and schools and also the inspiration behind eradicating poverty and creating more just and equal societies. The problem is not religion per se, but what direction our religion motivates people… CS Lewis believed that religion could either make us much worse than we already are, or make us much better than we are… In what direction is our religion taking us? Is it making us more hard-nosed and bigotted or is it making us more humble, open, kind and compassionate? Those who believe that religion is the source of all the evil in the world, forget that the atheist states of Communist Russia under Stalin, and Communist China under Mao Zedong were responsible for far more deaths than perhaps all the religious wars of Europe combined. Atheism has it’s own dark shadow that is not always acknowledged by those who espouse it as the saviour of the world. But there is also a realism that needs to temper our idealism. John Lennon gives the impression that if we just did away with countries and religion everyone would suddenly live in peace. It is a naive view that doesn’t take into account that not everyone across the world shares the same values and that cultural differences can even at the best of times be a challenge to navigate quite apart from the selfishness that often lurks within most human hearts. Sometimes it is difficult enough just getting along with one’s family members with whom we hold much more in common. But admitting the reality of our cultural and national differences shouldn’t mean that we give up on the idea of trying to foster greater understanding and co-operation between different people. It is right that we be inspired by John Lennon’s vision of a world living in peace and harmony, just as we should be inspired by St Paul’s statement that in Christ there is no more Jew or Gentile… but our idealism needs also to be held in dialogue with the reality of the world in which we live. In the book of Revelation, the new earth is only possible after the people have passed through the purifying fire of Divine Love, and I believe that God still has some work to do on all of us yet! A new earth is not going to be possible without the purifying of people’s hearts and minds, and this is spiritual work. But by the same token, we should not allow the reality of our human imperfections to make us give up completely on the vision of a world of peace and harmony. The word needs a few idealists and dreamers to help us imagine a better world, which is why, for all its imperfections, I personally still find John Lennon’s song inspiring. I don’t take all its phrases at face value, but I still value they way it encourages me to play my part in building a world that is a little more loving, a little more peaceful and a little more harmonious. It might be said that Jesus was a bit of a dreamer too when he taught us to pray: “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” Your Kingdom of Love, Joy and Peace and sharing come, here on earth. Amen.
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The Sound of Silence
Today I would like to explore the lyrics and the meaning of the Simon and Garfunkel song “Sounds of Silence” The story of the song is quite fascinating. It was first recorded in 1964 by Simon and Garfunkel, but the song and the album was initially a commercial failure, which led to Simon and Garfunkel disbanding and going their separate ways in that same year. The following year, the song’s producer, Tom Wilson decided to give the song a bit of a revamp, and without the knowledge of Simon and Garfunkel he remixed the song, adding electric instrument and drums to the original. It was released as a single in September 1965, and by January 1966 it had become a number 1 hit in the USA and soon after all around the world. Very quickly, Simon and Garfunkel got back together as a duo to record their second album to capitalise on this unexpected success. It is quite something to think that almost 60 years later the song is still listened to by millions of people all around the world on radio stations and over the internet. What is it about the Sounds of Silence that has helped it to remain such a success over this period : The answer list in the fact that it touches on universal human experiences and emotions. : 1. The experience of times of darkness coming over us, when life doesn’t go our away, or experiences of grief and sadness, it is all summed up in those simple words: Hello Darkness my Old Friend… there is almost something Biblical about that phrase. It is almost a paraphrase of Psalm 88:18 “Darkness is my only companion”. 2. Similarly we all have experienced the Sound of Silence… in our dark times when we cry out looking for answers, often it feels like we are met with a wall of silence. Again we see this experience reflected by the psalmist in Psalm 88:13-14 But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me? In the face of his cries, it seems like God is silent. 3. Thirdly, the song has a melancholic feel about it that touches on our universal experiences of loneliness… we reach out sometimes, but we battle to connect with those around us. 4. Fourthly, in the lyrics there are religious allusions, which means that the song appeals to our deeper human longings for meaning and purpose. I think often when we listen to popular music we listen in an impressionistic way… we don’t always know all the lyrics. It is often the feel of the song, and particular phrases that speak to us, but we don’t always explore the song lyrics in their totality. And so today I would like to spend a few minutes exploring a possible meaning of the song as a whole. This is not the definitive guide to the song, but ultimately an interpretation as would often be the case even with many of our interpretations of Scripture. And so, reading through the lyrics as a whole, what might the meaning be of “The Sounds of Silence”? Like many folk songs of the 1960’s it would seem that the lyrics of the song are really a form of social commentary. The post war period of the 1950’s and early 60’s was a period of rapid change including social change and one of the biggest changes of the period was the wide-spread availbility and use of Television in the UK and the USA. One website suggests that the Sounds of Silence is a warning of the social isolationism that was beginning to take place with the advent of television. With the advent of television, rather than getting out and interacting with other people, there was an increasing trend of people simply staying at home to be entertained by their televisions. And so in the opening verse of the lyrics, we find Simon and Garfunkel speaking almost in religious language speak of having seen a vision, or perhaps a deep insight being implanted in their brains… an insight and a vision that exposes the reality in which many people had begun to live. It is a vision that leaves the writer restless and disturbed and the Sounds of Silence which is heard appears to be the silence of emptiness, loneliness and perhaps even meaninglessness. And the moment of insight comes upon being confronted by the flash of a neon light. The reference to a neon light is significant, firstly because this was relatively new technology that had begun to proliferate in the post war period. It provided light, but there is also something quite un-natural about neon lighting. Also significantly, neon lighting formed the basis of the television set and the way images were projected in the tube of an early television. It would seem that the author’s see the advent of this new technology as a catalyst for this increasing social isolationism. In the naked light of of this vision, the author see’s thousands upon thousands of people becoming more and more estranged from one another - People talking without speaking People hearing without listening pwith no-one daring to disturb the sound of silence that was being created. They see this social isolationism growing like a cancer in society, and speaking out like prophets trying to wake people out of their spiritual lethargy the authors make an appeal to try and rescue those lost in the sounds of silence: In verse 4 “Hear my words that I might teach you. Take my arms that I might reach you”. But the words of the author fall like silent raindrops and simply echoe in the wells of silence. Instead of responding to the call the author writes that the people continue to bow and pray to the neon god they have made. I was rather intrigued with the last phrase of the song: And the sign flashed out it’s warning in the words that it was forming. And the sign said: “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls, and whispered in the sound of silence”. What are the words written on subway walls: Adverts… is it possible that the song is commenting how modern society from the mid-20th century has increasingly turned away from the words of true prophets who speak with true wisdom, and have traded those words of ancient wisdom for the superficial wisdom of commercial advertising which invite us to constantly feed our more superficial appetites but leave the soul empty and hungry. All in all, the song paints a fairly desperate and bleak picture of modern industrialised society, and I can’t help but think there was something quite prophetic about the song. A few weeks ago I flipped over the Al Jazeera news channel to get a different and perhaps a wider perspective on world events, and instead of the news they were airing a half hour documentary entitled: An Epidemic of Loneliness. The show was exploring the fact that in recent years people living in modern industrialised societies are indeed becoming increasingly lonely and disconnected from each other. On the documentry they highlighted that in the past two years there has been a dramatic spike in the number of people Googling the question: How to make Friends? It is quite fascinating. At a time when social media has grown bigger than ever before, connecting more and more people, at the same time, many people are feeling more and more isolated and lonely. And at the same time, traditional places of community like churches and other social clubs have begun to steadily decline. The increase in our technology, to which we often bow down and pray as the saviour of all of humanities problems has in many ways created many of the very problems we are trying to solve. And all the while, from a Christian or a spiritual perspective the thing that all of us a really looking for is love and a sense of belonging. From a Christian perspective, it could be said that the essence of our human existence is that we were made by Love, in love and for love. It is in love that we find our true fulfilment in life. Love is what brings colour and warmth to our hearts. In the words of Jesus it could be said that love is like the salt that brings out the true flavour life. Without love there is just emptiness, isolation and disconnection. One could say, the sound of an empty silence. It raises the question: How can we make sure that our churches are places of loving connection? That is the only way we are really going to survive? When people come to church do they feel connected and do they have a sense of belonging? I want to close with a final reflection on the word Silence. In the song, Silence is seen in a negative light, and indeed when we speak of the silence of disconnection and isolation, then silence can indeed be a negative experience. But from a religious and spiritual perspective, the Sound of Silence can also be a profoundly positive experience. The Psalmist suggests that it is in silence and stillness that we can truly come to know G-d, the Great Spirit of Love that connects us all to each other. Be Still and Know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). It is in the sound of the still small voice that we hear the whispers of God’s love. It is as we drop beneath the incessant chatter of our internal dialogue of constant opinions and judgements, that we experience the subtle realm of God’s love and joy at the depth of our beings. For as Jesus reminds us: The Kingdom of God is within you, the subtle and gentle realm of God’s love, peace and joy reside in the stillness of our own hearts, within the Sounds of Silence. Amen. John 2:1-12 Nurturing Joy
I grew up with the Narnia books of C.S. Lewis. When I was young I have vivid memories of my father reading a few pages of the Narnia stories to me and my older brother in bed before the lights were turned out. CS Lewis has often been described as one of the greatest Christian writers of the 20th century. But he was not always a Christian. When he first went to study at Oxford University in 1916, he was a recent convert to atheism. But it proved to be a dead-end for him. Fifteen years later —by then an Oxford scholar in English literature— he abandoned his atheism and re-embraced Christianity. He describes his conversion back to Christianity with the words: Surprised by Joy. His Christian faith brought a joy to his life that had clearly been missing. I find it interesting that a number of years later, when he finally married, the person he married was called Joy. Now here in Northern Ireland and across these Isles, we are currently in Wedding Season. And so today we consider a text from John’s Gospel that might be appropriate for Northern Ireland’s Wedding Season and also appropriate as we consider the theme of joy. John’s Gospel is a very different Gospel to Matthew, Mark and Luke which for anyone who has read them even fairly superficially will recognize they are clearly related. They are sometimes called the synoptic Gospels a word which means “to see together” because they have a lot in common. The biggest thing that they have in common is in fact Mark’s Gospel. Both Matthew and Luke have used large parts of Mark’s Gospel almost word for word, in some parts changing and editing it, and in other parts adding completely new material. Both Matthew and Luke are expanded versions of Mark’s Gospel. But John’s Gospel has a very different structure to it. Although it is clear that he is writing about the same Jesus the whole structure and feel of John’s Gospel is different. John’s Gospel is quite poetic and symbolic. It’s structure is designed around what the author calls 7 Signs, miracle stories that are meant to point beyond themselves to a deeper symbolic meaning. John’s Gospel also contains what are called the seven “I am” sayings of Jesus... I am the bread of life... I am the light of the world... I am the good shepherd... I am the Resurrection and the life... In John’s Gospel, the first of the signs is the story of the Wedding at Cana. Now just as a signpost on the road points beyond itself. A sign with the name Belfast on it points beyond it to the city of Belfast. In the same way, the story of the Wedding at Cana is meant to point beyond itself to something deeper. In other words, I believe that it is meant to be interpreted symbolically as pointing beyond itself. It is a Sign of something of greater and deeper significance. The first thing to take note of is that this is a wedding banquet. Wedding banquets play a significant role in the New Testament. Jesus tells a number of parables about wedding banquets. In addition, Jesus is also called the bridegroom in Mark’s Gospel. At the end of the book of Revelation, the return of Christ is pictured as a wedding. The promise of these passages is that when God brings history to it’s final conclusion, it will be like a wedding banquet. In other words, the whole goal and purpose of history is that it should culminate in a joyful wedding feast. The promise of the spiritual journey is the invitation to be part of a wedding celebration. And so, the ancient writers, reflecting on the life of Christ, believed that God’s ultimate purpose for us as human beings is a life of joy. In this regard C.S. Lewis once wrote that Joy is the serious business of heaven. This is reflected in another symbol in the story: the symbol of wine. In the symbolic world of the Hebrews, wine was a symbol of joy. And in this story, significantly, the wine has run out. The joy is gone. While God’s purpose for humanity is joy, this story suggests a situation in which the wine of life, or the joy is no longer there. The joy has somehow run dry. Another significant detail in the story are the 6 stone water jars used for ritual washing. The number is significant. The number 7 in Jewish thinking was a symbol for completeness and wholeness. The number 6, a symbol for that which is incomplete or has something missing, also a symbol for humanity who were created on the 6th day. In addition, these 6 stone water jars are the type used for Jewish ceremonial washing. In the centuries leading up to the time of Jesus, Jewish religion had become more and more rule based. It’s whole emphasis had come to revolve around ritual cleanliness and purity. It had become obsessed with ritual rule keeping. These six stone water jars represent what Jewish religion had become. A legalistic, rule based, purity obsessed religion. One could say, a religion emphasizing man made rules and ceremonies with something missing... with no joy. Jesus comes to to a Jewish religion that had lost its way in man-made ceremonial laws and man-made rituals, and he comes to transform it. To breathe new life into it. To restore it to God’s original intention as something that should bring life and joy, turning the water of ceremonial purity laws into the wine of God’s joy. How sad it is that where Jesus came to bring renewal, new life, new purpose, new joy, Christianity, the religion that bares Jesus name has not always been good at nurturing joy. Like the Judaism of Jesus day, Christianity has sometimes got so caught up in a legalism and rules that it has stifled any true joy. This is vividly portrayed in the 1987 film Babette’s feast. The film is set in a Lutheran community in Denmark in 1800’s, a community, that much like 1st century Judaism, had become austere, legalistic, joyless. The film, portrays how a ‘blow-in’ to the town, begins to help the townsfolk to get in touch with a sense of joy again as she prepares a feast, and invites the whole town to come. It sounds a little bit like one of Jesus’ parables. There are some in the town who are suspicious, but as the feast unfolds, so this austere, rigid community of people begin to loosen up, and slowly but surely they begin to find themselves actually enjoying themselves for the first time, seemingly, in a long long time. It is very easy for religion to lapse into joylessness. My mom describes how she grew up in a church environment that at times was quite constrictive, where sometimes the joy of life was squeezed out. Within the Salvation Army that she grew up in, dancing was a sin, a real no-no. They also weren’t supposed to go to the cinema. But she and her sisters would sneak in hopefully undetected by anyone else from the Salvation Army corps seeing them. I get the sense that there is a legalism that is creeping back into some sectors of church life and that there might be some denominations that continue to see it as part of their responsibility to limit peoples joy rather than nurturing it. If Christianity is meant to be a religion of love, where love is at it’s heart, then it should also be a religion of joy, because where love is truly present, there will also be joy. I remember watching a documentary on the life of Mother Teresa. In it, one of the sisters in her order was interviewed. She says that on one occasion she had woken up feeling very down, like a cloud of depression had blown over her. Somehow for her the joy of life had left her. Mother Teresa told her on that day, she should not go out and serve the poor on the streets, because it was important in serving others, and especially in serving the poor, that she should be sharing her joy with them. If she wasn’t feeling joy, then it was better for her not to go and serve the poor. And so she was given some time off so that she could rest and so get back in touch with a sense of joy, before she would go out again to serve the poor. It is a helpful little story to remind us how important joy is. Joy is important, not only for ourselves, but also that we might share it with others. If there is no joy in our lives, then it should be a little alarm bell that something is wrong, something important is missing. When the joy of life has run out, it is an important moment to re-evaluate our lives, to make changes, to examine closely what it is that is sapping you of joy, and what is it that we need to do to help us to feel alive again, to help us connect again with a sense of joy. May you bring to God those places in your life where it feels like the joy has begun to run out, those stone water jars of drudgery and joylessness may be touched with God’s grace and transformed into the wine of God’s joy. Joy does not just happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every single day – Henri Nouwen There are souls in this world who have the gift of finding joy everywhere, and leaving it behind them when they go - Frederick William Faber Matthew 9:9-13,18-26.
What is the most courageous thing you have ever done? Last week I spoke of my experience climbing up 5 chain ladders up a vertical slope to get to the top of the Drakensberg mountains in South Africa and how it was one of the scariest things I have ever done. I guess it took some courage to do that? Maybe it was foolishness. I was helping on a school trip and so after seeing a bunch of 11 and 12 year olds climb up ahead of me I didn’t really feel as one of the adult leaders that I could back out at that point. But perhaps even more than that experience, I think that stepping down as a Methodist minister and spending a year and a half at a Buddhist retreat centre was probably the most scary thing I have done. Giving up the financial security of being in the church. If meant stepping out into the unknown. It meant giving up a familiar role. Going beyond social expectations. It was extremely difficult to explain to previous congregation members and family why Wendy and I were doing what we were doing? For someone who likes to play within the rules and doesn’t like to rock the boat or colour out of the lines of life, it took an enormous amount of courage to do. And looking back, I am very grateful that I did. I learnt a lot about myself in those 18 months. If I hadn’t done it I am not so sure I would have been able to go back into full-time ministry a few years later with a greater depth of insight into myself and my own faith. In our passage today we encounter a number of characters and each in their own way are engaged in a variety of acts of courage. First we encounter Matthew. His act of courage comes as he responds to the call of Jesus to follow him. He leaves all that is familiar behind him, leaving a familiar comfortable life style. In leaving everything behind to follow Jesus, Matthew leaves behind also his wealth and financial security. He gives his up financial status as a wealthy tax collector, to embark on a journey into the unknown with a religious teacher who was already beginning to receive some opposition. For Matthew this was surely an act of enormous courage. Franklin D. Roosevelt once said that "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear." To leave behind his life of financial comfort and security must have been a fearful thing for Matthew the Tax collector. But perhaps in that moment he realised that there was something more important going on here than his fear that gave him the courage to do it. In the story, Matthew could symbolize for us the external self, the part of us entangled in the pursuits of material wealth and societal expectations. Like Matthew, we often find ourselves ensnared in the trappings of worldly desires, fixated on amassing possessions and seeking approval from others. But they don’t answer the deeper needs of the soul and of our deeper longing for meaning, purpose, belonging and inner fulfilment. And so for Matthew it takes an act of courage to leave everything behind in order to pursue a life of deeper meaning and fulfilment. It was a risk, but perhaps a risk he thought was worth taking rather than sitting in the tax collectors booth for the rest of his life. Next in the story we encounter the Synagogue Ruler. He is a man of status and good standing in the community, unlike Matthew who was despised. In the case of the Synagogue Ruler, it takes courage to humble himself to seek help from Jesus, a man who many of his fellow synagogue rulers were sceptical of. But the Synagogue ruler overcomes his fear because there is more at stake than his ego and his pride. He is desperate to see his daughter live. This desperation gives him the courage to do what under normal circumstances he would have failed to do. It takes courage to humble oneself enough to say to anybody… I need your help. Thirdly we encounter the women who is bleeding. She is a women who has been living in the shadows of life. Strictly speaking she was unclean and therefore shouldn’t have been out in a public place because according to the religious understanding she would make others unclean just by her presence. It takes courage for her to come out of the closet of her house and risk being seen in public, as well as risk being told off by those who may have known who she was. It takes courage for her to reach out and to touch the cloak of Jesus for what right did she have to do this. How presumptuous it must have seemed especially when she could be accused of making Jesus unclean by her touch. Fourthly, we don’t generally consider the courage of Jesus. But if Jesus was fully human as we are human, as all Christians, both Unitaian and Trinitarian would affirm, then Jesus too must be seen to act with courage in this passage. It takes courage for Jesus to be willing to be seen and identified with Matthew, the despised traitor of his own people as a Tax collector for the Roman authorities. It takes courage for Jesus, as opposition is already growing from the religious elite, to stick to his convictions that his primary calling was not to serve the religious establishment and the respectable members of society, but to serve those who were regarded as sinners and outcasts. For Jesus it was the spiritually sick who needed him the most not those who considered themselves well. Lastly I wonder if the lifeless little girl in this passage might be a symbol for us of what can happen to us when we live without courage. Is it possible that a life that is lived without taking risks and locked into fear leads to a death of the spirit. Is it possible that it might take courage to hear the voice of Christ saying, little girl arise. What have been some of the greatest acts of courage in your life? In what way might you be needing courage in your life today? I close with a few quotes: "Courage is the power to let go of the familiar." - Raymond Lindquist Like Matthew in the passage, is courage calling you today to let go of something familiar, to ope yourself to something new? "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." - Winston Churchill That is an interesting quote… we often think that standing up and speaking is what takes courage… and yet sometimes it might take even more courage to sit down and listen, because sitting down to listen may leave us feeling even more vulnerable than standing up and speaking. And then a lovely quote by Mary Anne Radmacher: Courage isn’t always the roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says ‘I’ll try again tomorrow’. SERMON TEXT - Matthew 20:16-20
One of the coldest nights of my life was spent over-night in a tent on the top of the Drakensberg mountains in South Africa. The Drakensberg is a range of mountains that range stretches approximately 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) down the Eastern side of South Africa. It’s most majestic section forms the border between the small inland independent Kingdom of Lesotho and my home province of KwaZulu-Natal. The peak that we had to climb to get to the top was around 2400 meters above seal level (7874 feet). That’s not quite 3 times as high as Slieve Donnard above sea level. To get to the top we had to climb a series of 5 chain ladders which amounted to a total of around 200m meters of vertical climbing (656 feet) with a hiking back-pack on one’s back. It was one of the scariest things I have ever done. My hands and feet were sweating and looking down as I was climbing those chain ladders was just not a good idea. I was just afraid that with all that sweat I would lose my grip. On top, the mountain was covered with patches of snow, and once we had reached the actual summit, the view was absolutely spectacular. That night we pitched our tents in between some of the patches of snow. And as I said, I have never been so cold in my life. Our Gospel passage today takes us up a mountain top. It is the closing passage of Matthew’s Gospel. According to Matthew’s Gospel, this is the first Resurrection experience of the Disciples, and also according to Matthew’s Gospel, seemingly the last moment the disciples see Jesus before his ascension? In this passage, Jesus gives them his final instructions in what is most often called the Great Commission. The passage begins in verse 16 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them”. This encounter with the Risen Christ is what one might call a mountain top experience. The symbolism of meeting the Risen Christ on a mountain is significant. In the Bible, and across many different religions and cultures, mountains are often associated with spiritual experiences. In Cartoons you will find people climbing mountains to meet a spiritual guru at the top of the mountain. One of my favourite is a Far Side Cartoon, which shows a Cow sitting in the Lotus Meditation Posture, giving wisdom that only a cow could give. In the caption, it reads… “In life, don’t forget to eat the flowers”. Another that gave me a good chuckle is a picture of a spiritual seeker at the top of the mountain asking the question “What is the meaning of Life” and the Guru with his long white beard replying with the following caption: “You do the hokie-pokie and turn around, that’s what its all about”. Why are mountain tops associated with spiritual awakening and gaining new spiritual insight. I guess for two reasons: Firstly mountain tops take you away from the hustle and bustle of life and enable one to touch the silence and the stillness. Secondly, mountain tops give you a much bigger perspective on life. Mountains tops give one what might be called a God’s eye view of the world. Ordinary life begins to seem so small and insignificant when viewed from the top of the mountain. It can help us to see just how petty and insignificant some of our personal concerns and worries and petty disagreements can be. This passage reminds us that mountain top experiences are important, even if we are unable to climb an actual mountain. We all need to take time out to see life from a different perspective. One of Wendy’s favourite authors is Martha Beck. She invites her readers to get a new perspective on their lives, not by climbing a mountain but but the simple act of writing out one’s life story firstly from the perspective of a victim, which is often a default perspective for many people. I feel like I am a victim of life, hard-done by, unfairly treated… defeated. And then secondly she suggests writing one’s story from the perspective of a hero, one who has faced many obstacles, but who has faced them bravely and with courage and fortitude, over-coming many odds to be where one is today. This simple activity of writing one’s life story as a victim or as a hero can provide a whole new perspective on one’s life that can be enlightening. And so we find the disciples on top of a mountain. When they see Jesus, we read that they worship him, but some of them doubted. Even on the mountain top, we can be beset with doubts. It is part of the spiritual journey, being gentle with ourselves in the midst of our doubts and our questions. It was only a few weeks ago that we explored the question of doubt in another sermon in which we looked at the possibility that doubt is not always a bad thing. Sometimes doubts can be a necessary and even a helpful part of the journey. On our Church Facebook page I shared a quote by Rachel Evans which reads: “Those who say having a child-like faith means not asking questions haven't met too many children”. If Jesus said we need to become like little children to enter the Kingdom of God, that shouldn’t mean that we have to shy away from raising our questions and expressing our doubts. Then in verse 18 Jesus says these words: “All authority, in heaven and earth has been given me, go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age”. I would like to make a few passing comments on some of these phrases. Firstly the authority of Jesus was an inner authority that came from personal experience. He spoke with authority because he knew what he was talking about. He spoke from the place of a deep inner knowing. And that is ultimately the goal of the spiritual journey that we too should come to an inner knowing of the truth about the true nature of life, God and our human existence. We too should grow to discover an inner authority that comes not from second hand opinions, but from a direct experience of inner knowing. Secondly, we see that the way of Jesus transcends questions of nationality and geographic boundaries. He tells them in verse 19 to make disciples of all nations. The Greek word for nation is ethne from which we get the word ethnic. It is a reminder that Churches or communities where Jesus is at the centre should never be identified with a single nationality or ethnic group. A Church or Christian group that has come to be overly identified with a single nationality or country is in danger of being not truly Christian because the way of Jesus is meant to transcend nationalistic boundaries. Make disciples of all nations says Jesus. Thirdly, Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. As I often point out, the word baptism means to immerse. In other words, Jesus is wishing for all people of all nations to be immersed in the Loving Way of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians would read those words, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and think of the Doctrine of the Trinity which would mean for most Protestant and Catholic Christians that there is One God in Three Persons and that Jesus is the Unique Son, the Second person of the Trinity. But there are other ways of interpreting those words that are different from the shared doctrine of the Trinity held by both Catholics and Protestants alike: The word Father can be understood as metaphorical language referring to the loving Source of all that is. The word ‘Son’ does not necessarily have to refer to Jesus alone as the only unique Son of God. The word can also be interpreted as a reminder that there is a divine son and a divine daughter that dwells in each and everyone of us to which each of us must awaken. And the Phrase Holy Spirit doesn’t only have to be interpreted as being the so called 3rd person of the Trinity, but can also be interpreted as a way of speaking of the power and presence of God’s love and wisdom at work in the world and in our lives as the breathe and the wind of God’s love which animates all things and which opens us to living in the spirit of love. (Some would suggest that what I have just outlined is in fact the true meaning of the Trinity rather than the idea of 3 Big Persons above the sky). Fourthly, the mission of the disciples is to teach people of all nations to observe all that Christ has commanded. In essence it is surely to teach others the way of Christ’s love, because that is the essence of what he taught for as Paul says, “Love is the fulfilling of the Law”. And as any parent will know the most powerful form of teaching is always by example. If we are to teach other people to observe all that Christ commanded, it will be best carried out by demonstrating that way of Christ’s love not just in our words but also in our actions. And lastly, the Gospel of Matthew ends with that wonderful promise of Christ: Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. It is the promise that there are no God-forsaken places in the world or the Universe. The God, whose presence was made known in Christ is always with us, for the Divine Presence that was in Christ is also within each of our hearts. We carry the presence of God and the presence of Christ within us wherever find ourselves. Amen. The Flames and Breathe of Divine Love - Acts 2:1-11
A few years ago, I came across story of a couple who had fallen in love and had ended up being been married for decades despite the fact that they couldn’t speak each other’s languages. It struck me as a remarkable story that illustrates the power of love to transcend barriers. Searching on the internet, I couldn’t find that particular story, but came across a number of other similar stories. I found this story of a person called Charly who refers to the marriage of her own parents. She says that her Mom was Romanian, and her Dad was English and neither spoke each other's language for the first two years of their relationship. She describes how they got round it by drawing things, using sign language, and speaking French - a language neither of them spoke fluently. She says that humour between her parents was conveyed with silly drawings and physical humour and concludes that whatever they did, it worked, because they remained married for 28 years, until they died. There is a similar historical story of the marriage between Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine and King Henry II of England during the 12th century. Eleanor spoke the Occitan language, while Henry and the English court predominantly spoke English and French. And yet despite this Eleanor and Henry developed a deep understanding and respect for each other. They communicated through interpreters and relied on non-verbal cues, expressions, and gestures to convey their thoughts and emotions. They shared a strong bond and collaborated closely on matters of state, as Eleanor played a significant role in the governance of Henry's vast empire. It seems that the language of love powerful and has the ability to transcend barriers between people. Today is Pentecost Sunday, and it is traditional on Pentecost Sunday to reflect on the story of Acts 2:1-11 which contains some wonderful and rich imagery for us to reflect on as people of faith. The first thing we see is the power of waiting. In Acts chapter 1 we find the disciples joining in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus together with several other women, following the instructions of the Risen Christ that they should wait in Jerusalem. As I said in a brief online reflection last week, waiting is not always an easy time. Waiting requires patience. It is challenging to wait. Waiting is a time of uncertainty and a period of longing. But there is also power in waiting as it invites us to nurture our faith in a greater wisdom and to cultivate a sense of inner peace. Waiting invites us to embrace the unknown, and to trust in the unfolding of life’s wisdom. In this period of waiting we also see the disciples with Mary and the other unnamed women, cultivating a sense of community and belonging. They gather together in unity and solidarity, finding solace and strength in a shared experience of devotion to prayer. Acts chapter 1 and 2 remind us that in periods of uncertainty and waiting we can all benefit from the gift of belonging and community. And so at the beginning of the story of Acts 2:1-11, we find the close circle of followers of Jesus gathered together in one place. Their waiting and the solace they have found in community bears fruit as we read that suddenly their came from heaven the sound like a mighty wind filling the whole house where they were sitting. We read of what appeared to be tongues of fire separating and resting up each one of them, and then we read that filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in other languages, and that as a result the crowds of people who had gathered in Jerusalem from all over the then known world were able to hear of the wonders of God’s goodness and love in their own languages. There is wonderful and rich symbolism in this passage. Firstly we have the rich symbolism of the sound of a mighty wind filling the whole house in which they were sitting. The word in the passage that is translated as wind is from the Greek word pneuma. It is the same word we encounter in English when we speak for example of a pneumatic drill, in other words, a drill that is powered by air or ‘wind’. But the word pneuma in Greek can also be translated as Breathe and as Spirit. And so as we read of the sound of a rushing wind it invites the reader to have a sense of the movement of the power of God’s Spirit at work in the hearts and lives of those gathered together in prayer. It also might speak of the breathe of God’s love, breathing over them and into them, breathing new life and energy into their mission. Pneuma reminds us that God's transforming love is like a gentle breath, comforting and invigorating. Just as a breath can revive and revitalize, God's love breathes life into our weary souls, awakening us to new possibilities and empowering us to live as agents of positive change. It is through the pneuma, the divine breath, that we are able to embody the transforming love of God in our lives. The second imagery and symbolism we encounter in the passage in that of a flame that separates and comes to rest of the heads of each of those gathered there together, a metaphor and an image of the fire of Divine Love – a love that transcends all boundaries and barriers. Just as fire spreads and illuminates, so does divine love reaches every corner of our being, filling us with warmth, light, and a sense of connectedness. The tongues of fire on the heads of the disciples symbolises hearts that have been ignited with warmth and love and a new sense of purpose and minds that have become illuminated with a new depth of insight and wisdom that is fuelled by the love. The combined imagery of the rushing wind and the flames of fire remind us that divine love is not a passive force but an active, transforming energy. It ignites our hearts, awakening us to compassion and empathy. It compels us to reach out to others, to extend a helping hand, and to foster understanding and reconciliation. And this takes us to the very powerful imagery of the disciples being empowered to speak in other languages. Acts 2:4 states, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." And a few verses later, we read of how those who had gathered in Jerusalem from all around the then known world, are amazed to hear the wonders of God’s goodness and love being spoken in their own languages. It suggests that as the wind or the breathe of God’s love blows over us and within us, and as the fire of God’s love is ignited within our hearts and minds so God’s language of love enables us to reach out towards others bridging the gaps of language, culture, and experience, enabling us to understand and be understood, fostering empathy, compassion, and deep connection. It is a reminder that sin, hatred, evil brings separation and division. But love unites, heals, crosses barriers and brings people together. On this Pentecost Sunday, may the wind or breathe of God’s love blow over us and within us. And may the fire of God’s love and wisdom be ignited within our hearts and within our minds that we too may speak God’s language of love which transcends all boundaries and barriers, filling us with warmth, light, and a deeper sense of connectedness even with those who might seem different from ourselves. Amen. Waiting and Belonging: A Reflection on Acts 1:12-14
Acts 1:12-14 portrays a scene of waiting and unity within the early Christian community. After the ascension of Jesus, the disciples return to Jerusalem and devote themselves to prayer. In this reflection, we will explore the themes of waiting and belonging as depicted in these verses and contemplate their significance for us today. The Power of Waiting: According to the unfolding story, Acts 1:12-14 highlights the period of waiting that the disciples experienced between the ascension of Jesus and the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Waiting can be a challenging and uncertain time, filled with anticipation and longing. As people of faith, we recognize the value of waiting as a spiritual practice. It is during these moments of patience and reflection that we can deepen our understanding, nurture our faith, and cultivate a sense of inner peace. Waiting invites us to embrace the unknown and trust in the unfolding of life's mysteries. The Challenge of Waiting: Waiting can be a difficult and demanding process. In Acts 1:12-14, we witness the disciples enduring a period of uncertainty and longing. Similarly, in our own lives, we encounter seasons of waiting—waiting for answers, waiting for healing, waiting for justice. Waiting challenges us to practice patience and resilience. It invites us to trust in the timing of life and to find meaning in the waiting itself. In these moments, we can draw strength from the example of the disciples and the knowledge that we are not alone in our waiting. Community and Belonging: In Acts 1:12-14, we see the disciples coming together in unity and solidarity. They find solace and strength in their shared experience and devotion to prayer. As people of faith, we affirm the importance of community and belonging. We understand that we are not solitary individuals but interconnected beings, reliant on one another for support, growth, and spiritual nourishment. In our congregations and communities, we strive to create spaces of inclusivity, where all can find a sense of belonging and acceptance, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs. Prayer as a Source of Strength: Prayer is a central element in Acts 1:12-14, serving as a means for the disciples to connect with the divine and seek guidance. Christians of different varieties approach prayer in diverse ways, recognizing its potential as a personal and communal practice. Whether through meditation, reflection, or shared rituals, prayer can offer solace, clarity, and inspiration. It provides us with a space to express gratitude, share our hopes and fears, and seek guidance as we navigate life's challenges. Prayer serves as a source of strength, grounding us in our spiritual journey and fostering a sense of connection with the sacred. And so, Acts 1:12-14 offers a profound reflection on waiting, belonging, and the power of prayer within the early Christian community. As people of faith, we resonate with these themes, recognizing the value of waiting, the importance of community, and the transformative potential of prayer. May we find inspiration in the disciples' example as we navigate our own seasons of waiting, cultivate spaces of belonging, and nurture our spiritual lives through prayer. In doing so, may we discover a deeper sense of connection, purpose, and peace. Amen. Communion Sunday Reflection -
As I was preparing for today’s Communion Service I looked up some quotes on the theme of bread as well as eating meals. I found these three wonderful quotes that are particularly interesting when we contemplate upon them in light of our service of Holy Communion. The first is by the English poet Robert Browning who wrote: “If thou tastest a crust of bread, thou tastest all the stars and all the heavens”. This is very similar to a quote by the late Vietnamese Zen teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, who used to say “This bread in your hand, is the body of the cosmos” If you eat it mindfully, you will get in touch with the soil, the sunshine and the rain. And secondly an anonymous quote: “The family that eats together stays together”. I wonder what that could mean in the context of the church family gathered at the table of Christ sharing Communion together. “The family that eats together stays together”. And then lastly a quote from Barbara Colorose “There is something profoundly satisfying about sharing a meal. Eating together, breaking bread together is one of the oldest and most fundamentally unifying of human experiences.” Today, instead of a sermon, I would like to read an extract from Khalil Gibran’s book called Jesus the Son of Man. The whole book is a profound meditation on Jesus the Man… Jesus the Human Being. In it he reveals a depth of insight into Jesus, the Human One, as well as the spiritual depths of Jesus heart and life, that has come from many many years of creative and imaginative reflection and meditation on the 4 Gospels. This extract is written from the perspective of SIMON, WHO WAS CALLED PETER, when He and His Brother were first Called by Jesus. At the heart of this reflection, we see Jesus in the family home of Peter, sharing a meal with Peter and his family. And as we listen to it, I invite all of us to listen to it, in light of the fact that this morning, we gather at the table of Christ to share a meal with him. The extract from Khalil Gibran reads as follows: I was on the shore of the Lake of Galilee when I first beheld Jesus my Lord and my Master. My brother Andrew was with me and we were casting out net into the waters. The waves were rough and high and we caught but few fish. And our hearts were heavy. Suddenly Jesus stood near us, as if He had taken form that very moment, for we had not seen Him approaching. He called us by our names, and He said, “If you will follow me I will lead you to an inlet where the fishes are swarming.” And as I looked at His face the net fell from my hands, for a flame kindled within me and I recognized Him. And my brother Andrew spoke and said, “We know all the inlets upon these shores, and we know also that on a windy day like this the fish seek a depth beyond our nets.” And Jesus answered, “Follow me to the shores of a greater sea. I shall make you fishers of men. And your net shall never be empty.” And we abandoned our boat and our net and followed Him. I myself was drawn by a power, viewless, that walked beside His person. I walked near Him, breathless and full of wonder, and my brother Andrew was behind us, bewildered and amazed. And as we walked on the sand I made bold and said unto Him, “Sir, I and my brother will follow your footsteps, and where you go we too will go. But if it please you to come to our house this night, we shall be graced by your visit. Our house is not large and our ceiling not high, and you will sit at but a frugal meal. Yet if you will abide in our hovel it will be to us a palace. And would you break bread with us, we in your presence were to be envied by the princes of the land.” And He said, “Yea, I will be your guest this night.” And I rejoiced in my heart. And we walked behind Him in silence until we reached our house. And as we stood at the threshold Jesus said, “Peace be to this house, and to those who dwell in it.” Then He entered and we followed Him. My wife and my wife’s mother and my daughter stood before Him and they worshipped Him; then they knelt before Him and kissed the hem of His sleeve. They were astonished that He, the chosen and the well beloved, had come to be our guest; for they had already seen Him by the River Jordan when John the Baptist had proclaimed Him before the people. And straightway my wife and my wife’s mother began to prepare the supper. My brother Andrew was a shy man, but his faith in Jesus was deeper than my faith. And my daughter, who was then but twelve year old, stood by Him and held His garment as if she were in fear He would leave us and go out again into the night. She clung to Him like a lost sheep that has found its shepherd. Then we sat at the board, and He broke the bread and poured the wine; and He turned to us saying, “My friends, grace me now in sharing this food with me, even as the Father has graced us in giving it unto us.” These words He said (before) ere He touched a morsel, for He wished to follow an ancient custom that the honoured guest becomes the host. And as we sat with Him around the board we felt as if we were sitting at the feast of the great King. My daughter Petronelah, who was young and unknowing, gazed at His face and followed the movements of His hands. And I saw a veil of tears in her eyes. When He left the board we followed Him and sat about Him in the vine-arbour. And He spoke to us and we listened, and our hearts fluttered within us like birds. He spoke of the second birth of man, and of the opening of the gates of the heavens; and of angels descending and bringing peace and good cheer to all men, and of angels ascending to the throne bearing the longings of men to the Lord God. Then He looked into my eyes and gazed into the depths of my heart. And He said, “I have chosen you and your brother, and you must needs come with me. You have laboured and you have been heavy-laden. Now I shall give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn of me, for in my heart is peace, and your soul shall find abundance and a home-coming.” When He spoke thus I and my brother stood up before Him, and I said to Him, “Master, we will follow you to the ends of the earth. And if our burden were as heavy as the mountain we would bear it with you in gladness. And should we fall by the wayside we shall know that we have fallen on the way to heaven, and we shall be satisfied.” And my brother Andrew spoke and said, “Master, we would be threads between your hands and your loom. Weave us into the cloth if you will, for we would be in the raiment of the Most High.” And my wife raised her face, and the tears were upon her cheeks and she spoke with joy, and she said, “Blessed are you who come in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the womb that carried you, and the breast that gave you milk.” And my daughter, who was but twelve years old, sat at His feet and she nestled close to Him. And the mother of my wife, who sat at the threshold, said no word. She only wept in silence and her shawl was wet with her tears. Then Jesus walked over to her and He raised her face to His face and He said to her, “You are the mother of all these. You weep for joy, and I will keep your tears in my memory.” And now the old moon rose above the horizon. And Jesus gazed upon it for a moment, and then He turned to us and said, “It is late. Seek your beds, and may God visit your repose. I will be here in this arbour until dawn. I have cast my net this day and I have caught two men; I am satisfied, and now I bid you good-night.” Then my wife’s mother said, “But we have laid your bed in the house, I pray you enter and rest.” And He answered her saying, “I would indeed rest, but not under a roof. Suffer me to lie this night under the canopy of the grapes and the stars.” And she made haste and brought out the mattress and the pillows and the coverings. And He smiled at her and He said, “Behold, I shall lie down upon a bed twice made.” Then we left Him and entered into the house, and my daughter was the last one to enter. And her eyes were upon Him until I had closed the door. Thus for the first time I knew my Lord and Master. And though it was many years ago, it still seems but of today. And on this Communion Sunday, I repeat just a few lines again: ...He broke the bread and poured the wine; and He turned to us saying, “My friends, grace me now in sharing this food with me, even as the Father has graced us in giving it unto us.” These words He said (before) ere He touched a morsel, for He wished to follow an ancient custom that the honoured guest becomes the host. And as we sat with Him around the board we felt as if we were sitting at the feast of the great King. Amen. A service to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III comprising a series of popular hymns woven together with reflections on the hymns and the life and words of King Charles III. |
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