Lent Twenty Five "Get up and Walk"

 

The Wise Virgins - Blake, Tate Gallery, London

To the frivolous Christianity is certainly not glad tidings, for it wishes first of all to makes them serious.  Søren Kierkegaard, Journal, 1847

Great point Kierkegaard - whose name in Danish means graveyard.   Who is interested in the superficial,  temporary, partial and unconsummated?  This is like the Christian festivals which have been softened into a mush.  What about having the courage to look life square in the face.  This is not the opium- the tranquilliser.  This is freedom from fear.  An ablity to ask any question knowing that the answer is secondary to the reality of feeling the firm rock of the Creator under your feet.  What about when you can not feel this?  It doesn't stop it being there.

The account of Jesus Life according to John - Chapter Four

I work in a cafe in a Palestinian town called Nablus.  Although our premises is near the religious site called Jacob’s Well, we are not really for the adventurous American and Korean tourists who are willing to contend with check points and security to see their beloved Biblical sites. Ours is more for 'local women and their children', a get-away or oasis in the sunny prison of the West Bank.

It was the hottest part of the day when a young, smart Jewish man slipped in and sat down at a lone table.  The cafe was empty; our lot tend to head off for a snooze by now.  I was on my own, clearing up from the morning.  I hesitated for a few minutes before approaching his table.

"Some mineral water please," he requested politely.  And he looked me straight in the eye.  That's disconcerting; we don't normally do that in our religion.  It's quite a taboo.  I gave him a funny look, but he went on.

“If only you knew the water I can give to you..."

I said, "Looks like you have nothing with you."  And under my breath," you'd better have money.” We are used to Jews taking liberties round here.  "The very best water comes from Jacob's well," I offer, something of topical interest.  We are all united in the greatness of our forefather Jacob.  We're not that different really.  The man again looks at me.

“Jacob's well is special, but it will never satisfy you for long,” he says. “The water I have to offer is for eternal life."

Wow - blow me away - you don't hear that said in this old joint every day.

"Hey man,” say I. "You are truly deep.  I like your drift." 

"Why don't I talk with your husband?” he says. (I guess he knows we can't be seen talking like this.)  Thank heavens no one's come in so far. 

"I've got no husband," I protest, presenting a provocative smile. 

"Yes" he says, "I know.  Your boyfriend has only just moved in with you.  You deserve better than those five guys who use you and let you down."  My blood ran cold.  That was very close to the bone.

"You are a strange man" I say, "a clairvoyant or a mystic?" (We get lot of religious cranks round here.)  "So our prophet says worship on a Friday, but you lot choose Saturday. Why's that?"

The man turns.

"The time is coming when days of the week won't matter a jot.  We will all worship the Creator, face to face."  My whole being is trembling.  I feel surges of emotion; I can't tell you how alive I feel. 

"We both believe that someone is coming to show us the face of the Creator," I say.

“I've come to you today to do just that."

He picked up his ice-chilled bottle, dropped two shekels on the table, and I never saw him again.  I rushed out after him in a daze.  My sister saw me and came over quite concerned.

"I've just met a man who knew everything about me," I said.  My sister stroked my cheek.  "There, there sis,” she says.  She knows my problem with men.  I notice her darting look up to the hot sun.

 PRAYER:  Having found the source of life, strength and gladness, I will never leave you.

Lent Twenty Four "Get up and Walk"

 

Self Portrait - Ben Quilty

If I lose at play, I blaspheme, and if my fellow loses, he blasphemes, so that God is always sure to be the loser. 

John Donne, sermon, 1623

In the beginning, God decided to be the loser.  Others have accused him of also being a liar, for he said if you go against my wishes and eat of this tree, that day, you will surely die.  Those who know the Creator know that this is true.  To be separated from the Creator is like death.  It is like the children who are born into loveless, emotionless homes.  To be without our Creator is to be born into a world low on oxygen.  But from the beginning God made a way to restore the bond.

 Letter to the Hebrew Believers Chapter Three and Four

 So this Jesus deserves to be heard, and honoured. We revere great leaders from the past, and Jesus deserves to be given the greatest place. When you hear his voice, do not cringe, or turn away. This fate has happened to so many people who have spoken for the Creator. It is such an insult, and deeply upsetting. This is why in anger it was said- “They will not be able to live with me and share my home.” Beware! This is certainly very serious. To turn away in derision is to cut your own life-line.  But the Creator has not left it there. A way back to the place of rest has been made. Even in the height of the Creator’s anger, there is mercy. There have been times in history when our people have been able to rest. But they have been like the Sabbath; the following day we return to work. The message from the Creator is precise and actuate. It is like a sharp knife, cutting the good meat off the bone. It is clear about what is healthy and true, and what is fabricated. Before the Creator, nothing is hidden. So we have a skilled ‘advocate’, Jesus, who understands our weakness because he has seen it all. We can step forward before our Creator with courage knowing that we will receives mercy and grace.

PRAYER:  You are the source of my life and I honour you.

Lent Twenty Three "Get up and Walk"

 

Pieter Brueghel the Elder (1525-1569), Flemish
Children Playing
The Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

It is absurd to try to make children’s games reasonable and a great folly to try to purify religions.  

Rémy De Courmont, The Cultivation of Ideas. 1900

This quote reminds me of a seminar I went to with my Father-in-law about sharing faith with people who had no prior experience.  The advice was not to make our church communities fit in with society.  We would most likely fail anyway.  But the person who meets Jesus finds that they are so attracted to Jesus, that they cannot help but join a Christian community.  And before you know it, they will be wanting to give their small meager amounts of money to it as well.  This is the miracle of the new relationship.  

Ruth Chapter One

In the early days of Israel, hardship and deprivation hit the people. Ethan and his wife Naomi left their farm in search of better prospects. With their two young sons, they left Bethlehem and travelled east to Jordan. Tragedy travelled with them, and soon Ethan was dead, leaving Naomi to bring up her two boys by herself. These boys, Marlon and Kilion, grew into fine young men who fell in love, and married lovely local women. For ten years Naomi was surrounded by happiness. Then death struck again. Her two boys died, one after the other. Naomi was left with her daughter-in-law’s, Oprah and Ruth, alone in a foreign land. Naomi got wind that things were looking up for Israel; she might be safer with her own family. She spoke with Oprah and Ruth and suggested they might like to return to their families. They had good prospects and could start their lives afresh. Naomi knew that her future would continue to be tough. Oprah agreed to separate, but Ruth was not so sure. Ruth loved Naomi, and respected her. She made it clear that now she was committed to Naomi and her fortunes. Ruth assured Naomi saying: “Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people. The one you worship, I will worship. And when I die, I will be buried next to you. My life will be much worse if I was to be separated from you.” Naomi was impressed, and remonstrated no more. The two women journeyed to Bethlehem. As they entered the town, many old people recognised Naomi, and were overjoyed to see her. “Naomi!” They exclaimed. “Call me Bitter", she replied, “for my life has not worked out well.” 

PRAYER:  I accept what you have given me with gratitude.  

Fourth Sunday "Get up and Walk"

 

Night Forest by Simon Garden - Catto Gallery, London

Wandering in a vast forest at night, I have only a faint light to guide me.  A stranger appears and says to me:  ‘My friend, you should blow out your candle in order to find your way more clearly.’  This stranger is a theologian.  

Denis Diderot, Addition aux Pensées philosophiquea, circa 1762

Are we not presented with a mass of conundrums?  The truth mixed with the benign, ridiculous and dangerous.  I am reminded of a discussion I had in an ecumenical forum when we discussed what we knew united all Christians, even if we did not share a common language.  A participant said 'joy', we discover that we share the same joy.  I thought that it was an excellent answer, and hence I remember it now.  

Gospel according to John Chapter Seventeen (b)

"Ok, I'll spell it out again.  I'm warning you that soon I will leave you, and it will be awful.  You will be devastated (though others may be pleased).  However, I will return in joy…"

 "…It's going to be like when a mother gives birth.  She knows the process will be extremely painful, but it will be worthwhile, because the baby comes with joy…

 "…When I come back from the creator, you will have all you need, and the joy will take this present suffering away…"

 "…Then you will ask in my name; but there will be no need, because you will ask the creator directly.  It will be the same thing.  I am simply going back to my origin with the creator…"

 "We are slowly getting it", reassured Jesus’ friends. "You and the creator are one."

 "Yes, you are believing me. Look, soon you are all going to be dispersed, and you will leave me alone.  But I won't be alone, because I am one with the creator."

 "I'm telling you this to prepare you, so that it won't come as a shock, and trouble you. Be encouraged.  All things are to be set right.”

PRAYER:  Thanks you for the Joy you have put in my heart.

Lent Twenty Two "Get up and Walk"

 

A Dutch Girl at Breakfast 
 Jean-Etienne Liotard Rijksmuseum

Enthusiasm, mysticism, play no great part in religious communities.  The virtues jog quietly along a humdrum path.  Spirituality is worldly-wise and takes a material form so far as it can, and the possibilities in this direction are far greater than is commonly supposed.  

Anatole France, The Garden of Epicurus, 1894

Is this a complement?  I like this quote because to me it speaks of the normality of life with our Creator.  There is no need for great 'razzmatazz'.  This is the 'normal' walk of life, and therefore does not require an extra flourish.  Indeed, if you see it, perhaps be suspicious.  It's a bit like when names are give for extra emphasis, such as 'One Leicester', the council's promotional campaign.  To me this indicates we are needing to say this to make it happen.  Same again with Great Britain and  United Kingdom. There names are hopeful perhaps.  

I think of an elderly couple who you see sitting together on a park bench.  They are very comfortable together.  They don't need to speak.  They've probably said everything.  They look content.  This is the nature of our religion.  But there is room for us to be excited- not a bad thing, and to be stirred up, and for the humdrum to quickened in pace.  But this is important again for all relationships.

Acts of the Apostles Chapter Two 

It was a special day in Jerusalem. Hundreds of Jewish people were gathering. Together, in a first floor room, the believers waited. Suddenly the wind whipped up and flames of fire could be seen in a storm cloud. Eventually these separated out until individual flames alighted on the heads of each of those present. Everyone was filled with the presence of the Creator and began calling out in honour to the Creator, each using a different language. The commotion was tremendous and the tourists in the city were greatly affected. “I recognise my language” they marvelled, “and such words of wonder!” But others said, “Disgraceful! They have been drinking, and so early in the day!” 2 Peter heard this, and stood up above the crowd. He shouted out, “Fellow believers, be clear none of these people are drunk. No, this is the fulfilment of what the ancient teacher Joel said would happen. My presence will come upon you, women and men. Young people will see visions, the old will dream dreams. I will cause wonders to happen. The sun will become dark, and the moon turn blood red. Everyone who calls on the name of the Creator will know they are safe.” “Remember, this man called Jesus who was publically endorsed by the Creator. He did good and marvellous things with authority over nature. What happened was predicted in our history. Our people, with assistance from the colonial powers, executed Jesus for no valid reason. But the Creator did not allow death to prevail, and he was brought back to life after three days.” “Jesus is the person our ancient king spoke about when he said ‘I am never alone, the person of the Creator is beside me. This is what feels me with complete joy, and makes me sing. I see that you have not allowed death and the grave to be the end. Your righteous one is alive, and fills me with your perfect presence’.” “We know that our king David was not talking about himself, because he surely died, and anyone can visit his grave. David was speaking about things that would happen in the future; about how the person foretold would not remain dead.” “So Jesus was brought back to life, and we met with him many times. He is with the Creator, and it is his ‘Spirit’ that is with us now. This is what you now witness.” “David said of this person, ‘Be at my side, while I humble your enemies, and bring them to honour you. ‘ This Jesus, who you chose to be executed, is the one spoken of as our saviour.” Many people were transfixed and gasped in horror. They asked ‘what is to be done?’ Peter said ‘apologies to the Creator, and turn your direction to Jesus. Make a solemn commitment to follow him. Receive the presence of his Spirit in your life. This is available to all, even those who know nothing of these things. Many people there listened were believed in what Peter said. They chose to follow Jesus and turned their lives around. Jesus’ friends were able to teach and explain about the life of Jesus. The people shared food together, remembering how Jesus had shown them that just as food and drink is essential to life, so living by Jesus’ life and strength is essential. It was a very special time, with many wonderful things happening. There was a ‘oneness’ and trust amongst them. They lived a simple life of sharing, and honouring the Creator in joyful songs. Many people joined them every day. 

PRAYER:  Thank you that we are so relax together.  May I both take this for granted, and not, at the same time.

Lent Twenty One "Get up and Walk"

 

Breaking the Silence by Scott Denholm.

I like the silent church before the service begins, better than any preaching.  Emerson, ‘Self-Reliance’, essays, first series, 1841.

Margaret visited a local church recently to support a colleague who was going to be preaching.  She sat in a pew near a man.  They spoke a bit, and then as the service began, he got up and left, saying he came only for the silence at the beginning.  Ralph Waldo Emerson, and American thinker and transcendentalist, recognised the thought that  I have pondered, that we can conceive of times when humanity had to 'make it up'.  Imagine being stranded on a desert island.  Life begins again.  Faith, belief and wisdom begin again.  There is one simple flaw in this approach.  The Creator is the one consistent factor in all eternity.  And we believe the Creator relates to all of the creation, across time.  We are not alone.

Isaiah Chapter Six

It was in the year that King Uzziah died that I saw the creator,

Seated on a high throne, with billowing robes filling the chamber.

In attendance were mighty and strange figures; people with six wings.

Two wings covered their face, two their feet, and they flew with the third.

Together they sung an awesome song of praise to the creator.

“Great, Mighty, Perfect is the creator,

Every part of the earth is filled with this glory.”

As they spoke, the building shook terribly and from its foundations smoke rose up.

I cried out

“my life is over, I have seen perfection, and I am wretched and contaminated.

I am from a people who do wrong.  Surely I cannot see the creator and live?”

 

Then one of the strange beasts flew to the centre of the room to a great fire of burning coals. 

The beast took tongs and picked up a coal,

Coming over to me and gently touched the coal to my lips.

I then hear say:

“See this coal; it has touched your lips.  Now your imperfections are removed. 

You are made clean as new.”

 

The creator surveyed the whole world and asked,

“Who can I send as a messenger to these people in their need?”

 

And I stood up and said

“Here I am, Send me.”

And the creator replied,

“yes, you go, but be aware, these people will hear, but they will not understand.

They will watch, but learn nothing.

They will see with their eyes, but turn away from healing.”

Continue until all their towns are empty, their houses deserted.

The land turned to waste.

But a remnant will endure, a stump, a terebinth.

This is the hope that remains.”

PRAYER:  Thank you that I am worth to be the one who is chosen to live as you.

Lent Twenty "Get up and Walk"

 

The Lute Player- Unknown Artist Rijksmuseum

A man who has faith must be prepared not only to be a martyr, but to be a fool. 

G.K. Chesterton.  Heretics, 1905

This morning I was listening to the radio which featured a well known author relating his experience of living through covid times. I liked his advice to listen to the news while using a running machine.  He found the shots of adrenaline associated with the fear emanating from the news to aid his running.  I listened to his first book on his experience of poor mental health where he spoke honestly about his fear of faith, and the 'certainty' emanating from people of faith.  I found this fascinating, because I have met people who are 'turned off' by the experience of collective hope they see in Christian gatherings.  It's very interesting that such a thing should be unattractive.  I also read a review in the Guardian Newspaper of the Christian radio station Premier Christian Radio, which started by criticising its range of 'grimly upbeat' music.  The reporter said she thought 'Oh God', something she had done in about ten years.  She went on to be surprisingly interested in the depth of intellectual discussion, which she put on a par with Radio 4's spiritual broadcasting.  I thought 'it's ok to deride the Christian Radio station is it?

I am a Christian because that is the label I give to this experience of relating to my creator, and having confidence that  the Creator is in the midst of the bad news on the radio.  I may experience adrenaline; that's appropriate at times, but my fear has somewhere to go other than the running machine.

Paul's Letter to the Philippian Believers Chapter Two

What is likely to encourage me more than anything else? It’s that you live in unity and put each other’s needs before your own. This is exactly what Jesus did, which ultimately led to his death. Jesus’ brave actions lead to him being raised to life, and being given the place of greatest honour and authority. Because of his actions all people will kneel before him and acknowledge him as one with the Creator. The Creator is working in you, giving you the desire and strength to live with courage and goodness. There is no need to complain. Shine brightly as lights in the darkness. Hold onto every word received from Jesus, and expect his return. Nothing you do is in vain, because it is a gift to the Creator which fills you with joy. This is the joy we share.

PRAYER:  I keep my eyes on what pleases you, and everything else can look after itself.