Colourful Dreamer

The Olympics have been great. I have not watched nearly enough, but I got to see some action, and like the rest of us basked in the wonder of New Zealanders winning medals across the board. I admire these people who put so much into their sport; hours and hours of training, hours and hours of practising the skills needed to perform until they become a habit, and the discipline of careful diets to gain the slightest edge. Such dedication in itself is a wonder to behold. And then to see so many rewarded with a medal is fantastic. And so many more making it into the top eight in the world! So many from our little country. Well done to all. It makes me think about our lives of faith. I have just finished listening to a little book by Most Revd. Rowan Williams, the previous Archbishop of Canterbury called “Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer.” He explores these four as the core pillars that shape our lives in Christ. He suggests they are common to nearly all denominati

This can be listened to here: Gate Pa – Year C  21 st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Pentecost 14, Readings: Psalm                           Psalm 71:1-6 First Reading :                         Jeremiah 1:4-10                      Second Reading :        Hebrews 12:18-29             Gospel :                        Luke: 13:10-17                                                  What I want to say: enter into the story of the women and use that to explore our own experience of being freed. What I want to happen: Who is God? The Sermon      1.      Introduction: Today I want to offer a reflection as you listen I invite you to reflect on your own story ask where am I in this story we hear today and how does it speak to my story.      2.      Eyes lifted Alone she stood unnoticed silent invisible to all even herself bound by sickness for 18 years slowly stooping lower as the bonds of infirmity             tighten           

“And behold a woman having a spirit of infirmity 18 years” [1] . Or as the NRSV puts it “And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years” [2] . We slide past that line. And yet here is the crux. Behold – and invisible woman, invisible for 18 years, is seen by Jesus. He sees not a cripple, not someone with a problem that needs dealing with. He sees a daughter of Abraham. Everything stems from that. In being seen her spirit of infirmity leaves her, her bonds are loosed, and she is able to stand into fullness of life, restored and visible. In contrast the synagogue leader sees only sick people wanting healing. Come another day. Today is God’s Sabbath. The rules, the theology, the preconceptions get in the way. He can’t see. When we look at others do we really see them? Do we see sons and daughters of Abraham? Or people needing help/healing/whatever? [1] http://leftbehindandlovingit.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/a-bound-woman-boun