Mary & the Magificat

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be now and always acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Amen 

Those words from this mornings gospel reading ... of Mary are words of immense importance … a declaration of who the child is and who he will be - a description of what God is up to in and through her but also what will be happening once the Child in her womb is born. 

This morning I would love us to stop for a moment at this juncture … before we celebrate Christmas and think about Mary. 

In Ireland, due to our history,  particularly we have many images of of the Blessed Virgin Mary … one just has to drive around the roads here and we see statues to her. 

Of course we as a church look to Mary as an example of faithfulness and also a woman called by God uniquely in salvation history 

Much has been written and debated across the centruries … for anyone looking to take this study further …check out ARCIC on Mary - available her http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/angl-comm-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20050516_mary-grace-hope-christ_en.html 

This document which appears on the Vatican website repeats what Both the anglican and Roman Catholic Church can agree upon - What we must be clear on is that: 

• that any interpretation of the role of Mary must not obscure the unique mediation of Christ;
• that we recognize the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Theotókos, the mother of God incarnate, and so observe her festivals and accord her honour among the saints;
• that Mary was prepared by grace to be the mother of our Redeemer, by whom she herself was redeemed and received into glory;
• that we recognize Mary as a model of holiness, faith and obedience for all Christians; and
• that Mary can be seen as a prophetic figure of the Church.

It’s this prophetic role I would like to pick up on this morning - for a few moments 

Prophetic - is either fore-telling or forth-telling 

In other words - a prophet is someone who tells what is going to happen in the future or what should and needs to happen in the future. 

Mary in the Magificat - does  state both what the Child in her womb is going to do and also what needs to happen 

Mary paints a magnificent word picture of what the kingdom of God is going to be like - a vision that is attractive to the powerless, the vulnerable, the poor and the underdog. 

Its not too attractive for the powerful, the exploiter, the rich and the bully. 

Mary in her faithfulness shows what God can do with a single life who is ready to say yes to God. 

Mary in this prophetic role is powerful

<< This has been doing the rounds on Facebook -from a nativity play last year >>

As I watched this time and again … I see Mary in this picture as someone not going to take things that aren’t meant to be (we'll not go much further with this imagery! ;-) 

When we read elsewhere in the Gospels … Mary prompting Jesus, Mary having her heart broken, Mary in her supportive role 

But her prophetic role here … stating the what this child will become - This Christmas … as we pause … we have the kingdom of God being proclaimed here. 

So what are we to make of the Magificat … Mary’s song 

E. Stanley Jones, a famous preacher of two generations ago, said that the Magnificat is “the most revolutionary document in the world.”

Geldenhese, a Dutch theologian, said that the Magificat “announces powerful revolutionary principles.” 

Murrow, another theologian, talks about the “revolutionary germ” found in the Magnificat. 

Barclay, an English theologian, says that the Magificat is “a bombshell.” Barclay goes on to say that people have read it so often that they have forgotten its “revolutionary terror.” It takes “the standards of the world and turns them upside down.” Barclay teaches that in the Magnificat, there are three revolutions: 

“an economic revolution; a political revolution; and a moral revolution.”  

Still another author says that the Magnificat “terrified the Russian Czars.” 

Martin Luther, the father of the Lutheran church, says that the Magnificat “comforts the lowly and terrifies the rich.” 

Gilmore said that the Magnificat “fosters revolutionaries in our churches.”  He says that “the Church needs the leaven of discontent, and the Magnifcat makes the church strive against poverty and wretchedness.”

As we come to Christmas for another year … are we prepared to accept the revelation of the Christ Child - that actually there is a revolutionary message that the church has turned on its head - that we have somewhat sanitised and accepted the message that the world proclaims that it is a lovely story and makes us feel good but nothing more.

One Commentator sums this up quite well when he says Those who know God and his grace will echo Mary’s song. We do not have the honour of giving birth to the Saviour of the World, but we do have the blessing of becoming one of his children. The promises God makes to his humble children, revealed by Mary in her hymn of praise, are promises in which we share.

Casting Crowns wrote a song which is a wonderful piece of poetry - have a listen to it. 

Somewhere between the hot and the cold

Somewhere between the new and the old

Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be

Somewhere in the middle, you'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right

Somewhere between the darkness and the light

Somewhere between who I was and who you're making me

Somewhere in the middle, you'll find me

Just how close can I get, lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense

Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle

With eyes wide open to the differences, the god we want and the god who is

But will we trade our dreams for his or are we caught in the middle

Are we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands

Somewhere between my faith and my plans

Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar

Somewhere between the altar and the door

Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more

Somewhere in the middle you'll find me

Just how close can I get, lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense

Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle

With eyes wide open to the differences, the god we want and the god who is

But will we trade our dreams for his or are we caught in the middle

Lord, I feel you in this place and I know you're by my side

Loving me even on these nights, when I'm caught in the middle

Caught in the middle

2018 we look back on with all sorts of feelings for some its been a great year, for some a mixed blessings year, for others it may have been a horrid year.  

2019 is on the horizon - I wonder when we get to this time next year what are we going to look back on - will we be in the same place or do we have a bit of a vision for what could be birthed in our lives, in our community, what is God calling us collectively to, to you personally to. The magnificat was Mary’s song … her calling out what should be and needs to be. This is also not just for young people … its for all of us … remember how God used Abraham and Sarah, Noah, 

This all began with a young woman saying yes to the Lord, this revolution began with a simple let it be according to your will. What is your vision … what are you prepared to see brought to fruition 

Lets pray 

Me and my stop sign

Over the course of advent, if you looked in the boot of my car you'd have found a most strange object ... a stop sign ... I've been carting it about with me for over a month now and I'm still going with it. Its been at Messy Church, its been at our United Celebration, its been at School assembly and its going to be with me right up until Christmas Day.

The stop sign is an amazingly helpful prop when it comes to thinking about advent I've found.  A time in the Church's year when we are challenged to prepare to hear again the story of Christmas.

Its been a reminder to me to stop personally ... to take time to halt during the day at times that I might have whizzed on through ... taking time to stop has been really important.

Its been a reminder to others I've spoken to ... to take that time to re-imagine quiet times and prayer times

This morning as I led our Sunday AM service - I was reminded that a stop sign is not a suggestion but it is a warning sign, a sign that if it is ignored could lead to an accident ... hurting ourselves and others around about you.

so a couple of things might be important at this junction ... If you are reading this ... remember to stop ... to take the time to stop, to halt and look to see if there is anything which could harm us coming our direction before moving off again or even what direction we need to be going.

some ideas   

Stop and reflect ... what's important?

Stop and look at if you do keep going the way you are ... where might you end up? ... is that where you want to be or do you need to make another decision?

Stop in the midst of the Christmas crazy season and remember what its all about

Stop and think about what gives you life and energy... do more of that stuff!

If you need to stop doing something that you know that needs to be cut out ... cut it out! STOP it!

Remember that the Christian message is good News ... Bill in Sunday AM this morning defined Good News as

Something significant has changed for the better and the life of the hearer is now lived in a different way as a direct consequence

It's not about condemnation, but rather about our response to great news. None of us are perfect people but we can respond to Good news

Why not make a decision to stop and see what great things God might be saying to you.

STOP and remember the promises he has already spoken to you

Advent - Bible Study

At Growth Group tonight we were looking at next Sunday's lectionary readings and thinking about what were we looking forward to.

In the readings there were various things but primarily we focused upon ... the Second Coming of Christ

I do love this diagram which reminds us of where we are in the timeline of everything.

As we got going at looking at this I was reminded as we STOP at advent and look back ... we're looking back at what has been ... the incarnation, the resurrection etc but we're also looking forward to the second advent with expectation and preparedness.

Hugely challenging, in that we're living in the tension between the now and the not yet of God's Kingdom.

some key passages ...

1 Thess 3:12  ¹²And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. ¹³And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 

Luke 21: 34 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation* and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, ³⁵like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’ 

*dissipation = overindulgence

Some great discussion was had ...

Robert

Remembrance Day Sermon

Sermon Preached in Blarney Church on 11th November 2018 on the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice.


—————————————

May the words of My mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be now and always be acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Amen

Today I particularly welcome along those who have come to this church to especially remember members of their family / those connected with them in some way who died during WWI.

We’re commemorating a war that saw so many from this land and these islands march over to battlefields in foreign lands and encounter unimaginable suffering, scenes of the most horrific slaughter and witness the most incredible display of mans inhumanity to man.

The names we read out earlier are relatives of ours or linked to us in some way - people who for various reasons found themselves on  foreign battlefields. We remember them, we remember those who are not named as well because to forget them is to forget the sacrifice of life they made and also to forget the horrors of war they witnessed and to ensure that those lessons not be forgotten by any generation yet to come.

Messy is a word I’m using more and more about life, pastoral issues and certainly the politics of the world… and certainly the history of these islands are messy to say the least. A couple of weeks ago I attended the Blarney and District Historical Society for a lecture entitled Blarney 1918 which talked about this area 100 years ago - the competing political ideologies, the messy reasons for people to sign up and go off to war - whether it be for money, to feed themselves and their families, for adventure, to further the cause of irish nationalism, to support the British forces … to name but a few.

What we do know is without this war - History of this nation and europe would be different, and the world we know today would be unrecognisable.

These brave men who marched are remembered today - with gratitude for their service and their sacrifice

When we look around Ireland in 2018 we see these men some of whom are named on monuments and others who are not - we are realising that they do need to be remembered - there seems to be a general maturing of attitudes - this needs to be encouraged - we need to be careful about this remembering  … that we do not forget the lessons that history teaches us - the importance that no one should be ‘airbrushed out of the history books’.

In remembering we are not glorifying war - not at all! … in commemorating we are not celebrating - that cannot be done  and should never be done.

In our village we do remember … and we will remember those in previous generations who died.

When we turn as we must to scripture - The Gospel reading today ends with Jesus’ command

Love each other

In the Epistle reading … Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus

My appeal is simple today - actually probably the simplest message of all

The human heart … is at the heart of all decisions - personally, politically, nationally, internationally and when we scale decisions up into the corridors of power and down to individual conversations at home or at work - where is love?

This day 100 years ago peace was achieved … after around 17 million people (Military & Civilian) were killed

Peace at what cost? …

This cannot be allowed to happen again … of course we know it did happen again - I was struck that on Friday Night on BBC News they were mentioning that it was 80 since Jews were attacked in Germany …again violence and inhumanity to fellow humans

but what about in our day?

We do know that peace is a longing for us all … we do need to work for it. We do know that there are those from this land today who are trying to work for peace - to stand in the gap between foes

We have today peace keeping forces in various parts of the world serving with the UN

Currently the Defence Forces  of Ireland are involved in a number of missions throughout the world involving approximately one hundred Personnel from all branches.  This number will be increased to include the 440 personnel who will be involved with the new mission to Lebanon which was confirmed by Minister for Defence.

We pray for our leaders, for those in the corridors of power
but we also work for peace in our homes, our families, our workplaces, wherever we find ourselves

Where there are those who stand in the gap … to defend our peace we give thanks

Where there are those who negotiate peace … we pray for wisdom

Where there are those who try to bring reconciliation … we pray for courage.

This is a day for remembrance but it is also a day to re-commit ourselves to the pursuit for peace and justice in our world. Later in the service we will have an opportunity to do just that.

For each of us in our own lives we have opportunities day and daily to bring an end to hatred and division - to embark on a journey of reconciliation - its difficult but God does give us the resources to love one another as he loves us.

as we sit here this morning I wonder as we commemorate a war which none of us remember first hand - are there bits of our history - our family, the community to which we belong that need reconciled.

Let’s remember that although there are no World Wars there are still those who are protecting us from those who would do us harm.

And there are those who we might not take up a weapon against but whom we need to love as difficult as that may be.

Reconcilliation may not be possible but we might have to reach out an olive branch to by what we say or by our actions.

Let’s Pray.

Peace, Reconcilliation, Remembrance - Some thoughts before tomorrow

Lots have been written about the Armistice over the past few weeks and months. As I sit in a coffee shop thinking about tomorrow preparing stuff for tomorrow I'm struck about the immense privilege it is to lead in remembrance.

I'm struck about the sacrifice that was made by so many, the politics of this nation which made remembrance a very difficult topic for the past 100 years but also the need to to remember in order to learn lessons of history.

Having recently been to a lecture about Blarney in 1918 and the difficulties of history there is a need deep down not to plaster over what has happened but to understand - I'm so thankful for historians who can look at the sources and make some sense of how the past impacts the present.

With my pastoral heart going into tomorrow - the acknowledgement of what has been is important but also speaking into what needs to be going forward is important too.

I've been really encouraged by those who have taken up my invitation to remember at our 11am service those who are somehow connected with them who died during WW1 and will be remembering them at that service. All are welcome to join us at that service. We will be  beginning 5  minutes earlier in order to have a silence at 11am. 

Here is the introduction to  tomorrows service

Brothers and Sisters, 
as we commemorate the centenary of the ending of the First World War,
 we come together to offer to almighty God
 our worship and praise and thanksgiving 
to draw near to the throne of God
 in penitence and humility;
 to hear his proclamation of justice and righteousness; 
to remember those who participated
 in the war - those connected in some way to us;
 to acknowledge the relief and joy 
at the ending of this time of great hostility, 
and the anguish, sorrow and grief 
of those who never shared in that relief and joy; 
to remember a world and lives changed forever,
 yet with an uncertainty for the future and of lasting peace; 
to pray for all those who continue to serve
 in our armed/defense forces,
 and to pray that in the power of his spirit
 we may serve him in the pursuit of his heavenly realm.

We will remember them.

The Recluctant Eco - IT'S TOO HARD!!! ... ??

OK,

This Blog post is written as a bit of a confession ... we're told confession is good for the soul ... hopefully its also good for the environment.

Sometimes we dont know what we should do, but sometimes we also do know what we shouldnt do!

Recently there was a very scary report to come out about Climate Change ... and we do need to do something about it ... we really do! It's not OK not to do something.

It's going to change everything. It really is!

This post is a confession that I haven't done the things that I should have ... but also I'm happy with how things are ... I'm very happy jumping on to an aeroplane and going somewhere. I'm also happy with the status quo - I dump recycling stuff into the ordinary household bin ... sure it's only a can.

But I also know that things do need to change ... we need to talk about the issues ... apparently we're told that for the government climate change is not on the doorsteps

I'm also content with the price I pay for petrol, jumping into my car and going where I want, when I want to go.

But it's not really OK? is it?

Perhaps this crisis might be helped a bit not just by Government but also the churches playing our part and standing up and making our voices heard on the issues.

Lets look a little bit at this:

We know what the problem is: 

- The world is in extreme danger from human action
http://www.un.org/depts/los/consultative_process/icp18_presentations/barrett.pdf

- As Christians we have a duty of care for this but are not doing what needs to be done

Why should we be doing something: 

- Us Anglicans have what we call the 5 Marks of Mission One of which is 'Safeguarding the integrity of creation' - which along with the other things within the marks of mission.
- The Roman Catholic Church recently stated

We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all. The worldwide ecological movement has already made considerable progress and led to the establishment of numerous organizations committed to raising awareness of these challenges.

Regrettably, many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest. Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions. We require a new and universal solidarity. As the bishops of Southern Africa have stated: “Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation”. [22] All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.  Pt 14 - http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

 - Then there is the political willingness to do the difficult stuff...

Days before the last general election, the man who would be minister for climate action, Denis Naughten, told RTÉ Radio’s Late Debate that when he was out canvassing, no-one on the doorsteps was asking about climate change.

He wasn’t saying it wasn’t important or that action wasn’t needed, but there was little in his contribution to suggest he was the person to inject a sense of urgency into the national response to the most pressing global issue of our time.

Two years on from his elevation to minister, there is still scant evidence that it has been similarly elevated in his mind from a challenge to the more appropriate category of crisis. https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/ourview/climate-change-an-urgent-matter--minister-must-tell-it-like-it-is-857718.html

I just wonder  are we in Crisis mode yet ... not that we want to create a crisis but I just wonder are we heading in for one if something isn't done.

I Call myself a reluctant Eco because I have other things to do - I have pastoral care to think about, I have a masters to complete, a wedding to arrange, bills to pay, work to be done and I have sunday services to prepare for and 101other things on this weeks to-do list and frankly its too hard to think what steps need to be completed in order to stop the world decaying in this generation. IT'S TOO HARD!

Then the thought of raising my head above the parapet on this issue might mean ... well I dont really know what it might mean ...

But just because its too hard does that mean it shouldn't be done?

I call myself reluctant because of what I think of eco warriors ... again this is a confession and I apologise because I have a stereotype in my mind of people who recycle everything, who live in wood houses in trees and who live off the food produced in their gardens... All of these things are good but I like supermarkets, My car and pineapples!

What can be done ... we need to talk, we need a conversation?

I wonder if this can be done in the mainstream of the church - maybe as a ecumenical venture with people who have the knowledge - I'm not sure what I'm calling for, or if I'm calling for anything in particular ... I just know theres a problem that's becoming a crisis very fast and we do need to do something about it.

Anyone have any ideas ... ANYONE?

This Blog was started a while back but was given priority by a chance meeting in a coffee shop in Blarney by someone I just met who had a passion for Climate Change & churches working together. Thanks F for your inspiration - we'll see what comes of this. 

Sermon on Hope

 A sermon preached in St. Peter's Carrigrohane and Church of the resurrection Blarney on Sunday 28th October 2018. 

Readings  

Job 42: 1–6, 10–17 or Jeremiah 31:7–9

Psalm 34: 1–8, 19–22 or Psalm 126

Hebrews 7: 23–28

Mark 10: 46–52

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be now and always acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Amen

We’re now 5 Sundays away from Advent – and the church calendar changes and tries to prepare us for the preparation for advent

Hope is my theme today - It’s one that has been taken from our OT reading and Psalm

See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,

   and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,

among them the blind and the lame,

   those with child and those in labour, together;

   a great company, they shall return here.

and

May those who sow in tears

   reap with shouts of joy.

⁶ Those who go out weeping,

   bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

   carrying their sheaves.

As Christians … hope should be our bread and butter - the things that sustain us when times are tough and when there seems to be no way forward.

Time and again in Scripture we see dire situations - being sustained by hope, by vision.

Psalm 42:5

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
   and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
   my help and my God.

Hope is one of those words that roll off our tongue without too much thinking .. I hope its going to be dry today, I hope things will go well with the examination …

Michael D Higgins in his speech yesterday mentioned The people have made a choice as to which version of Irishness they want reflected at home and abroad. It is the making of hope they wish to share

I hope, you hope, we hope but what do we hope for?

One definition of which I came across … Hope is a vision for better days that changes us in the present.

This vision for better days that changes us in the present is useful

so for example a student might say I hope for an A in my exam (future vision) … but that student can change what they are doing in the present in order to work towards their hope.

Of course not everything is within their control but there is a vision of something better.

The hope we have in God is of course similar to this but on a different scale

Our hope in God is that he will see us through the tough times but also our ultimate hope that we will be with him forever - where there will be no more pain, sickness or death. 

This hope is peppered right throughout scripture - The Israelites dared to have hope, there’s an audaciousness to the hope we have in God- Its this hope that sustains through dry times, its this hope that paints a picture of a better way when things are going tough

Its a hope that actually things can be turned around, that different decisions can be made, that there is a way around an obstacle, that grief can lift, that life is indeed worth living.

Perhaps sometimes we feel life is out of sync somehow … perhaps things are getting us down - have you ever thought about writing your hopes down … your hopes for the future … and also wondering what you need to change in order for you to get closer to those hopes

Many of the things we hope for might be in our grasp if we’re willing to work towards them.

Ultimately we’re called to hope in God … How do we do that? … well we take time to cultivate that relationship with him, to get close to the father, to take time out with him

Tears to joy

Going out Weeping, bearing seed for sowing

Returning home with shouts of Joy carring their sheaves

Ultimately our hope is summed up in Hebrews 7

Jesus holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him.

The hope in this is clearly seen in the priesthood of Jesus … and we’re included those who approach God through him.

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews talks about confidence in the Hope we have – they go to great lengths in outlining why we should have confidence in Christ.

It doesn’t say that …he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him.

This is not a might or maybe thing … it is full confidence.

This is challenging but it gets to the very heart of hope …

(Bible Study Story)

When we look back at Genesis … we see the snake in the garden articulating something which happens time after time … did God really say …

That temptation can undermine our understanding of the most fundamental relationship between youself, myself and God.

Did God really say … is it really that easy.

And the answer is yes it is

Trust in God

Allow the Holy Spirit to work stuff out in your life

But there’s also the confidence to say actually my Hope is in him alone

This is not always that easy in our culture … where there is the issue of self-reliance, self confidence. Self

Of course all of these things are important but God reliance, God Confidence

Reliance upon his promises, his actions is something we need to talk more about.

I just wonder as we prepare for Advent this year – are we prepared to talk more about his plans, his purposes, his kingdom and see where it might take us to in our faith.

This might mean a few things … for us as we think of the implications of our hope – I would love to suggest 3 things for us to think about.

With our hope secure:

Trusting God for all things – deepening our trust … thinking about areas in our lives where we aren’t that great in trust him – and placing that under his regime

Treasuring  the things of his kingdom – where our treasure is there our heart is -

Tending to our soul – How is your soul? –a strange question maybe … but it is an important one -  in this time on the run up to Christmas where is your relationship with the Lord?, how is your inner life? Your quiet times, your listening times? The time you need to take with God?

There’s no better time than now

There’s a prayer that is stuck to my wall in my study

Yes we are still fools

Yes we are still dreamers

Who else would keep looking at desolation and in the end only responded by imagining beauty?

Who else would stay in manure and wait for sees because they remembered a rumor of fruit

Who else would reach right into the deepest pain and fear and try to love there even continue to try when hope dies and loves flame flickers in the cold wind of selfishness?

May we be saved all the more from the false sanity of comfort and numbly knowing all the answers

May our questions old and new be transfigured into the kernels of graced dreams and grow our deep rooted imagination of creation healed and whole

And in our becoming begun again

May the ancient first fruit of inspired hope nurture enough new foolish wisdom to go on living the love that makes no sense.

My prayer for all of us is that we would understand the inspired hope that we have and discover how amazingly wide, high and deep the love of God is and rest in that love and share the reason for the hope that is within us with others this day and forever more.

Amen.