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| Sometimes great difficulties are permitted only in order to strengthen character |
| R. Benson |
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SERMON LIBRARY |
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· Deacon Debbie Wesseloo (2)
· Deacon Phillip Laurings (3)
· Dean William Mosert (1)
· Reverend Angus Paterson (0)
· Reverend Graham Alexander (1)
· Reverend Joe Thompson (2)
· Reverend Lindy Rookyard (4)
· Visiting Clergy (0)
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| Date | 2010-03-14 | | Preacher | Deacon Debbie Wesseloo (Preached at Mary Magdalene) | | Title | Reconciliation - Fourth Sunday of Lent | | Sermon Details | May the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be always acceptable in Your sight, O Lord our strength and our redeemer.
Our Lenten series is well underway and we have focused on topics such as love, peace and forgiveness. Today our focus is on reconciliation. Reconciliation is a word that we hear so often in our country, but do we really know what it means? Do we put it into practice in our own lives? Last week we heard about the importance of forgiving others when they have wronged us and forgiving ourselves for the wrong that we have caused others. Forgiveness and reconciliation go hand in hand. In the reading from Hosea we hear how God instructed Hosea to reconcile with his wife. St Paul emphasises that we have been reconciled to God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are once again in a covenant relationship with God our Father. Jesus himself teaches the concept of reconciliation through the parable of the Lost Son. Jesus makes us aware through the parable that after forgiveness it is possible to be reconciled. The Father of the son held no ill will against his son and welcomed him back into his home.
Reconciliation, just like forgiveness, does not mean that we condone the wrongful actions of another. Reconciliation means that we acknowledge the action, accept the apology and move forward in our relationship with the person who has wronged us. But is this always possible? In our South African context, where so many people have been wronged in terrible ways, can one reconcile with someone who may have caused immense pain and suffering. I believe that it is possible. Perhaps reconciliation in this sort of situation takes place within ourselves if not with the actual person. I believe that this is what Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s aim was when he chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. When people are able to express their anger and hurt and are able to receive an apology from the person who has hurt them, they can reconcile themselves to the fact that life can continue and the past can be put to rest.
Today we are also celebrating Mothering Sunday. Mothering Sunday originated in Europe to honour the Virgin Mary who is seen as the mother of the church and therefore our mother. It was a time when whole families were reunited in the act of worship. This was a very significant event because in those times families were often separated for months on end because of work commitments and the fact that travel was not as easy as it is today. This Sunday was also called Simnel Sunday because Simnel cakes were baked and shared with family members on this day. This Sunday was a day of celebration within the confines of Lenten fasting and people enjoyed and celebrated being in each other’s company.
I feel that it is very significant that Mothering Sunday falls on the day when we are focusing on reconciliation. Families are often the place where people experience most of their hurts. Fights occur and members of the family separate themselves or are ostracised from the rest. I believe that we can learn a lot form the parable of the lost son. Jesus is trying to show us that no matter what we have done wrong or what others have done wrong, reconciliation can take place. If we are able to bury our pride and communicate our feelings, relationships can be healed and restored. It takes effort and commitment. It takes love and a willingness to communicate. It is not easy but it is possible. Life is short and I believe that we need to act quickly to restore our relationships with others. We never know how long we have to make things right with another person. My challenge for us today is that we look carefully at our lives and work at reconciling with those who have hurt us or who we have hurt. If we do this we are living in a way that Jesus wants us to live. We are living a Christian life. A Godly life. We are all the sons and daughters of God, may we always look to our Father for the strength and guidance we need in the process of reconciling with others.
Amen |
| Date | 2010-02-07 | | Preacher | Deacon Debbie Wesseloo | | Title | “Here I am Lord – send me” - 5th Sunday of the year – Cycle C | | Sermon Details | May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord our strength and our redeemer.
Today’s readings are a wonderful lesson for us as we approach Lent and as we embark on a year of mission and evangelism. In each lesson today our attention is focused on the fact that God calls ordinary human beings to do his work in the world. Isaiah tells God that he is a sinful man. Jesus calls a group of fisherman to help in His task of spreading the Good News of being “fishers of men”. They were not royalty or men of high standing. They were simple, uneducated men who were more often than not considered to be part of the lower echelons of society. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians recalls that He was called by God even though he did not see himself as worthy of such a calling.
Today’s readings reminds each of us that we are all called by God to increase His kingdom in the world and to spread the good news proclaimed in the Gospels. Whenever I hear these readings I automatically think “Why are you calling me God? – I am not worthy”. I am sure that most of you are probably thinking the same thing. We doubt the trust that God puts in us and automatically think that He has obviously made a mistake and called the wrong person. God does not make mistakes. He needs every single one of us to be His ambassadors in the world, to be his disciples in a time where people are turning away from Him.
The next question that arises from all of this is how do we answer God’s call? Do we need to give up our livelihoods and follow him like Peter did? Do we have travel the world spreading the Gospel like Paul did? I truly believe that through prayer and meditation, through quietening our minds, God speaks to us and guides us in the way in which he wants us to serve Him. Perhaps we are called to visit someone who is ill or someone living in a home. Maybe we are called to be a friend to someone who is lonely or in need. Perhaps God calls us to be the person who brings joy into the lives of others by simply smiling at people as you walk down the street. In whatever way God calls you it is important that we, you and I, hear that call and respond in the words of Isaiah “Here I am Lord – send me”. This is easier said than done. Responding to God’s call often brings a large amount of fear and doubt into our lives. It often means that we have to put ourselves out there, that we need to give of ourselves. This is not always easy to do. It can make us feel exceptionally uncomfortable. However we need to embrace these feelings and move forward knowing that God who knows all and sees all will give us the strength and the grace to carry out His will.
My challenge for us this morning is that during our quiet time in the upcoming week, let us honestly look at our lives. Are we truly listening to God’s call for each one of us? What can we do to evangelise in this upcoming year of evangelism and mission? What little thing can I do everyday to bring God to someone I encounter? How can I help someone who is less fortunate than myself during the upcoming Lenten period?
Jesus came to serve humanity and we as Christians are called to do the same. God has called you by name. Will you answer?
Let us pray
Dear God,
Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life. Remove the have-nots, the can-nots and the do-nots that I have in my mind. Erase the will nots, may-nots, might-nots that may find a home in my heart. Release me from the could-nots, would-nots and should-nots that obstruct my life. And most of all dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the am-nots that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough. Amen |
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