Words for Worship

Ministry Today

Matthew 24.1-24

1 Cor 13.1-13

 

Today is not an easy Sunday. For we get used to the normal course if things. In fact, we like our world to go on in a routine fashion. Indeed, we come here specifically today for our quarterly communion, a date set in the stone of our yearly routine. Yet a few days ago, other folk’s routine even humdrum lives were shaken to its foundations as the stones and beams and concrete of their world came crashing down. Their ordinary day was crushed underneath impenetrable masonry. And suddenly for them and us looking on, we realise that routine is paper thin and so easily ripped asunder to reveal trauma, chaos and disorder beyond. It is then we are forced to face up to living in the same world of sudden unpredictability  that Jesus saw around him.

 

Well, a couple of weeks back we started a short series of studies upon the Lord’s prayer. And whilst we are like tourists on a weekend break in some vast city, there is still merit on a quick trip to this great landmark of New Testament.  Since there is huge wisdom just inside its doorway for this Sunday - this Sunday when we are each trying to come to terms with the horrors of the Haitian Earthquake.  Because even in the Lord’s prayer first phrase – our father which art in heaven - there is genuine comfort, sustenance and sense for us living in these imperfect times and upon this restless globe.

 

And how does these come about?

 

Well, first of all, the lord’s prayer is in the game of settling our relationship with our fellow human beings. Its there in that initial word – our. For that makes abundantly clear God is not some house or tribal deity favouring some and ignoring others. Rather he is father of all humanity.  And as a result of just saying - our – we eliminate within us the pre-eminence of self. Instead just thinking of God as head of the family of all people helps us to be concerned for other’s pain, even if we cannot understand its cause. For surely, any family worthy of the name feeds those struggling to survive, houses those who have been made homeless and binds up their wounds who suffer. Because that is must be a loving God’s vision for his offspring in an all too fallible world.

 

But the ‘Father’ bit of the lord’s prayer also settles our relationship with ourselves. For not only does the physical word from time to time show its imperfections and growing pains – so do we. It is then we often – despite our bravado – are in inner turmoil through a degree of self annoyance even self loathing. Yet it is then we hear that word ‘father’ and we are rescued. For in ‘father’ we are also reminded that despite not understanding the reasons for our damaging and destroying we have a parent who does. We have a father who never rejects but guides and corrects with love. We have a parent who offers forgiveness, arranges the forgiveness of others and allows self acceptance. Above even these, we have a very real parent, who despite the apparent tragedies – self inflicted or not who says – ‘don’t worry, I am with you – now stand up and together we will start again’ Together we will find the better way.

 

However it is the full phrase – ‘our father which art in heaven’ that gives the fullest comfort, strengthening and inspiration today. For only when we link father with heaven do start to get a glimmer of understanding how to truly live in a transient, routine-busting even frightening world.

 

And to illustrate what I mean I need to relate a story from roman antiquity:

 

There once was an emperor who was enjoying a triumph. That was the privilege of parading through the streets of Rome in a chariot with all his troops, banners and trophies before him. the streets were mobbed with people and a platform had been set up for the imperial family to watch the grand proceedings. Suddenly, from there ran a small boy to be swiftly caught by a legionary. The solder said- you can’t go to the chariot – that is our emperor. To which the child replied – he may be your emperor to you but he is my father to me!

 

 

 

Well, at its most obvious, this story illuminates how we should view God as father. Yet more deeply, it shows how God views his fatherhood. For that small boy could not have understood the vast panoply of power happenings and global events going on around him. These he could only see in a mirror darkly. But that resplendent Emperor could with utter clarity. For his view of reality was quite different from his young son’s. His grasp of what was really going on was the much greater. And so whilst that child may suffer the pains inflicted by others, by himself and a world in flux, he is still ultimately safe. For that mighty father could ensure that his son would grow and develop and fulfil his eternal destiny. He could as well ensure that his offspring was part of a family of humanity which will continue to progress in a sometimes hostile universe. He could with a better view of the final future, lean down, hug him tight and say – don’t worry you’ll be OK.

 

On the radio this week there was a representative of the humanist society. He was propounding their usual message of there being no God since no loving God would allow the Haitian earthquake. The snag is, he then did not give any other focal point for hope that the current suffering will have a better outcome. Sadly, for to him, there is nothing else than a friendless universe with a dysfunctional group of living beings scratching out an existence on a chaotic earth.  And so there is no end to the growing pains of the universe. Indeed there is no logical sense in love and promise of its victory.

 

Well, not for me – mate – I am tempted to say!

 

Instead I would rather rely on that phrase – our father which art in heaven. Since, it is a summation of our own spiritual experience of a parent God who cradles us in the worst moments of our lives. It is the guarantee that all suffering is but temporary and will be overcome in love. It is proclamation that these seen elements of communion are connectors to the unseen realm where all that is wrong is caste down and forced to serve a better purpose.

 

Let us be open to the need to be brother and sister at this traumatic time. Let us be open to a parent who we may only see darkly but who loves with final authority. Let us be open to a father who reaches through the fire so that we may join him in the dawning perfect day.

 

Difficult Times