Sermon: Trinity V (A) – Sunday, 9th July 2023 – St Mary Magdalene, Outwood
Eucharist / Sermon
Some classic scripture today from Paul and Matthew…..!
But ‘Classic’ how?
Perhaps because they are well known, and ancient….
Or is it because they speak of human challenges that seem eternal, affecting everyone – religious or not.
The human frailty of sin….
And the the burdens in our lives that can become too much to cope with on our own.
Human history is filled with such stories, many of which are inspired by scripture.
I read a lot of fiction – it helps me to switch off.
I seem drawn to stories where life seems awful…. painful and dark – a snapshot maybe – in part – of our real lives, lived in this world; A Dystopia – where one persons vision of stability and order is most peoples experience of hell.
Scripture and other ‘classical’ texts gave us images of heaven, of wonderful experience … and humans tried to find ways to turn such utopia into reality….
And it never works…. Instead becoming the opposite, with disastrous effects!
But into the darkness a spark of light ignites into hope, transformation and redemption.
Recently I’ve been watching – and reading – Silo, on AppleTV – other streaming services are available.
If you haven’t seen it, or read the book, the basic premise is this:
Some global catastrophe has forced humankind underground, to live in vast silos.
Ten thousand living out their lives, unaware of the world outside, except that it will destroy them instantly if they leave.
To maintain order, and avoid chaos, the laws and rules of this strange land are universally enforced – curtailing relationships and reproduction, creating dissension between ‘classes’ of people, preventing widespread communications and, above all, denying even the thought of what happened in their past.
Should one be so bold as to ask the wrong questions…. You can go outside…
There are villains, there are people trying to live their best life, and of course, there is a heroine…..
It sometimes takes just one person to stand alone, and offer a different view.
It takes just a few people to think outside of the box – or cylinder – for others to question why their lives have become like this and is there anything better?
I imagine that all societies based on strict rules and laws, that become the accepted norm, will say: they exist to keep us all safe…. Happy…. Normal….. regulated and in order….. but at what cost?
I use this story as an example of a society modelled on laws and constraints that seems impossible to live in, and how humanity will alway strive to live their best lives, against the odds. The alternative, is to live with the fear of not getting it right, of being an outcast.
Paul discloses much about his own trials and burdens, in his letter to the Romans.
There is nothing new under the sun, in that Paul, like us, struggles with wanting to obey the Law, and not sin….
Yet, he too does the Sin he doesn’t want to do – neglecting the good that he wants to do….!
Does that seem familiar to you? It does to me!
Does anyone here echo Pauls words – “Wretched man (or woman) that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”
And why might that be?
Is it because we are rubbish at following our moral codes, or generally finding love in our hearts, or saying no to the stuff we know we shouldn’t do?
Are we so resistant to the possible transformation of God’s free and radical grace?
Are we resigned to always be the self-saboteur of our own hopes?
I don’t think so. It’s not that.
Could it be that we have created a religious landscape that turns in on itself, takes polarised views and stances on issues that, when viewed from the outside, make us look a bit foolish.
There are many who pursue a strict path of scriptural and moral purity.
Such a worldview can be presented as the only way to ‘fix the church’ and stall humanity’s descent into hell…. In a fast handcart!
Or so it seems.
Of course sex and relationships should be conversations within religion, within an informed and loving faith context, to offer support to all of society.
Perhaps, just not all of the time.
When we become embroiled in purity debates, where the objective is to rigorously establish moral and biblical truths, then we run the risk of throwing away the hope that Jesus offers us: the yoke that is light.
In fact, we find ourselves in that very market place, mentioned by Matthew, calling out – ‘Hey Jesus, over here, mate. We say no to everything we don’t like, and can’t find in the bible’ … and then…. ‘Hey Jesus, don’t go….. we thought that’s what the law wanted of us’!
Look elsewhere in the world and you will find dark places where sexual and gender choices are a death sentence, unchallenged by the Church.
The Church of England seeks to be a body where all its members are heard, understood and valued equally.
Unfortunately, the issues that unite those with normally opposing views, are the ones that society already struggles with but looks at us askance, as if to say to –
‘What are you doing in there? We thought you said that God was all about love’?
‘Are you only interested in keeping your Church together?’
A tough but fair comment, maybe? Tragically those that see the Church as being less than relevant are gaining strength and voice.
And ironically, when our spiritual leaders do engage with the stuff Jesus got upset about – calling out injustice, speaking truth to power – they are told to pipe down and take Church out of politics.
General Synod will no doubt have much on its agenda. We will pray for those attending that the Holy Spirit will prevail in their hearts and souls.
None of us have the same starting point for our journeys through life. We are all very different, even though we are here together today, to share in the hope of Jesus, as the Body of Christ.
We don’t even experience Jesus Christ in the same way, for we are unique. For some, becoming a disciple might seem easy…. Mostly, it might seem to be difficult, especially as we too readily forget the Christ that bears our burdens.
Faith should really be something of great value in our lives, that supports and nurtures, and gives light. If it isn’t, then we may even come to say ‘why bother?’ If it all seems too hard, we may even turn our backs on religion as the bedrock of our lives.
I began with the notion of a community becoming dystopian – high hopes, but with controlling laws and rules – diminishing life with the burden of a purity and obedience that cannot be reached.
The Pharisees spoke of people being called to carry ‘the yoke of the Torah’, the heavy burden of the Jewish law with all its commandments.
Jesus offered a different ‘yoke’, which, because it came from His compassion, was easier to bear.
Yet, how could following Jesus really be that easy?
Didn’t he say they should be prepared to leave behind their family, possessions, even their own life?
That’s true, but the joy, and the refreshment which he offered, came from within His own gentleness and warmth.
Whatever your burdens – moral, physical, emotional, financial or whatever, He is offering the generous, glorious, free and radical grace from God!
Jesus gives thanks to God – the Father, His Father – that wisdom had been given to “infants” – those who could reset their worldview, look with fresh eyes at the people around them – question the pile of burdens placed upon us…. and think differently about how to live with it all!
We don’t have to fear ‘not getting it right’ – of falling short of perfection – not becoming beacons of purity – not in this life.
That is not what we are called to do as Christian disciples.
For if the church is seen as irrelevant, and we spend our time chasing certainty and purity, then we take our eyes off the Christ that came to serve and to save, to demonstrate a loving God who gives a free invitation to the banquet!
When we are worried about falling short of what we think God wants of us…. pray…. bring it before Jesus, sit with the Holy Spirit for a while.
And then remember….
Jesus gave us a commandment, to Love one another as He loved….
Jesus also says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”.
There is nothing to be afraid of with these words…. There is only hope.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
Howey, Hugh (2012 ) Silo Trilogy: Wool, Random House
Rohr, Richard (2019) The Universal Christ, SPCK
Image: Silo, AppleTV+