Today’s Scripture reading and meditation hold two very important lessons for me. The first lesson is that I should not ‘write off’ anyone, regardless of their past behaviour, ancestry or background. I do find that to be hard, especially with people that are nasty or belligerent or have a well-developed sense of entitlement. The second lesson is that God does not hold the present generation, those who are too young to make decisions (then or now) accountable for what the previous generations did or decided. However, that doesn’t let the older generations, like those of Nineveh, off the hook for what was done. They, like the people of Nineveh, have to repent and turn from their less than noble ways. This allows for healing on all fronts--though I’m not sure that Jonah, for one, was ready to accept that or receive it. He was still pretty stuck, still pretty bitter, but that was his problem, and not God’s!

At first, upon glimpsing what the appointed reading for today was to be, I found myself faced with more than a wee bit of puzzlement. I wondered what in the world I would ‘find’ to be of benefit today in this so well-worn and familiar psalm. But right away, even in the first few verses, I noticed how careful and fine-tuned God’s care for us is. It is precise and infinitely knowledgable, far beyond words, and really speaks eloquently of His care of us. And that, surely, is very good news.

As I often suggested before, the enemy of our souls tries to make us Christians feel useless and insignificant, saying that we are small and powerless and of little impact. Actually, Jesus tells us that, as salt and light and leaven, we have an impact precisely because we are small. In other words, a little bit goes a long way when it comes to the impacts that our lives, our words and actions, can have on others. It is something that we must always remember: your life, my life, counts, so treat it this way!

Some Biblical scholars dispute the age-old attribution of the first gospel, the Gospel According to St. Matthew, to the Biblical person by that name, the tax collector featured in today’s Scripture reading. I, however, accept that attribution and see that gospel as revealing a great deal about the man--and his inner longings, and background, to boot. To me, he did not ‘become’ such an ardent student of the Hebrew Scriptures overnight, that is, after he became a disciple, nor did he gain such an ‘obsession’ with fulfilment of prophecy only after meeting Jesus. To me, such things had long been an interest and a passion with him, but that now, as a disciple of Jesus, he was free to explore them more fully and share them with others--including us. To me, he is a wonderful example of a ‘man set free’ and an inspiration that says that it can happen to any, and all, of us. Thanks be to God.

Today’s Scripture and meditation both touch on the issue of deciding to follow Jesus. Often we think, when faced with this decision, that it is rather risky and problematic. After all, who knows just what our Lord might ask of us--and certainly sometimes we think that he might ask for something that is very difficult and far outside of our comfort zone. (I certainly have felt this way at times, and have tried to avoid what God has said--or what I think that he has said.)

But, to be honest, what I have feared is not at all what has actually transpired. Yes, it has been outside my comfort zone at times, but never has it been dangerous to my health, finances or well-being. Someone I know well, when he was considering the ordained ministry, once said to someone else ‘but there no money in it.’ The other person said, rather wisely, ‘maybe, but the Lord always takes care of you.’ And that exactly what I have found over the course of over 45 years of ministry. My family has not always been flush with money, but the money was always there when we needed it. And, not only that, God has always stepped forward and helped when I tried to follow Him.

So, maybe the step of faith of the two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew and James and John, was not quite as risky or outlandish as it might seem. Indeed, maybe it is something quite possible--and even logical--for each of us.

I don’t know about you, but David’s words in today’s psalm bring me up short, especially with regards to my inherent bullheadedness and stubbornness and determination to ‘do it my way.’ (Some would blame it on my English upbringing, but I’m not entirely sure that it can be attributed only to those of that ethnic background, as it seems pretty widespread). Anyway, David says that God alone is the One that we can count on, and that only He is the One that he turns to. A pretty good thing to think about, right? I would certainly say so.

In the opening chapters of his first letter to the Corinthians the apostle Paul expounds a very important principle, one that is just as important today as it was back then. It was that we need to remain focused on, and to follow, no human agents, no matter how exalted or well known or erudite, other than Christ Jesus. (In this day, of social media and television broadcasts it is so very easy to latch one of its media stars). And, as wild as it might seem, we should not do this with any denomination either. No denomination is infallible either. Indeed, as Article 19 of the Thirty Nine Articles states, the church has in times past erred (and presumably, can still do so.) And as Article 20 clearly says, “It is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God’s Word written...” I know that I have gotten into ‘trouble’ and derision for affirming this, but it is my absolute conviction that only God’s word can be relied upon, and no matter what human agent or organization may say, no matter how exalted or wonderful they may seem to be.

Differences of opinion will always occur within any collective or group, whether this be government or community groups or families. And certainly, this is bound to happen even in churches. But then the question arises: what differences of opinion are healthy and normal and easily accommodated, seeing as the issues they touch on are fairly minor or fairly inconsequential? And what differences of opinion deal with crucial and life-changing, faith impacting issues that simply must be dealt with? These are questions that have plagued the church even from the earliest times--and still do, even today. Here I would stand with the apostle Paul and say that matters of doctrine and matters of morality are ones that we need to take seriously and deal with. But, here is the age-old question: just how do we deal with these? I’m afraid that for this there is no one-size, definitive answer that works in all places, times and situation. It is a ‘messy’ question that requires much discernment, wisdom and sensitivity to the Spirit. I’m sorry that I can’t be more exact, but that, I think, is the ‘nature of the beast.’ Anyway, here is something to ponder.

So often, we humans, when faced with difficulties or stresses in our own lives, or horrendous ‘happenings’ in the outside world, fall into the error of thinking that this world is ‘all there is’ and that this moment in time is likewise so important and crucial. And so, it helps to know that God’s plans include a much bigger and better picture, one that far outweighs, and goes beyond, our present time and circumstances. What we are going through is not the end of the game, nor is it final. God has something far better in store. Thanks be to God.

One of the questions asked of parents and sponsors/ godparents in The Book of Alternative Services (p. 153) prior to the baptism itself is this: “Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?” I especially underline the importance of this, particularly the witness part, in light of their taking the baptismal vows not only for the child concerned but also for themselves. I stress this because it will be their witness, in words and deeds, that will most impact the growing child and impact whether they will ever adopt the Christian faith for themselves. The visible witness of the parents and godparents will largely determine whether the child comes to faith.

I mention this particularly in light of my own experience as a parent and discovering just how much my three boys imitated me, even to the point of retelling my stories, my misadventures, and my awful jokes--even to my bishop, who lived next door!

But then, we parents aren’t the only ones who see what we are in terms of our words and actions, and aren’t the only ones that are affected or impacted by them. We just don’t know what kind of effect we have on others, so the word of my meditation on our outward witness is quite appropriate.

Today is Holy Cross Day in the church’s calendar and marks one of the most important--and most controversial--aspects of the Christian faith. To many, the Cross represents our death to our old way of life, the death of sin and guilt, and the death of Satan’s power in our lives. It signals a brand-new start to life. It symbolizes--and enacts, in a very powerful and tangible way--the bridging of the gap, the separation, that had existed between us and God because of our sin. And therein is where some of the controversy lies: there are some who feel that this means--the Cross, that is--of bridging the gap, the is too horrific, too awful, to be attributable to a loving God. But then, this notion does not take seriously the impact of our sin, nor the horrendous consequences of that separation. Indeed, it was just because God loved us so that He took such a step to remedy that terrible problem.

Adherence to, and obedience to, the word of God is--or at least, should be--a primary focus of the Christian life. However, far too often, we pay only lip service to it, either neglecting it entirely because we are busy or pre-occupied, or simply sloughing off its more stringent or demanding injunctions. Here today’s reading from Psalm 119 is of great benefit to us in reminding us how single-minded we should be in reading and obeying God’s word. It’s a great reminder indeed.

It is interesting--and perhaps more than just accidental--that two of the most disputed facts of history--disputed by the sceptics, that is--are actually two of the best substantiated pieces of history, namely the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Of course, what the sceptics know instinctively is that to undermine these two things is to erode the entire basis for Christian belief, and indeed, the whole basis for our faith in

God and in Jesus Christ. But, we who have given our lives over to Jesus Christ know that these things are true, for we have experienced that same crucified and risen Lord in our own lives. This is just a bit of what I have touched on in today’s meditation.

One of the obvious problems besetting much of our society today is the idea of ‘them vs. us’. This idea sets us against them, suggesting that someone ‘else’ has the responsibility, someone else needs to ‘step up to plate’ etc. This makes it very easy to blame governments and others and to suggest that they alone are responsible. But the truth is that we are all in it today. We all have some responsibility and a role to play.

The same goes for the church. It is far too easy to think that ‘someone else’ has the responsibility for worship, for pastoral care, for evangelism, for the maintenance of whatever buildings or facilities we have, for the financial support of our congregation or for the welcoming and inclusion of others and helping them to feel at home. But once again, we are all in it today. We are all part of a team where the contribution and work of every single person is needed and vital. And so, no one is considered uninvolved or unessential and no one is left out. Thanks be to God.

For those of the Jewish faith, especially those who can trace their ancestry right back to the Exodus and Israel’s miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the Passover meal, the Seder, is a lasting reminder of how God can intervene for good in our lives. For us who are followers of Jesus, this remembrance has precious other overtones, as it also calls to mind, with its various symbols and actions, the saving work of Jesus in our lives. This is what I have tried to pick up on in today’s meditation. I hope that you find it helpful and inspiring.

Given that today’s gospel reading from Matthew, Matthew 18:15-20 (if your brother or sister sins against you), is such a difficult and challenging passage, and yet raises the very real and reoccurring issue of how churches deal with interpersonal conflict. It would be great, and lovely, if everything was sweetness and light and there were no conflicts or hurt feelings or personality clashes, but that simply isn’t the case with any churches that I know. Henceforth, in today’s sermon, I have tried to deal with this by outlining our Lord’s suggestions as to how we might handle it. Hope it is helpless.

Calamities, disappointments and less than positive behaviours and remarks are ‘bound’ to come our way--it cannot be helped, as they are probably part of life. It is how we cope with them or deal with them that really counts, really makes a difference to our lives--and the lives of others. That is the kind of thing that today’s meditation touches on. I hope you find it helpful and inspiring.

Today’s passage and meditation are particularly appropriate for anyone who speaks professionally as part of his or her work, but then, is it not also appropriate for each and every one of us, for, no matter who we are, our words have an impact--for better or for worse. So, we need to be careful and very deliberate in what we say and how we say it.