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As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional 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:
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the
appearance of earth and sky,
but why do you not know how to
interpret the present time?
Luke 12. 56
O Come, Let Us Worship
Collect:
Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin and
sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.
Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,
that all people may know the glorious liberty of the children of God:
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Gospel:
Luke 12:49-56
Sermon: The Venerable Brian Evans
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of
our hearts be ever acceptable to you, O Lord. Amen.
“Intentionally Ignoring God"
Believing you will have read the ‘Thursday Reflection’ written by Bishop Jeremy Greaves of Australia, in response to the actions of his colleagues who refused to share the Supper of our Lord with those they disagreed with on theological political issues.
Then I read these opening words from the Gospel for today: “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled.”
I am sure most of us find this statement rather shocking, as the first words read from the gospel this morning.
At the same time, you cannot blame Jesus, after all.
A brief look back at Chapter 12:
- There is the hypocrisy of the crowds gathered together. They are such a large crowd they begin to trample over one another. What Jesus is pointing out is the desire for only self.
- This is followed by a member of the community wanting Jesus to settle a family dispute over property.
- Then, there is the landowner who wants to build bigger barns, rather than share with the less fortunate.
This ends with Jesus asking the proverbial question,
“Which is more important storing up physical goods, or being rich toward God?” - This is followed by Jesus’ address on worry which is captured so well in the Gospel Hymn: “Seek Ye First, and all these things shall be added unto you….”
Peter always intrigues me.
I am not sure if it is just his nature, or if his buddies always put him up to the task: Peter always has the stunning question. Here we have him again. This time he asks, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”
Jesus’ response: “If the shoe fits, wear it.” This is followed up with the fire and brimstone statement: “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled.”
Just to add to the fire and brimstone a little. Jesus follows up this statement saying: 'I have not come to be a reconciler, rather a divider.'
AND, we want to say, WOW!
This sounds way out of place for Jesus. This is not the reconciling vision we have of our Lord. At the same time, putting this chapter into context, we can understand how Jesus may have been feeling at this moment. It is like: “Are you getting the message yet?”
I think Bishop Greaves is thinking along the same lines.
Then, Jesus goes on to explain using the example of family.
Family is so important then and now. You protect family at all costs.
At the same time, Jesus speaks of the realities of life, speaking how his message will divide families.
We live in a time with many divisions in family, in the world, among organizations. It could be, these divisions have always been around us.
We are split by culture.
We are separated by status.
Soon, our local communities will be in the midst of local elections, and we will see divisions over the simple situations.
One of the programs I enjoy on my way to Duncan most mornings, is the broadcaster who shares what is happening at the local government level in the lower mainland. At times, this spills over to the Island as well. With the aid of instant communication, it is like they are more prevalent than ever.
It is like, if you are a Facebook user, you will see this disclaimer at the end of most news items.
“The news is coming at us at an overwhelming speed. (my words), so fast and so frequent. we cannot begin to keep up with it.”
Some of us will recall Bishop Logan’s words as he would invite us to share the Peace in the Eucharist Service:
‘Not an easy peace, not an insignificant peace, not a half-hearted peace,
but the peace of God in Jesus Christ be with you all.’
Remembering, the community of the day is virtually a rural community, Jesus shares with us, what I like to call, the Farmer’s Almanac for weather predictions.
Jesus can be so direct.
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain.’ And so, it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat;’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
Except. Except, what Jesus does say, in simple and direct words, we are not called to be the judge between good and bad. Jesus calls us to be the reconcilers in the world. For we remember in Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” saying: “Love your enemies.”
Our Hebrews lesson today continues with the “by faith” statements.
Paul shares with us examples from the Old Testament of those who trusted in God in times of hardship and suffering. With Christ we, like them, have been promised eternal life.
These words from Hebrews are so encouraging for us.
'Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.'
Jesus is saying to us, I believe, instead of ignoring God, let go of your occupation with judgement of others, calling them out, pointing to their shortcomings.
Jesus’ message is very simple: ‘Love God and love your enemies, as yourself.”
As the last verse of our Communion Hymn says today:
People, let us love together,
Joining spirits, linking hands,
We are God’s unique creation,
Clothed with dignity we’ll stand.
AND, may we live as faithful heirs of your promised kingdom.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Let Us Pray
Trusting in God’s extraordinary love,
let us come near to the Holy One in prayer.
Our response today:
Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.