The writer, G.K. Chesterton, is known for the statement, ‘The problem with Christianity is that it has not been tried yet.’

Is the Christian Way too difficult to achieve?

Some may even ask if it is desirable.

The apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a dedicated athlete to express his devotion to living a Christian life.

It is a way of life that requires daily exercise, time for refining our skills, and training.

We give it everything we have, day in, day out without ceasing.

‘Run in such a way that you may win it,’ Paul writes.

His description is very intense, but he is seriously advocating that we live faithful lives.

What does a faithful life look like?

To a degree, we’re preaching to the converted this morning.

Regular worship, contributing our personal resources to share in God’s ministry in the world, obeying the law of the land, helping others – all are aspects of our lives individually and corporately.

There is another element to faithful living we can explore through the first reading this morning.

The story of Naaman, an army commander, two kings – King of Aram and of Israel, and the prophet Elisha may sound like another irrelevant story from the Hebrew scriptures, but it does speak to our hearts in the twenty-first century.

I love the way scripture explains that Naaman, even though he is powerful, has a skin disorder.

Yes, tragedy does affect the lives of the pillars of every society.

Out of a genuine desire to help, his wife’s slave recommends that he consult a healer in Samaria.

Savvy in the ways of international protocol, the military commander seeks permission from his king to approach the king of Israel and the prophet in that territory.

The king of Aram writes a letter and sends bountiful gifts to the king of Israel, for sure a custom of the day, a sign of respect.

The king of Israel is blind to the expression of respect and the generosity offered.

He sees an adversary trying to pick a fight.

Now we have all likely misinterpreted a letter or an email, haven’t we, but these are the moments that give testimony to the condition of our heart.

No threat was implied, merely a request for help.

When we feel insecure, though, we do think others have a secret agenda.

How much time and energy we waste fretting over such things!

In this story, Elisha hears about the king’s response to the letter and encourages him to let Naaman come so that the people of Aram will know Israel has a prophet.

Like the missional church, Elisha sees an opportunity to share the good news of the one God with the leaders in Aram.

The king of Israel goes along with this and Naaman comes to Elisha.

Once again, self-important egos cannot see the grace before them.

Naaman is insulted, enraged, that Elisha does not personally greet him.

Perhaps he was imagining his cure would be welcomed with some kind of fanfare.

It does not.

Instead, the prophet’s messenger tells him to simply bathe in the river Jordan seven times.

Naaman’s servants give him a wake up call. 

What have you got to lose?  Why not try it?

Naaman bathes and is healed.

By the way, he is very grateful and attempts to shower Elisha with gifts which the prophet refuses, but you can read all of that later.

The great egos in this story miss God’s grace, but not everyone does.

The servants are the ones who save the day.

The powerless voices could have chosen to remain quiet and simply do what is expected of them, but they are moved by a genuine desire to help.

A slave and a few servants in this story have the kind of heart God instills in us.

Through this encounter, the people of Aram (Arameans) become acquainted with the God of Israel.

This is a missional moment of huge significance affected because a few people have courage and generous spirits.

How do we develop open hearts?

I can only speak to the disciplines that I find helpful.

Like many today, I need to try to simplify my life, make time to reflect on what is going on around me and within me, what is important and what is not.

I need to pray, regularly silently open to God’s presence.

Reading scripture helps.

Even as a priest, I struggle to allow time in my schedule for all of this, but I know life is more centered on God when I do so.

I think Paul is talking about this kind of ‘exercise’ for faithful living in today’s reading from 1 Corinthians.

God works through hearts that are open to God’s presence – rich or poor, educated or not, cradle Anglican or brand new, ordained or lay.

Rather than fear each other because we are different, let us embrace what it is we share, one faith, one baptism, one God.

Sunday, February 5, 2012 

Jesus and a few of the disciples leave the synagogue in Capernaum where he had been teaching and ended up healing a man. 

They go to Simon’s house.

I don’t know why they go there because his mother-in-law is sick in bed, but they immediately tell Jesus she is unwell.

Jesus prays and she is made well.

Immediately, the woman gets dressed and prepares some food for her son-in-law’s guests.

As the psalmist shouts, ‘Praise the Lord!  Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving.’

Simon Peter’s mother-in-law is grateful.

She is moved to serve in response to God’s presence in her life and she does so with food.

Notice that once again we hear the voice of demons in the story.

They see how radically Jesus is shaking up the status quo.

Now the disciples respond by bringing to Jesus all kinds of sick people.

I can imagine how the mother-in-law felt about that.

Her house was full of people.

The door was jammed and would not close because so many needed Jesus’ healing grace.

Do you see what is happening?

All the sick and the mentally ill are brought to Jesus.

He accepts them, prays with them, touches them, brings them wholeness.

You know what would happen if this crowed turned up on the doors of the synagogue, don’t you?

They would be turned away.

Unclean spirits, sick people have no place in the synagogue.

Many had already been rejected.

The healing Jesus offers is a healing of a culture, a society, an understanding of God’s mercy.

We’re still working on that understanding in our culture – who does God accept and who does God reject – as if we could ever know.

Having said that, we witness the wideness of God’s mercy in the gospel story.

Those whom the religious institution turns away are gathered up in the loving arms of the Good Shepherd.

This inclusive way is good enough for him and is good enough for me.

Doing all of this has affected Jesus.

He arises earlier than the rest and finds a deserted place to pray.

He can see the impact of his ministry.

The crowds swarm him.

What does God want him to do?

The disciples find him, but Jesus has discerned his next steps.

It’s time to take his message of God’s love to other towns and villages.

Instead of setting up a drop-in clinic for Capernaum’s sick, God wants him to take his ministry beyond that city.  .

Do you hear Jesus’ faithfulness?

He prays.

God communicates.

Jesus follows – immediately, he follows.

We see this faithful response over and over again – in the disciples, in Jesus, in ourselves.

While on retreat this week, I read a book for our Lenten programs and worship called The Wisdom Jesus.

We talk about God’s mercy – the root word is merc – shared also with merchant and commerce.

Mercy is a two-way thing, an exchange, so to speak.

God moves in our life and we respond, immediately.

We receive mercy, we give mercy. *

I believe that this is part of God’s call to us, to All Saints’.

How many times has an opportunity to serve come our way unexpectedly and we have accepted the work?

How many times has someone in the congregation asked to create a special event or project and we have supported their venture?

An example: a few people began to talk about a Talent Show about a year ago. 

It finally came to pass and was a casual, fun, evening for all ages.

That night, you were joined by a family from one of our sister churches.

Before they left, they asked us to teach their church and other Deanery churches how to have this kind of community.

They felt your joy and the simplicity of being church – a community of God’s people, doing God’s work.

You, All Saints’, have received this mercy from God.

You also faithfully respond.

I don’t need to describe once again how you have risked and enabled God’s grace for others.

You, beloved church, are modelling something for which others long.

Like Jesus, we have something to take out beyond ourselves.

God will give us the opportunities if this is God’s desire.

As the prophet Isaiah exclaims, ‘Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles…’

*The Wisdom Jesus, Cynthia Bourgeault, Shambhala, 2008, p. 45

     Our Diocese is undertaking a program called ‘The Prodigal God’ this Fall from the Sunday after Thanksgiving to the end of the church year, The Reign of Christ.  The goal of the program is to develop our sense of mission in the life of our church.  Mission is the first priority in the Diocesan Strategic Plan, adopted at our Synod in May.  In our generation, mission is focussed on proclaiming the gospel and baptising new believers as well as distributing used clothing and free skates.  Our role in the wider community includes inviting people into the life of faith we share.  I know, that sounds uncomfortable for many Anglicans.  Faith has been a private affair for many.  Sadly, too many in our time in this part of the world do not know God’s love.  Now is the time for us to accept God’s call.  I wonder, friends, how we might better communicate our love for God, the deeply spiritual worship we share week after week, and the transforming Spirit at work in out time. 

     Bible readings have been selected for the Mission focus.  A book has been offered for us to read, The Prodigal God.  My sermons will be presented as a series inviting all to accept the invitation … to discover God’s call to us.  Through parable, example, and instruction, Jesus teaches us, no … he draws us into relationship with a God who loves, redeems, and sustains us.

October 23^rd: The People around Jesus.  Luke 15:1-10

To prepare for the sermon:

Remember, friends, Jesus uses parables when he wants to tell us something really important about God.  As the gospel is read, listen with open heart to discern the revelation of God for you in the story today.   The sermon series refers back to the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) as we look for God’s prodigal nature (reckless extravagance) in the readings for each week.  You may want to read Luke 15:11-32 to refresh your memory.  Bibles are in the pews.

Sermon reflections:

Consider the two groups of people that gather around Jesus: 

i)  Those drawn to his message of grace including the broken and marginalised called ‘tax collectors and sinners’ in scripture. 

                        What were they looking for?

                        Why were they drawn to Jesus’ message?

ii) Those critical of Jesus’ teachings, the Pahrisees and scribes – the religious leaders and teachers of the law.

                        What about Jesus or his teaching was objectionable to them?

                        Why did they keep coming to listen to him?

Discuss with your neighbour ways that both irreligious and religious people can be spiritually empty.

In what ways have y ou experienced God’s searching in your life?

Recall a time in your life that you can imagine God celebrating for you!

What have we encountered of God in this story?

Post-sermon actions:

This journey centred on God need not be something we walk alone.  As church, faith community, we share this way of life with each other, as much for others as for ourselves. 

Pray this week that the ‘favour of the Lord will be upon us, and prosper the work of our hands’ as described by the psalmist.  The psalmist is praying that God will be with their community moving through their work so that all will be well.

Consider ways that God’s presence is shaping and renewing our community and the work we do.

Give thanks for all these things!