Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer
O God, we thank you for the wonderful diversity in which we experience your creation. Snowbanks and summer, freezing rain and fantastic beaches, sun-kissed foreheads and frozen finger-tips – all are signs that you are not a God living with us in one dimension. Bless us, O God, with the patience to appreciate the beauty of every season. Instill in us the wisdom to discern when to venture out and when to burrow in. Teach us to be generous helping others, and compassionate with ourselves. Catch us when we fall, O God, for we rely on you in all things, Amen
This weekend we look forward to guests in worship: 112 youth, young adults and leaders from London Presbytery! And our moderator, Gary Paterson, will be preaching, at least in part on the lectionary readings for this week.
So we begin with the reading from Jeremiah 1:4-10:
Jeremiah was the son of a priest, born not far from Jerusalem, probably about the early-600’s BCE. The nation was fairly prosperous, had made competing treaties with Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, but lots of foreign influence meant less central faith in Yahweh, more corruption. As Babylon grew stronger, it defeated Jerusalem two times, laid siege to the city for many months, conquered many northern provinces, and took the king and the people to exile (587 BCE).
Jeremiah’s prophecies are an account of the nation’s downfall, and his attempts to get the king/s to listen to reason, ie.to focus on God and local social justice instead of playing international games with the bigger nations.
The passage we read today is taken from the time of King Josiah, when the king was favourable to the idea of returning to Yahweh’s priorities. Jeremiah’s call includes an encounter with God, a commission to speak God’s word, and a ritual act.
Jeremiah’s resistence (verse 6) is to be expected – who would feel up to this commission? Both because it is the word of God and it is likely to meet with opposition!
Dialogue, actions, speak of intimacy between God and Jeremiah.
- Verse 5 – Jeremiah known from the womb
- Verse 6 – Jeremiah comfortable arguing
- Verse 8 – God: “I am with you.”
- Verse 9 – God touches Jeremiah’s mouth
It is this intimacy, not any eloquence on Jeremiah’s part, which gives Jeremiah authority. He has put God at the centre of his life.
God’s message – one must destroy in order to re-build.
Question for Reflection: Are we reluctant to hear that we must destroy in order to re-build? How is it hard for us to give up something familiar and comfortable in order to move into a newer, maybe more faithful, way of doing things?
READ 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Beside the 23rd Psalm and the Christmas story, this is one of the best known scripture passages. Usually used at weddings, but edited so that it speaks more to the personal than to the communal!
Consider the context: the church at Corinth was in conflict! Ethnic groups, income levels, religious leadership, variety of gifts – instead of appreciating their differences, these things were causing fractures in the community.
Chapter 12 ended with: “But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way…”
13:1-3 – demonstrates how all the spiritual “gifts” (ie. talents or skills) reflected in chapter 12 (tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith) are empty if they are not led by love.
Agape – the greek word referring to “spiritual love” – not eros, caritas, philias
Paul says love:
• does not envy (look up 1 Cor 3:3)
• does not boast (4:7;5:6)
• not puffed up (4:6, 18-19; 5:2; 8:1)
Paul’s teachings and example:
• not shameful (1 Cor 7:36)
• not self-seeking (10:33)
• not unjust (6:7-8)
Rather than a lover-ly passage, 1 Cor 13 is provocative in the church!
Verse 10 – “when the complete comes”
- suggests not only perfect in this time, but eternal time
Verse 12 – “then we will see face to face…”
- when God’s reign is realized
Paul is asking the Corinthians to look at the bigger picture – to what is ultimately important.
Question for Reflection: How often would the question of “ultimate importance” improve our perspective when we are in conflict? In what current situations could it be a help?
READ Luke 4:21-30 (note: the preacher will be speaking on another passage this Sunday!)
Read from Luke 4:16-19 to understand the context of the conflict between Jesus and the people at Nazareth – a hometown boy claiming the prophetic words of Isaiah for his own!
Initially amazed at his eloquence and style – they begin to question his challenge to them.
In Matthew and Mark’s gospel the offense is taken immediately. For Luke there is a time of questioning, the inconceivable thought that God is right under their noses!
Preconceived assumptions:
- verse 23 – Jesus not without sin;
- verse 23 – want a sign;
- verse 25 – truth that they are not ready to hear like an outsider might
Jesus’ good news is intended for Jew and Gentile alike, but the insiders are not ready to accept.
“The acceptable year of the Lord’s favour” is not for them?!
Jesus not bound to the boundaries the world sets, escapes their anger – moving beyond.
Question for Reflection: In what ways has the church been able to “move beyond” some of the prejudices of society around us? In what ways have we been slower to respond?
Closing Prayer: based on Psalm 71 – A Psalm about finding oneself in uncomfortable situations
In you, O God, I take refuge! How did I find myself in such a mess?
I know that you have instilled goodness in me and in the world around me.
Now I need you to put those gifts where I can see them!
Be to me a rock of refuge, a place where I can climb above the conflict
And finally understand what you want me to do.
I feel myself clawed back into insecurity and dis-ease,
They tempt me with injustice and self-preservation!
O God, I have always believed that you were good
And just
And wanted more than lip service from me.
You birthed me to life
Now birth me to new life,
You are great indeed!
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