Love is the answer - sermon 11 October

Deuteronomy 6: 1-6 & Mark 12: 28-31 

How do we recognise love?

In the English language we only have one word yet in the languages of scripture – Hebrew, Greek there are many variations depending on which way it is used

I love dark chocolate

I love my brother and sister

I love Alastair

I love God

They may sound the same, but you all know that each is a different sort of love

The act of expressing enthusiasm; the familial love; romantic love; loyal covenantal love

When Jesus was asked “what is the greatest commandment?”

The man asking genuinely wanted to know; he was a teacher; an expert; he knew all the laws; as a teacher of the law it was his role to help the people understand and follow God’s teaching.

There are more than 600 different commands and rules in the Hebrew Scriptures; detailing the minutiae of life; they make life itself difficult and complex.

Yet everything was not easy, not simple and he sought to know more deeply what it was that God actually wanted humanity to do.

‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 

If we were to read on in this passage we discover the teacher is satisfied; he agrees with Jesus, and Jesus tells him – “you are not far from God’s kingdom”

This phrase ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength’  is one that is contained in both Old & New Testaments;

in Judaism it is considered so important it is included in daily prayers; it is used to begin every worship service for it lays down the foundation of everything.

It is called the Shema – from that first phrase: Listen, O Israel – in Hebrew Shema is Listen or hear.

Hear this!! Know this!

Listen to God’s teaching: Love is it; love is all; love.

And love crops up everywhere in the Bible!

In the epistles of Paul and John, and Peter and James; in the gospels; in the Prophets, in the Psalms. Everywhere you look Love is the answer!

But what does it mean?

From the flippant, I love chocolate – to the declaration: I love you there is a vast range of emotions and definitions.

Listen! Hear this! Love life. Love God. Love others. Love yourself.

Which of these is hardest?

It may be that for each of us the answer is different; and maybe even that in different times; in different seasons of our lives the answer may change; but for me, generally the one that has been most difficult over the years is the very last one.

Love yourself.

Loving me; accepting who I am; what I am has been one of the hardest things ever. Accepting that others may express love for me; that I have worth; that I am loveable has been a difficult journey.

Many things contributed to the fact that I was not happy in myself; I did not like who I was. I wanted to be different: more clever; thinner; prettier; happier. I wanted to be different to the way I was made.

Little by little that has changed; until now I am content. I know I am not perfect – but I try.

I know I get things wrong from time to time – but I do my best

For someone who lacks self confidence and is naturally shy and uncomfortable in a crowd – God has a great sense of humour! Calling me to a job where I am in the public and open to criticisms all the time – thanks God!

It’s a good job I love you!

But this is the crux of Jesus’ teaching and example. He didn’t call twelve confident, articulate, holy, educated, loving men.

He called a mismatched bunch of earthy misfits who constantly got it wrong and tripped up; he had a larger group of followers comprising foreigners, slaves, tax collectors and women – he sent out 72 of them to spread the news; but he didn’t expect them to work alone – they were sent in pairs. To be company for each other; to encourage and support.

And he taught them: love God; love your neighbour; love yourself.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if we were able to really live this out in practise?

To be truly loving, we wouldn’t talk about folks behind their backs; we wouldn’t ignore those who are different from us; we wouldn’t try to get the better of others; we wouldn’t make our own comforts a priority…

And as it radiates out into the wider world

People wouldn’t seek to use and abuse others

Countries wouldn’t seek to take over their neighbours

Death through violence would disappear

Physical and psychological harm would be a thing of the past

The world would seek good things for each person: a full life; a safe home; clean water; enough food to eat…

Is it all a pipe dream?

A distant utopia that is impossible in our day and age?

In the Book of Revelation we get a glimpse of the world to come

No more tears or mourning, or pain or death – only God and light and hope and joy and love.

So when Jesus declared that there was no commandment greater than to love God, love others, love yourself, he was also declaring a vision of perfection; a situation to strive for, to the very best of our abilities.

Love God, love others.

Keep it simple.

Love brings generosity, compassion, selflessness, kindness and hope.

For, whatever the question:

Love is the answer.

sermon for 20 September - Ridiculous Faith

Genesis 18:1-15 & 21:1-7

The Ridiculousness of Faith

There is nothing quite so wonderful as a good laugh; laughter is infectious, it bubbles up within until it can be contained no more. There is a phrase “laughter the best medicine” which was I seem to remember a  regular column in the Readers’ Digest (it may well still be so…) the column features stories from real life which were funny and often utterly absurd – but gave one a sense of yes –  that’s just what life is like…

It is clear that this week’s bible reading features laughter – laughter in discomfort and laughter in joy. It also features patience and faith – great faith in an impossible situation. Abraham has been promised many times that he will be blessed with thousands of descendants, yet his wife has never been able to conceive. In the face of reality, he still believes in the promise given to him by God. Believes when there is no earthly reason why he should. But, faith can be ridiculous like that can’t it?

But what about the absurdity of laughing when things are not funny or joyful? I’m sure we have all done it; an uncomfortable situation, making us feel unsure, and so we laugh at our discomfort, because we are embarrassed, because we are relieved it isn’t us… because it’s better than crying, because we need to do something… sometimes no matter how inappropriate it may be we laugh anyway, because ridiculously it’s the only appropriate thing to do.

Laughter is a gift – it is an instinctive response, and it is biblical. This story of Abraham and Sarah is the first time we hear of laughter occurring in the bible; first in the passage before this one, Abraham laughs when God tells him he will have a son to be his heir and that Sarah will be the mother; then Sarah laughs. Twice.

First at the absurdity of the conversation she is overhearing; and also at the ridiculousness of what she hears. The suggestion is absurd – she is 90 – she is well past child bearing – it is total nonsense.

And let’s not beat about the bush, this is no miraculous conception they are talking about – she and Abraham have to be proactive in the conception – the church bible translation is explicit – this is about the sexual act!

Other translations are less forthright!

Sarah’s second laugh comes nine months later – as she cradles her new born son, and her laughter is utterly awestruck; joyful – God has blessed her and now she laughs for sheer joy, inviting her friends to laugh with her, and naming her son – Isaac.

As I mentioned with the children, the name she chose is symbolic of all that has gone before: in Hebrew the name of the child born of God’s humour and Abraham and Sarah’s humanity is Isaac – Yitzhak – which means: the one who laughs! What began as a laugh of doubt and even fearful sarcasm, became a holy prayer bringing new life and hope to humans through their laughter. That phrase “became a holy prayer” I have borrowed from Lynn, another RevGal – she coined it, and it spoke volumes to me. I love the idea it purveys – that something tangible that we do is a much of a prayer as words uttered in hope, or joy, or supplication.

Laughter is God’s gift – Isaac – Yitzhak.

Rabbi Micah Goldstein, of Temple Emmanuel in Memphis, makes this observation about the text: “What is clear in the bible … is that with Isaac, the age of laughter begins. And as we are in seasons of our lives or our culture that are solemn or overwhelming, God forbid we close the age of laughter which began with Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac. We need laughter in our lives. It is God’s gift to us.”

In this season; in this place; in this world today – we need laughter; humanity needs laughter – to renew, to release, to share a common thread; humanity needs love for sure – but we also need that precious gift of Yitzhak – laughter, to bubble up within and cascade out – reminding us, that even at the worst of times, there is still a smile.

Those of you who have attended funerals I have conducted may well be familiar with the words I use at the conclusion of every service

“The time has come to say our final farewell; if you laugh or smile as you remember, if you shed a tear, be happy for all these things are what…” make us love and be loved.

Laughter shows us love, shows us God; laughter is God’s precious, life giving, love incarnating gift to us – let’s laugh and live and love together. 

Sermon for September 13th - Perfect Creation

Genesis 2: 4b-25

Well – what a couple of weeks!

While I have been away, visiting the family half way across the world, in America and Canada, things have moved on…

Today we get back into the lectionary again; prescribed readings and a sense of belonging to God’s Kingdom. Creation – the story that tries to explain how we came to be; how it is we seek to know our creator; how we seek to find meaning in our lives.

This is the second telling of creation – the order is different, God’s intent seems different, God’s emphasis is in a different place.

God creates the universe; and then, before creating anything else, God creates man. This version doesn’t say, “in God’s image” but it does tell us the it is through the breath of God that man began to live.

Next God plants his garden… including that tantalising tree – the one that gives knowledge of good and evil. And orders the man: do not eat of this tree; eat of any other plant, but not this one, for if you do, you will die.

Stark warning! Next come the animals and birds – to be companions for the man. And even though the man knows them, names them, cares for them, none was considered exactly right to be man’s constant companion. So, God causes the man to sleep, and from his rib creates woman. And all seems well.

Life is perfect

God’s creation was perfect…

So what happened?

How did humanity go from perfection to a world where some people have less value that others?

How did we get to a place where we witness death through poverty, injustice and greed and are not moved to act?

How did we get to a place where the ordinary people begin to rise up and speak out, because suddenly, it is not good enough?

Suddenly, we realise that this is NOT how God ordered things.

Creation. However you take it – either by a literal acceptance of the biblical tales (though, which do we choose?) or from the other extreme via the Big Bang Theory.

However you take it. We are here. All of humanity is here, and we sense, know, and believe in God’s presence.

I have no doubt that God created our world, and set us as stewards of that creation, and of each other. I also have no doubt that the world as it is today is far away from God’s original purpose, God’s original design.

 For, God did not call us to ignore the little ones; the less able; those who see the world, and God and creation differently to us.

God made us to respond to each other, to respond to God.

While I was away the world was rocked by the image of a tiny child on a beach. It should have been a happy sight: a wee boy, in the sand, playing at the shoreline. But it was far, far from that.

Aylan Kurdi was his name. He, and his brother and his mother all perished. And I know that you know this – but I need to try to make sense of it for me too. For this is not God’s plan – that families flee from persecution and lose their lives in an attempt to find safety. That to stay is worse than to risk losing all in a fragile boat on an indiscriminate sea.

And so – it is, the world has reacted. Oh how the world has reacted!

While the politicians keep on talking about it, the people have risen up and acted. Collecting points are springing up; individuals, churches and organisations are grouping together to take action. Food, clothes, shelter, essentials gathered up and transported to camps all over Europe.

And, the people’s voices are loud!

Clamouring for the governments to act, and to act quickly.

We have so much!

And nationally our country could act – if it had the will.

The knowledge of good and evil is a burden; before that knowledge there is innocence; afterwards, innocence is lost forever. 

We cannot un-see; we cannot un-learn, we cannot un-know the stark truth that evil walks the earth; that the perfection God envisioned is far from our reality.

So what can we do?

God’s gift to us, is the knowledge of GOOD as well as evil. All is not lost; Jesus' parable of the sheep and goats reminds us that what we do is known by God.

I was hungry and you fed meI was thirsty and you gave me drinkI was a stranger and you welcomed meNaked and you clothed me… (Matt 25: 35,36)

We know.

We know what to do – we act.

We give to those who have nothing

We welcome them; feed them, clothe them.

For when we do this; we do it to God.

You were all given a flyer today, with details of Borders Aid for Syria; this is one of many groups all across Scotland that have sprung up in the past fortnight. They are affiliated to a registered charity in Edinburgh and are acting to collect goods which will be transported to real refugees who have lost everything and are now in makeshift camps, seeking hope and dreaming of a better, safer life.

If you feel moved to act – then look at the list of goods needed and bring whatever you are able to church next Sunday, or to the café over the next couple of weeks. Take one of the flyers for a neighbour or friend if you think they too want to help.

God’s world may be broken, but that doesn’t mean all is lost. For, when we see hunger and thirst and need and we act – then we are taking God’s love and hope to the broken world.

God of the poor, friend of the weak, give us compassion we pray. Melt our cold hearts, let tears fall like rain, come change our love from a spark, to a flame. (Chorus, Beauty for Brokenness, Graham Kendrick (c) Make Way Music)

Amen…

Liturgy of Love

A Communion Story Liturgy

When God looked at the world, God saw that the people were toiling; seeking; searching; they were lost and alone; they knew God, but they still strayed, they were caught up with life and living and distractions surrounded them.

So God saw this and chose to make things better for them

God sought to show them a new way, a better way, a gentler more compassionate way of living. How to do this?

How deep was God’s love?

How deep was the Father’s love?

He sent his Son – not as a conquering hero; not as mighty Warrior King – though he could have done. Instead he sent him into a peasant community; away from the hustle and bustle of the city, to grow and live and learn of humanity’s ways. And when the time was right – the Son moved!

He travelled the world, sharing stories of God’s love and compassion.

He worked wonders and left signs for those who sought to know God more.

He criticised those who abused the poor; manipulated God’s love; twisted God’s laws.

He found the lost and lonely; he spent time with the outcasts and sinners; he forgave sins, healed hurts, soothed troubled minds and showed them God’s love in action.

The people loved him!

The people were also scared of him…

The people also feared what he would do… for change is scary.

Eventually those who were fearful began to question – who is this man?

And they began to plot – they wanted to go back to the old ways; to using others, to choosing who was in and who was not… they wanted him gone.

And so, Jesus knew his time was ending; that enough of the people had heard of love and compassion, and that they would become stronger, that the stories would grow and take on their own mission – that, still there would be the scared and the fearful ones; the mean and the selfish ones, but there would also be the kind and compassionate ones.

And so, knowing that the time on earth was to end, Jesus found a way for those who loved him to remember him… he invited them to a feast! A party! A magnificent celebration of life and love.

As they enjoyed the feast he sat and looked at his friends. And he was filled with love and sadness, for he knew what would happen; he knew that ahead was a fearful hate filled night and a long, lingering death. Yet he also knew that it must be done. That one day the world would remember, would know of his story, his love, his love in action.

Catching their attention, he picked up a piece of bread.

Just ordinary bread – bread that had been used in the feast, bread that would from that day forward take on another more special role.

He showed them the bread – look, see – here is bread – here is my body –my body which will be torn apart; broken for you. My body, this bread – take and eat, and when you do, remember me.

And he shared it round the table, and they all took some, and passed it round, and shared the mystery – even though they were not sure why.

And then. When they had all had a piece of the bread; when they had all shared in the body, he lifted up a cup of wine. Just ordinary wine – fruit of the vine, worked and crushed to release precious juices…

He showed them the cup – look, see – here is wine – this wine is my blood – this wine poured into the cup, is my blood which will be poured out, spilled,  for the forgiveness of sin. For the renewing of love. For the people of God. Her – take, drink, share, and as you do remember me.

And he passed the cup, and they each sipped, each shared, one to the other, amazed and awed at such love – Oh Jesus! Such Love.

See

Here

This is your Saviour coming to you again this day; this act of love in bread and wine, torn and shed, broken and poured, for you, for love… take eat, drink. Believe.

Share the bread and the wine…

Communion Prayer

Holy God we are amazed at Such Love

Such amazing love

You sent your Son into the world; to show us the way, to bring us the Good News – God still loves us!

Even when we turn way; forget; deny; pretend we never knew.

Even then

Even now

God still loves us!

We have shared in this special meal; we have witnessed again God’s love; God’s hope; God’s blessing.

Holy God we thank you; help us to remember long after the meal is done

Help us to carry this remembrance out into our world and share the joy, the love the Good News with all those we meet

Today and always

Amen 

Sermon for 9 August - seeking wisdom

Sermon 9 August

Wisdom – ask and it will be given....

Proverbs 2:1-15; James 1:2-8

From the psalms, to the teacher in Ecclesiastes, to the Wisdom of Solomon.... and it all sounds so easy doesn’t it?

Ask for wisdom and it will be given

You will know what to do

Your insight and understanding will prevent you from doing the wrong thing...

And yet.

How many of have not put our foot in it?

Made an error of judgement

Spoken out of turn

Jumped to conclusions

Done the wrong thing...

We read these bold statements in scripture; assertions and assurances that tell us if we only believe enough; pray enough; follow enough then all will be well.

But life isn’t like that!

Life throws stuff at us before we are even aware

And we can pray and pray and pray that something will or will not happen, and find that our prayers were not answered.

Or at least, not answered the way we wanted.

Young people die too soon

Accidents happen

Illness and disease invade our loved ones

Jobs, and homes and dreams go...

Yet, the bible tells us in our readings today: “your understanding will protect you and prevent you from doing the wrong thing”... and “make sure your endurance carries you all the way without failing so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing”

GOSH!!

Well how does that work?

I must be not praying hard enough

Or maybe I am not wise enough?

Or maybe my faith isn’t strong enough – because I’ve been praying long and hard, and still some things do not go the way I hoped for... so how can this be?

And by the way!

 I do not consider it fortunate when life throws trials my way – I rail and protest.

 I do not need to have my faith tested any more thank you very much!

So,

 If that isn’t what real life is like; if that isn’t what being human is like – then how on earth can we work to reconcile scripture to real life?

Last week, Tom was talking about turning the other cheek – about how to respond when under attack... and he surmised that prayer is our first port of call in every circumstance – whether that is the Russians coming over the Carter Bar; or protesting about the injustice we see all around us.

How does the call to peace; to unity; to justice sit with the seeking of wisdom and knowledge?

How do all these things fit together?

Wisdom: Sophia – the Spirit of God herself – personified as Wisdom, running through the streets calling and advising; encouraging and warning; cajoling and persuading... wisdom alternates between exhortations, and dire warnings.

Do this and if you don’t beware!

Life goes on

The world is full of good folks and wicked folks

(as we explored a couple of weeks back in Ecclesiastes)

Those who see the world and seek hope and joy and love

And those who see the world and look only to better themselves, to look after their own needs; to use and abuse the poor and marginalised.

The collection of wise words that makes up the books of wisdom is if you like not so much a full instruction book as a guide or manual. It is a guide to help us live in the world, without always being of the world. It helps us see a way forward to respond to the ways of the world.

Modern Society sets great store by individualism – by looking after you and yours; by drawing lines and building up walls of protection.

Christian belief however sets a great store by community, looking after each other; caring for the little ones, the weak ones, those who cannot fight for themselves.

I do not know how many of you have picked up on the latest Calais migrant furore? Not this time about migrants trying to travel through the tunnel, but because the Christian programme, BBC Songs of Praise has been visiting the camp, and will broadcast a special programme from the tent church in the camp next Sunday – the 16^th August at 5.00 pm

It is a brave thing to do

The backlash has been swift and vocal

There are voices in support

And there are voices of dissent

But – where would Jesus be?

Jesus actively sought out the marginalised; the dispossessed the refugee; Christians, who truly follow his teaching, who truly seek his wisdom will  be right there, in the camps, offering food and warmth and support.

When we pray for refugees – in a makeshift camp in Calais; or in a rickety old boat on the Mediterranean we must (as suggested by James) believe that God will hear and answer; the world needs God’s Spirit of Wisdom like never before

We have so much:

We have jobs and support; a good health service and great education system

We are richly blessed, when others on the world do not even have access to basics like clean water.

I know it easy for us – we do not live on the south coast; we do not have immigrants on our doorsteps. But I like to think, to hope, that if we were called on, we would act generously, offer a warm welcome, to use God’s wisdom for the good of others, for the good of all

In seeking wisdom, the writer of Proverbs tells us – “you will succeed in learning about God” we are assured that those who treat others fairly will be protected.

What does God’s wisdom tell us to do about the refugees?

Listen to these words, written by Liz Crumlish minister of Castlehill Church in Ayr

Queued at ferry ports
Hanging around dock yards
In the cold light of day and under the cover of darkness
Gathered up like cattle
Escorted back to persecution and death
As you see these now familiar sights O God
What are your thoughts?
As you see small boats washed up without their many occupants
who now lie at the bottom of the ocean
What are your thoughts, O God?
As you see prosperous nations refusing to offer aid
or even temporary shelter or asylum
What are your thoughts O God?
And as you witness us redrawing boundaries
feeling our security threatened by the plight of others
Or, worse, turning to look the other way
What are your thoughts, O God?
Your son was often far from welcome
in our streets and towns
seen as a threat to security
a challenge to the authorities of the day.
What are your thoughts O God
as you see your children today
still closing ranks
still refusing to share
still condemning others to death.
God help us to see what you see
and to be convicted by your thoughts
until we open the borders of our hearts and our minds
to make room for all your people.

by Liz Crumlish in Sanctuary First

There are no easy answers; the wisdom of God calls us to act, to trust, to believe  - to make room in our hearts, in our prayers to include everyone – even, or especially,  those who challenge our sensibilities

Wisdom is running through the streets and calling to all who will listen

Beg for knowledge and insight

Listen for God!

Listen

And act

Amen

Sermon July 26:Try all the Things and ask the question– where do you place your trust?

Ecclesiastes 1: 1-18 & 12: 9-14 

There are phrase that are in common use that folks quote regularly that are sourced from the bible; and there are popular songs that use words based from scriptures...
And today we read from a book that is often used as a source.

The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the wisdom books: a collection that provides advice and reflection and philosophy... and it is from here that we get such phrases as

“cast your bread on the waters”
“nothing new under the sun”
“eat drink and be merry”
“what goes around comes around”
“a time for everything”

And of course – immortalised in song in the 1960s: For every season – Turn, turn, turn, the Pete Seger song written in 1952, and popularised by the Byrds in 1965, that is taken right from Ecclesiastes Chapter 3. And which, if you were asked to quote from Ecclesiastes is the one that is most likely to be identified: a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance, etc...

So, to today’s reading, for one of the other most easily identified phrases, is “vanity, vanity, all is vanity” which is the King James Version.
All is hevel to use the Hebrew word (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The refrain runs throughout the book (25 times in all).
Though traditionally translated “vanity”, the Hebrew word hevel is better translated “absurdity, meaninglessness, vapour.”

There is clearly much debate for the word hevel is translated differently in virtually every translation:
Meaningless; vanity; useless; smoke; nothing makes sense; futile; and pointless to name but a few!
I chose the NIV translation today because I feel that for us the word meaningless is the most clear. We know what it means. We can understand the phrase at least...
But.
And here’s the thing!
I have studied Ecclesiastes many times; and very often, especially if you use a study guide, the focus is on all the things the Teacher (King, Philosopher, ruler...) tried in his quest to gain some understanding of the ways of the world. He tries good and he tries evil – and finds that both ultimately are meaningless – a chasing after the wind (you’ll never catch it!)
He tries hard work and toil; and he tries laziness and pleasure – and finds they carry no satisfaction either. They are simply vanities; they are pointless occupations; they carry no deeper sense of meaning or importance when you break down what you are doing.
This may sound like a pretty dismal way of looking at life – at what we do. But when reading Ecclesiastes, and the musings of the Teacher, and all of his research, contemplating, reflecting really will be meaningless, unless, you do as we did today, and read to the very end of the book. For the conclusion is the most vital ingredient, it is the key to all that has gone before.

If you read the order of service you’ll see the title for today’s sermon is a question “Where do you put your trust?” the longer working title went like this:
Try all the Things and ask the question– where do you place your trust?

Because that is the whole of Ecclesiastes in a sentence: try it all if you must, but at the end of it all there really is only one question, one conclusion worth anything: where is your trust?
The answer comes in those final few verses:

"Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

When it all comes to the end; when we take the tally – however you want to phrase it, the end of all things comes down to one thing only: trust God (remember that phrase from our look at Psalm 27 last week?)
trust God, keep God’s commandments;
in the church Good News Bible the phrase “fear God”, is translated “have reverence for God”.
I like that – have reverence for God

Imagine what the world would be like if we all did that?
If we all gave God due reverence, and kept God’s commands; if we treated our brothers and sisters with respect and honour – that would be a world!!
Treating everyone – no matter their creed or race or colour or gender with honour and respect – that, that would be something!
That would be the world as God created it to be.

And that would be a wonder.
And we, God’s people – all God’s people
Would be blessed

Amen

The first of firsts....

Today would have been my dad's 83rd birthday.

So, today we reach the first in a year of firsts....

And because it's a first, and not long into this weird year, the calendar reminds me.

As if I needed reminding.

There it is.

In big bold letters

Dad 83 

July 22nd.

Today I am feeling, more keenly than ever, the distance between my home and the homes of my siblings.

Between where I live, and where the rest of my family live.

Thinking of you all

With love and tears

Rest in Peace Dad - Happy Birthday