Man-made Rules and God’s Commandmentsor ‘Are you hiding behind your mask?’How are you getting on with wearing a mask when, and if, you go on public transport, to the shops, doctors, hairdresser or church building? I think most of us are accepting it as part of the new normal, although it is annoying when your glasses steam up and tricky when you can’t gauge someone’s facial expression or read their lips. Sometimes I have forgotten to take my mask with me when I go out, and have had to go back to get it; this week, having driven all the way to Leicester without one, I had to improvise with a cloth bag I keep in my handbag, so that I could collect my vacuum cleaner that had been serviced. Now you might be wondering what all this has to do with today’s Gospel reading, so let us take another look at the two episodes depicted.At the beginning of Chapter 15 in Matthew’s account, the bit before where our reading started, Jesus was gaining in reputation as he travelled around Galilee, teaching and performing miracles. The Scribes and Pharisees were concerned about the effect he was having and so a group of them travelled nearly 70 miles from Jerusalem to ‘Hicksville’ Galilee with the express purpose of checking him out and to undermine his popularity. Now these were scholarly men, well trained in the intricacies of their laws and traditions: rules which expanded the Law as given in the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament). They had ritual handwashing rules, meant principally for the priests who served in the Temple, but they wanted to apply these to Jesus’ disciples before they had a meal. I don’t suppose for a moment that the disciples ate with mucky hands, although they probably weren’t familiar with our 20s handwashing rule, but there is a difference between ritual cleansing and handwashing for hygiene. Jesus rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees for their complicated rules, that only they could understand, when the clear simplicity of God’s Laws in the Ten Commandments was quite sufficient. Do you find yourself getting confused about some of our ‘coming out of lockdown rules’? There are so many, sometimes contradictory regulations, that it is not surprising that people like the comedian Matt Lucas have done spoof briefings on YouTube. Jesus called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, because they were hiding behind their cumbersome traditions. It is interesting that the word hypocrite derives from the Greek, meaning actor. When the ancient Greeks put on their plays, the actors used to wear masks to portray different characters or different moods. It can be so easy for us to hide behind our masks, real or metaphorical, to pretend we are someone other than who we are; but God is not fooled because He knows our hearts. The dietary laws helped the Jews to create a sense of a separate people, which was important for their sense of identity. When Matthew wrote his gospel, it was for a church audience who were struggling with the place of Jewish Laws within the life of their community - a church which was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles. Jesus explained to his disciples that the food laws were not as important as the state of their hearts. Today’s emphasis on washing hands helps us to keep infection at bay, but what about the infection in our hearts? Jesus listed what can come out from our hearts: evil intentions, murder, adultery, promiscuity, theft, false witness, slander - each of these come from the 6th to the 9th of the Ten Commandments. These are sins that affect our relationships and they are issues that can damage the church. Our obligation to God is not satisfied by religious ritual, but by our relationship with God and each other. We were born with unclean hearts – only Jesus can change us from the inside out, giving us new hearts and lives.After the hostilities of these encounters by Galilee, Jesus travelled over 25 miles north to the border district of Tyre and Sidon, where he would inevitably meet Gentile people. The Canaanite woman who came to him used the Jewish form of address for the Messiah. This outsider, and a woman at that, showed more reverence to Jesus and recognition of who He was than any of the Jewish people in the previous episode. It seems odd that Jesus ignored her at first, but he knew that he was sent to the Jews first and then the Gentiles. Perhaps he wanted to see if she would persist in asking for his help for herself and her daughter. The disciples thought she was being a bit of a nuisance because she was disturbing them with her shouting out, but she wasn’t going to let anyone discourage her. Next, she knelt in front of Jesus and again asked him for his help. She recognised the Kingship of Jesus, his power and his authority. Jesus referred to her as a dog in reply, which sounds shocking and derisive, but he meant a pet dog that is allowed in the same room as the family when they are eating. Quick as a flash, she replied that even pet dogs get some of the crumbs from the table. Surely there would be some blessing left over for a Gentile woman. Jesus was delighted with her faith, more than he had recently witnessed elsewhere. She was rewarded for her persistence and her daughter was healed instantly. This healing was an indication that God’s favour would, indeed, extend to the Gentiles.In conclusion then, how can we apply all of this to ourselves? The church is, and has been, entering new territory. In recent months, previous boundaries have been broken or altered and new ways of being church are being discovered. Our God is in the unsettling business and we have been shaken and stirred, unsure of what the future holds. Today we have heard that Jesus meets with people on the margins, the outsiders, granting them not just a crumb, but a place at the table. I will leave you with four questions:• Are we willing to open our hearts to the ‘outsiders’ in our local community, the people on the borders? • Do we have cumbersome traditions or unrealistic expectations of people who might come to the church? • Do we hide behind a mask of religion, when Jesus wants to renew our hearts and lives? • Are we people of faith, who persist in prayer, obey God’s commandments and recognise Jesus as King over our lives?Amen
Reflection: The Blessed Virgin MaryOne of the most popular Catholic prayers, especially for women the world over, is known as the ‘Hail Mary’. Hail Mary, full of grace, Our Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen In Luke’s Gospel this prayer incorporates two greetings, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you’, and ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb’. Well, today we are celebrating the feast day of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary was a Galilean Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph, and mother of Jesus. She is celebrated by the Western, Eastern, Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches as the mother of Jesus and as Theotokos (Mother of God). Mary is also afforded the highest position in Islam for women and she is mentioned in the Quran. The gospels of Matthew and Luke and the Quran describe Mary as a virgin. In the New Testament she is betrothed to Joseph and according to Christian theology she miraculously conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit while still a virgin. At the end of her life Christian teachings inform us that God raised her body directly into heaven and this event came to be known as the Assumption. Since the time of early Christianity Mary has been venerated as the most meretricious of saints and she has, according to reports, appeared to believers many times over the centuries, mostly to women and poor children. Such devotion to Mary has been fuelled by popular apparitions. Although Mary is mentioned as the mother of Jesus several times in the New Testament she is mentioned prominently at the crucifixion. Nevertheless, she was considered as ‘the one who was full of grace’ and as the ‘favoured one’ who had an important role to play in God’s scheme of salvation. This role was the subject of intense discussion and debate during the fourth century by theologians such as Augustine of Hippo who was key in formulating a theology and doctrine of grace from debating if Mary was subject to original sin, like everyone else, or whether she was preserved from the taint of original sin. Popular Christian piety at the time saw Mary as the new Eve who by her obedience to God’s word reversed the disobedience of the first Eve. Later, during the Medieval period, Mary was regarded as the main representative of mercy and forgiveness to whom sinners could appeal. Many saw her role as offering quiet support and encouraging a tranquil strength of purpose and obedience to God. Later, more emphasis was placed on her humanity and compassion. Her unique position as fully human and closeness to God than any other saint or angel made her an obvious choice for devotion and prayer. While Mary has been called the first believer and representative of the Church, she continues to inspire many today. For example,· Mary stands as a model and example for all and for the Church.· All of us, like Mary, are called to serve God’s purpose.· Like Mary, who was graced with unquestionable faith, we are called to that same faith whatever doubts, upsets of griefs we experience.· We are all acceptable to God and loved by God by virtue of God’s grace and the sacrifice of Christ. Mary helps teach us that and to believe and trust in God.· Mary stands as a Mother for all both women and men, young and old. In John’s gospel (19:26-27), Jesus, from the cross, addresses his mother saying about John, his beloved disciple, ‘Here is your son’. Jesus then addresses the disciple saying, ‘Here is your mother’. To love and care for each other is an essential commandment that Jesus, as the Word of God, calls all to embrace. Also, while we might elevate Mary and the saints to super holy levels that none of us can fully aspire to, that very grace gifted to Mary is the same grace God calls each of us to know, accept and work with. Thanks be to GodFr Graham
Fear NotWhen you grow up to be an adult, it is easy to forget how frightening lifecan be at times as a child. For a start there is the question of scale; try and imagine how big a large dog is to a three-year-old or what amountain a staircase must seem. As we get a little older we get to be a little braver, but many children areafraid of school bullies and phobias become more prevalent as we get to adulthood. We are all frightened of something, however brave we might appear, and the greatest fear of all is death. Spike Milligan famously said, “I’m not afraid of dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens,”, and when he died in 2002, he had the Gaelic inscription: “Duirt me leat go raibh me breoite” (“I told you I was ill”) inscribed on his tombstone.When “Crimewatch” used to be on television we were always reassured by the presenter that such violent incidents are rare and we should not be afraid, but I know people who had nightmares after watching. Although fear is a very natural emotion which helps to protect us, fear can ruin our lives and stop us from being the people that God wants us to be. Frankin D. Roosevelt in his Inaugural Address as President of the U.S.A. in 1933 said, “Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. Life today is racked with fear of people and religions we do not understand, or the economic uncertainties of the future; if we are not careful we can get ourselves into a really nervous state.Some of you may have had near death experiences and sometimes life can get very frightening. My motorcycling days as a young man brought about a couple of occasions which still bring me out in a cold sweat when I recall them, and then there was the time that I got trapped inside a humidity chamber at work (50ºC and 100% humidity) which was literally a big hot sweat. However, the thing that perhaps frightened me most was suffering a severe atrial fibrillation episode 10 years ago when my heart went into overdrive and it would not go back to normal. After nearly 24 hours in hospital they told me that they were going to do Cardioversion, which meant absolutely nothing to me. It transpired that they stick a large metal plate to your back and one on your chest before administering large electric shocks – luckily they give a general anaesthetic prior to the procedure. I woke up about an hour later with Sue at my side, and an hour or so after that I was able to go home. Isn't science marvellous, I wonder who worked out how to do that for the first time. I then went for a heart scan a couple of weeks later and was amazed to see my heart throbbing away on a large TV screen, which also was a bit scary, but contrary to what some people might say it proved I had one.Today we have the fear of Covid 19, a virus that we cannot see and have no idea who might pass it on to us. As a country we do not seem to be doing to well in defeating it, and the world we live in with with so much travel between countries and within our country makes containment almost impossible. Messages from our Government also seem to change every day and working out what you can or can't do is a minefield. Being frightened is part of being careful and we all need to be doing that at the moment. Wearing face masks, washing our hands, being careful to socially distance and of course isolating ourselves if we feel ill should now be habitual, as well as remembering to get ourselves tested as soon as possible. Was Jesus frightened? I suspect that he was very frightened as he neared Jerusalem for the last time. He would have been very aware of the cruelty and pain inflicted on those who were crucified and the vindictive nature of the Scribes and Pharisees who could not accept his messiahship. The Passion was as terrifying as anyone could imagine, and his disciples deserted him as he had predicted, but although frightened of what was happening, Jesus did not let fear control him. What overcame fear was total love of humankind and the knowledge that his Heavenly Father was with him through all his suffering. When Jesus was dying one of the criminals crucified next to him taunted him, but the other said he was a sinner and deserved to die. He then came out with that incredible statement which sometimes makes me cry, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom”, and Jesus replies, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise”. (Luke 23, v 42&43) For Christians fear of death is finally vanquished by the resurrection of our Lord. Paradise awaits us if we hold to our faith and live a Christian life as best we can. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12 v32).Fr. Terry
Thoughts for Today From the real world, sublime and challenging Peru to PanamaWednesday 18th February saw us drawing close to Lima before our four day onward sailing to the Panama Canal.Early in the morning we awoke to the sight and sound of hundreds of birds flying low outside our porthole. They were mainly Guanay Cormorants and Peruvian Boobies hunting for their anchovie breakfast. As we approached the Peruvian port of Callao and our own breakfast, marmalade sandwiches came to mind in anticipation of seeing Paddington Bear. Callao is just 9 miles west of the capital city of Lima dominated by grand colonial buildings. The fine Cathedral, Archbishop’s House and Government House in the huge Plaza Mayor are guarded by armed police.Callao became a port of significance in 1537. It was hit heavily by earthquake and tsunami in 1746. In 1949 it was most famous for its export of cocoa and cocaine.We disembarked to the district of Miraflores and on our shuttle coach journey there we saw the huge beach side developments and sporting facilities being built. Miraflores is a modern seaside suburb of Lima. The US Embassy is at the top of the Marriott Hotel which gave us a very good internet connection back home. Hang gliders came close to the tall buidings. A walk along the front took us by a shrine to Our Lady, and to a sculpture in Lima’s Love Park (opened February 14th 1993) called ‘El Biso’ which means ‘The Kiss’. It depicts the Peruvian sculptor Victor Delfin kissing his wife and was inspired by Gaudi’s ‘Park Guell’ in Barcelona with mosaics and undulating walls and benches. In the photo I love the pigeon looking on…the walls also have loving quotes from the Peruvian poets like – ‘My dream is a lost island’…’Also loving we know the pain’…and ‘Love, great labyrinth.’Back on Miraflores main front we became reacquainted with Paddington Bear (the sculpture) ready with his suitcase full of marmalade sandwiches for his great adventure sailing to England from Callao. Back to the ship we had an evening performance with the loudest and most colourful dancing display of all things Lima. It was a rich tapestry of cultural extremes of threatening devils and joyful movement backed by so many enthusiastic drummers. Lima actually means ‘threaded cords’ and that evening brought them all together. The following day we said farewell to Lima with a service of Holy Communion reflecting on all the sights and experiences of Peru and South America so far, through the story of the healing of Blind Bartimaeus. He experienced more than just new sight as he received the transforming living touch of Jesus. This latest port of call in South America brought to mind the variety of so many colourful experiences of sight, sound and taste. Vivid life and exuberances of so many kinds, from rainbows to mountains, lakes, overwhelming waterfalls, glaciers and wildlife beyond description. We held our breath for the next part of our voyage to the Caribbean.The communication of the world in terms of trade and sustenance is a story of transformation. During this looking through a lens of pandemic it has made us even more aware of food production chains and transportation systems. Also in this green ‘Creationtide’ of August, September and October of Trinity highlights our inter-connectedness.The Panama Canal transformed the trading of the world linking the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. Opened in August 1914 it is 51 miles of waterway. Today it takes over 8 hours to sail through (pre booked). In this decade it has seen on average 815,000 vessels a year sail through. As recently as 2016 they added a wider lock to accommodate the ever-growing number of super large container ships. Their cargo is diverse and includes automobiles, grain, soya beans, natural gas and all energy renewable and otherwise.Panama who took over the administration of the canal zone in 1977, control the charges to traverse the canal. For our cruise ship (710 cabins) it was charged 138 U.S.Dollars per cabin to go through. The locks (as seen in the photo) are 14,000 feet long, 180 feet wide and 60 feet deep. The French began the project in 1871 and lost so many workers from mosquito related illness. The USA took over its management in 1904 until opening in 1914. Today the UK has £3.3 billion in holdings in Panama and exports from the UK there exceed £149 million a year. They include whisky, organics, chemicals, medicinals, pharmaceuticals, machinery and transport equipment including expertise in green sustainable technology. Panama City is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, and is quite a sight.Next stop, Puerto Limon and the delight of Costa Rica…Blessings, Edward and Jane
