Don’t Worry?
Sunday 12th February 2023 (Year A) / St Mary Magdalene’s, Outwood (Eucharist)
Genesis 1:1-23 / Romans 8:18-25 / Matthew 6:25-34
Recently there seems to be so much going on in the world that is both momentous and upsetting.
I wonder how it affects you. I wonder how you feel about what you witness…
Does it pass you by….?
Does it sit with you and remain there….?
When someone says to you “you worry too much about stuff that’s not your concern….and people you don’t know… chill out!”
How does that feel?
There seems to be a disconnect between our readings today, and what we witness in Turkey and Syria.
The Old Testament reading is the first chapter of Genesis, where God orders the Creation and creates humankind in “His image”.
God was pleased with it all.
There is no detail about Plate Tectonics…. and no mention of the possibilities of disaster – from earthquakes and volcanos… or from the effects that humans will have, in the ages to come….
And then Paul, telling the Romans that Creation is waiting for them to let go of all that distracts them…. that we might be adopted into the next stage of God’s hope for us…. The whole of Creation in labour pains for US…!
And Jesus: well He speaks with joy at the beauties of which Creation is filled – how even more than that is waiting for us if we could just let go of our distractions.
How do we reconcile such passages with the reality of living; such hope with such disaster…..?
There is no doubt we look upon such scenes of desperation with compassion, wanting to reach out and ‘do something’ to help our sisters and brothers. We feel frustrated and helpless.
We may find ways to help: sending money for example, or through prayer, or volunteer action.
We may well look to scripture for wisdom and hope.
The Bible is filled with reassurances that we are understood by God, that God will not let us take on more than we can bear….
Sometimes though, it just doesn’t seem like that…. when all around, people are asking us “why does God let this happen?”
And how would you stand amongst the family and friends of Nicola Bulley – a mother who seemingly vanished without trace.
Could we say “don’t worry” to them?
Well, you just wouldn’t would you.
Today is Racial Justice Sunday.
This year is the 30th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence – a young black man, killed at a bus stop by a gang of young white men.
Once again, we might feel distant from something like this. It was long ago, nothing to do with me, and why is there a special Sunday for it?
You may recall other recent incidents where a life is destroyed because of the colour of their skin – you might be horrified, angry, sad – but what do we do about it?
How do we take responsibility for our part in a society that has allowed such things to happen for so long?
How does the church seek to restore a sense of rightness against terrible wrongs – justice instead of injustice – empowerment instead of silence?
Should we be concerned?
Should we be anxious?
Can we avoid being so….?
I cannot stand up here and tell you not to be concerned for yourselves, your loved ones, the state of the nation, or the plight of other humans around the world.
Scripture doesn’t tell us to not care.
And we are unique in how we express our compassion….
When I watch the news and witness horrific scenes of desperation, beamed into my comfy, warm living room, LIVE from cold places of misery, what do I do?
Daily we are updated on a war, far away, in which politicians meddle but no one seems to be talking about peace…
How do such visions affect me – when I am not actually affected?
How long can my attention last?
Are there limits to my compassion?
Perhaps we could turn off the telly and the radio, cancel the papers and throw social media and the Internet into the bin….
Have done with it, not let anything else trouble me…. I don’t need it!
To be honest, there are times where such an outlook is quite appropriate and necessary, when we truly need the absence of noise and distraction, where our lived burdens are too great and need our full attention.
We know the difference between real tragedy and short-term drama, don’t we?
Yet some days, it can be so hard to discern, to see what really matters – everything vies for out attention and energy!
Was Jesus laughing at those listening to Him?
He was following a different path, so did He just not understand what troubled other people?
No, I don’t think so.
This Gospel passage is from the Sermon on the Mount – He was talking to people who were probably a bit like us – people who know how easy it is to get too settled….. people who, in their commitment to God, do seek the challenges of Discipleship but…. Well, we know how attractive it is to want a more comfortable and risk-free life.
Jesus wanted Israel to return to focussing on God, living the life God hoped for them, even when it was costly.
He wanted them to live their lives with joy – the joy that comes from accepting and trusting God who created everything…. This rich and diverse adventure that life can be….
We too are called to risk everything to live in love with our neighbours – far and near; with all the mess and noise and wreckage…..!
I will continue to be anxious for the world I live in – for my sisters and brothers everywhere, even when I don’t feel able to make a difference.
I will try not to let the petty concerns of my existence get in the way, draining my energy and hope….
For such things are from the self – from outside our calling towards God.
I can be more aware as a Christian Disciple – aware of my responsibilities…
And no – I don’t think this is easy to say….. like you, I am challenged every single day, Disciple or not…
None of us are superhuman – we are mortal.
If I don’t think I can do much to help millions of displaced people, lamenting their dreadful losses, and crying out for help….
What then?
I can challenge the attitudes that seek to diminish them…..
I can speak truth to power when authorities work against people “not like us” – from other lands, a different skin colour, living and loving in different ways….
I can push back against the language of hate, proclaiming justice and mercy – a universal dignity.
Racism and racial discrimination are issues of justice because they deny basic human dignity to women and men -all made in God’s image.
If we treat another as less than human, then our theology fails to bear witness to our transformation as people who find their identity in Christ.
Paul to the Romans again:
“For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (24-25)
Don’t worry….
When we allow the small to become so big that the love of God is obstructed from view.
Ask what God wants us to be – what God wants of you…
Lift it all up to God – all your burdens….. and those of people you don’t even know!
When we place our trust in God, and work together to transform the world with love;
when we accept our responsibility for building the Kingdom…
Maybe then we can embrace all that is before us, in hope filled love…. And all things will become clearer….
I would like to finish in prayer – with the Collect for Racial Justice Sunday:
Merciful God,
you are righteous and love justice:
stir the hearts of your people that,
rejoicing in our diversity,
we may repent of the wrongs of the past,
and, by your grace, seek the peaceable kingdom of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.