Year B - the year of Mark
Coracle Front Page - from 4 May to 23 November 2003
Celebrate Children—welcome to our family
One of the strongest outcomes of the Imagine St Columba process is an
overwhelming affirmation of children and youth being an active part of the future of our
Parish.
This is not surprising. We could hardly imagine a preferred future
without children. The Parish has been very supportive of measures to enhance Parish life
for children—especially changes to the 9am service.
Opportunities to connect with young families are abounding—there
has been a surge of baptisms and wedding in recently.
This is the Year of the Child, and we have initiated such things as a
Holiday Funday, and the Family Service on the fourth Sunday. But connecting with these
families is no easy task, as attendances have shown. Further steps need to be taken, and
we need the Holy Spirit’s help.
The baptisms, family services and fundays are the front door—they
help families make the initial connection. Our next task is to take the relationships
further, to deepen friendships. These people want to connect, so we have nothing to fear.
These are some simple things we can do.
1. Meet the newcomers in church and get to know their names.
2. During the week, make contact, either by phone, or visiting.
3. Let them know about Parish activities such as Kids Plus+.
4. Offer to pick them up and take them to Parish events.
5. Help them to connect with nearby parishioners.
6. Pray for them.
One outcome I hope for from “Imagine St Columba” is that we
form a group to help us in this process of integration. For we certainly need
encouragement and guidance in this essential task.
Trevor Burt
Seize the Moment
Most of us have faced these moments at some time. Some look back with
regret. Others see it as an opportunity grasped. I am speaking about those critical
moments in our lives where we make a decision that completely changes our life-path.
Such moments include decisions about marriage, career, place of living,
child-bearing. Most of these moments are not forced upon us—we do not have to make a
decision one way or another, we can continue as we are.
But sometimes a non-decision can be disastrous. Like getting out of a
life-threatening situation, a potential car crash for instance.
It is occasions like this that we may look back with regret, an
opportunity missed. “If only I had seen it coming. If only I had made a different
decision. If only ….”
Or we may look back with gratitude, an opportunity grasped. Having seen
the possibility, having taken the risk and shouldered the pain, we received the reward.
St Columba’s is facing such a moment in its life. We cannot
continue as we are. We don’t really have the choice to not change. But what future?
Over the last weeks over 100 people form our Parish have been
interviewed as part of “Imagine St Columba”. We have now gathered a sense of
where the Holy Spirit is leading us, where the energy is. We will present the results in
the Forum on 30 November. Where we go from there will depend on our courage and faith in
God.
Trevor Burt
When mite ain’t right
TODAY’S Gospel story, often dubbed the Tale of the Widow’s Mite, comes at the
end of Jesus’s public ministry in Mark’s account.
It’s a sad commentary on life in first century Palestine the poor and
vulnerable lose everything while the rich and comfortable feel no pain.
It’s a sad story because we hear no more of the widow: she has put all she had
into the Temple treasury and we must assume she will starve. At the very least, she must
be destitute.
There’s an obvious solution; obvious to a comfortable, 21st century mind. If
everyone else gives a bit more, the widow can keep her pennies, perhaps even draw some
support from the establishment.
And there’s a clear message in the Gospels that what we do people in need, we
do also for Christ, for God.
Most of us would recognise the warm inner glow that comes from matching a resource
we think we own to an obvious need.
The question today’s story asks is can we deal with giving when the warm inner
glow is replaced by the chill of our own need?
It shouldn’t be necessary to go that far to impoverish ourselves to help
others. We live in a rich world, after all.
But unless we do give as much as we can give, someone else is always going to feel
the squeeze.
David Cusworth
Who are the Saints?
On or near 1 November each year most Anglicans celebrate All Saints
Day. But who are the saints?
There are two meanings attributed to the word saints—all
Christians, and exceptional Christians.
In the New Testament the saints are the “Holy Ones” and they
are all the members of the church. It is Paul who mostly refers to the saints, but the
term is found in other NT books as well.
The term is rarely used in the singular, so it refers to the community
of believers rather than to individuals. The surprising thing about this “communion
of saints” is that it incorporates people of every colour, nationality, status and
capability. It is a rich mix of every category of human being. It is you and I at our best
and at our worst.
We belong to the communion of saints not because we are good or
faithful, but because we are “in Christ”, as Paul says. It is the Spirit of God
who makes us saints, holy ones.
Then there are the Saints. These are people recognised by the Church as
having profoundly manifested the Holy Spirit in their lives, and conformed to Christ.
Our local Saint is John Wollaston, priest and missionary. . There are
hundreds of others. These Saints become the face of Christ for us, inspiring us into
self-sacrifice and Christ-likeness.
Trevor Burt
Becoming a disciple of Jesus
I wonder why the story of Bartimaeus was remembered and written down?
Was it the miracle of restored sight, or because this was the son of an important person
Timaeus, or was it because of the persistence of the blind man in the face of social
ostracism? Perhaps all of these, and more. This story is a model of conversion and
discipleship.
First, he had heard of Jesus, and although he didn’t quite have
the understanding of who Jesus was—Son of David, a military Messianic title—yet
he was prepared to, nay, keen to meet this man, and he did.
Second, he persisted in the face of social opposition. Blind people
were “sinners” and has few rights, yet he demanded his right to meet Jesus, and
got it.
Third, he knew want he wanted—his sight. No wishy-washy
relationship here, he knew what he wanted of the relationship, and got it.
Fourth, his response to the healing was to follow Jesus.
A wonderful thing about the Christian life is that we can begin by
wanting one thing, but end up with ever so much more. Bartimaeus wanted sight, and ended
up with sight and new life, freedom from the need to beg for a living, freedom from social
marginalisation, freedom to be, to live.
I wonder what could happen in our lives if we approached Jesus with the
same passion and persistence as Bartimaeus.
Trevor Burt
Receive the Holy Spirit
Corrie Ten Boon quotes an evangelist who hear the words of God: You
have been working for me with the utmost sincerity, for seven years. All that time I have
been waiting for the moment I could start working through you.
Today the Bishop will speak the words found in John’s Gospel,
“Receive the Holy Spirit” as he lays hands on the confirmation candidates. This
is not the first time they receive the Spirit of God, nor the last. At baptism God the
Trinity was enlivened in their lives. Some may have experienced an outpouring of the Sprit
of God in a way described in the Acts of the Apostles. Others may have experienced the
presence of the Spirit in quiet moments of prayer or meditation.
Today they receive the Spirit for a particular purpose. On their part,
the confirmees make or reaffirm their commitment to follow Jesus. This means more than
simply being good. It means becoming Christ-like, allowing the Spirit of God to transform
their lives, to turn from a self-centred life to one committed to the welfare of the
community of humanity.
On God’s part he promises and does equip us powerfully for this
ministry. The gift of the Spirit is power for ministry.
As Corrie Ten Boon has said, we are like the glove, and the Spirit is
the hand. “We have to make room for the hand so that every finger is filled.”
Trevor Burt
People for people—letting go of mammon
How fortunate we are that we do not have to read the Bible literally.
If so, every Christian would be maimed, missing an eye, hand or foot, or worse if we
accepted the principle of removing the sinning part.
We can summarise today's Gospel, Mark 9.38-50, this way: Encourage the
powerful works of Christ. Help the needy. Don’t hamper the young. Rather, make
sacrifices to love others. Be like salt that purifies and preserves against corruption,
and flavours blandness, bringing life.
To live for others is to bring life to others. That seems to be the key
by which we can unlock Jesus’ live of selfless giving: a deep compassion and a
radical challenge to unjust structures and behaviours.
What can I do to be more like Jesus, to be more compassionate, more
self-giving? First I need to deal with the things that cause resistance. I am reluctant to
give up my wealth, and that holds me back from radical compassion. I hear the call of
sacrificial living, of being the salt that makes a difference, so I will begin by letting
go. I will increase my giving to God and release my grip on mammon—my money and
possessions—this hand that causes me to sin. And I will use this hand to embrace
others.
He drew a circle that shut me out—
rebel, heretic, thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win—
we drew a circle and took him in.
Trevor Burt
People for People— freedom from
possessions
“Can I have the umbrella back that I lent you last week?”
“Sorry, but I lent it to George.” “It’s just that the person I
borrowed it from wants to give it back to the owner.”
We want to encourage generosity and sharing, but perhaps not in this
way. Generosity frees us from greed and self-centredness.
There is a Chinese saying that goes—To pretend to satisfy
one’s desires by possession is like using straw to put out a fire.
It may be surprising, but nearly every page of the gospels has a saying
about money or wealth.
Unlike the prosperity preaching of some churches, these sayings mostly
revolve around the problem of love of money. 1 Timothy 6.10 put it bluntly —The love
of money is the root of all evil. Someone once said that greed is what makes the share
market work. Greed also leads to great poverty in the world—the rich get richer at
the expense of the poor. The scriptures warn against the trappings of riches [James
5.1-5]. Yet our whole Western (Christian?) economy is based on maximising profits and
accumulating wealth.
What a contrast to the Muslim approach to loans—they are not
permitted to ask interest for loans to other Muslims. What a contrast to some of the
difficult sayings of Jesus—Give to everyone who asks and don’t ask people to
return what they have taken from you [Luke 6.30].
We are easily lured into thinking that wealth will make us happy. But
somehow it takes away our freedom. It makes us meaner people. It focuses our energy on
more wealth, rather than the things that so bring happiness and joy and peace.
A way to begin (or continue) this journey is to increase your
generosity, to free yourself. The Biblical norm is 10% of income. Many desire this, a few
achieve it. The rewards are worth it.
Trevor Burt
Life, be in it
THE challenge in today's Gospel to take up your cross sounds like a call to
martyrdom. At the time the Gospels were written, crucifixion was a fact of life and
death - a penalty inflicted especially on outcasts and rebels.
Several cases of mass crucifixions are recorded in history. It was a potent
weapon used by the Roman authorities to keep down opposition, so to seek crucifixion might
be seen as a call to revolt. But it isn't.
The call to the cross is a call to acceptance of what is, but notcompliance:
a paradox, perhaps, unless we read on.
In Mark's Gospel, Jesus insists on what scholars have called theÉMessianic
Secretæ - the truth about his real identity. Peter, who guesses the truth, is told
to keep it under his hat. Only atthe last do the followers know the truth - at the empty
tomb - and it frightens them into silence.
Why?
Perhaps because people at the time believed the Messiah would herald the last
days - as the Gospel says, Christ will come with his angels in glory.
Two thousand years later we can peel off that layer of expectation and look
beneath. What remains is an assurance that life will survive whatever harsh times we
face. It is the assurance of Easter, that life goes beyond death.
And that killing to preserve life remains the paradox it has always been.
David Cusworth
People for People—growing relationships
Today we begin the third cycle of our faith-giving program called
Growing Generous Givers. This year we focus on People for People. We together explore how
we can grow in our sense of belonging to our congregation and its mission.
I have been stunned how well people gather and relate at St
Columba’s. This is not typical of most congregation I have pastored. Over the weeks
when people have shared what St Columba means to them, the sense of welcome people have
felt has come out strongly—this is something to celebrate.
If a person wants to erect a magnificent or fancy building, they need
first to set in place strong foundations. People and relationships are the sure
foundations of our church community at St Columba.
We may not aspire to an a huge congregation, but we do want to grow.
The next ingredient, an essential resource, is money.
And so we come to review our giving. From a practical point of view we
will be about 10% short in our preferred budget. The simple solution is for everyone to
increase their giving by a mere 10%. That is only an extra $2 for a person who gives $20
per week. An alternative is for all 150 givers to increase their giving by a mere $2 per
week.
A third approach, and a more biblical one, is for everyone to increase
the percentage of their giving by a mere 1%. For those giving 5% of their income, that
means raising it to 6%, for example.
A strange thing can happen to us when we increase our giving. It can be
the same feeling we get when we give a generous gift to a loved one. It draws us closer to
that person. The mere act of generosity generates a sense of wellbeing within us. We feel
better about ourselves, and more able to give unconditionally to those in need.
So, through our giving, we can draw closer to God and others, and our
wellbeing can increase. So simple. So easy. So necessary.
Trevor Burt
Ministering communities—breaking
tradition!
For many centuries the Church has functioned well on a system based on
parish, parish priest, church building and rectory. But all is not well. This system in
the 21st Century is costly, and less attractive to the emerging generations. As a
consequence parishes all over the world are shrinking in attendance and growing in debt.
There must be another way.
This year the Archbishop of Perth adopted the vision of Ministering
Communities. What is this and how does it differ from what we have a the moment?
Central to the vision is the biblical understanding that everyone is
gifted for ministry. Ministry is not limited to those who are paid or trained or ordained.
Ministry belongs to everyone by virtue of their baptism.
Nor is the ministry of lay people simply helping the priest. Each has a
ministry in their own right.
The implications of this vision are far more wide reaching that first
appears. We are so used to coming to the priest for permission. In a ministering community
authority is shared and delegated. Priests are used to running the show. In a ministering
community priests are enablers and mentors rather than directors and doers of ministry.
At St Columba’s we are well on the way to becoming a ministering
community. But to go the whole way we will need to break tradition. That may be difficult
for some, but that is something for us to consider as a community. It may bring a vibrant
new future.
Trevor Burt
The offence of the Gospel!
These last weeks we have been hearing about one of the so called
‘hard teachings’ of Jesus—namely, the implication that at Holy Communion we
eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ.
Today we hear how that difficult and potentially offensive teaching may
have caused some of those in the Johannine community to turn away.
It may come as a surprise to hear that the Gospel is offensive. We are
so used to hearing about the Gospel as Good News. But the Gospel can also be confronting
news, challenging us to the core of our being.
The words in John’s Gospel are unlikely to be Peter’s or
Jesus’ actual words. Rather, they are the reflections of the maturing community of
faith founded by the disciple John, written some 70 years after Jesus’ death.
However, even if this is so, it does not diminish the offence of the
Gospel, or make the words any less applicable to today. Rather, the Spirit of God
continually causes us to reapply and adapt the Gospel to our own times and our own
community, just as it the Gospel was adapted for the Johannine community half a century
after Jesus’ resurrection.
So where is the offence of the Gospel today? Where does the Gospel
challenge our beliefs and practices and attitudes?
We don’t have to look far to see prejudice, selfishness, greed.
But the deeper challenge is not sin, but fear of commitment—to people who are
different, to sacrificial giving of our time and wealth. . Do we want to turn away from
these challenges? Difficult, but rewarding to stay.
Trevor Burt
Eat my flesh, drink my blood. Surely not!
“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and
I will raise them up on the last day…”
What remarkable words we find in John’s Gospel. There are a number
of different interpretations. All are authentic Anglican views.
Some proclaim the literal view, like the early Christians who were
accused of cannibalism. Others take the words symbolically as referring to spiritual
nourishment. Still others, like our Dean John Shepherd, see reference to Jesus’
broken body and shed blood as a simple reference to his forthcoming death.
So what are we to make of these disturbing words.
Bread is often used figuratively—bread of tears (Ps 80:5), of
wickedness (Prov 4:17), of idleness (Prov 31:27). . The Bread of the Presence in OT times
referred to the offering of 12 loaves of bread placed on a golden table in the Temple
Sanctuary (Lev 24), symbolising the eternal covenant between God and Israel. Jesus the
Bread of Life, can be seen as a replacement or fulfilment of this covenant.
It is important to understand that symbols, metaphors and images are
separate from the inexpressible reality and truth towards which they point. They contain
the truth, but themselves are not the truth. So John’s words can be taken
symbolically without diminishing the truth to which they point—Jesus the source and
sustainer of life
Trevor Burt
Why shouldn't a Jew answer a question with a
question?
FOR many years, Christians took the sharp exchanges in the Gospels as a cue to persecute
the Jews.
Taken at face value, the arguments seem bitter and uncompromising. Often Jesus has to
escape violence or threats. In the end, he stops slipping away from trouble to face his
accusers - and pays with his life.
Matthew even shows Jewish people calling for the guilt of Christ's death to be visited on
them and their descendants. So why not do as they ask?
One reason lies in Christ's teaching itself: turn the other cheek, love your enemy.
And there is another in the fabric of the Gospels themselves.
Each has an a slightly different historical setting, and the people who preserved the
stories which eventually went into the Gospels had reasons for selecting slightly
different versions, or even different incidents altogether.
John's Gospel, which we read today, probably came later than the others, and has a more
complete commentary. It includes a lot of arguments which together show why the Christian
and Jewish faiths eventually split.
It also treats the story of Jesus' life differently. He comes over as a more serene
figure, more philosophical. Perhaps, as the witnesses to Jesus' life aged and grew more
reflective, so their memory and understanding of him also grew reflective.
The powerful acts of Mark's Gospel - dynamoi - becomes, signs - semeia - in John's Gospel.
We are invited to look at the significance of the story.
Bread from heaven, a powerful image to the Jews, becomes a Christian metaphor for the gift
of Christ.
But the point is not to annoy the Jews, or any other group of people. The point is we
should take hold of life in all its richness - not die in the desert wondering "what
if?"
David Cusworth
We are the body of Christ
As I go for a walk each morning I am becoming critically aware of the
limitations of my body. I can’t do what I used to do—either too many aches and
pains, or muscles that just don’t respond as well as they used to.
Paul likens the church—people—to a body. The body functions
best when all parts work. When one part doesn’t work, the church is disabled.
In Ephesians Paul lists some essential leadership gifts or ministries.
What are the gifts for? To equip the saints (us) for ministry. And what is ministry for?
To build up the body of Christ. And why build the body? So we can reach unity of faith,
maturity, Christ-likeness.
The role of apostles in the early church was teaching, fellowship, the
breaking of bread and prayers (Acts 2.41-42). But it was initially an itinerant ministry.
The task of stabilising the local community was passed on to others.
The role of prophets was to speak out in order to build up, encourage
and console (1 Corinthians 14.3). This was the most desired of all gifts. The role of
evangelists was to present the message of Jesus Christ, usually to ‘newcomers’.
The role of pastors, always rendered plural, was to care for and feed the whole flock. The
role of the teachers was to do with faith and truth. These are some amongst many roles,
gifts and ministries.
Which of these are not functioning well at St Columba’s, I wonder.
How can we overcome our disabilities?
Trevor Burt
A Psalm of Scarborough
Based on Psalm 23 - page 243 of A Prayer Book for Australia.
1. The Lord is my lifeguard,
I shall not drown.
2. He makes me swim between the flags;
he leads me out of the rips;
3. He resuscitates me,
and brings me within the soothing sound of the ocean.
4. Even though I swim with sharks and jelly fish, I won't be afraid;
For you watch over me - your life line is always ready.
5. You give me ice cream when the weather is hot;
you lather my body with sun screen, and give me water when I'm dehydrated.
6. As long as you are with me, I know I am safe,
and I will be guarded by you forever.
Composed by St Columba's Teen Discussion Group, 20 July 2003
Spending Time with God in Silence
A retreat is a time spent in silence, and is occupied by spiritual exercises, usually
under a conductor, who leads worship and delivers addresses.
In the Gospels Jesus has a pattern of retreating from the demanding crowds and spending
time in prayer. Invariably a significant event follows, such as the choosing of the
disciples, or some act of healing.
Perhaps inspired by this pattern, and Jesus’ 40 days on the wilderness, the monastic
movements through the ages have had at their core a daily period of silence, for study,
meditation and reflection.
Retreats in their modern form were introduced by the Jesuits during the
Counter-Reformation and were adopted by the Oxford Movement in the Church of England in
the 19th century. There was a phenomenal growth in the occurrence of retreats last
century. It is a normal pattern for devoted priests in this Diocese to attend a five-day
retreat each year. Many lay people attend retreats at Wollaston, New Norcia and other
retreat houses.
I have had some profound experiences during retreats. These have been turning moments in
my spiritual journey. Other times it has simply been a time of rest and relaxation, a
prayerful time away from the demanding crowd.
In our spiritual journey it is vital to have time out in silence with God. It is often in
these moments we hear God’s voice more clearly. They can be life-changing moments.
Trevor Burt
13 July 2003 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
The Radical Life of a Christian
John the Baptist was born around 7BC to an elderly priest and his wife, Zechariah and
Elizabeth. He grew up in the wilderness of Judea and began his prophetic call around 27AD.
He called for a national repentance, inviting Jews to baptism for the remission of sins.
Linked with this was his radical condemnation of the established order in Israel. But he
pointed to the Coming One, who would baptise with Holy Spirit.
The Baptist may well have formed a religious community which was entered through baptism.
If this is so, Jesus too may have entered that community, and undergone his formation in
the wilderness.
There are strong parallels in approach and practice between the Baptist and Jesus. Both
incorporated baptism, both condemned injustice particularly in the leadership of Israel,
both called for repentance, both died for their radical beliefs and practice. They both
used non-violent means to transform society.
Like Elisha’s succession to Elijah, some scholars believe that Jesus was anointed the
successor of the Baptist, and took on the Baptist’s role when he was jailed and later
executed.
All this helps us understand the radical nature of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus showed
exceptional compassion to the poor and marginalised, while at the same time condemning the
structures of society that led to division and poverty.
In a word, Jesus was subversive. With little or no care for his own person, he attempted
to redress divisions in society through word and deed.
This is the ultimate calling and vocation of a Christian—to set aside self, and
through non-violent means redress injustice and show radical compassion. A tall task. Yet
essential.
Trevor Burt
5 July 2003 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
The Simple Message of Good News
Oh for the simplicity of the good old days. Shopping was simple then. You gave the grocery
list to the person behind the counter, and he came back with a box full of goodies. First,
having checked through all the specials in all the junk mail, I now have to wheel a
trolley around a massive shopping centre, and I’m confused by so many choices I
can’t work out which is the best variety or cheapest package!
Perhaps our Christian life has become too complex as well. So many organisations to belong
to or groups to join, so many different services to attend. I wonder if we can end up so
busy choosing that we miss the main plot.
Without diminishing the other important things we do, like serving and learning, the main
plot is mission. In our vision statement (printed on this page) it is described as
“sharing God’s love with all”.
When Jesus called his friends to go out and bring Good News to people, it was apparently
without anything for the journey. Simplicity was the key. How can we do that simply in our
day and age? What, no sound system, PowerPoint projector, computer with enhanced digital
effects!
Yes, just my unencumbered self, with nothing but a story to tell. For the Good News that
Jesus brings does not come in a technological package. Rather, it is carried in our heart
and emerges from our lips and is affirmed in our lives.
In this Year of the Child, make it a project to make contact with just one family. Tell
them the Good News. Tell them about what we do here at St Columba’s. Invite them.
Affirm their interest and involvement. Keep it simple.
Trevor Burt
Peter and Paul - The Odd Couple
FAMILIES have been falling out since Adam dobbed in Eve for taking the forbidden fruit
in the Garden of Eden.
Their sons, Cain and Abel, had a blue which gave us the world’s first murder, and the
pattern is set. Abraham left home to travel to Israel, and split with his nephew Lot when
they got there.
Abraham’s grandsons, Esau and Jacob, fell out over Esau’s inheritance, and
Jacob’s sons sold his favourite child, Joseph, into slavery.
In fact, if you took all the people with rough edges out of the Old Testament, you
wouldn’t have many pages left. What is true of the age of the Patriarchs also
holds true for the reign of the kings - dynasties and kingdoms are split in the struggle
for power.
The wonder is not in the virtue of the people but in the fact they achieve anything at
all.
Of course, there is a brief period in history when reconciliation seems possible, anything
seems possible. Indeed the impossible happens at Easter and a new age begins. But
freewill and human nature continue to assert themselves.
St Peter and St Paul, whose ministry we celebrate today, were chalk and cheese - a
Galilean fisherman and a city boy from Asia Minor. The original odd couple. The New
Testament records that they argued vigorously about the direction of the Church, yet
somehow they succeeded.
The same mysterious ingredient that drove humanity from the start, in spite of its
quarrelsome nature, drove their mission to the world.
If we admit it, the same force drives us still.
David Cusworth
Where God is active in our lives
There was once a older woman who objected to all the changes happening in a church.
Whatever it was, she was agin it. One day the priest, recognising her long association
with the place, invited her to share her story. From that moment she was the most
supportive member of the congregation.
It can be stunning, sometimes, when you hear people tell a story of their life. Like last
Sunday when Iris and Pat shared what St Columba’s has meant for them. You can see the
grace of God at work in people's lives.
Every Sunday evening we hear someone from our congregation share part of their spiritual
journey. It is a fascinating hearing how God has been at work in people’s lives,
although most people do not use that way of describing their lives.
Appreciative Inquiry is one way we get to hear many parishioner's stories—what they
found moving in the past, what they deeply value now, what they hope for the future.
St Columba's has such a rich past; there are so many inspiring stories. God has been active.
People are passionate and motivated about various aspects of Church life. God is active.
As we hear these stories, and sense God’s activity in our lives, the new future will
emerge—one that embraces the richness of the past and vitality of the present. God will
be active. . This journey is something to really look forward to.
Trevor Burt
The Struggle of St Columba
St Columba has many prophesies, miracles and visions attributed to him. A man of God,
spiritual, prayerful, wise, passionate for his faith. He is also called patron saint of
poets, plagiarists, computer pirates, and computer hackers. He is reputed to have copied a
book of psalms, and his family went to war over the matter, leading to great loss of life.
We cannot judge people of another era by applying the cultural standards of the present
day. Fighting for the honour of your family was a strong element of Columba’s
culture, and often involved great bloodshed.
But this story shows how even the greatest have their weakness, and the weakness can be a
blindness invoked by the culture of the day.
Is it right to interfere in the affairs of a sovereign state, such as we have done
recently in Afghanistan and Iraq, and plan to so with the Solomon Islands? History may
judge our actions differently, no matter how good our intentions at the time.
Similarly, as a Church and as Christians, we forge forward with our plans for outreach,
evangelism and church growth, and gradually revise our theology, trusting that if we are
in error at some point, our God of Grace will bring good from it. We need not fear.
Rather, like St Columba, let us boldly go forth and bring Good News to an unbelieving
world and community. Look at the good that came from St Columba’s efforts and
devotion and passion. Look at the good we can bring to others.
Trevor Burt
More of the Holy Spirit in our lives
I saw a movie once where one priest was describing the Trinity to another over a glass
of wine. “Here are three bottles of vintage,” he said, placing two full bottles
and one already half consumed in the centre of the table. “Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, one substance, three persons.”
Initially satisfied, the priest suddenly became very disturbed. “Forgive me,” he
gasped. “I have done God a great dishonour. For I have diminished the Holy Spirit by
representing him as a half bottle.”
The Church has tended to diminish the Holy Spirit over the ages, sometimes because of
spiritual aberrations in some congregations or people, sometimes because of a fear of
Spiritual phenomena.
One of the commonest responses I get when I tell others of my spiritual experiences, in
order to encourage them to explore spiritual possibilities, is “That’s not for
me.”
Luke more than any other New Testament writer, expounds the activity of the Holy Spirit,
several times referring to the “power” of the Holy Spirit. This is probably
because Luke found the acts of the Holy Spirit in his life to be not only helpful but
essential to his Christian living.
The writer of John’s Gospel does the same in a different way, describing the Spirit
as a helper and guide.
Either way, I believe the Spirit is essential to our lives. We can have more of the
Spirit. We need only open ourselves and ask.
Trevor Burt
We Are One
Some time ago I came across a woman walking slowing alone the Scarbough beach . She
was carrying a Bible. "Are you a Christian?" I asked.
“Yes!" She said excitedly. I wasn’t convinced, however.
"Virgin birth?" I asked
“I accept it.”
"Deity of Jesus?"
“No doubt.”
"Death of Christ on the Cross?"
“He died for all people.”
Hummm! Could it be that I was face to face with a Christian! Perhaps but I needed
more proof. "What about the Bible?"
“Inspired.”
"Church background Protestant?”
“Definitely.”
I was now getting excited but just a few more questions remained. "Charismatic,
revised standard version, one cup communion, prayer book user?"
“Absolutely.”
Now the final test. "Pulpit wooden or metal?"
"Wooden."
I quickly withdrew my hand and stiffened my neck. "Heretic," I said and
walked away!
A little hard to believe? Definitely! But the question remains, do we see ourselves in
unity with all who have turned to Christ or do we prefer to remain separated by such
things as traditions philosophies and fears. Jesus prayed to his Father that
“[his disciples] may be one as we are one.” ( John 17:12). This includes
all who turn to Christ. Our task then is not to invent unity or debate it but to
acknowledge it for it is not an optional extra but a precious gift given to us by God.
Blessings
Jennifer Yarnell
If we are not willing to live in unity with others, we will find reasons not to move
towards unity.
Text adapted from "A Gentle Thunder" by Max
Lucado, c 1991 Word Publishing, pp139-140.
What goes around, comes around …
LONG ago I worked with a journalist in Britain whose life seemed like a series of news
reports. He'd lived all over the world, held more jobs than most people - even in the
fickle world of journalism - and never tired of telling a story.
One of his many claims to fame was a stint writing scripts for the Magic Boomerang
television series in the 1960s. He reckoned it was absolutely the best job because if he
ever got in a dead end and couldn't work out what happened next, he'd have the hero throw
the boomerang.
While the boomerang spun through the air, time stood still - and the hero could rearrange
the action so everything would flow smoothly towards a conclusion.
Sadly, life isn't like that: though sometimes, looking back on past events, we can see a
pattern emerge.
Luke, who is credited with writing the Acts of the Apostles, seems to have that
understanding.
The pattern he sees emerging in the story of the early Church is the action of the Holy
Spirit, guiding people towards a conclusion.
Sometimes the plot jumps around. People can be plucked away from one place to arrive
miraculously at another. Luke often says the Spirit did it, and gives no further
explanation.
But the overall pattern does become clear: the Church is drawn from humble origins to
reach out to the ends of the Earth.
Question is: Are we part of the action: Or are we standing still, waiting for the magic
boomerang to do its work?
David Cusworth
Sunday 18 May 2003 - Easter 5
Who will guide me?
“How can I understand [the scriptures], unless someone
guides me?” The eunuch made his appeal to the evangelist Philip.
I was studying a book in the library in St Mark’s, Canberra, when I look up at the
wall of books, 60,000 of them, and thought, “If only I could read them all, then I
would know all about God and Christian life.” I have a wall of books in my office,
and beside my desk a high pile of ‘essential reading’, the books I’m going
to read, soon, that promise to change my ministry.
One of the puzzling things about the Bible is that it is so unclear. If we look to the
Bible as a set of rules to follow, we will be very disappointed. There seem to be so many
contradictory passages, so many different ways of doing things, and the Bible is silent on
so many matters of interest to us.
To understand today’s passage from Acts (8.26-40) I need to read a commentary or two,
perhaps a Survey of the New Testament to understand the context, a traditional theologian,
and a non-conventional theologian for balance. Then I need to read about the theologians,
so I can properly weigh their comments. But who will guide me?
The clue is at the beginning of the passage. “The angel of the Lord said to
Philip….” And, “The Spirit said to Philip....” Tuning into the leading
of the Holy Spirit is the key. That’s what our Easter study is about.
Trevor Burt
Parish Priest
Sunday 11
May 2003 - Easter 4
Telling others
At our Sunday at Six services I am amazed each week at the
personal stories that parishioners present. People, ordinary parishioners, our friends and
acquaintances, relate how God has acted in their lives. Mostly they are not world-changing
experiences. But they are real experiences. They are life-changing for those who
experienced them. They are inspiring for those who hear about them.
The compelling story of the healing of a cripple man we heard last week is told again this
week, only this time to the leaders in Jerusalem (Acts 4.5-12).
It seems the stories of healing become the attention-getter to point to Jesus. That Jesus
was raised by God from the dead is also said, but it is incidental. That Jesus, who was
dead, is experienced now through the Holy Spirit, is central.
This gives us a clue about how we can share our faith with others. We don’t need to
have a degree in theology. We don’t have to know the doctrines of the church. We
don’t even need to know the Bible inside out, although all these things help.
All we need is the courage to share our experiences of the risen Christ. And we all have
experiences to share. Every experience is different, but no less valid. What can you share
with others?
Trevor Burt
Parish Priest
Sunday 4 May 2003 - Easter 3
Jesus comes to us in the Holy Spirit
There were four things that helped the fledgling Christian
Faith establish and grow in the first century. First, a compelling story of the
resurrection of Jesus—”Touch me and see” says the risen Jesus in
Luke’s Gospel (Luke 24.39). Second, an attractive and subversive wisdom—”The
love of the Father is not in those who love the world” (1 John 2.15). Third, ongoing healing
miracles—”Faith that is in Jesus has given this man perfect health.”
(Acts 3.16). And finally, and most importantly in my view, an ongoing experience of the
power of God through the gift of the Holy Spirit—.you will receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2.38).
Looking at these four aspects now, we find that the least helpful, as far as spreading the
Good News to younger people is concerned, is the resurrection story.
But younger people are interested in subversive wisdom. They are attracted by healing
miracles. and they seek experiences of God.
The way Jesus comes to us now is through the Holy Spirit. So it seems to me that a vital
thing for us to do as a congregation is to share experiences of the Holy Spirit. This
seems to be a far more productive way to bring Good News to people than entering into
unresolvable arguments about the nature of the resurrection.
The Lord be with you!
Trevor Burt
Parish Priest