“Never Fear?”

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14: 27

You’re such a scaredy cat! Have you ever been told that? Maybe it was meant as a joke or maybe as an insult. Maybe you had a legitimate reason to be afraid or maybe you are someone who doesn’t scare easily. Whatever your fear factor, I think there are certain things that probably make all of us frightened. We might be afraid for the safety and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones. We might be afraid for our financial security and the economy as a whole. We might be afraid for the future. Fear has definitely played a role in how we’ve dealt with the pandemic of 2020: from the raw fear of getting the virus to the lingering fear of when it will end and how things will get back to normal.

The disciples of Jesus had to face their fears one night on a stormy sea when Jesus came walking towards them on the water. They cried out, but Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” This is a classic line found throughout the Bible. God knows we human beings can be paralyzed, provoked, depressed, or angered when we are afraid. Some of our worst behaviours can be contributed to fear. But, on the other hand, we can be at our best when we overcome fear and know what it means to trust.

During those times in life when it is like we are in a boat tossed at sea, feeling like a scaredy cat, Christians do their best to trust in the steadfast presence of God, who promises to be there through the storms of life and to help overcome our fear. Thanks be to God.

“In Abundance”

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.” Matthew 14: 20

I don’t know about your garden, but my garden is overflowing with huge tomato, basil, cucumber, potato, and zucchini plants. Every year, it never ceases to amaze me how well the garden grows with an abundance of vegetables and herbs. Every year, I am also amazed to the point of almost annoyance how well just one zucchini plant can produce so many zucchinis. In our house, we’ve had shredded, bbq, baked, sautéed, and raw zucchini…in abundance.

The story in the Bible of Jesus feeding 5000 people with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish is a miraculous story and a story of abundance. What began with a very small amount of food for a couple of families, fed thousands of people with lots of leftovers. Miracles are hard to understand and explain, but they are meant teach us about God. The miracle of God providing food in abundance for a group of hungry people 2000 years ago teaches us about the abundance of God.

Generally, a good rule of thumb is ‘everything in moderation’, but not with God because God works in abundance. God offers us an abundance of justice and peace and grace and hope and love, even more than my abundant crop of zucchinis. Now, that is a miracle.

“God is Somewhere”

Psalm 42: 2 “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?”

In times of trouble, we often wonder where God is. If we believe God is always with us, why don’t we always feel God’s presence? Even the most faithful of Christians have doubts about God and that’s okay. God is big enough to handle our doubts. It is more important that we find a way through our doubts and again feel and know God’s presence in our lives.

The truth, even if we have hard time admitting it, is that God is always present, and it may be us who are not present with God. We may need to be deliberate in seeing God in the world, through prayer and worship, through the kindness and the need of others, through acts of love and forgiveness. God will always be somewhere. Thanks be to God.

“Encouraging Words”

Hebrews 10: 24 “Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. God always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out.”

Words have power. They can wound, humiliate and inflict pain. But, words can also heal wounds and make peace. They can be soothing to those in grief, they can offer hope to those in despair. Words of encouragement can make all the difference.

The early church faced many challenges as they learned to follow Jesus and be together in community. They needed each other to remain faithful and to persevere. They needed to encourage each other. Encouragement is the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. It’s something we all need, especially these days, and something we can all do. Be encouraging, we are all in this together!

“Heaven on Earth – Can it be?”

Matthew 13: 31 “Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like…”

Jesus used parables, or stories with sometimes layered meanings, to tell the people who he was, why he had come to the world, and what God’s vision of the world would be. He used the term kingdom of heaven, which we often assume only to mean what happens to us after we die but was also meant to describe life in the here and now.

In his parables about the kingdom of heaven, Jesus said it was like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a giant tree or a little bit of yeast that makes many loaves of bread. The kingdom of heaven, here on earth has the potential to be a place where the tiniest thing makes the greatest difference. Whether it’s a kind word, a prayer, a gift for someone in need, or even a smile (though they are hard to see these days with our masks on!), we can live out God’s kingdom of heaven today, here on earth.

“Response-Ability”

Genesis 1: 27 “So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them.”

In the Bible, we can learn through the stories, songs, and prayers about the character of God. We learn that God is wise, loving, challenging, steadfast, forgiving, and just. It is reasonable to assume that when God created human beings in his image, some of those characteristics would make up who we are too: we too can be wise, loving, challenging, steadfast, forgiving, and just. With those characteristics, created in God’s image, we have a responsibility to care and honour all human beings.

In this time of pandemic, we have all had to be a part of ending the crisis. By keeping social distance, wearing a mask, giving up our routines, and changing our habits, we ensure the most vulnerable are protected and we are honouring God’s creation. During the last couple months, we have also had to come face to face with our prejudices around race. It has been difficult to admit our own contribution to systemic racism. By raising awareness and our voices to say that ‘Black Lives Matter’, we are honouring God’s creation.

We have a “response-ability” to do our part to ensure safety and justice for all people because all people are created in the image of God.

“Renewing Rest”

Matthew 11: 28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Summer’s here! Time for family BBQs, sending the kids to camp, beaches, road trips, long awaited vacations…at least it used to be. This year, the summer is unique. Kids have been home for the last few months, so the end of the school year might not feel special. Many people are still working from home and the line between work and home has become blurred. Some people are just going back to work so holidays are not in the schedule this year. Being together in groups is still not safe. We’ve had to adapt to new routines and new ways of shopping and working which has brought on new stresses.

I don’t know about you, but I can relate to the verse above from Matthew’s gospel. I do feel weary and burdened and I could use some rest; physical, emotional, and spiritual rest. Jesus valued rest. There were times when he would get away from the crowds following him and even his disciples for a time of prayer and renewal. I know this summer looks different for us, but I hope you will find time to just take a breath, listen to the birds, watch the clouds go by, read a good book, have an ice cream, and just let your heart and your mind rest.

“Risky Business”

Matthew 10: 39 “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

“Nobody said it would be easy.” Has anyone ever said that to you? Did it make you defensive, did it make you want to give up, or did it help you persevere and accept whatever challenge you faced? Jesus made it pretty clear that following him would not always be easy. In chapter 10 of Matthew’s gospel, he said some pretty uncomfortable stuff. Jesus said he did not come to bring peace the way we understand it, that to follow him we must love God more than our families, and that we may lose our lives for his sake. That is some tough talk!

The reason for that “tough talk” is that there is commitment and risk in following Jesus. Being a Christian means taking our worldview and turning it upside down. Instead of mere tolerance, there is real reconciliation, instead of grudging welcome there is radical hospitality, instead of fleeting forgiveness, there is life-changing mercy and grace, instead of fickle acceptance, there is divine and everlasting love and life.

Following Jesus is “risky business”. It will not always be easy and at times it might be really hard. The good news is that it is worth it. Choosing to follow the son of God, is also joy-filled, hopeful, and life-giving business! Thanks be to God.

“Travelling Light in God’s Kingdom”

Matthew 10: 7 “As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’”

Remember when we used to travel? Okay, it wasn’t that long ago, though it might feel like it if you had a tripped planned in the last few months that was cancelled! When we do travel though, most of us have a certain way we like to pack what we’ll need for our trip. Maybe you roll your clothes to fit as much as possible in your suitcase. Maybe you keep everything organized by using Ziploc bags for groups of items. Maybe you throw everything in last minute, hoping you didn’t forget your toothbrush. Maybe your suitcase is so full, you have to sit on it to close it!

When Jesus sent his first followers to live out the kingdom of God on earth by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and seeking the lost, he told them to travel light. No organized suitcase for them! Jesus didn’t want anything holding them back from sharing the good news that God’s kingdom was near. And when people wouldn’t listen, Jesus told them to shake the dust off their feet and move on.

Followers of Jesus today are also sent out to tell the good news. It doesn’t take fancy luggage or a well-packed suitcase to share glimpses of God’s kingdom of love and mercy, joy and hope in the world. There should be nothing holding us back from accepting Jesus’ invitation to live in that kingdom because we are all welcome. Thanks be to God.

God’s Promises and Faithfulness

Genesis 18: 14 “Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?”

In the Bible, the story of Abraham and Sarah took a humorous turn. When they were called to be God’s people, God said they would be the ancestors of a multitude of nations. And yet, they grew older and older and had no children. One day, some visitors, God’s messengers, came to visit. They told the elderly couple that Sarah would have a child. The news was so unexpected and unbelievable that Sarah laughed. She found it funny that in her very old age, the impossible would happened. So, the visitors asked: Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? The answer to that question is no; there is nothing too wonderful for the Lord. God promised Abraham and Sarah a child and they had a child when it seemed impossible. God’s fulfilled promise was pretty wonderful for them.

God makes promises to us as well. God promises us strength and provision. God promises us forgiveness and a chance to start over. God promises us unlimited grace. God promises us abundant and eternal life. God promises to be present with us now and forever. God’s promises are good news and so wonderful that we might find ourselves laughing too, not with disbelief, but with joy. Thanks be to God.

Please note:
I know we are all looking forward to being together for worship again, but Knox and St. Andrew’s Churches will continue to worship on-line for the foreseeable future despite the recent loosening of restrictions in the province. There are a number of considerations to take into account, including protecting our parishioners and staff and preparing our buildings to ensure all safety protocols are in place so that in-person worship is as risk free as possible. Our Session will be working on a plan over the next couple of months and will update you as soon as possible.