Trinity 12

Romans 12: 1-18

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, ⁵so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. ⁶We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ⁷ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; ⁸the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Do not be conformed to this world – it’s in a whole lotta trouble

Be a transformer instead

Reflection

Cambridge dictionary definition: ‘Conform’ – to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society.

So what are the world’s standards of behaviour? Perhaps we should look to the current behaviour of our world and its leaders, and measure them against the will of God as illustrated and expected by the Commandments, summarised by Jesus as ‘Love God and Love your neighbour.’ If God sent a team of angels to do an audit on current world leadership, what would they find?

• Billionaires using social media to maximise profit by targeting children.
• Reckless destruction of the environment – fossil fuels, deforestation, overfishing.
• Ongoing economic and physical violence against any ‘tribes’ whose values/ traditions/ cultures/ religions differ.
• Fundamentalist and/or populist political leadership telling barefaced lies without shame.
• Deployment of technologies without assessing consequence – weaponised AI, ultra-processed food, uncontrollable Internet.
• Increasing domestic and gender-based violence exacerbated by childhood exposure to adult examples.

So in rejecting these, what would the angelic report offer as alternative non-conforming and positive transformations?

You.

Yes you, with all the baggage you brought and left at the foot of the cross, as you accepted forgiveness and resolved to start again with The Holy Spirit as your guide. All that is needed to put the Commandment to love God and Neighbour into daily practice is for you to commit to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with Him in your life, and the Victory is sure.

Walking with you, He has overcome the World.

Open your eyes but don’t let go of His hand…

Collect for Trinity 11

Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32

Matthew 15: 21-28

Reflection

Tribe Definition:

A group of people, sharing the same language, culture, belief and history.

In a recent documentary, using examples from the Troubles in the north of the country, Ex-USofA President Bill Clinton discussed our common humanity, accepting that we all live in ‘tribes’. He introduced the concept of ‘inclusive tribalism’, where people from different backgrounds, cultures and traditions live and work together successfully having reached an accommodation of their beliefs on economics, social policy, politics and religion.

He compared this with ‘divisive tribalism’, where powerful tribal leaders engender conflict between those whose beliefs are different from theirs.

In the former environment, we talk about being ‘us’ – in the latter, we reject those we call ‘them’.

This is not a new state of affairs – believe it or not, in fact today we probably enjoy the most inclusive tribalism in history. However, we are still a long way from the ideal, with many people still stirring up prejudice and barriers along the way – usually to their own advantage.

In Jesus’ day, even within Judaism itself, there were many divided tribes each asserting their own superiority – albeit usually agreeing with the inferiority of the tribe of women.
So when Jesus (after making sure He isn’t being set up by asking some questions about the sincerity of her request) heals the daughter of a Canaanite woman, the watching divisive tribalists are both amazed and horrified at His blasphemy.

But

“In Christ there is no east or west, In him no south or north” (Galatians 3:28 paraphrase)

We are often members of many tribes according to politics, language, history – especially football team! – but we are one in Christ. He said so, and challenges us to ‘make disciples of all Nations’ (Matthew 28:19)

Taking that to its conclusion, though, begs a question – do we have to crusade against other tribes and insist they join our tribe, by force if necessary? Or do we have to accept them even if we believe their actions to be dangerous or sinful? A current example from last night’s TV News would be the Taliban treatment of women and girls. Clearly, the answer is no. But we have to look at the plank in our own eye before we confront the speck in another. While Christianity is divided in itself, allowing fundamentalist sects of all extremes to claim exclusive ownership of Gospel truth, we have no right to preach to others let alone attempt to subdue them by force. Evangelisation does not happen through violent subjection, but by offering an example of living as the Body of Christ.

Again from last nights’ news: A flag “calling for police officers and Protestants to be killed” was erected near a bonfire in Londonderry. On the other hand, increasingly, we see Far-right fundamentalist ‘pastors’ and politicians claim exclusivity of the Cross and use it as their justification to incite racist, sexist, anti-Catholic, misogynistic and anti-LGBT violence.

We share the shame of both if we fail to address the divisive hatred within our own purportedly Christian ‘tribe’ before condemning others. For Scripture also says Judge not lest ye yourself be judged (Matthew 7:1). Jesus Himself makes it clear that hypocrisy has no place in a Kingdom founded upon love.

Collect for Trinity 10

Romans 11: 26-39

11The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’

Romans 11: 26-39

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

28 Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ 29He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

Reflection

They were far from land. The wind was against them. And as if that wasn’t scary enough, Jesus comes to them walking on the water. They aren’t sure if they are really seeing Jesus or some sort of apparition. Peter decides to test what he sees, and Jesus commands him with authority – ‘Come’. And Peter does – at least for a few steps, then as he realises what he is doing, his faith deserts him and he starts to sink. He cries out in fear to Jesus – and is lifted up to safety. Jesus offers a (mild) rebuke as the wind ceases and the sun comes out. In the face of clear evidence, the disciples in the boat proclaim Jesus as the Christ – any past doubt is left behind.

Now read the story again, but substitute your own name instead of Peter. You often feel that the call to live the Christian life is too challenging. You pray, and (provided you listen) you hear God’s answer. You resolve to stride out in faith but your initial confidence starts to weaken as you realise what you’re doing. You feel that you have bitten off more than you can chew and you cry out for help as you start to sink. But instead of drowning you are picked up by the scruff of your neck, and hear Jesus telling you to get out of the boat again, but next time be aware that He is walking alongside.

Trusting Jesus and obeying His call takes commitment, it takes faith, it takes the courage to face antagonism, discomfort and sometimes suffering. But if we’re afraid of risking our beautiful feet getting wet, and hoping someone else will, there’s no point in us praying ‘Thy Kingdom come’ – ‘cos it won’t.

Collect for Trinity 8

Romans 8: 26-39

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection

There are many different responses when people suffer disappointment, hardship or suffering.

‘Why me?” “Why did God allow this to happen?” “I prayed but God didn’t answer” “Why should I believe in God anymore?” “What has God done for me?”.

We hear a lot of complicated theologically-based responses to those questions, but frankly, they aren’t much help when you’re going through a bad time.

I prefer the more succinct approach of my Auntie Annie. “There’s always a reason” she would say – and then get on with her life of faith. (St. Paul says much the same thing in his letter to the Romans – although with more words). Like Paul, we are aware that living the Christian life may involve us having to face ‘trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword’

We’re not going to heal every wound or every pain. We’re not puppets and the price of our freedom is that our stories aren’t going to end happily every time. Not in this life, anyway. God isn’t always going to find us a parking place, neither will He vaccinate us from every hurt and consequence of a sinful world. His plan for us – which we don’t necessarily know in any detail – is of much greater eternal significance. He climbs a Cross as comprehensive punishment for our sin. It includes His participation in warfare – His prize being our place in His Heavenly Kingdom. He rides into battle as head of an army of Angels; the Satan and all his works are defeated, and we are set free.

The following beautiful piece of music was written by Jean Sibelius as part of a tone poem named ‘Finlandia’ – it wa actually a banned song of protest and encouragement in difficult times against the increasing threat posed by Imperialist Russia. In its thematic relevance to the Christian story of spiritual warfare, it has formed the accompaniment to many Christian Hymns, including ‘Be still my Soul’. But I don’t think we need the words for it to inspire us and bring peace in our hearts, whatever may befall. Just cling to the promise that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord