Hospitality to all

‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me’ (Matt 10:40)

 (Year A: The Third Sunday after Trinity, 28^th June, 2020)

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READINGS

Genesis 22:1-14

Psalm 13

Romans 6:12-23

Matthew 10:37-42

Parallel readings are found in Mark 9:37, 41 as well as Luke 10:16,12:51-53, 14:26-27, 17:33.

‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’

(Matthew 10:40-42)

In the course of life nobody crosses our path who does not provide an opportunity for us to learn and to show kindness. It happens more often, perhaps, that we receive more kindness than we give. And there are kindnesses that we may never know about or that we took for granted at another time in our lives. 

The point of life is to live it in the now. Regrets may teach us valuable lessons and may spur us on to leave the past behind and to live better in the now while leaving the future to God’s mercy and help. Life is precious and the people who cross our paths are precious. There is a purpose and direction in life even if we cannot appreciate it fully now.

In this short passage from the gospel of Matthew we hear about welcome – God’s welcome of us in Jesus Christ and the welcome we can give to one another. Especially in the context of this Gospel reading there is the special welcome that is given to those who announce with their lives the truth that is in Christ. Their role in proclaiming, announcing and living the gospel message is a vital part of the experience of a Christian community.

In some selections of gospel readings for this particular Sunday verses 37-39 are added just ahead of the verses focussed on welcome:

‘Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;  and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it’.

(Matthew 10:37-39)

This may seem like a harsh statement and one that is divisive. Read in the context of the experience of the Jewish-Christian community in the region of Antioch (roughly present day Syria and south east Turkey) we should not be surprised that a decision to follow Christ cost dearly. Tragically, it often had the consequences of division not that Christ or his earlier followers wanted, planned or engineered these sad outcomes even if, subsequently, some followers have misunderstood the gospel message and inflicted wounds of division.

Welcome for one another complements the carrying of the cross. If we are to truly love others including those different to us by virtue of race, religion or other characteristics we must welcome them as they are and not as we would wish them to be. Welcome is a difficult idea and can rail against our assumptions and defences. Welcoming another does not necessarily mean abandoning our own principles or beliefs. Rather, it means listening to, acknowledging, learning from and communicating with another human being different to us but sharing the same ancestry as human beings planted on this fragile earth for a time.  Welcome founded on love is the basis of Christian mission and witness.  

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Facing up to fear with faith

‘So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows’ (Matt 10:31)

 (Year A: The Second Sunday after Trinity, 21^st June, 2020)

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READINGS

Genesis 21:8-21

Psalm 86

Romans 6:1-11

Matthew 10:24-39

If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. (Psalm 22:4).

These words are often heard at funeral liturgies. In many parts of the world millions have died from the covid19 disease and more are expected in the coming months as the disease is now spreading into economically fragile regions of the world in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America.  We have lived through many months of uncertainty, anxiety and in many cases loneliness. The plague that spread from one end of the globe to the other in weeks and days has gripped us. Families have been torn apart and loved ones taken from us.  A major fear, especially those at higher risk by virtue of age or some underlying condition, is that the disease will strike oneself or one’s family. The consequences can be devastating and even those who recover can, in a minority of cases, be scarred physically and psychologically for life. This is a most virulent and evil disease and only faith and science will eventually crush it.

For every death from covid there are is a large multiple of deaths from all manner of conditions, accidents and circumstances. Death awaits us. But, we are a people of hope waiting in hope not for death but for the life that God alone gives not, it must be repeated, just beyond death but right now in the place where you and I find ourselves with all its worries, uncertainties and fears. Why in the Bible do we hear over and over again the call - ‘Do not be afraid’?  Likewise in the Old Testament reading the angel of God tells Hagar not to be afraid. In today’s Gospel reading no less than three times Jesus bids us not to be afraid. The first example that he gives in the discourse of chapter 10 relates to the malign opposition that we as disciples will encounter, inevitably, if we are true to our calling. We hear the words of the Lord:

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! (Matt. 10:25)

God seeks to reassure us in the midst of fear and danger then and now.

Fear was very much to the fore among the early disciples of Jesus – the first and second generation that followed those who had directly witnessed the Lord’s resurrection.

Jesus reassures us that we are known, loved and precious to God. He cites the example of the sparrow: ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father’ (Matt. 10:29). Every human life is sacred to its maker and worthy of protection, respect and dignity.

A recurring theme in the scriptures is what might be referred to as the trilogy of: Fear, Reassurance and Trust.  The prophecy of Isaiah, for example, is full of this. In the New Testament Jesus, again and again, calms our fears and stormy waters and invites us into a trusting relationship with him and Our Father.  Even today, in the midst of personal, familial, communal or societal anxieties and traumas not least those arising from the pandemic and its continuing economic and social impact we hear this call to trust in the One who is Peace at the very heart of our beings.  Knowing this trust and this peace does not take away the pain of what happened or what is happening right now to each of us.

We live in extremely challenging times and many of us are called on to undergo much suffering for what we believe in and the values we live from (even if the two are not always in harmony). In many parts of the world to be a person of faith – faithful to the social gospel of true freedom may demand a type of martyrdom (to which the root word in Greek is witness). It is idle fantasy to try to imagine what we might do in this situation or that. It is enough to embrace the small trials and tribulations of each day. The most credible witness is to be true to ourselves even to the point of exclusion, ridicule and condemnation.  The one we follow met such and we cannot expect less.

Silence is complicity. Like Jeremiah, we cannot remain silent about the injustices around us at this time and in this country.  Reverend Patrick Comerford over on his blogsite writes this week:

Are we prepared to stand up for our faith and its values even at the risk of being ridiculed? Even when this upsets the peace of our families, our communities, our society and our land? Readings, hymns and sermon ideas for Sunday 21 June 2020,

He goes on to ask:

Or are we prepared to speak out, not worrying about the consequences, knowing that ‘whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me (Matt. 10:38).?

Postscript

Matthew wrote his gospel for a Jewish-Christian community in Antioch at a time of great trauma and separation from Judaism.  Through the discernment of the church his writings along with other gospel stories were stitched together – over 300 years - in an agreed set of books which we now refer to as the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The Bible was the fruit of a lived and narrated catholic oral, and then written, tradition.  The Word of God is received and eaten in the inspired writings of the biblical authors.  In this sense do we say ‘This is the word of the Lord’.

Word count = 952

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INTERCESSIONS

Loving God we place our trust in you. Show us your great compassion and mercy that we may entrust everything to you.

We pray for those struggling to know you the Truth that is Love. Lord hear us.  R. Hear our prayer.

Grant to those caring for the sick at home or in places of special care. Be their rock and courage. Lord hear us.  R. Hear our prayer.

We are worth more than these little creatures that surround us. Teach us not to be afraid. Lord hear us.  R. Hear our prayer.

Inspire leaders to defend the rights of the most vulnerable in our societies. May they fearlessly live by the values of the Gospel. Lord hear us.  R. Hear our prayer.

We pray for all the people of China, India and he USA as they endeavour to overcome the devastation caused by covid19. Help them to work with the international community to defeat the virus.  Lord hear us.  R. Hear our prayer.

We take a moment to pray for each other, for ourselves and our families and for those fears and doubts that assail us from time to time. Silence ….. Lord hear us.  R. Hear our prayer.

Merciful father: accept these our prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen

Our Father ….

Collect of this Sunday

Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth:
Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.  Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen (Book of Common Prayer, Ireland)

Trusting in the holy spirit

‘When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you ’ (Matt 9:19-20)

 (Year A: The First Sunday after Trinity, 14^th June, 2020)

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READINGS

Genesis 18:1-5; 21:1-7

Psalm 116

Romans 5:1-8

Matthew 9:35-10:23

Parallel Readings from the other Gospels

Mark 6:6-13; Luke 10:1-12

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SERMON NOTES (543 words)

Have you ever been nervous before speaking publicly?  Have you ever had a feeling in the very bottom of your tummy before having a conversation about something really difficult? Does a cloud descend on you sometimes when you realise that someone is about to turn your life upside down for you? Most of us dislike change especially when it is imposed against our will. Many of us would rather stick to the quiet life rather than confront a bully or gently correct a colleague.

Let’s be clear about this: Christian religion was born in conflict, controversy, persecution and suffering.  The gospel writer, Matthew, gives us an insight into what daily life was like for followers of Jesus in the first decades after his death and resurrection. Certainly, the path of discipleship would cost dearly. Yet, the blood of martyrs then as well as now is the seed of the church.

This Sunday’s passage is a long one encompassing three main parts:

• The call to serve the Gospel
• The mission of those called
• The coming persecutions

The location of the story Is Galilee where, in Matthew’s plan, Jesus’ teaching, healing and preaching is setting the pattern for those called. Chapter 10 opens up with the call of what Matthew refers to as the Apostles (those sent). We need to be mindful of the context in which the very early church developed. It was not a tightly knit, canonically well ordered structure with well defined roles and ministries. Rather, it was an evolving communion spread across the lands of the eastern Mediterranean while spreading westwards and flourishing under fierce opposition as it found it way – first mainly among the Jewish people and then increasingly amongst the gentiles.  In two thousands years much has changed in the middle east but this is one constant – those who follow Jesus face constant marginalisation and persecution. The words of Matthew apply in this context with particular force.

As I look about the world today I see many persons and whole groups who are harassed and helpless just as the crowds were that Jesus spoke about: like sheep without a shepherd as he said to this disciples. In the moral fog of 21^st century world I am afraid that many of us do not know right from wrong. And if we did we might not be inclined to say or do anything about it. Even still, millions practice the compassion of Jesus when he saw the crowds; they respond in acts of compassion and in practical ways to care for others. They need help and what is offered is never enough relative to the vast amount of human need for listening, support, food, shelter, healthcare and guidance. We, too, can play our part.

The call to pray for more ‘labourers’ because the ‘harvest is plentiful’ must not be interpreted exclusively to mean that only ordained ministers or consecrated religious are called and sent to announce or live the Gospel. Every baptised Christian is called to live out their vows to the full and to witness to the love of God where they are. And if people speak out and act boldly in defence of racial justice at this time, we should not be shy to speak out and act boldly in defence of all human rights. In so doing we bear witness to Christ as the first disciples did. We can do this because, as St Paul wrote: ‘God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us’ (Romans 5:5).

A world set on fire: Day 9

‘and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.’  (Romans 5:5)

We are given the Holy Spirit in the sacraments. This giving never stops the more we open our hearts in trust and in love.

🙏Father in the name of Jesus pour your Spirit more and more into our hearts.

For continuing series of 'A world set on fire' go to #DailyBread and/or #HolySpirit on twitter from the10th June to 10th of July.

A world set on fire: Day 8

‘for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.’  (Luke 12:12)

Lost for words? Fear not.

🙏Take my worries loving Spirit and lead me one step forward at each breath

A world set on fire: Day 7

‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’  (Matt 28:19)

We are invited to bless this world not in three names but one – the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This name is love (1 John 4:8)

🙏Father in the name of Jesus open our hearts to the Holy Spirit.

In the name of love

‘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, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. ’ (Matt 28:19-20)

 

 

Year A: Trinity Sunday (7^th June, 2020)

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THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Genesis 1:1-4

Psalm 8

2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Matthew 28:16-20

 

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SERMON NOTES (733 words)

We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community. —Dorothy Day

 The quotation, above, is a suitable reminder, this Trinity Sunday, of the meaning of being in communion with others. After a long ,and especially for some, a lonely journey through lent which happened to coincide with the arrival of a deadly disease in Europe we have lived the mystery of death and resurrection in so many ways – personal, familial and communal.

We are at a turning point in the liturgical year.  The earthly life, ministry, death and resurrection has happened in time. In a certain sense the job is done. Now it is over to the disciples and those who would come to know the truth that is in God through their witness and teaching. We, too, are called to be close to that great ‘cloud of witnesses’ in heaven (Hebrews 12:1). But, first, we must embrace, again, this journey on earth. We are invited to go out and to proclaim the love of God revealed in the intimacy, beauty and mystery of the Holy Trinity.

Intimacy

The image of the Blessed Trinity implicit in the famous icon of the 15^th century Russian artist, Andrei Rublev, reminds us that there is an intimacy and harmony in the Blessed Trinity. Taken from the story of how three angels who visited Sarah and Abraham (Genesis 18:1-8), we catch a glimpse of how the three-in-one and the one in three-ness of the visitors mirrors the communion that is God – one in three persons. You can’t look at any one of the persons without being directed to the others. A circle is formed as love moves from one to the other in a perpetual circle. There are subtle hints of sacrifice, cup and table in this picture of the Trinity.

Beauty

Beauty is revealed in the tenderness with which each angel looks compassionately to the other. It is significant that this compassion extends to Sarah who is to have a son.  Abraham and Sarah entertained angels as a result of which a new life opened up for them.

Mystery

The truth of the Trinity is contained in the scriptures. Yet, it is, somehow, covered over and hidden; it is almost impenetrable.  The icon of Rublev was covered, by order of the suitably named Ivan the Terrible to be covered in gold ‘riza’. The underlying icon never disappeared and it was recovered when the gold covering was removed in 1904 and the painting restored to its former glory. Somehow, the icon survived many calamitous periods in Russian history from the Bolshevik revolution to World Wars.

How does the intimacy, beauty and mystery of the Trinity which we celebrate this Sunday speak to us in the 21^st century? I suggest that it speaks powerfully to us of the radical one-ness and equality of persons in the heart of God. At the same time, it reveals the diversity of persons in the unity. They are one but not the same.  So it is with communion in the many families and communities that make up the church today. The mystery opens up to us a picture of a God who is intimately bound up with humanity in all its yearning and need. It invites us to join in the conversation of love that we see in the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our world today

The Holy Spirit is moving in all sorts of surprising ways before our eyes if we only opened them; and The Father is ever finding new ways to reach out to all of his children everywhere. Jesus tells us in this passage that he will be with us always.

Our task is to be open to the fullness of human life that the Holy Spirit gives us. From that life and light we can become candles in the darkness for others. This is our commission – rooted as it is in the gospel sacrament of baptism for all God’s children and the teaching of the Word that sets us free and the care for one another that must be the hallmark of a living and not a dying church.  We are invited to bless this world not in three names but one – the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This name is love (1 John 4:8).

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 SOME IDEAS FOR INTERCESSIONS

 Praise to the Blessed Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are a people called to live in communion. Together with all peoples throughout the world we pray for:

True freedom of conscience and expression in society…..

Those suffering the effects of racism, sectarianism, war and terror…

The people of the United States of America at this time …

The communities in which we live and work…may we extend a genuine and warm welcome to those who seek truth and love….

The Christian churches … that we may hold to the true faith of Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit entrusted to us…

One another….

Other named persons ….

Remembering with thanks those who have gone before us….

… praying in silence….

Loving God gather up our prayers – those spoken and those unspoken in the depths of our hearts.

A world set on fire: Day 6

#OurDaily Bread #HolySpirit #Joy

‘And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.’  (Acts 13:52)

The Holy Spirit brings Joy where there is sadness and negativity. If only we had let ourselves be guided by the Holy Spirit in the first place.

🙏Teach us, Holy Spirit, to begin again to love and to obey. This is what brings lasting joy.

A world set on fire: Day 5

#DailyBread 

‘the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.’  (Genesis 1:2)

The #HolySpirit brings #Hope where there is chaos and darkness. Just as at first creation the Spirit is renewing the face of this earth. We will not be overcome.

🙏In our void and darkness, come Holy Spirit and breath new life and new hope.

A world set on fire: Day 4

#DailyBread #HolySpirit #Peace

#WordOfGod: ‘When cares increase in my heart your consolation calms my soul.’ (Psalm 93:19)

The #HolySpirit brings #Peace in the midst of turmoil.

🙏Open our hearts, Holy Spirit, to the peace you bring in the midst of our worries.

A world set on fire: Day 3

#DailyBread #HolySpirit #Awareness

#WordOfGod: ‘The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit’ (John 3:8)

The #HolySpirit is everywhere. In the midst of #Covid19 I see so many acts of kindness and generosity. The love of God is active and everywhere.

🙏Open our eyes, Holy Spirit, to the wonders of Your God’s active now in this moment and in this place around us.

A world set on fire: Day 2

2 June 2020

#DailyBread #HolySpirit

#WordOfGod:

‘A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me’. (Ps 50:12)

A thought: Every beginning is hard. Time and perseverance is the work of love.

A Prayer:  Come Holy Spirit and shape my heart in this moment. Teach me to live this moment fully in your loving gaze.

A world set on fire: day 1

1 June 2020

Your Word: May my thoughts be pleasing to him (ps 104:34)

My Thought: Each morning is a new start. This day is completely unique. All is new. All has potential.

Our Prayer: Come Holy Spirit and fill all of our hearts this morning. Show me a gentle way this day to talk and move and be still. May I listen to you in the quiet of this morning and learn all over again the baby steps of life.