Realisation of Vision requires commitment, relationship and energy

Transcription

1 Pitt Street Uniting Church, 18 October 2015 A Contemporary Reflection by Mr John Floyd Carers Week Pentecost 21B Job 38: 1-7, 34-41, Mark 10: 35-45, Wild Geese by Mary Oliver Realisation of Vision requires commitment, relationship and energy One of the important features of worshipping life here at Pitt Street for a number of years has been the expectation held by people, when someone is asked to minister to us through this part of the service. What the person is asked to do is tell us: What meaning do these readings hold for you? How is it that you go about living your life after you have heard these words? How do you relate to the people in your life as a consequence of hearing these words? So As I listened to the Gospel reading last week and again this week I was struck by the patience and dedication of Christ when people come to him and said: Here we are, we have done everything required of us and we wish to serve you in such and such a way. In last week s gospel we had the story of the young man who wished to inherit eternal life and he and Jesus list all the criteria that he has successfully fulfilled. This week James and John present themselves before him and ask to sit in seats of prominence beside Jesus. In both writings I marvel that Christ does not roll his eyes, shake his head in disbelief and nor does he show any sign of frustration. He has spent countless hours talking to, working with and teaching these people of his vision for life and yet these central figures of the story with great passion and commitment wished to either hive off in some direction that he has never given any great credence to - or else wished to claim places of prominence alongside him. Prior to both of these things happening, Christ has been working hard at convincing people that being in right relationship with your neighbours, here and now, was of key importance and that in the Kindom of God there is no hierarchy. (Take the word Kingdom and drop the g and you create a whole new understanding of that phrase). Kindom. I find myself asking the question: Had these people been present and listening during his work and teaching or not? A Reflection by Mr John Floyd Page 1 of 5

2 As a primary school teacher, I can assure you that there have been times when I have had to take a deep breath and stop myself from venting frustration when a student has looked at me blankly after I have just delivered, what I understood to be, a most impressive lesson in literacy or numeracy. I have had to learn that it has not mattered how brilliant I thought the lesson was or indeed that other children have understood, for this child the mystery has remained and understanding eludes them. It was up to me to withdraw and return at another time hopefully with another form of words or an activity which might act as a key to unlock the mystery. And it is my understanding that this is exactly what Christ does. He compassionately looks at the rich young man and explains that if he hopes to gain eternal life then he must divest himself of all his great wealth. He lovingly engages with James and John and patiently creates the answer for them which whilst giving a no to their request, strengthens the relationship between them, himself and the wider group of the disciples. I believe that what we are dealing with here is a constant human reality. We, in living our day to day lives move forward, backward or indeed may stay stuck in one place based on information that we belief that we have received from others around us. Sometimes the information does little more than leave us in a quandary. The church and we, the people of the church, have an obligation and duty to follow the example set by Christ. When living, working and being with people we sometimes come up against situations that create division and tension. The gospel encourages us to take a deep breath, possibly withdraw and at some time return to the relationship in order that what has been a mystery is unlocked; and hopefully, once the mystery is unravelled, any division and tension created by the mystery is dealt with and dispersed. Christ replies to both the rich young man and to the two disciples that they may indeed engage in life and all its goodness, but in order to do so they must each begin to live their current lives in a very different way. The rich young man hears this and being unable to fulfill the requirements retreats. James and John on the other hand do not. In the writings that we have received down the years both men are recorded as moving on to become champions of Christianity. And this is another understanding that I believe we should take from hearing these words today. Both men, having heard the knock-back, did not retreat. They did not take their bat and go home. Rather they remained in relationship with Christ, travelled with him to his death and resurrection and then continued witnessing to others in their community about how good life might be. In the contemporary reading from Mary Oliver this morning I am greatly buoyed by the idea that I do not have to be good. This of course is something that I have heard for many years here at Pitt Street. But I would have to say that it is something which I easily forget and I certainly lift my head and hear it very gratefully when it is said once more. I hear the reading calling me forth and saying no you do not have to be good, just get on living your life and you will experience a place that is yours in the family of things. The reading moves on to acknowledge that despair is just one of the difficult elements of life that we all share. Frustration, depression, wailing are but some of the painful aspects of being human. They are not elements which only some people are caught by. However, I must say that when I am ensnared by these elements it sure feels as though I am on my own. Mary, in a short spare line in the poem, does almost as remarkable a job as Christ does when she does not veer away from the reality but names the heartache for what it is. She A Reflection by Mr John Floyd Page 2 of 5

3 openly shares that this also has been her experience and offers to tell of her encounters. Once more I hear someone ready and willing to enter into relationship in order that despair and loss of hope may be dealt with and may even be dispersed. What I hear is that she and, by extension we, are challenged to open ourselves freely and generously to anybody that we come in contact with. We are challenged to enter into relationship with people in a way that is positive, affirming and progressive whilst retaining our vision and commitment to the statement that: Life is Good If we are to do this then I believe that there will be times when we might have to say no, in order to either hold strong to what we believe is right or else to maintain our own health and vigour. Christ calling people forth to be servants does not mean that he is calling people forth to become door-mats. As this weekend sees Carers Week across N.S.W. come to an end maybe this is not too bad a word to hear. It does not take very long to be aware of the gigantic amount of time, energy and care that people invest in showing love and concern when supporting family, friends and neighbours across the many different communities which we belong to. The church as a whole, the everyday communities within which we all live and particularly, we here at Pitt Street, look around us today and every other day in our life and we say thank you to the people who take up this responsibility of care, concern and support. At the same time we would love it if these people could also hear that no-one is expected to drive themselves into the ground, running in ever diminishing circles as they attempt to meet all the demands they feel heaped upon them. Undeniably this is the experience of many carers who end up feeling that they do not have a choice or that their options are limited. Last week Michael Dudley mentioned Job s wife, his unnamed carer who just wanted her pain and suffering to come to an end. She encouraged Job to do anything in order that their circumstances improved. A carer at the end of her tether at that point. I am not a carer for someone who relies upon me for their day to day living and quality of life and I have never been in that situation and so feel nervous about even talking about how people tackle this task. I have a lot of sympathy with Job s wife s position and can imagine myself feeling exactly the same as she did. Her life had been turned upside down by something over which she had no control. I watch the carers that I know live the realities of their caring role through the vision they have of life. Perhaps we are all called to speak and act Christ s liberating words - of compassion, love, truth and challenge. Hear again the words of Mary Oliver where she speaks of the infinite possibility available to us: Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting Mary writes in such a way that is sparse, yet very powerful. I do not hear her say that by entering into relationship with people we do away with our own intensity and passion. A Reflection by Mr John Floyd Page 3 of 5

4 As I read this poem it brings to mind past encounters and happenings where I have been agreeably surprised that while I might have been bogged down in anxiety and despair, all around me life has been happening, waiting for me to pick up my place within it. What she also reminds me of is the fact that there is an excess of people who love me dearly, who have shared my experiences and who are forever present ready to celebrate life with me. So in all of this, what are some concrete examples that I can leave you with this morning, where I can ask that you join with me in celebrating life through relationship. Over the last five years I have donated my top lip to the movement MOVEMBER a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier, longer lives. Since 2003, millions have joined the men s health movement, raising $685 million and funding over 1,000 programs focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity. This year once again my face shall alter and if you are willing you can assist me to raise funds by donating to the cause. I shall provide donation information to anyone who may be interested. Every Tuesday evening a group of people from all walks of life come through the door of Pitt Street to sing in the With One Voice Sydney choir. No matter what age you are or what language you speak, singing offers opportunities to learn, grow, and express who you are. We are an extremely diverse group, from CEOs to refugees, and we take time to share personal stories and sing a variety of repertoire, together, with one voice. Everyone is welcome, especially those who don t, can t or were told not to sing. The choir continues to operate on a week to week basis partly because members of the congregation donate their time and energy before and after the rehearsal in setting up and putting away an Oz Harvest donated meal. Des Perry and I would be delighted to hear from you if you believe that you have some time that you might donate. In addition members of the choir are travelling to Melbourne later this month to join with other choirs from Creativity Australia in a concert at the Melbourne Town Hall. In order for this to happen, funds are required to meet travelling and administrative costs. If you would like to donate to this please talk with me afterwards. Of course if you would like to sing on a Tuesday evening we would be delighted to have you join us. The choir rehearses from 5.30pm to 7.00pm followed by a shared meal. East Timor has long been a heart cause for members of Pitt Street. Sheila Walkerden over a number of years has kept us in relationship with people there through the Good Crocodile Foundation. A number of us have looked forward to the hand made goods which she has brought in for us to purchase, with all proceeds enabling the growth of community development projects. The latest delivery of goods is due to arrive on Sunday 1 st November. In addition to this With One Voice Sydney is conducting a fund raising concert at 2pm on Sunday November 1 st with the proceeds of the concert being shared between the Good Crocodile Foundation and another East Timor project focused on Rural Schools Development. Your purchase of goods and presence at the concert would help make these significant actions. Pitt Street Uniting Church finds itself in a unique position. We celebrate the fact that we are a city church. We are committed to entering relationship with the people of the city. Part of this commitment is the continuing challenge for the worshipping community that the building has been here for a long time. Anyone who has responsibility for property would understand that there are on-going costs of maintenance and development which the building requires. A Reflection by Mr John Floyd Page 4 of 5

5 At the Resourcing Group on Wednesday evening the people gathered were reminded that while we are currently in a healthy financial position covering our ministerial and administrative costs the challenge before us continues to be the creation of a capital fund with which to ensure the future life and health of the building. Ben Skerman agreed to oversee the creation of such a fund and I am sure that he would be delighted to hear from you if you have skills in this area or indeed if you have money which could be gratefully accepted towards the beginning of such a fund. I am sure there are many other ways in which the gifts, talents and skills of this community could be used. I leave it to you to mull over what you see is the vision for this community and the actions that might be taken to further love, truth, compassion and challenge. In conclusion I am reminded of a comment that I made the other day upon hearing of some atrocity that somebody had carried out and that was then being treated as head lining news. I said: Has the world gone mad? On thinking about the readings for this morning I am moved to answer: NO!! Parts of the world might appear to have lost the plot but humanity when reminded of goodness, light and relationship rises again and again to embrace and celebrate that which is good. I believe this is a task that is before all of us; to bring before each other words of hope, encouragement and love such that we will rise up and embrace and celebrate that which is good. For I also believe and affirm as Peter Miller, a Church of Scotland minister and world traveller writes: God s goodness is at the heart of humanity. A goodness planted more deeply than all that is wrong. AMEN. A Reflection by Mr John Floyd Page 5 of 5