As we gather, we recognize that we
live, work, pray, and play in the traditional,
unceded lands of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves to
the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

Jesus went about Galilee,
teaching, preaching & healing
every disease. 

Matthew 4.23

O, Come.   Let Us Worship.

Gathering:

Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known,  and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts  by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you,  and worthily magnify your holy name;  through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect for Today: 

Living God,
in Christ you make all things new. Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.    Amen.

The Proclamation of the Gospel: Mark 1.21-28 

Sermon:  The Ven.  Brian Evans

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be ever acceptable to you, O Lord.  Amen.

“Astonishing”

Possibly one of the most astonishing memories from our school days, was the whole experiment dealing with Gravity; how Aristotle a long time ago, had his theory that ‘a heavier object would fall faster to the earth than a lighter object.’          

To prove his theory, he gathered leading scientists from around the world at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. He he climbed to the top, and pushed off a 10-lb. and a 1-lb. weight at the same time. To his amazement, they both landed on the ground at the same time. 

Well, of course, all those scientists and wise people that had joined Aristotle, even though they saw it, they didn’t believe it. Then, in 1589 (according to legend) when Galileo performed the same experiment, with the same results.          

Still, the power of believing from the past was so strong, professors still denied the fact. They remained attached to the school of Aristotle.          

Even Thomas was not convinced of the resurrection until Jesus came the 2^nd time and visited Thomas along with  the other disciples, it was only at that moment as Jesus showed his hands and scars on them that he said, “My Lord! My God!”

This type of discounting of ‘factual evidence’ continues to this day. There remain people who would deny smoking can cause cancer; or liver illness is often caused by alcohol; or the numbers who discount the effects of vaccines to various illnesses to this day.          

Even the scriptures today, various individuals would shudder at the idea that ‘there may have been errors in the King James Version of the Bible.’ There are many other examples from theology, liturgy, and other doctrines in the Christian Church. I am sure you can imagine, even in seminary-settings to this day, there are great debates over certain doctrines and certain translations from some of the original languages, and what the word would be in English.            

On Tuesday of this week, I attended a study day in relation to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Bishop leading the study day was a Roman Catholic, in a Lutheran Church. I am young enough to know and have experienced when that would not even have happened! At the same time we still have many differences, although we have all been baptised in the name of the Triune God: ‘in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.’          

The question for us today is: What was different about Jesus beyond the scribes and Pharisees?          

The clue is in verse 22. Jesus taught with authority.          

In other words, Jesus taught in the sense of speaking and relationship with others that his teaching had authority, not in the sense of legal authority, but in that simple nature of how he spoke and how he taught. 

Jesus did not dwell on the past. A mistake we consistently seem to relish in. We know all the statements which begin with, “I remember…. We didn’t do it that way, or we don’t do it that way.”          

Not only did Jesus teach with authority, it also says that the people were astonished!          

It would have been like having a new priest at St. John’s. I am sure when I leave the people will be astonished by the new priest, either good or bad.          

One of the first teachings Jesus made in his preaching was to stand up and say, “your sins have been forgiven.”          

There are some Christian denominations where the Sunday liturgy begins with the confessional. The theology for this to cure the soul to free one to be open to the Word of God, to hear the message of the good news of the gospel.          

I need to be careful with this, as I may be found guilty!!          

Jesus did not get up and say, ‘Moses said this, or in Exodus you will read.’          

Jesus would, in rebuttle, say, “But I say to you.”          

Rather than going into great detail, his greeting would be something like, “Your sins are forgiven.”          

This is where the Easter greeting comes from in some Christian denominations, when in that wonderful service on Easter where we say, 'Christ is Risen! Alleluia!' And the people respond, 'Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!' Then we need to say, “Your sins have been forgiven! Christ is Risen! Alleluia!”          

On more than one occasion I have been asked, “Why no confession in the Easter Liturgy, Fr. Brian?” The answer is quite clear. The scriptures, for my part, are quite clear. The resurrection tells the story.          

Being cautious in my suggestions about this part, at the same time, we must remember Jesus does say, (and this is His authority) ‘I am the door, I am the vine, I am the gate, I am the Good Shepherd.’ For that, we rejoice in thanksgiving.          

Not only did Jesus teach with authority, he also taught by example.

Today we have the example of the person possessed with the evil spirit. He stopped to take care of the individual. Jesus did not say, ‘Well, first I want to finish my sermon, then I’ll come and talk to you; or first, I need to hear your confession.’          

In other words, Jesus had authority because he simply led by example.          

I often think of a tribute related to Archbishop Michael Peers was how, when visitng a parish, following the meal, he would go and help do the dishes. What he would say was, ‘how much more he learned about the parish washing dishes, than he did sitting with two individuals at a tea table.’ 

It is like, who is a good teacher and who is a good educator? Who is the good shepherd?          

In Grade 2-3, we had a substitute teacher for a number of months. She was phenomenal. In hindsite, I believe we learned so much! Part of the reason she was a phenomenal teacher was she always seemed to bring a bag of candies every morning!          

Theologian Brett Blair writes:

‘Education can make us intelligent. Sociology can give us cultural knowledge. History can give us world knowledge. Philosophy teaches us conceptual knowledge. Science teaches us the natural laws. Psychology offers behavioral knowledge. Religion imparts divine knowledge. But in the end, all of these do not have the authority to control the moral demons that plague mankind’s soul. We need something more,we need a new teaching, we need someone with authority. We need Jesus Christ.’             

At the end of the day, the sciences are a great teacher. Yet there is more.

Often on Sunday afternoon, I relax watching golf. Two weeks ago, the winner of the golf tournament being held in Hawaii, who had had a period of not winning, had had some personal life issues, and so immediately upon his being interviewed after the 18^th hole, the announcer-jounralist put the microphone up to him and said, ‘to whom to you credit your wonderful, remarkable return?’ And I love his one-word answer: 'Jesus.'

Imagine! Sharing that to the whole world!          

And in more than one part of that interview, he returned again to that same simple statement. 

So we read today, ‘ “They were all amazed...’ I am sure the golf world was amazed!  

“They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him! At once His fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.”          

They were astonished!

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Let Us Pray

With all our hearts, we desire to dwell in God’s love and to have the grace to love our neighbours as ourselves. God of boundless love, we pray that all people may come to know your unlimited mercy and believe in your desire to fill us with your infinite love.

Fill us with your love! Make us one in you.

We join our prayers to that of Jesus, who prayed for the unity of all who follow him. God of communion, we pray that we may work together for your greater glory and spread the Good News of salvation for all.

Fill us with your love! Make us one in you.

Our hearts are broken because of the confusion and division in our world. God, our healer, we, who are scattered like sheep without a shepherd, ask you to gather us into one fold. Enliven us by your Spirit and send us again, two by two, to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

Fill us with your love! Make us one in you.

Our world is scarred by terror and violence. Millions are forced to leave their homes in search of refuge and safety. God of welcome, grant us the grace to risk embracing the stranger, tending their wounds, and standing in solidarity with them. Strengthen our resolve to be kind and merciful, and to act towards our sisters and brothers at all times as you do towards us.

Fill us with your love! Make us one in you.

In our weakness and fear we know that we often pass by on the other side, turning away from those who need our help. God of power, despite our lack of charity, open our hearts to experience the length, width, height, and depth of your love, so that we may love you more, and love our neighbour as ourselves.

Fill us with your love! Make us one in you.

We have been invited to live the divine call to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. As we renew our commitment to this call, may this love strengthen our unity as Christians.

Lord Jesus, who prayed that all might be one, we pray to you for the unity of all Christians, according to your will, according to your means. May your Spirit enable us to experience the suffering caused by division, to see our sin, and to hope beyond all hope.

Amen.    

As our saviour taught us to pray, we say:

Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us fom evil.   For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

The Blessing: 

And the Peace of God, 
which passes all understanding, 
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge
of the love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you, always.  Amen. 

Heavenly Father:

We give thanks that we are nourished by your love; that we are nourished by sharing your love with fellow Christians across denominations. And we give thanks that you invigorate us in the Sacraments with new wine.

May this renewed life give us hope.