Cogges Parish newsletter June 2002

From the newsletter ...

Christianity

Historically, Christianity has had a peculiar view on life. It makes no sense at all in practical terms (of course many would say that's still the case!). All the religions of the ancient world were about success. They were identified with warrior peoples and empires and military success.

Jesus's message upended all the received wisdom of the ages. It was the poor God loved. The rich He would send away, empty, and the destitute would inherit His kingdom. Weakness was strength, success failure. Ultimate prizes would go to the meek and lowly.

We know this didn't go down well with the religious authorities of the day and Jesus was put to the most horrific death. It seemed as comprehensive a failure as you could find in all the annals of history. Yet, the movement of the powerless spread, despite all the ruthless persecutions, and the civilised world became Christian. And today there are 1800 million followers of Jesus Christ. Amazing! What was it about this one man that so changed the world? It certainly wasn't to do with coercion because only love can summon a true response of love.

This was the message that the early followers of Christ carried with them - that God's love for them was so unconditional, so boundless, that in Jesus it called Him to pay the ultimate price. I remember listening to a pretty awful sermon by a man I admired greatly - he was Presbyterian, so it was not only dull, but long! Until, that is, he began to read some verses from John's Gospel, chapter fifteen, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you". And then he read them again and again.

That's why the Christian Church grew so rapidly - because love, by its very nature, is selfless and selflessness is what really appeals to human nature.

The Church in the twenty first century must face up to some very harsh questions - none more so than this - does it demonstrate the selfless love of Christ in the world?

If it did then we'd be caring for the sick, looking after the old folk in our neighbourhood, many of whom have forgotten what a warm embrace is. We'd be feeding the ophans, visiting the prisoners, spending quaility time with our children - in a word, we'd be living as Jesus did. This is penetrating love that makes a difference.

The Kingdom of God is about bringing light into dark places and that's what we want to be about in St Mary's, our values are about demonstrating God's love in practical ways, showing mercy because we have been shown mercy, being obedient to what God has to say in the Bible and serving YOU, selflessly in the our Parish.

Of course this should all work itself out in how we worship on Sundays. I heard a story about a wee boy being shown around the Church by his local Vicar and, in particular, be shown the memorials on the walls. The Vicar says, "these are the names of people who died in the services". The wee fella responds, "Did they die in the morning or evening service?"

Abraham Lincoln once said, "If all the people who fell asleep in Church on Sunday Morning were laid end to end......they would be a great deal more comfortable!"

Our Sunday services ought to be an expression of God's love for us and our love for Him and all that we do must be honouring to Him. It's my desire to develop the best of the old and the new in what we're about on Sundays in St Mary's and I would warmly invite you to come and meet with us. Or, if that's too big a step for you, then telephone me and [if you live in the neighbourhood] I'll be only too pleased to pop round and say hello.

Andrew Sweeney

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