Sermon
Easter 6 2017
St
Magnus and St Colman
At Synod recently we reflected on the content of
the Diocesan Profile. As well as making important changes to it in that it now
reflects the life of the Northern Isles more prominently than it did before we also
reflected on the phrase “the Dream of God for Aberdeen” a choice of words which
was remarked as unfortunate.
Someone spoke about understanding the phrase “the
will of God”, but the “dream of God” was something else!
Personally speaking, though I have heard the
expression “will of God” more, I am still left puzzled about what t may mean.
Some people seem to use it in a way that makes me
at least feel very unconnected to God.
People often ask me how it is that I know God has
called me to be a priest…. I am sure the question can and should be used for
any activity for that matter…. How do we know God wants us to do something… or
to be something?
The answer does not in the end lie with the
individual but in the community. Each of us plays a part in helping us hear
God’s will.
Jesus poses us today a very uncomfortable
challenge….. If you love me you will keep my commandments…. I cannot fail to
hear this in a similar way to a mother saying to a child, if you do this then
this will follow…
However I am not sure this is a helpful way of
hearing wat Jesus is saying to us. I do not find it all that helpful to use the
carrot and stick method of discipleship.
If we look more closely the “If you love me…”
comes with a promise attached…. Jesus is not leaving us alone.
Jesus at the same time as saying “ If you love
me…” also reminds us that Something of God is deep within us and always
encouraging us.
As we move in the church calendar to Ascension and
Pentecost, that time when it may be tempting to see Jesus leaving his disciples
after the resurrection…. So graphically portrayed for us at Ascension Day when
the Paschal Candle is removed, we need to remind ourselves of that important
thing which Jesus reminded his disciples in today’s Gospel, that something of
God truly remains with us and is indeed within.
So often when facing difficulties and stresses of
any kind it is so tempting to think we face things on our own, without
recognising or taking the time to recognise that we are not all alone after
all.
I was reminded very much of this when walking
along the beach the other day when I noticed the footprints in the sand. I
reminded myself of that famous poem: ……
One night I dreamed I was walking
along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed
across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in
the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of
footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow
or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord, that if I
followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have
only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
is when I carried you."
This
is an important thing to remember because feeling alone can be totally
devastating for some people.
Furthermore
the Gospel paints a picture of being drawn into God and the feast of the
Ascension (on Thursday) is one way we picture this happening not just for Jesus
but for us too.
We
are Drawn into God, we are God’s offspring as Paul says in the court of the
Areopogus in Athens. Let us not treat God or think of God as if he were apart
from us… he is not above or away…. He is not something made of silver or gold.
God
is closer than we ever really imagined so let us live with one another as if
this was indeed the case, God is close to each one of us.
Footprints
take 2!
Imagine
you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way,
the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.
But
your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds,
circles, departures, and returns.
For
much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come
more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently.
You
and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This
seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once
etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps.
Inside
His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.
This
goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints
inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.
Eventually
they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints.
They
have become one.
This
goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is
back.
This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts.
Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.
You
are amazed and shocked.
Your
dream ends. Now you pray:
"Lord,
I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I
was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to
walk with You."
"That
is correct."
"And
when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to
walk in Your steps, following You very closely."
"Very
good.. You have understood everything so far."
When
the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming
like You in every way."
"Precisely."
"So,
Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this
time it was worse than at first."
There
is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.
"You
didn't know? It was then that we danced!"
To everything there is a season, a
time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to
mourn, and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.
