The readings set for this sunday reminds us of how we as
christians should always be there to open our arms and welcome all peoples who
walk the way of love and faith and to show those who dont the joy of doing so.
(the readings were Peter’s Vision a Joppa and the new commandment)
That’s the conclusion to my sermon, you can go to sleep now as long you remember that J
But why have I come to that conclusion, how did I get there?
Lets start with Peter at Joppa and this strange dream, a
great sheet full of animals, as a natural historian I would have like a
bit more details than four footed animal, reptile and birds of the air but it
is clear that they were animals not considered “clean” and Peter rejects the instruction to kill and
eat ( three time - Peter
seems to do things in threes – perhaps that we why ae taught to say the same
thing three times as preachers J )
Did Peter remember Jesus saying - it is not what enters a person but what
comes out, not the food we eat but
the words and actions of our hearts.
Then when Peter went to Caesarea and saw the spirit move in
the gentiles he knew that God and his good news was not restricted to just the jewish
people. God could act and move in anyone
and anywhere
So that means that we as Christians and the inheritors of Jesus are meant to be open and willing to see God
work in our village, town and land.
We cannot be exclusive or judgmental, a friend was telling me yesterday that she is
terrified of becoming a Pharisee, born and brought up in the church the
temptation to become judgmental and to turn into a Pharisee is strong, but
the vision at Joppa
re-iterates the challenge to us al
to be open minded and welcoming
to all especially those of other faiths who walk the
route of love and peace and
fellowship. Do you remember how after
the floods of boxing day 2015 Muslim groups brought food to those affected and
those working to help, surely that was
an act of Love - god is love and all those who live in
love live in God John writes in his letter so we must all who
work the path of the neighbour.
Not all see that that though, not all believe we are people of love and that brings us to the gospel - Love
one another as I have loved you, by this shall know are my disciples, Jesus
told the disciples and tells us today.
That is what will draw people in - and give hope to our world that we
love one another and extend that love to all who walk in the way of love.
No this does not mean I do not think that Christianity is
not the best way to find God, Jesus is I believe the most complete image of God
it will be possible to be, but I also
know that if I am to avoid the Pharisee I
have to realise that God is bigger, better and more exciting that anything I
can imagine.
So many people today love to blame religion for everything
for wars and the like but if we take Jesus seriously then if we show love to
all people of faith who live in love and peace and thus expressing the
love of God we
show it is not faith that is the problem – it is a faith that is too
small, a faith that’s needs Pharisees to
protect it, a faith not in God but in things.
When the bombers
attacked the churches in Sri Lanka on Easter day, I had a text
of commiseration from a Muslim friend, and muslin communities in Sri Lanka opened
their doors to give Christians a place
to worship as the churches were is ruins.
When we realise we are to love as Christ loved us without distinctions,
without conditions, without limit then we will make such a light and a joy in
our world that all will seek to know and love God.
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