Feet of Clay in a Storm
Is available to be listened to here
Gate Pa - 21 June 2015 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings:
Psalm
Psalm 133
First
Reading: 1
Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16
Second
Reading: 2
Corinthians
6:1-13
Gospel: Mark
4:35-41
What I want to say:
explore
the nature of our heroes and suggest that for them to inspire us we need to see
them as real people. This includes great heroes of faith, including Paul and disciples.
In light of that want to explore story of calming of storm. We are disciples of
today. Where are we in this story? What storms rock our world?
What I want to happen:
What demonic and destructive powers
is Jesus overcoming, speaking words of peace to?
The Sermon
1. Introduction:
We all have heroes
people we look up to?
seek to emulate
wish we could be?
are inspired by?
who are you heroes?
what is it about them that inspires you?
what is it you seek to emulate or copy?
one things about these kinds of people is that
we put them on a pedestal.
fail to see the real person
instead create this persona not real
can be a little intimidating
especially when get up close
can be really disappointing when see that not measure
up image created.
also be really liberating and life giving
applies even to people who maybe are not
heroes
but are people you just admire
who inspire you a little bit
remember asked by one such person to be their
spiritual director
honest little bit freaked out
she
intimidated me
don’t
think sessions went very well
until
worked out really not much different from me.
saw her feet of clay
her
failings and foibles
I was able to relax and enjoy sessions lot
more
able
to get to know her as a person
able
help her lot more as a result.
don’t get me wrong
still think pretty amazing person
lot
about her admire
bit
more realistic about it
actually more helpful
she is able to do these amazing things
maybe I can do some good things too.
2. Heroes
just as true for people we meet in story of Christian
faith
the
saints
and people we meet in scripture
easy to not see them as real people
real failings, hurts, desires.
instead put on unrealistic and intimidating pedestal
out of reach
we could never be like them!
or could we?
few weeks ago remembered great Irish Saint,
Saint Columba
founded monasteries across Ireland
great
monastery of Iona –
wee small island far from Scottish mainland
as get still be in Scotland
close Ireland get and still be in Scotland
monastery
played significant role evangelism of Scotland
helped
others see that this isle was and is a holy place
thin place
so
that Viking Danes became Christianised
brought dead kings to be buried here
today
acts home Iona Community – ecumenical religious order
offers
hospitality on isle at rebuild Abbey and George McLeod Centre -> people all ages
fail see that this man had same feet clay we
all have
loyal
member Irish royal family –
through threats curses and promises
blessings kept Scottish kings of Irish descent loyal high king Ireland
filled
avarice – notably for teachers book psalms
copied
when
ordered to return
showed
himself be fiery Celt
killed
a number of teachers kinsmen to reclaim possession of his copy
so banished from Ireland
and ordered save as many souls as were killed in
that battle
despite all failings
God
used endeavours change course Scottish and Irish history – down to today.
If God can use him, maybe God can use us too…
3. David and Paul
Same is true of David
didn’t
fit anyone’s idea of what king should be
wasn’t
oldest son of noblest family
youngest son of good family
wasn’t
bold and renowned warrior
like someone like Saul
shepherd
fought with sling and rod
wasn’t that impressive
more beautiful rather than rugged manly man
people expected.
made huge mistakes
still be is remembered as greatest of the
kings.
Paul didn’t impress anyone.
apparently
not best looking chap around
not
greatest speaker – despite Lukes efforts to describe him as such
seemed
to be constantly in trouble
not
most politic of people – some letters quite sharp
didn’t seem follow rule not sending email
while angry
had time re-read what wrote
way more impressive teachers now forgotten
don’t
have their works
have
Pauls
what is it that inspires us?
what is it we want to emulate?
4. Disciples
Disciples aren’t much different either
this mornings gospel not portrayed in very
flattering light
Story in fact is continuing of Jesus teaching about
the Kingdom of God
acted
out parable Mark placed deliberately at this point
remember this is a theology book,
not history book.
set sail
Jesus collapses in back or stern
where
boat steered from
he is asleep
disciples are all good with that
all is well
all good until weather turns septic
astoundingly savage storm
shreds sail and their confidence in selves
faith and trust in Jesus
“Don’t you care that we are drowning?”
One commentators suggested Jesus was asleep
not
only exhausted from all been doing
also,
unlike disciples
no
matter what happened he completely trusted in God’s goodness and generosity
not to say trusted that life be box roses
clearly
not case
we
know where this story is heading
his
is a deeper trust and faith
disciples faith is fair weather faith
when
things going well know God cares
when
go awry – not so sure
they ask that question that is there when we
are immersed in our own storms
when
all hell breaks loose
hope
seems distant and faint light
è “Don’t you care that we are drowning?”
Jesus response is swift and dumbfounding
“peace, be still”
important not to get hung up on the details
How did Jesus do that?
Did he really do that?
is that possible?
they all miss the point.
because this not just storm
Jesus isn’t someone who can boss nature around
this storm is demonic
Greek
is clear
and it comes out all powers that seek to
destroy, distort and endanger
represents all that seek to destroy, distort
and endanger
all works against kingdom of God
Jesus has told parables about kingdom – which disciples
needed tuition on
now immersed in middle event that is in a way
another parable about the kingdom
just like in parables – get stuck
get
stuck on waves and wind
we too, too often get stuck on waves and wind
miss Jesus defeating those powers
in process liberating people from all that destroys,
distorts and endangers
in process announces the kingdom of God
disciples miss that
lost in fear
fear
of storm
fear
of Jesus who defeated the storm
ask question that central this and every Gospel
“who then is this man?”
they and we miss that Jesus is one who is
liberating people and society from powers that that destroys, distorts and endangers
disciples are not some great heroes beyond
anything we might be or aspire to be
they are like us
people
filled with fear
who
miss the point again and again
want
all wrong things
at least ask honest questions and respond with
honest responses
We are the disciples today
this story is also about us
how does that story describe our life today
where
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