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Why was it that when our boys were growing up you could always guarantee that on a long journey in the back of the car they would start bickering. It was quite often to do with who was best at something. Normal sibling rivalry! I knew it well as I used to bicker with my sisters in the back of my parents car, years earlier. I suspect that you will have similar stories of your own growing up, or of that of your children and grandchildren.

Even good friends can end up bickering when tired and fractious after a long day and in the Gospel reading, we have just heard, we get a good example of it. Jesus and his followers had been traversing Galilee for months, sharing the message of repentance and God’s unconditional love. A message that was a challenge not only to the Roman authorities but also the clerical hierarchy of the day. Jesus and his disciples were marked men. They realised this and in their anxiety they started to bicker with each other as to who was the greatest amongst them.

Jesus hears what is going on and warns his disciples not to argue about who is the most important. Jesus, does not have a hierarchy of favouritism towards his followers - despite selecting some of them to perform specific tasks in the furtherance of the kingdom. Jesus, sees all of his disciples as being equal. He was, however, the first to recognise their individual skills and talents and to make good use of them.

Jesus never says that; ‘Peter is this’ or ‘Bartholomew is that’ or that they are more important than James or John. No! Jesus, charges each of them with tasks according to their gifts, aptitude and ability and sees all of them as having equal worth and necessity. The Kingdom of God is not built upon individual talents but by individuals working collaboratively and corporately to achieve a single goal - the sharing of the Good News of Christ.

Jesus’ treatment of the disciples argument and his recognition of the abilities of his disciples echos what St.James later wrote and what we heard in the Epistle reading:

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual and devilish.”    James 3:13-15

In rebuking his disciples for arguing about their greatness, Jesus hammers his point home in their silence by using the seemingly most insignificant person there - a child. (And, I might guess a girl child, to do so.) This child, he says, is as welcome in God’s kingdom as much as anyone else, and as such deserves to be treated with respect - not rejected or looked over because she is only a child.

Remember that under Jewish Law pre- pubescent children, and women were not part of the chosen race, only adult males were of significance! In telling his followers that this child is important to God, Jesus turns Jewish custom and thought upside down, and in doing so teaches his disciples a valuable lesson.

If a child is as much beloved by God as one of the chosen race - a man, then this God, that Jesus speaks of, is a god more loving and accepting than any god previously known. A god of impartiality, unconditional love and acceptance.

God, however, is the same as he has always been, what Jesus tells us though, is that no one has a greater precedence in God’s eyes by virtue of who they are, all are equal in God! Men are not more important than women, adults are not more important than children, no one is more important than anyone else in God’s eyes, despite what we or others might think. Remember what St.James said about the need for true wisdom, that is what we all need to pray for in order to truly understand what Jesus is telling us and what God is showing us to be true.

“What is it that you say?”

You can probably think of a time when you have wished that you had kept your peace and your tongue in check, as St.James cautions us this morning in the Epistle reading. Times when you have rued the day you ever said the words that you did say. Words that you instantly regretted saying as you said them.

None of us are particularly good at biting our tongues when provoked or tempted by spite or even when we think we are right. Most of us do it and I suspect that most of us always regret it. I say; ‘most of us’ because one does come across people who never repent of their ill chosen words, either because they were unaware they had caused hurt or offence or that they deliberately and with malice a fore- thought chose to let their tongues run wild.

St.James tells us to guard our tongues and to seek to bless rather than curse. The tongue is a small member but its power outweighs its size.

It is also worth remembering, as St.James implies that the tongue expresses that which is actually going on deep within us and it uses the words that are circulating in our minds:

“ ... the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.”                   James 3:6

The words I have just quoted are ones that we should take to heart and try to remember for the tongue can be a wonderful tool of support, affection and wisdom as well as a tool for destruction. If used well the tongue can build oneself, one’s neighbours and the community up. It can inspire others to great things - think of those inspirational orators, politicians, preachers or even broadcasters whose tongues when used for good can inspire thousands to do good. Sir Bob Geldof did that back in the 1980’s with ‘Band Aid’ in a speech that galvanised the world into helping those in need in Ethiopia. He encouraged both politicians and ordinary people to do something to help those in need. Dame Esther Rantzen in relation to Child Line and Silver Line, the footballer Marcus Rashford in relation to school meals and others have done similar things by using their celebrity tongues to lead change and development for the good of others.

The tongue, however, can also lead into temptation and evil. Think of Hitler or Mussolini and those politicians and celebrities who spout rubbish and often dangerous, unthinking rubbish that can lead to hatred, xenophobia or persecution of those different to them but who because of their celebrity status gain the support of the public who think they are right. Politicians and even Christians can fall into this trap when they speak without due thought or they allow their prejudices or preferences to run riot without check.

It takes a strong and humble character, however, to admit to a mistaken comment publicly and to ask for forgiveness and to seek penitence. We Christians have to be on our guard continually as to what we say and do.

Christian communities are notorious for their factions and in-fighting, just look at the Anglican Communion for a start. I am coming more and more to the conclusion that we Christians should pray daily for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and for wisdom before we say or do anything. Then perhaps we might give God a chance to speak his words before we speak our words to others.

Holy God, please grant us the gift of wisdom in our thoughts and daily life. That we may pause and think before we speak and seek to use our words to build your kingdom here on earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and guide. Amen.

Two of our readings this morning are specifically about Thanksgiving, so it is definitely time to give some real thought to what ought to be central to our practice of religion, but all too often isn’t. I must begin by saying that it isn’t easy! We look at all the horrors of the world we live in: Gaza, the Ukraine, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and it’s difficult, really difficult to feel thankful. We face the appalling fact of climate change and the potential destruction of our planet, and it becomes even more difficult to feel thankful. We must however not give way to the temptation of thinking that Isaiah, or Mary had it any easier than we do. Life has always been difficult for those living it.

The Ancient Near East was no less fraught with tensions and warmongering than is the Middle East today. The state of Judah was under constant threat from larger powers, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of all its leading citizens to Babylonia. It is not exactly known when The Book of Isaiah was written, but it is certain that these latter chapters were written after the return from exile, when the returning Israelites found that not much had been done to restore their country to its former glory. So Isaiah is reminding his countryfolk of their God, giving thanks for all he has done and will in future do for them.

After Gabriel’s visit to her in Nazareth, Mary cannot have had an easy time of it at first. Normally, sadly, there is only one explanation when a young unmarried girl is found to be pregnant. Who could believe her unlikely story: that she was with child by the Holy Ghost? It all really depended on Joseph; if he broke off their engagement it would be a tragedy, for no other young man would want her, would want to be the father of another man’s child.  Mercifully the truth was vouchsafed to him in a dream. Mary’s story was true: the child within her was of the Holy Ghost  and he need not fear to take her as his wife.

Then the story must have  begun to circulate among members of Mary’s family, reaching even as far as their relatives in the hill country of Judah.  So when Mary decided to pay a surprise visit to Elizabeth, she was greeted not with the fuss and suspicion which she had met with in Nazareth, but with a rapturous welcome and recognition of her position as the Mother of God. Mary’s response is enshrined in the Magnificat, that great song of thanksgiving both for God’s goodness to her as an individual woman and for his goodness to his people Israel, in fulfilment of his promises to Abraham and their forefathers.

What have we to learn from these two great world-historical figures? It seems almost impertinent to say it, but we must take from their examples the importance of speaking one’s thanks. We don’t have to go on at length; I find often that a short “Thanks God!” is enough especially if my attention is required elsewhere! You have all I believe lived in Edinburgh for far longer than I have, so perhaps you have got used to the spectacular beauty of the view when you come over the top of Drumbrae to see the Firth of Forth and the kingdom of Fife in the distance. I still need to say thank you.

And in the other direction are the Pentland Hills and the Scottish Borders. Should we not be thankful that we are surrounded by such beauty – and say so?! 

That’s the clue! We are all here given so much – not least the freedom just to be here and to worship God among friends. We have the joy of word and music – and coffee to follow! But how often do we give expression to our thanks to our friends and families and beyond them to the Giver of all things? 

Let’s resolve to try and do better in future!

A tough Epistle and Gospel reading this morning; both seeking to tell us what to do and how to do it. They are the sort of readings that might make some of us rebel, especially those of us that don’t like being told exactly what to do or believe. These readings are a bit like a stern parent saying:

“Just do as I tell you!” When what we might want to say is; ‘Why?’ 

‘Why?’ is a good question. These two readings, however,  are just gob-bits from larger texts of the Bible and we really can’t take them as they are without trying to see them in context. The context from which they come and were written in. In the Epistle of James the author is at great pains to point out that we cannot be passive receivers of God’s word:

“22 … be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. ²³For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; ²⁴for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. ²⁵But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.”             James 1:22-25

Be doers of God’s word NOT just listeners. I know that some  have problems with this epistle as it can at times seem to contradict the concept of ‘Justification by faith alone’. Personally, I have never been able to comprehend that doctrine for unless our faith acts as a basis for our actions towards others then what do we mean by living our faith? I cannot see that faith alone is enough, for that means you can say that you believe something and then ignore the needs of those around you and fail to live by the ways of God. You then, I think, become simply a hearer of his words and not a doer. Faith for me is something one lives, and lives out in practical and humanitarian ways; helping others as you follow the ways of God. So the command to be a doer as well as a hearer of the Word of God speaks more deeply to me than simply the command to hear God’s word. This theme is picked up in Mark’s Gospel account where he says:

“This people honours me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.”             Mark 7:6

It is very easy to; ‘talk the talk’ but a lot harder to live the talk. God is aware of this but we are encouraged to try and live his ways and to do so in non showy or ostentatious fashion. We are called to do what God expects of us quietly and naturally, day by day, helping and encouraging others gently along the way. Our faith is shown by the example we set. Our faith has repeatedly changed the world in the past and can do so again today and in the future. What we need to do is to live an active faith and not just a lip-service faith. What small step could you take to put your faith into action? You might give a donation to a charity or volunteer to do something to help others. Whatever you do live your faith and never be just a hearer but a doer as well.

“But among you there are some who do not believe.”   John 6:64

“I believe in the sun,

Even when it is not shining.

I believe in love,

Even when I do not feel it.

I believe in God,

Even when He is silent.”

Anon. Scrawled on a wall in Cologne Cathedral crypt which was bombed in WWII

‘I believe in God, even when he is silent.’

Could you imagine writing those words during that dark chapter of our history? Whoever did so had great faith and an even greater hope. Their words imply that their faith was not based on despair  but on a hope of something greater than the pettiness of humanity.  Three short sentences that suggest God is there even when it is impossible to discern him; by comparing God to the sun and to love, things we know to exist by experience. We all know how the sun feels on our skin and we all know what love feels like but we cannot see love or even the sun on a cloudy day or at night; yet we know them to be true experiences because of the ways in which we have encountered them in the past. Past experience is important because when you cannot sense God you have to ask yourself the question is it worth continuing to believe?

Belief in God is always going to be  problematic, even for those of us who claim to do so. What do you or I or any believer mean by the word ‘God’? If all of us here today wrote down what we mean by God we would probably all give different answers for there are as many different interpretations of the word ‘God’ as there are individual human beings. This is nothing to be worried about, far from it.

I think it is wonderful that God can be experienced by each of us in our own unique and very personal way. It just helps to show us how multifaceted God is and how much God is beyond our total conception. We all express God through the way or ways in which we personally experience God. If we had all of eternity to compare every individual’s experience of God we might just be able to make a beginning of a definition of God.

All the crumbs and minute particles of our individual belief or faith are what together we found our belief in God upon. We do not believe alone, and it is this realisation, that gives us hope in God, in Jesus and in each other. Because faith, no matter how shaky our own might be, is a corporate act as well as individual belief. It is together we believe and not alone.