SERMON 28<sup>th</sup> FEBRUARY 2021 2<sup>nd</sup> SUNDAY OF LENT Mark Ch. 8 v 31 – end Jesus says, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things”, to Peter, which must have been a humiliating rebuke. How much of your life is concentrated on worldly things rather than divine things? When you have lived a few years you accumulate so many things, and to be honest most of them are quite peripheral to our lives. During the past year, which clothes have you worn? There has been no need to dress up when the government tell us to stay at home for our own good and for the good of others, so we mooch around in our old but comfy clothes. Yet I expect all of you have got a pretty full wardrobe of clothes for all possible occasions. Getting our priorities right is a problem for all of us. Most of us try our hardest to be unselfish and try to “Love our neighbour as ourselves”, but we fail pretty miserably, because of our inbuilt desire for security and our suspicion of people who are not quite like us – which, if you hadn't noticed, is the vast majority! Jesus in our Gospel passage today is at the crossroads of his ministry. After his teaching, healing and miracles he tells the Disciples what it means to be the Messiah. “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again”. Peter, my favourite disciple, openly rebuked Jesus, because Peter loved the Lord, and could not bear to think that anything like that should happen to Jesus. That was when Jesus replied “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things”. Peter, as so often when following Jesus, gets it wrong, and I would say, “just like all of us”. Jesus is trying to prepare the Disciples for the final act of his Messiahship in Jerusalem, when he knows that the Pharisees and the Chief Priests and Scribes will want him dead. Messiah, means “appointed by God to deliver his people”, and the Jews basically were looking for a strong military leader with God's might behind him, to unite the Jews against the Roman Empire. Another King David, to return their country to what they thought it was like hundreds of years before. Sometimes we have illusions today that someone will turn up as Britain's economic saviour, without realizing that our economic salvation comes from within us all, and the past cannot be relived. Jesus was doing his best to explain what true Messiahship was and how it was meant to fulfilled. He was delivering God's Kingdom for us all, but it was not a kingdom of our world but one of eternal life in the presence of his heavenly Father. He was not a Messiah who told people to take up their swords, but told them to take up their cross. In 1979 I was exploring the possibility of ordination when I started to have serious doubts. The more senior members of our congregation may remember that it was the year that “The Life of Brian” by Monty Python was released. I was a great fan of Monty Python and there was a great outcry by religious leaders from many denominations saying that the film was blasphemous. I went to see it and thought that it was very funny. It was very satirical about organised religion, politics, the British class system and the public school system, but it was not critical of Jesus. I really could not see what all the fuss was about and started to have misgivings, not about Jesus but about the Church. I did talk to one or two clergy about my thoughts and came to the conclusion that they were perhaps more worried about cynicism towards the Church than any blasphemy. That year there was a television debate between Malcolm Muggeridge and Mervyn Stockwood, the Bishop of Southwark on one side and John Cleese and Michael Palin on the other concerning the film. This led to Malcolm Muggeridge describing it as a ‘miserable little film’ which would soon be forgotten, since it was only ‘tenth rate’. Michael Palin said that they rejected the idea of doing a ‘Life of Jesus’, because the more they researched the topic, the more they realized that there was very little to ridicule in the life of Jesus himself. John Cleese criticised institutionalised religion that insulted his intelligence and must have realised that the publicity given by these two rather pompous men, was probably the best thing that could have happened for their box-office takings. It was then that I almost changed my mind about possible ordination, but somehow God and one of his clergy talked me into seeing that a Church that was intolerant and pompous was still God's Church, and maybe I might change it just a little by being part of it. It would take too long to describe the plot of film if you have avoided it over the last 42 years, but I believe it is not blasphemous, but it did highlight the Jewish desire for a messiah without seriously considering the consequences. A highlight of the film is Brian's mother (Terry Jones) telling the crowds to go away saying “He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy”. Brian's life runs parallel to that of Jesus, but all Brian wants is to get through life in a very confused world, and to be with Judith the woman he pursues throughout the story. If you have seen the film you will probably also remember the parody of 1970's left-wing politics when “What have the Roman's done for us” is debated. We are also left with the song, “Always look on the bright side of life”, which my brother-in-law, who was one of the most cheerful and funniest men I have known, chose for his funeral. The Life of Brian is a very funny film, but I would not say that it gives any serious theological insights, however it includes great perspectives concerning human nature and society. It has been the subject of an academic debate at Kings College London in 2014, a book based on the conference and several academic papers. It is a film, which if made today, would probably be banned because of its portrayal of Pontius Pilate's speech impediment (he couldn't pronounce his “r”s), rather than any fun it has at the churches' expense. We have the Gospel to tell us of Jesus's agony in taking the road of the cross to fulfil his Messiahship and we have Peter's confusion and Jesus's rebuke to consider today. Remember what following the true Messiah means – concentrate on the divine rather than worldly things. Fr. Terry I always like to include a joke in my sermons as you know, but I couldn't figure out how to include this one, but here it is anyway. An old lady was being tailgated by a stressed out man on a busy road, when suddenly, the light turned amber, just in front of her. She did the right thing and stopped, even though she could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the crossroads. The tailgating man hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as he missed his chance to get through the lights. As he was still in mid-rant, he heard a tap on his window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered him to exit his car with his hands up. He took him to the police station where he was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After several hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. He was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with his personal effects. He said, I'm very sorry for this mistake sir. “You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, giving rude gestures at the old lady in front of you, and shouting obscenities at her. I noticed the 'Jesus Loves You' sticker in the rear windscreen, the 'Love Your Neighbour As Yourself?' bumper sticker, the 'Be At Church This Sunday' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the boot.” “Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car.”
Reflection: Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. The day derives its name from the ceremonial imposition of ashes on the foreheads of worshippers in the liturgy of the day, a rite that dates from at least the 10<sup>th</sup> century. It was also seen as a time of penitential devotion and confession to be observed by all Christian people. Penitence is an essential part of the Christian life, for none of us can measure up to the vocation that is ours as Christians. We are in constant need of the mercy and forgiveness of God. I remember when I was being schooled in the ministry and beliefs of the Church of England many years ago, prior to my being confirmed, hearing those words during an Ash Wednesday service; ‘Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ’. Every year since I have listened to and read those words and been reminded of our mortality when I received ashes on my forehead. We need to remain stead-fast in the faith, to be penitential believers, and trust in God. But in these days of virus lockdown and Zoom services in our churches how might we manage such important services as Ash Wednesday that undoubtedly pose ministerial and practical problems about imposition of ashes? I remember a film starring Alec Guinness from the 1980s entitled Monsignor Quixote, a catholic priest, who one day knelt before the altar alone in his Parish Church to worship and receive communion. He did not consecrate a bread wafer or wine in any physical way. Rather, he conducted worship and communion in spiritual ways. He brought himself before God, on behalf of himself and his congregation in a prayerful and penitential way that he believed was real and theologically appropriate. Reflecting on such and how we might engage with an important service as Ash Wednesday with imposition of ashes, let us spiritually present ourselves before God as penitents and pray for our ourselves, for our nation and world, and for all to be reconciled in God through Christ. May this season of Lent inspire and lead you into deeper realisations of the reality of God and God’s wish and love for all. God bless, Fr Graham
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY “I love to sing hymns Vicar, but I can't believe all that rubbish in the Bible". That is what someone said to me once, and is typical of many conversations I have had over the years. Christianity, for some people, is nothing more than a quaint fairytale that is good for teaching children the difference between right and wrong, or perhaps give themselves a nice feeling at Christmas. Yet those same people are quite happy to read their stars in the newspaper, believe without question the stories they read in the press, or get engrossed in the fictitious lives of characters in soap-operas. What people so often fail to realise is that the Christian faith is about living life to the full; it is about becoming a real person. Being a believer in Jesus Christ is challenging, sometimes difficult and is never easy, but the rewards of feeling close to God is enormous. Christianity is about learning to love to the utmost, and through that, being able to live life to its fullest. There are so many people in our world today who are searching for something to make their lives more meaningful. However, they so often seem to get sidetracked by the trials and troubles of this world, or the temptations of an easy life. In this time of Covid many people are searching for certainty and hope. I do believe that Jesus Christ can bring both to anyone who is willing to dismiss their negativity and allow God's love to overwhelm them. I am often asked, "Where do I start?" Well, that is not easy to answer, as there are many routes to becoming closer to God. Just picking up a Bible might not be the answer for everybody. Sometimes the lives of the saints might help giving examples and encouragement, or it could be your example of good living, but perhaps try not to look so pure and holy that people think you are not like them. I remember when I was a young boy there was a children's entertainer on the television called Mr. Pastry (Richard Hearne); he always finished his show by saying something to the effect of, “Be good children, but not so good that everyone wonders what you have been up to.” What I believe is a sure starter to living life to the full and becoming a real person is to just take one verse of the Bible and try to live to it. The verse I am talking about is from the Gospel of St. John Chapter 13, verse 34 (Jesus said) "I give you a new commandment; love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another." Try just being more loving in your life, with your family, with your friends, and in the community. There are so many people who need love, your love will not be wasted. There are so many opportunities to help people, perhaps you could give some of your time out of love? It could change your life! Finally, for the person who likes to sing hymns, but cannot get any further, perhaps I could recommend studying the words of some of the famous hymns. Hymns are often based on words from the Bible or are testaments of faith, or could be just great songs of praise and joy, and are great guidance in real life. One of the oldest hymns that we sing often in church should give anyone extra encouragement at this difficult time. Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices; who from our mother's arms hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us; and keep us in his grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills in this world and the next. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given, the Son and him who reigns with them in highest heaven, the one Eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore. We live in a world which at the moment is embroiled in uncertainty, but I am sure that most of us can remember being picked up by our mothers when we were crying after a fall. God is always ready to pick us up and cradle us in his love if we cry to him. Fr. Terry
Epiphany & Star of Bethlehem Epiphany is a Greek word meaning ‘manifestation’ or ‘theophany’ that derives from a natural theology religion that discerns manifestations of the eternal or divine present in all things. In our worship we celebrate the feast of Epiphany as the day when a Star led the Magi (Wise Men or Kings) from the East, probably Persia, East Syria or Arabia, to the child Jesus. The three Magi (Casper, Balthasar and Melchior) were by all accounts religious scholars who were revered as astronomers and astrologers. As such, they studied the stars and planets and interpreted the meaning of dreams and various cosmic events. Anything unusual that appeared in the heavens such as a bright star, comet, meteor, supernova or a planetary conjunction would have been considered as an omen. Such a sighting in the sky would have incited ‘dread and fear’ in the minds of many rather than a symbol of wonder and hope. Most in those days believed that human destiny was written in the stars and that heavenly bodies played a major role in earthly affairs, perhaps not unlike some today who organise their lives around their star signs. The Star, however, was not the only indication of the coming of Christ. In the Old Testament (e.g. Numbers 24:17) the scriptures foretold of One who was to come. His redemptive destiny had been written in the stars long before the Magi ever made their long journey to Bethlehem. But was the Star a fable or a miracle? Many tend to think the story of the Star was a fable, a literary device, used by Matthew (2:1-12) to convey a light of hope in his gospel. Ancient cultures had differing interpretations for stars, especially shooting stars, that were believed in e.g. ancient China, to mark the birth of an important child, whose soul was descending from heaven to earth, where it would come to life. Star worship was common and many offered a sacrifice to ‘his’ or ‘her’ star or lucky stars. But what does this biblical Star mean for us and how does the story call us? The event of the Epiphany invites us to bring ourselves just as we are to serve and worship God through Christ as ‘the bright morning star’ (Revelation 22:16). We are not required to bring ourselves bearing such symbolic expensive gifts as gold, frankincense and myrrh as the Magi did. Gold signified the kingship of Christ, frankincense or incense his divinity, and myrrh his redemptive suffering or virtue or prayer and suffering (Isaiah 60: 6, 11 and Psalm 72:10-11). Some early Christians were scandalised by this section of Matthew’s gospel because the role of the star was considered as favouring astrology beliefs. However, Matthew shows no interest in this problem because the star is used to serve God’s purpose by leading the Magi to Jesus. Let me conclude by offering a few words from Colin Goodman, one of our readers at St Catherine’s church. He was a very much respected reader and preacher and was a science teacher at Hastings High School in Burbage. He published a booklet of his sermons collectively entitled An unpredictable God. In one of those sermons he reflected on the event of the Epiphany, saying, “What lies beyond question is the inspiration that this story [the Epiphany] has given to the worship of the Church throughout all ages. In liturgy, poetry, music, and works of art the Epiphany has been set forth in matchless beauty and the Wise Men {Magi} have been a constant source of inspiration to all who wish to venture on a journey of faith”. Whatever we make or believe about this Star as a fact or fable used by Matthew to convey light and hope for all, it should be for us a Star of wonder and hope to inspire journeys of faith in and towards Christ, the Word made flesh. God bless, Fr Graham
