St Andrew’s Milngavie 3rd Sunday after Trinity 2023
Today we celebrated the third Sunday after Trinity accompanied brilliantly by Abigail .
This Week
Tuesday – 10am Prayer Group in the Garden Room
Thursday 10am – Said Holy Communion followed by coffee in Friendship House – Feast of St Peter and St Paul – Acts 12:1-11 1 Peter 2:19-25 Matthew 16:13-19
Readings for next Sunday – 4th Sunday after Trinity – Jeremiah 28:5-9 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:40-42
Today’s Readings – Jeremiah 20:7-13, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39
Recently I’ve heard people say that they have stopped watching or listening to the news as there really doesn’t seem anything to be positive about and the outlook is rather depressing. It may well seem we are living in extraordinary times with so many reports of financial downturns, rows, terror and political nonsense, I must admit it can all feel rather grim.
But in many ways its business as usual. Throughout history there has always been periods of unrest and conflict, life has never been straightforward and trouble free.
In despair we may well turn to our bibles, as people have always done, to find reassurance and hope for the future but as we do so I think we can confirm from today’s texts that the people of ancient times faced not so dissimilar turmoil and anxieties of their own.
In the OT we have a reading from the prophet Jeremiah who true to form is full of gloom. A bit like us Jeremiah lived through times of political upheaval. He saw several kings come and go and then there was the exile to deal with. Jeremiah had warned people about this, but they hadn’t listened. Subsequently he felt increasingly isolated from the people he was called to serve. So, the words we hear from Jeremiah today are words of depression and despair. And he also is angry with God for calling him to carry out such a difficult task and with the people for making his life so difficult.
Many, many Christian disciples throughout the centuries have faced similar moments. As Jesus warned them, they would. “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” John 15:18
Then we come to the gospel and that doesn’t make easy reading either! So often in the church we are encouraged to pray for unity, but it seems our lives continue to be dominated by division. But as we have said it has been ever thus, throughout history there has always been division whether it is political religious social or even racial. And in our own personal lives we often experience rifts, disagreements and rows, be it at home or at work. It’s part of our human condition.
Jesus clearly in the gospel today understands this and is under no illusion that the call to follow him may well cause division among us. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword…” Matthew 10:34 “ A man’s enemies will be members of his own household.” Matthew 10:36
The Gospel on Trinity Sunday which we have recently celebrated dealt with what we call “The Great Commission” when Jesus sent out his disciples on their mission to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world. But Jesus doesn’t throughout the gospels make this call to follow him sound easy or even very attractive. He always spells out the tough nature of the job in honest detail and warns them that they should not expect any better treatment in the world than he did.
Jesus calls his followers to take risks and certainly those early Christians faced many risks at all levels. The risks we face today are of course somewhat different. Perhaps the risks we face today are more to do with our own souls and understanding, hesitating to affirm and explore our faith in the context of family friends and society, embarrassed almost to confess our faith publicly. Think of the plight of Kate Forbes, the SNP politician as she sought the leadership of the party in professing her faith.
It’s not easy but we do need to be willing to take a risk with ourselves. Jesus realised this as he told his disciples that they need not be afraid, that they would be guided and protected, that they were precious in the eyes of God. He reassured them that, although their feelings and their bodies might be hurt, no harm could come to their souls.
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;” Matthew 10:28 “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered, So don’t be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows” Matthew 10:30-31
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, Paul looks to the future in a positive manner as he speaks of new life through the resurrection. “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, We will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” Romans 6:5
This is at the core of our faith, this is what bring us hope for the future. This is what we must hold onto in times of despair and uncertainty.