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PALM SUNDAY 2021

On Palm Sunday we usually do not preach a sermon but allow the Palm and Passion Gospels to preach for us. This year things are a bit different but none-the-less the words of the Gospel still speak clearly to us.

In the Palm Gospel, we hear of the joy of the crowd as Jesus entered Jerusalem. They saw him riding on a donkey and believe him to be the King who would save them from Roman oppression. In Jewish pageantry the King always rode at the back of any procession in the place of honour, not on a horse but on a donkey. By entering the Holy City on that beast of burden Jesus is proclaiming himself as the promised Messiah, the anointed one. The people read the symbolism and are overjoyed, here at last is hope for a better future.

How quickly this all changes in the following days as the Passion Gospel relates to us. The jubilant, hopeful cries of the crowd turn to jeers and a desire for blood is expressed. No more ‘Hosanna!’ the cry is now ‘Crucify him’. Jesus the gentle Messiah has let them down, or so they think. He hasn’t over powered the authorities by force, life is unchanged and their disappointment is vented as anger and hate.

Yet the Gospel tells us of the salvation won for our sakes by Jesus Christ in his death on the Cross. How in his blood he made a once and for all time atonement for the sins of all humanity and has ensured that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God.

The Passion Gospel (verses from St.Mark’s Account )

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, ¹⁴and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’ So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’ They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, ‘Surely, not I?’ He said to them, ‘It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ (Later) They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’ Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ Jesus said, ‘I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death. Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!’ The guards also took him over and beat him. As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ Then the chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. Now at the Passover festival Pilate used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ For he realised that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, ‘Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ ¹⁴Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace and they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’ ²And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.’ And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’ Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’ There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Earth Hour Saturday 27th March 8.30-9.30pm

2021 presents an unmissable opportunity. In 2021, world leaders will come together during key global conferences and forums (most importantly in Glasgow in November at the COP26) to set the environmental agenda for the next decade and beyond. Crucial political decisions will be made on climate action, nature, and sustainable development –- decisions that will directly affect the fate of humanity and our planet for years to come.

This Saturday evening switch off your lights, light a candle, say the prayer below and with millions around the world give the Earth a chance to breathe; as we all save an hour’s worth of resources. Pray also for COP26 that its outcomes will benefit Creation.

Creator God, this earth is beautiful and fragile. Forgive our confusion and inaction as we confront the challenges of climate change. In the light of your truth, seen so clearly in the life and teachings of Jesus, help us to re-examine ourselves and our lifestyle choices and see clearly the implications of how we live, on all that sustains life on earth. May we follow your lead in caring for every aspect of this precious world, which you made and love. Inspire us now to work together, as your people, to change priorities in the way we live so that we build a fair and safe world for all your creation and for future generations. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen

Lent V 2021 Passion Sunday Year B

“Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks ...” John 12:20

Today’s Gospel, contains something that is worth focusing on - that is the call to evangelism. The Disciples are asked by the Greeks to show them Jesus and they ask Philip for an introduction.The Greeks have been intrigued by what they had heard of Jesus and were also hungry for his good news. These Greeks had obviously heard of Jesus and his radical preaching and felt that it had something to say to them. They also acknowledged that they needed help accessing an audience with Jesus and that’s why they turned to Philip. Philip became the bridge between the Greeks and Jesus, between those seeking the ‘good news’ and the Good News himself. They need Philip to act as their evangelist and to bring Jesus to them.

This is something that remains true today. The ‘Good News’ of Christ is available to all God’s people but quite often a guide is needed to lead them to what they need to hear. Many also need an interpreter to help them understand what they hear as well. That’s where we followers of Jesus come in.

We are the people who are called to lead others to Christ - to the ‘good news’ and to explain to others what it means to us. We often do this quite naturally when we talk with others about our faith or our church-going. When we do so we are actually being evangelists for Christ - did you ever realise that? Evangelism sounds as though it is something difficult or complicated when in fact it is really very simple. It is as simple as talking about your faith in Jesus or inviting someone to join you at church. There is, however, a question we all need to ask ourselves; ‘How often have I invited someone to come along to church with me and to hear what the Gospel has to say to them?’

A few years ago while on holiday in Gran Canaria I attended the Sunday service in the Anglican Chaplaincy. At the service the priest preached a short homily in which he emphasised the value of reading the Scriptures on a regular basis, and most especially of reading the Gospels - the true good news of Christ. He told a story of how a young man, a confirmed atheist, came to faith after reading St.Mark’s Gospel account. He had given the young man a copy of the Gospel when he had sought him out for guidance and he had also invited him to come back at anytime, to talk again.

Have you ever read the Gospels all the way through? Have you seen how they fit together and how they differ? If you haven’t why not use these last few weeks of Lent to do so. Start with Mark then read Matthew then Luke and end with John. You will no doubt find new things within them, be comforted and encouraged by familiar words and I hope intrigued to read more and find out more about your faith.

For the more Scripture we read the more enthusiasm we can have for sharing the ‘Good News’. The more enthusiasm we have, the more excitement we develop the greater the desire to share that excitement with another is and when you share your insights with another, that’s when you are truly being an evangelist. Who knows it might just be your words that help someone else come to faith?

I wonder whether, like me, you ever get confused between “Mother’s Day” and “Mothering Sunday”? I often have to remind myself as to the difference between them and their respective significances. As you may recall “Mother’s Day” is a celebration honouring the mother, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.

On the other hand “Mothering Sunday” is a day honouring mothers and mother churches celebrated annually during Lent. On Mothering Sunday, ChrisCans have historically visited their mother church – the church in which they received the sacrament of baptism. It coincides with “Laetare Sunday”, (otherwise called “Refreshment Sunday”) being a day of respite from fasting halfway through the season of Lent. We are encouraged to rejoice that day. Symbolically the altar frontals and vestments are rose coloured rather than penitenial purple.

I doubt that many of us here will actually have been baptised at the Church of the Good Shepherd. I was baptised many years ago at the parish church where my grandmother was a member, where my parents were married and where my mother remains. I pass it every time I go home. There is something special about that family connection even if some family are no longer with us. Looking back, it clearly had an important part in my life. Can you recall where you were baptised? What connections are still there?

In choosing an image to illustrate Mothering Sunday I was reminded of a “Matryoshka doll”. You may recall these comprise a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another. You may still have one. They are often seen as a symbol or traditional representation of the mother carrying a child with her. It can also be seen as a representation of a chain of mothers carrying on the family legacy through the child in their womb. They illustrate the unity of body, soul, mind, heart and spirit.

In his 2021 Lenten book “Thy will be done”, Stephen Cherry, Dean of King’s College, Cambridge makes reference to the concept of “motherly father”. It is not one which I have really come across before. Not only does it challenge how we think of God but it offers us a fresh insight into our understanding too. One of the images he refers to is the well-known fifteenth century icon by Andrei Rublev based upon the hospitality of Abraham. He comments that “for many who meditate on it they will be struck by the feminine nature of the forms and the androgyny”. What do you think?

He then goes on to comment that “part of the power of that icon is that it communicates something integrating and healthy and complete about our understanding of God’s nature and relationship with us. However there are many people for whom that health and fullness is no longer conveyed by the word “father” alone. Whatever we say, however, when we use the word “father” here we are implying “mother” and referring to the loving kindness of God. What do you think?

The story of Moses in the basket made of bullrushes symbolises so much of motherhood, tenderness, compassion, love and much more. As does the prayer which I wish to conclude with:-

Loving God,
We give you thanks for all who care for us, Who have encouraged us and helped us grow, Who have forgiven us,
And cared for us when we are unwell,
Who have supported us when times were hard, Who have challenged us
Who have told us about you.
Thank you, Amen.

Lent III 2021 Year B

Exodus 20:1-17 1Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22

“Church of the Good Shepherd, Murrayfield Avenue, Murrayfield. Incumbency. Church seated for 225. Patrons, The Vestry with the Bishop as adviser. Parsonage house rated at £175. Endowments producing £100 per annum. Architect – Sir Robert Lorimer. Church dedicated 1899; consecrated 1905....Members 420; communicants 306; Sunday school 36. Useage Scottish Office 1929. Lights. Vestments. Reservation, Hymnal for Scotland...Magazine local.”

So states the description of this church in the SEC Year Book (Red Book) of 1975/6, although this description does not explicitly say so, like other Episcopal churches the seats were ‘free’. You didn’t have to rent your pew in order to attend church. In other words you did not have to pay to worship.

I remember as a teenager, visiting one of the southern cathedrals, with my great aunt and uncle and being very annoyed at being expected to pay to get into pray. The turnstiles were erected in the porch and the officious stewards or sides persons growled at you if you dared to challenge the entrance fee. It was the same in the Cathedral, in which I was ordained. I often visited it during my curacy in the diocese. In order to ‘pop in’ to pray or worship you had to present yourself in ‘dog-collar’ at the back door and if approved you were let in – again it used to annoy me.

My most recent annoyance occurred in a London church where on entering to pray one was shepherded into a small side chapel, it felt as though one was directed to the broom cupboard, so that one’s praying might not upset the paying guests, I gave up trying to go to evensong there.

Thankfully and thank God, in our Cathedral or this church you do not have to pay to pray or just to get in. Yes! We might be missing a trick, in raising much needed funds but we could never be accused of keeping anyone out because they didn’t have the cash to come in. Donations, especially gift aided are always welcome but that is the gift of a generous giver and not the ‘set fee’ to cross the threshold. There is a big difference.

My grumpiness with certain English Cathedrals helps me to understand Christ’s anger at discovering his worship place full of traders making a fortune out of honest pilgrims and worshippers. It was big business in the Temple. To pray to God, or to ask for forgiveness of sins involved offering a blood sacrifice – from doves to cattle depending on the sin, and sacrifice was not free, you had to pay for it and it wasn’t cheap. You needed to have the right money or currency, hence the presence of the money changers, who would help you on that score, for a commission fee!

The Temple would have been busy and noisy with competing sellers trying to get the faithful to shop at their stall rather than that of their neighbours – worship certainly took second place. So no wonder Jesus got cross. In fact he got more than cross, he got really, really angry. Can you imagine seeing the gentle man you knew get so worked up that he whipped the traders out of the temple, warning them that lust for money would bring the whole place down. The placid man explodes and if you know someone like him you’ll know that when they blow, they really explode with anger. I wish I had had the courage to kick down those cathedral turnstiles rather than just politely challenging the ticket sellers as to why I had to pay to pray?

Righteous anger can change things as it did that day in the Temple but it lead to increasing hostility towards Jesus by those in power, who demanded to know by whose authority, Jesus, thought he was able to behave as he did. They could see profits dropping and feared that others might behave in the same way, unless they did something about it. Let the people worship for free – what a mad idea!

Today, we don’t charge you to worship – we may teach you the facts of stewardship and tithing to encourage you to share of the blessings God has given you but we won’t ever charge or bill you. Giving to the church should be something one wants and chooses to do, as a prayerful response to God’s grace poured freely upon us – not as an attempt to buy that grace. You can’t buy it anyway because God just keeps pouring it out upon us but we are given it in order that we can share it with others.

There, is however, something deeper in this tale of Christ’s anger in the Temple. There is more to it than Jesus just turfing the money changers and their cronies out of the Temple. Jesus is cleansing the Temple to make it pure and in the process he is cleansing himself as well. Cleansing himself to meet his God, his Father in his coming passion and death. This cleansing echoes the deep cleansing we can make when we confess our sins and those things that keep us from God and when we seek purification from them in the blessings that God freely gives us. Jesus cast out the evil influences in the Temple both the physical building and the temple of his own body. We too need to cleanse our temples, our bodies – those holy places sanctified by Baptism and God’s ‘charis’ (grace) - and Lent is a good time to do it.

Few people seek the sacrament of confession or better called reconciliation, than they did in the past. For Anglicans it has always been optional because of the regular use of the general confession incorporated into our acts of worship be it the Eucharist or Evensong. In confession, be it general or personal, we have an opportunity to really cleanse ourselves of the things that clutter us up and burden our hearts and souls. We do it in the knowledge that when we receive the absolution our sins are truly ‘put away’, forgiven, gone. Through absolution we are ‘resurrected’ into new life, able to have another go, to try to do better, to try not to sin again. We are cleansed by absolution because the act of confession drives out sin.

The image of Jesus driving out the bad influences in the Temple is a good icon to keep before yourself this Lent. Ponder on what he did and why he did it. Pray that you can identify those things you need to purge from your being and chuck them out, leaving more space to be filled with God’s grace. Grace that you can then share with others because once you remove blockages you can’t but overflow with it. As you give this grace away you are being truly ‘Eucharistic’ truly full of thanksgiving for all that you have and all that have to share.

Freely give as you have been freely given, you don’t need to pay for grace it comes with love and no charge.