Thomas the Believer!

THOMAS The BELIEVER

Each year we hear the story of Thomas during Easter, and each year I think I must be missing the point somewhere along the line. Last year, I preached about Thomas and how he doubted.

I can remember saying that his disbelief wasn’t entirely fault, and how he, just like Judas were players in the unfolding story of our salvation. Their roles were foretold by the prophets and in a sense, and even though they demonstrated very human failings, there was nothing wrong with that. At one stage even Jesus asked that the task be taken from him.

In that action and statement, Jesus once and for all demonstrated that he understood how difficult life is and how we all, each and every one of us, have imperfections and flaws.

The story of Thomas is not about failure, it’s about potential, the potential we all have when we finally rely on God and come to terms with our humanity.

I was speaking to someone in Holy Week who pointed out that Thomas and even Judas couldn’t have been that bad, they have the unfortunate accolade of (to a lesser or greater extent) letting Jesus down with a series of schoolboy errors, but I was reminded that generations of smug Christians who were quite quick to point the finger completely missed the point that both Judas and Thomas had in fact left everything they had, families, friends, businesses and security to follow Christ. Very few have the privilege to say they have done the same – doubting or not.

So, the Sunday after the glorious resurrection, once again we are thinking about the first tentative steps of the church, gathering around the risen Lord. Not sure where to go, what to do, or how the future might unfold. We are witnessing something big, very big. From eleven to maybe two billion people.

If you manage to have a look at TV this week, the ‘History of Christianity’ with Diarmaid MacCulloch is being shown, it gives a really good overview of the main happenings in the church through history.

St. Thomas the Apostle has to be one of the most colourful of the 12 apostles of Jesus. Thomas, also known as Judas Thomas Didymus or Jude Thomas Didymus seems to be a larger than life character. Thomas means “twin” in Aramaic, and Didymus means “twin” in Greek.

He was there when Jesus decides to return to Judea, the place where the people had tried to stone him, and courageous Thomas has the last word, “Let us also go, that we might die with him”. We were reminded of this in a Sunday reading in Lent.

He speaks up at the last supper, telling Jesus that he hasn’t a clue what is happening. However the most famous appearance of Thomas in the New Testament is when he doubts the resurrection – and demands to see and feel the wounds of Jesus to be convinced.

The painting by Caravaggio “The incredulity of St. Thomas” depicts the scene. This is the origin of the term “Doubting Thomas”. However, some say that because, when Thomas saw the wounds he professed his faith, he should be called Thomas the believer. All the more positive I think!

Thomas the Apostle then becomes a strange figure in church history, it is suggested that he wrote a Gospel. The opening lines of this gospel say that it contains "secret sayings" of Jesus, and that anyone who discovers their true meaning "will not taste death". The gospel then gives 114 of these sayings, most of them introduced by the words "Jesus said".

Because some of these sayings, or variations of them, also appear in the New Testament, the modern reader might conclude that they weren't really secret. But the Gospel of Thomas was written before the New Testament gospels, so its claims about secret information could have originally been valid. It may be an example of a gospel that started out as a secret book but later became well known.

Although Jesus spoke Aramaic, this gospel was first written in Greek, with his sayings translated into that language. But the only surviving complete copy is a Coptic translation. So, the English versions of most of the sayings are the result of three translations. Partly for this reason, the sayings are hard to understand.

The Gospel of Thomas is one of the earliest known Christian writings, some of the sayings of Jesus are almost certainly authentic. For this reason, many theologians consider it to be the most important surviving non-biblical gospel.

The Gospel of Thomas has the parable of the lost sheep and the story about the great catch of fish. John the Baptist is mentioned and there is a central theme of ‘love’ for your friends.

Quite why the Gospel of Thomas didn’t make it to the canon of scripture that formed the Bible, no one really knows. It could have been because the writer saw it as ‘secret’ knowledge, only to be used for believers and those leading the early Christian church. It could have been that the text wasn’t widely used amongst the early church, or it could have been seen as too dense or heretical at the time.

This is the bit I like…from a rather doubtful start, he becomes like Father Christmas, larger than life. Then, of course there are the travels of Thomas.

Thomas appears in legends in Syria. He is named as the missionary to India, landing at Kerala to start the Indian Church. From there, Thomas goes to Northern India. Then I’m not sure…he reportedly travelled to Latin America, visiting Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador and Chille. If only half of this is true, he certainly was a busy man.

Thomas was transformed by spending some of his life with Christ, and he went on to do great things. He could see the life-changing importance of the Gospel message, and he needed to share that with the world.

We doubt too!

As we witness the enormous poverty afflicting most of humankind, the growing gap between nations, we can see that some nations use most of the world’s resources, as the others are excluded from the basic goods of the world – and ask ourselves, “Where is God in this?”

We doubt too!

Thomas (even Thomas) and the other apostles have done a good job of ensuring the survival of the faith and the belief that we all have the ability to change the world, if they follow their lead in the name of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN

Easter Day 2011 - The Truth about Power and the Problem of of Fear

Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia

THE TRUTH

We have attended church this morning. Perhaps we are visiting relatives, perhaps we always come at Easter, perhaps we are here for some other reason, maybe even to work out what to do next in our own journey with God – whatever the reason, 2,000 years after the event – the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the compelling story of love, faith, courage and injustice, still has the power to surprise us, upset us, anger us and even spur us into action.

All those years ago, the death of Jesus had confused the disciples and made them run away, but the women weren’t intimidated. The four Gospels tell us the women were the first people who went “to see the tomb”, when they got there, Jesus was resurrected – and the angel said

“He has risen from the dead and gone ahead of you to Galilee”

The first time I heard this account of the resurrection I wondered why Jesus decided to go ahead of them, why didn’t he stay at the tomb for a bit? Eventually the women hurried away from the tomb and were greeted by Jesus – on the way to Galilee.

The message here, without a doubt, is that if the resurrection is to mean anything at all, we need to get out of the tomb and get into the world and make a difference!

We mustn’t forget that faith isn’t about just praying for a better world; it’s about leaving the tombs of our own existence and looking for Jesus. The great thing is though that we all know where Jesus will be found…he will be found with the suffering, the lonely, the outcast, the unloved and the oppressed.

In his series of Lent talks, Bishop Dominic made the point that he found it strange that churches are generally surrounded by graves. How, surrounded by death and memorials to those who have gone before us, we are expected to proclaim new life. It seems like a strange place to start, but it’s exactly where Christ started.

From the despair and finality of Good Friday – surrounded by death and bitterness, to the glorious resurrection. Jesus didn’t waste time sitting in the tomb waiting to see who would turn up, he went off to do the work that needed doing. His betrayal, trial, crucifixion, death and his resurrection were a statement, a statement that you can’t bury the truth!

You can’t bury the truth!

So what’s the truth you can’t bury?

On Wednesday, I listened to Archbishop Rowan Williams on Radio 4’s Thought for the Day speaking about the Maundy money that has been given out by Kings and Queens since the Middle Ages.

+Rowan suggested that they didn’t all do it because they were lovely humble people – some were, and some definitely weren’t – but because they all accepted one great truth that needs repeating over and over again, the one big thing that Christianity had brought into the world of human imagination.

And that was – and is – the truth that power constantly needs to be reminded of what it’s for. This is the truth they tried to bury with Christ.

“Power exists, in the Church or the state or anywhere else, so that ordinary people may be treasured and looked after, our children and young people, our elders and those who don’t have the resources to look after themselves. The Bible is crystal clear that this is the standard by which the gospel of Jesus judges the powerful of this world.”

++ Rowan suggested that once a year, leaders of political parties, successful financiers and editors of national newspapers should serve school dinners on council estates, clean bathrooms in residential homes and become Street Pastors in the night in busy cities.

Power exists so that people may be loved. THIS IS THE TRUTH they tried to bury with Jesus. This is the truth that wouldn’t go away. This is the truth that still exists today.

Unfortunately however, those with power sometimes still just nod in the direction of the truth, knowing full well that they have no intention of using it to love or care. Some people also have a misunderstanding about the nature of ‘power’, in most societies it is exercised with the permission of the people. The falsehoods and fabrications that tell us that some people are entitled to power, and some need to be powerless wears a bit thin sometimes, that’s when the trouble starts.

The Gospel says that Power is to be used to create love.

GALILEE

In the account of the resurrection in Matthew, Jesus tells Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to tell the disciples two things; Firstly, he tells them ‘Do not be afraid all will be well’, then he tells them to ‘meet him in Galillee’. They are going back to the beginning where it all began. They have seen the events unfold and the truth is out! They have been shocked and surprised, and now God is saying to them let’s start again, and see how we’ll do it this time. Let’s walk places we’ve walked before…. but this time seeing things though a different light.

He said, “Do not be afraid all will be well”.

What a fantastic day! The sun is shining and we’ve all come to church! But there’s a voice calling us to something a bit different;

Leave this place today, as if you are leaving your own tomb, into the bright sunshine of a new day to start over again. Seek the truth where he may be found in the chaos and turmoil of everyday life, and tell people that they shouldn’t be afraid, because all will be well.

“Do not be afraid all will be well”.

The rest of the day is for celebrating in whatever way you usually celebrate! Have a wonderful day, as we are all resurrected with Christ once again.

Palm Sunday

Dear friends in Christ, during Lent we have been preparing by works of love and self-sacrifice for the celebration of our Lord’s death and resurrection. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the Church throughout the world. Christ enters his own city to complete his work as our saviour, to suffer, to die , and to rise again Let us go with him in faith and love, so that, united with him in his sufferings, we may share his risen life.

God our saviour, whose Son Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem to suffer and to die, let these palms be for us signs of his victory; and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our king, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Deadly Passion!

DEADLY PASSION

Ezekiel 37.1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8.6-11; John 11.1-45

Bones

This morning we had a long set of readings that are appointed for Passion Sunday, first we heard the classic reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel; The vision of a resurrection from death to life, and it is a glorious resurrection. This is a thing so utterly unknown to nature, and so contrary to its principles. The vision is of the Jews in Babylon likened to dead and dry bones, unlikely ever to come together. Bones spread out in the desert, never to become a whole skeleton again, and certainly not a living body. But we remember that “With God all things are possible”, and God will breathe the breath of life into them.

The second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans is one that reminds us that it is the Spirit that gives us life, even when we think we are beyond help. It is worth remembering that the old Hebrew word for Spirit is Ruach, which is the same word for breath, or life. This is a link back to the words of the prophesy of Ezekiel. The macabre image of death is present in the journey through the desert and in many ways it is also present in our own daily lives. We worry too much about death, when we are called to bring life to situations and people. It's the Spirit that liberates us from it and we can think about living, not about death.

Jesus’ Friends

This Bethany family forms part of the followers of Jesus, disciples and friends (personal friends if you like). Jesus is informed of Lazarus’ health without explicitly being asked to come. He is simply told. “He whom you love is ill”. And so it was, Jesus loved that family.

The Lord goes back to Judea, risking his life. The disciples are afraid, but they are reminded them that his mission is to be carried out in broad daylight and the darkness, in which those who reject him live, does not make him stumble. In that light and without fears, the disciples will have to continue the task. It is fear that kills, not the truth.

In Judea, death is threatening Jesus and his followers, but the mission continues. Thomas senses this and says firmly “Let us also go, that we might die with him”. This is the same Thomas who will later want to know if Jesus is really risen.

It’s all a bit final when Jesus gets there, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days, so according to custom he had been dead five days. In a dialogue between Marta and Jesus, he says to her “Your brother will rise again”, she then says to him “yes I know that, on the resurrection on the last day” and then Jesus is able to explain his mission and purpose, AND the mission and purpose of his followers down the generations.

Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me, though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die”. He then gives a challenge, a challenge that we answer today; Jesus says, “Do you believe this?”

When I read this reading, usually at funerals, when I say the words “Do you believe this” it’s quite common for someone in the congregation to say “yes!”. I’m not sure if it’s because they haven’t listened to the reading or whether it’s evangelical fervour, but it’s really good!

The Gospel story isn’t just about magic tricks and raising people from the dead, it’s all about what the followers of Jesus do. To bring life to those who have died! If not physically, they do it socially, pastorally, economically, anthropologically, politically, any …ally really. It’s our job to bring people out of the dark tombs of their existence so that they too can live in the light of Christ. Away from all that would oppress them!

The tomb is a sign of death, but it is not closed to Christ, whose action opens it and brings forth life. Conquering death, they will know that “I am the Lord”, he says.

The presence of the Spirit

Jesus is conscious of his mission, but he is also one of us, and as a friend he shared his friends’ pain and weeps with them.

The sisters think that Lazarus’ death is definitive, and they tell Jesus “There is already a stench”. Jesus remains steadfast and, knowing that the Father is listening to him, he gives thanks and cries aloud: “Lazarus come out”. He lifts him up, loosens what was binding him, and gives life to the man who was dead.

In the Reading from Romans, it says “The Spirit is life because of righteousness”. The Spirit dwells in us, and death is already overcome. So why is it so easy for us to become paralysed with fear, upset, anger and indifference?

Surely the presence of the Spirit should help us to see all that is good in our lives and our huge potential for bringing love and justice to others? We have been liberated from the mediocrity of a Christian life without vitality. We can have a Christian life in 3d, hi-definition, and surround sound, there is nothing stopping us.

I suppose though, we are a bit like Martha, we know the words, we know what God can do through us, but we just have that little voice telling us that it will all come to nothing.

Perhaps we are scared that life is, as Benjamin Franklin said “nothing is certain but death and taxes”.

Or perhaps we remember the first anthem in the Book of Common Prayer that reminds us that In the midst of life we are in death.

The saying might be In the midst of LIFE we are in DEATH. But we need to believe that In the midst of DEATH we are in LIFE. Reminding ourselves that God can lift us up and give us wholeness of life again, wherever we are, and whoever we are. Life that we are called to share with others; In the name of God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Revd Mark Lawson-Jones

Cake Saturday was fantastic! Over 90 people attended to enjoy the best homemade cake and tea and coffee. Don't forget the next one is on the 7th of May 2-4pm in St. Mary's Church, Magor