If you're reading this then you haven't been raptured

EASTER 6 Sermon - RCL Year A

Acts of the Apostles. (7.55-60)

First Letter of Peter. (2.2-10)

The Gospel of Christ according to Saint John. (14.1-14)

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satis- fied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.’

Well, it’s good to see you are all here today – and you haven’t been taken up to heaven…I’ll explain later if you don’t know what I mean.

In the Gospel reading that we have heard today we have his famous statement, “I am the way, the truth and the life” in John ch. 14, and in the First letter of Peter (Ch.2) we are assured that “We are a chosen race, a Royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people…”

And it’s these statements that I want to think about this morning, because both of them remind us of our calling. The Church is about the people, God’s people gathered together in fellowship for prayer and worship, for support, for mission and for proclamation of the good news of Christ.

It may well be that we have not seen heaven. I, for one, struggle to get a picture of what heaven might even be like, but that’s because we always want to apportion physical attributes to places, to get a picture in our mind.

I believe that the only thing we can really say about Heaven is that it’s a place where we live closely with one another and with God.

But to glimpse heaven we do not need to be dead – glimpses of heaven are all around us, and that is what God has intended for us. He has created a world full of good things, and good opportunities. Sadly at times we neglect our responsibilities in that world, sadly we sometimes neglect our responsibilities to others, but the fact remains that the world has many wonders and many gifts for us to enjoy, both in beauty and splendour of creation, and in the people all around us.

But even more than just seeing signs of heaven around us, we are actually called to BE glimpses of heaven for people around us – ‘A chosen race, a Royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people…’

We are called in our lives to live out and reflect that love given to us, in our compassion, peace, courage, hope and wisdom.

‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ is Jesus’ invitation to SHARE IN HIS LIFE. It is HIS call to follow new and exciting paths of discovery as he opens up the MAGIC OF HIS KINGDOM to us.

In Chapter 17 of Johns Gospel, we hear Jesus praying aloud: Praying that His followers – would be united in their mission to spread the Good News.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.

And again;

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

The way, for Christians – for “the Royal priesthood” is the way of UNITY. So, surely, beyond all else, we should seek unity as Christians in a world that thrives on schism and division. Surely, Christians should be identifiable by their desire for unity, even though the natural human desire is for disunity. Surely, Christians should try to build bridges to bridge the widest gaps, and to give the glory to God through their peacemaking work?

Jesus prays out loud that we should live in unity – we should be known for our acceptance and compassion, and what do some people know us for?

Well, many people look at the church and say it’s a place of division, all the news about the church seems to be about disagreement. You have to laugh, otherwise you would cry. To use someone else’s line – if you have two theologians in a room there are three opinions.

And when it’s not news about division, it’s about the few people who probably aren’t sticking to the script;

The great church news this week was about Harold Camping, 89, predicted that Christ will return to earth on yesterday and true believers will be swept up, or "raptured", to heaven. He used broadcasts and billboards to publicise his ideas.

He says biblical texts indicate that a giant earthquake yesterday would mark the start of the world's destruction, and that by 21 October all non-believers will be dead.

Mr. Camping has predicted an apocalypse once before, in 1994, though followers now say that only referred to an intermediary stage.

"We learn from the Bible that Holy God plans to rescue about 200 million people," says a text on the website of Mr Camping's network, Family Radio Worldwide.

An atheist and entrepreneur from North Hampshire in America, is enjoying a boost in business for Eternal Earth-bound Pets, which he set up to look after the pets of those who believe they will be raptured.

He has more than 250 clients who are paying up to $135 (£83) to have their pets picked up and cared for after the rapture.

I thought about leaving a few old clothes strewn around the church, so when people drove by they would think we’d been raptured! But that would be naughty

And meanwhile in the Bible…. I couldn’t find reference to 200 million people, but one of our number reminded me of a verse from Matthew 24:36

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Oh well!

I can tell you that sometimes I wonder that when I pray does anybody listen, because I pray for unity in our church every day (I also pray that the news will reflect what perfectly normal Christians are doing every minute of every day in the world) I pray for you and I pray for myself, that we can grow and learn more from each other about the importance of us being one – and I get upset with God seems to be not listening

And then I remember the part of the Gospel when Jesus prayed for unity;

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” And it makes me feel better – because it isn’t just about me, because Jesus hasn’t had his prayer answered yet either.

‘We are a chosen race, a Royal Priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people…’ let us do all we can to make heaven a reality here on earth – in our care and acceptance of one another in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN

When all the cake is gone!

Huge thanks to all who took part in the 'God Music Technology' concert this evening in St. Mary's church, Magor. More information to follow about how much we raised for the good causes.

The Good Shepherd and the Bad Theology

John. 10.1-10

Jesus said to the Pharisees, ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’

We have the tradition of calling different Sundays by different names. Palm Sunday, Sea Sunday, Bible Sunday. This week I have heard today referred to as ‘Good Shepherd’ Sunday – this is not a difficult one for me to fathom, mainly because from the collect prayer and the Gospel reading it is fairly obvious. The image of the ‘good shepherd’ is one that is Jesus uses for himself to help to explain the nature and purpose of His work on Earth, and His role in salvation.

Just before the action starts in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus has healed the man born blind. The man’s parents are afraid because it says that “The Jews were already agreeing that anyone who confessed Jesus as Christ should be expelled from the synagogue” The Jews have already caught up with the man…. They say “YOU are a disciple of this Jesus; but we are disciples of Moses; But this man, we do not know where he has come from”. Then they turn on Jesus, challenging Him.

Jesus must have been very frustrated – he is speaking their language, he knows the laws and the words of the prophets, and still they can’t see who he is. What is stopping them from following?

Jesus then tells a story, that to all assembled must have seemed a bit strange.

JESUS speaks of sheep and shepherds. He speaks of a SHEEPFOLD, which at the time would have been a fenced or walled enclosure, with space for several flocks of several shepherds, guarded by a gatekeeper. There would have been danger at night, outside the fold; sometimes there could be danger within the fold from anyone not coming through the gate – perhaps a thief or a bandit.

Jesus talks at the beginning of the reading about entering the sheepfold not by the gate….

I can imagine the scene, as Jesus finished speaking they must have looked at each other and wondered what he meant.

Well, this is a complicated allegory…

On Good Shepherd Sunday it’s no good just thinking about the easy pictures!

Well, perhaps the Pharisees are the gatekeepers, who should be welcoming a shepherd such as Jesus to tend, gather and lead his flock. Or perhaps they are the thieves who have climbed into the enclosure; the moment they hear them, the sheep get spooked and run away.

The Pharisees claim they can see! But they do not understand the riddle.

Jesus explains “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep...all who came before me are thieves and bandits”. Jesus is saying that he has replaced them.

In the Gospel according to John, Jesus is never the new improved model;

· He is not just the new guardian of the sacred, he replaces what was sacred;

· He is not just the new priest – he is the temple;

· He is not just the new Moses, carrying the law – he is the law.

· He is not only the gatekeeper – he is the gate itself.

Quite a revelation – all too much for the Pharisees – sometimes a bit too much for us…

This isn’t usual stuff is it? This allegory has just got out of hand

Surely the Pharisees should have known – when Jesus started talking about farming, the penny should have dropped.

In EZEKIEL, God declares his upset about the shepherds of ISRAEL (He’s talking about the leaders of the people) “You shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves, should not shepherds feed the sheep? I shall lead the people out of the nations; I shall feed them with good pasture, I myself shall be the shepherd of my sheep, I shall raise up one shepherd, my servant David; he will pasture them and be their shepherd. You are my sheep, you are the flock of my pasture, and I am your God”.

They would have also known that in Psalm 118 it says “This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

David – shepherd of God’s flock - The gate by which all enter into salvation. Jesus is talking to them – but they cannot understand.

The reading from the ACTS of the APOSTLES (2:42-47) is another of those “difficult to understand” readings. Not because it is written in allegory, not because it is a riddle, but because just like the Pharisees, we struggle to find another explanation.

The first few chapters of the Acts of the Apostles are challenging for all new Christians, with honest and inquisitive conviction – looking for a way to find the right ground to grow their faith.

“Many were baptised and added to the community. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship…All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.”

There is no question that we have missed the gate on this one – if we believe that this is not a call to form Christian communities based on mutual responsibility and a shared purse, and somehow Christianity has evolved past the need to live together, then this still doesn’t answer that the millions who suffer extreme poverty are asking.

There’s no mistake in the lectionary either that this reading about living in community appears with the Gospel according to John 10:10 “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”.

Throughout my childhood I can remember this being translated as “God will make you wealthy” and “for every pound you put on the plate, God will return it tenfold”. It’s the strongest message that evangelical churches pump out to attract new believers. Unfortunately, however, it’s not true, and just like many things, it’s the complete opposite.

“Fullness of life”, is found when we stop focusing on ourselves, our personal wealth, our personal possessions and our personal security, it’s found when we realize that we are all dependent on each other.

Living in common might not be something we still have the ability to do as humanity, perhaps that has been lost forever, but with the ever shrinking world, people thousands of miles away are still our ‘brothers and sisters’, people we can care for, people we can pray for and people we can support.

the longest journey

Emmaus

Almost every story in the Bible has meaning that has been lost over the years, things that didn’t get taught and things people thought was unimportant.

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus has hidden meaning too!

Emmaus was a famous place – In 169 BC Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria besieged and captured Jerusalem. It was three years before the Jews could regroup; but, under Judas Maccabaeus, they launched their fight for freedom.

In 165 BC the Syrian commander detached 5000 infantry and 1000 cavalry from his main forces to travel by night and to ambush the Jews. Judas found out and marched against the main Syrian camp at Emmaus - Judas said to the troops. “Remember how our ancestors were saved at the Red Sea when Pharaoh was pursuing them. Now let us call on heaven, to remember his covenant with our ancestors and to destroy this army confronting us today. Then all the Gentiles will know that there is one who ransoms and saves Israel.” Judas’s army won the day.

The two disciples, heading for Emmaus, were heading for the site of the ancient victory. Perhaps Luke imagines a glimmer of hope in their darkness? Where God had acted before, he might do the same again.

The disciples linked Jesus with Moses, and Moses was linked to Maccabaeus – In their minds he was from the same stable. In Luke it says that Jesus was “a prophet mighty in word and deed….and we were hoping that this was the one who was to ransom Israel”.

This is also how the trouble started in Holy Week. You probably remember me saying before that it is difficult to understand why the crowds turned from the “hosannas” of Palm Sunday to the “crucify him” of Good Friday. And why Jesus rode into town on a donkey and not a horse. With the benefit of hindsight, I suppose they could have seen that this was a statement to the people – Jesus is saying “I am not Judas Maccabeaus” He was not bringing political liberation, He was bringing the better liberation, salvation!

The disciples on the road to Emmaus have hope. They wait for things to be better in the world. Despite all that Jesus had told them their hopes of a political kingdom endure – a sort of King Jesus in the palace idea. They had been told that the Kingdom of God (according to Luke) cannot be watched for, and they won’t be able to say “here it is” or “there it is”, it will be in them and amongst them.

On the evening at Emmaus, they were still in the dark until Jesus broke bread with them – in that moment they see who Jesus really is.

Perhaps they understood what they must do, and why the last few days seemed to be terrible.

It’s strange that as soon as they understood, they went about their work and had huge success. From the few disciples we are now significantly bigger as a church – some say as many as 2 billion people in 34,000 separate Christian groups.

So what about this journey from Emmaus for people of faith? After the crucifixion and the resurrection, we have re-grouped taken the message to the world.

The reading from 1 Peter tells us that we have been ‘born again’. For me this means that we are living in the world, but we are also apart from the world. Looking at things differently, and proclaiming our faith in many ways.

We need to be different in what we say and do – caring for the poor and the outcast as Christ did. So how do we look different? How do people recognise us.

I always like to see people wearing crosses, crucifixes and other symbols of faith, because I like to believe that they are ‘standing apart’ from the crowd – making a declaration that they are one of the army that re-grouped in Emmaus, and marched on the world.

The truth is though, that most people who wear crosses aren’t religious, I don’t mind. I like to pretend that they are ‘one of us’.

I read the church times a few weeks ago, the question was asked “Why do clergy generally wear black and not bright colours?” I waited patiently for the answers from well meaning clever clergy to be printed, and I was disappointed with the first few results, speaking about sin, denial and being miserable. Then to my delight and surprise, The Revd Paul Wilkin from Essex gave the best answer.

He wrote that the late Johnny Cash the American Country singer-songwriter (and Christian) known for wearing only black said

“Well, you wonder why I always dress in black. Why you never see bright colours on my back, and why does my appearance seem to have a sombre tone. Well, there’s a reason for the things I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down, livin’ in the hopeless, hungry side of town, I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, but is there because he’s a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who never read, or listened to the words that Jesus said, about the road to happiness through love and charity. Why? You’d think He’s talking to you and me.”

Johnny Cash was saying that he needed to live in the world and still be apart from the world. He was saying that all our lives need to be a statement about those who have no voice.

Whatever the world does to us, we will still be part of the unstoppable force that regrouped after the resurrection to plan for world domination – not in the name of power, profit or ideology, but in the name of that great liberation, that excellent freedom – salvation.

Whether you wear black to remind yourself and the world of the poor and downtrodden, or whether you wear a crucifix or cross, a dove a fish or a if you have a multicolour tattoo on your back, wear it with pride, because it speaks of your belonging to the church of God, the army of the Prince of Peace.

I was looking for some modern quotes about Christianity, and I found one that was quite interesting.

Sam Pascoe said;

"Christianity started out in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to Europe and became a culture; it moved to America and became an enterprise."

I would like to be able to add – and it came to Wales and started another worldwide revolution of justice and peace. I might be a dreamer, but if we don’t think big….well, it might as well never have happened.