Sermon from Sunday 23 February

 

Reading(s): Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-25 and Luke 8:22-25. This sermon was given by Sally Kerson at St. Mark and All Saints.

We are living in very turbulent times, there are devasting wars happening in parts of the world. On our televisions we watch President Trump signing off numerous executive orders with his sharpie pen and believing he can fix everything and bring peace. Leaders of nations are meeting to discuss how the world can become a safer place, which as we know will ultimately include more money spent on defence and more weapons of destruction being manufactured. Whereas we would rather see nations coming together to discuss the devasting effects of climate change and money being set aside for a cleaner and greener world. Certainly, it does seem that everything around us is chaotic, indiscriminate and beyond our control, we feel we do not have the power to say, ‘Be Still.’

Contrast this with some of the images we have in our Genesis reading.  There is a peaceful a garden planted by God, trees pleasant to look at and good for food, animals and birds created so that humankind should not be alone.   People made from the earth and one another, living in mutual regard; unselfconscious and at ease with one another and with God.  The story of creation here emphasising a need for a home, freedom, food, harmonious relationships and a stable natural environment and above all, a closeness with God and a partnership in creation. A creator God who trusts humankind and despite the risks involved, chooses to allow a share in the creative process that shapes the future.   An environment that seems to be inviting us to know God and his creation intimately.

In our passage from Luke, again God is in relationship.  The disciples sail on the lake, Jesus sleeps in the boat – a blissful picture, a very human Jesus exhausted, wiped out, at peace.  God incarnate, laying down his power, risking, trusting and placing himself in his disciples' hands. Both speak of intimacy, peace and trust, not chaos or devastation; the intimacy of the garden and the peaceful scene before the storm – a picture of trust, of Jesus who lays down everything to be with us. But that element of chaos and devastation are not far away and are woven into both.  A storm rocks the peaceful boat trip, threatening their lives and revealing the chaos of deep doubt and lack of faith of the disciples.  Whilst in the garden the tree of good and evil suggests temptation, which will bring separation, storms and eventually a rift between God and his people.   Our relationship with God and with the natural order is shot through with doubt and chaos. These echoes of turbulence and uncertainty are felt in our current society and in the wider world – certainly at this time when leaders of the nations meet together, not always knowing which side each other is on and who is supporting who, all of which has become so unsettling.

When they get into the boat, Jesus suggests to his disciples that they go across to the other side. Perhaps he knew that there would be a storm, but even so he sleeps, not unconcerned, but trusting completely in the Father, who he knows is with him in all that will happen. This story can conjure an image of refugees fleeing the storms of war and torture in their own countries only to encounter further storms in highly vulnerable jam-packed flimsy boats, ill-equipped to cope with the challenges of merciless sea. Yet they trust that their life will be better in another country.

But it seems the disciples did not really trust that they would survive the storms in that small boat so they couldn’t just let Jesus sleep. When Jesus calms the storm and the sea is stilled, it is a symbol for us that God can still the chaos and disorder in our lives and the world around us. “Where is your faith” Jesus said and this is a real question, for the disciples to consider, also for us to ponder.  We have accepted the invitation of Jesus to go to the other side of the lake, an unexpected storm arrives, we are helpless… where is our faith?  It’s an open-ended question only we as individuals can answer…. Because there are times in our lives when we feel at the mercy of the storm, when we feel as if our lives are as chaotic as the buffeting ocean. Perhaps a financial crisis, an illness, a bereavement, a breakdown of relationship. And we pray and pray and pray, but sometimes it’s as if Jesus is asleep; he doesn’t hear, no matter how loud we shout…

We need to keep calling on God in our most difficult times. Because, in our persistence, we believe that our prayers will be heard, and he will rebuke the storms and the chaos of our lives will be stilled.

But returning to the creation story, to a peaceful new and perfect world and compare that to the world we live in now and and the way human beings have scarred it with their selfishness and greed causing areas to change drastically. We know from recent headlines that earth and its inhabitants are having considerable trouble: violent storms, wildfires, droughts, floods, and extreme heat. Politicians and scientists have been arguing about what to do about it or even what to call it. But there is a growing realisation that our relationship to the earth needs to be healed.  Part of the underlying problem is that we fail to notice just how wonderful the created world is, and neglect to care for it appropriately. If any of you have been to one of the Forest Church services, we are now holding at St. Mark, Ampfield it is a way of recognising the beauty of the world we live in and thanking God for the wonders of creation, from the magnificent trees to a tiny ant. Even with the work parties that take place in the churchyards we not only make the place look tidier but respect the beauty that surrounds us, caring for the resting place of those who have gone home. As Christians we must recognise that in our neglect of the created world around us, we neglect God and all he has given us. Our vocation is to work with creation; to tend and care for it; exercising a relationship of peace and harmony with the natural world. But, that vision of harmony can only fully come about as God heals us and restores our relationship with himself and his creation.

The collect for today otherwise known as the prayer for today sums up his theme very well.

Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever. Amen.