The Vicar January Letter 2012

Vicars letter January 2012

Epiphany: Wise 0nes travel to become disciples of Jesus

In January the Christian story finds its focus in the searching and travelling of “The Three Kings” or as the Gospel of Matthew calls them “magi”, Wise Ones. Powerful, significant, clever and courageous astrologers travel to acknowledge, in Jesus, one who elicits profound and simple respect, sovereignty and worship.

First, the Wise Ones from the East remind us of the journey each of us must make. Jesus said to find life we have to lose it; to be great we have to become servants of all. Iconically, the Wise Ones kneeling before the young child Jesus demonstrate the simplicity (“as little children”) that is the way of the community of followers of the Christ.

Second, they remind us that leading scientists today don’t necessarily push the mystery we name “God” out of the equation. Twenty first century science speaks in terms of our place in an ever-changing, interlocking, nonlinear, kaleidoscopic world. The rationalist Professor Brian Cox, who sends no Christmas cards, nevertheless writes:

        Our story is the story of the Universe. Every piece of everyone

        and everything you love, of everything you hold precious, was

assembled in the first few minutes of the life of the Universe, and transformed in the hearts of stars or created in their fiery

        deaths. What a wonderful thing to be a part of that universe –

        and what a story. What a majestic story!

How can this integrated picture of supernovae, solar systems, and the cycles and rhythms of gravity link with the simplicity of the adoration of the Magi? Certainly many yearn today for more simplicity than is possible in a world that is increasingly complex, misleading and often heartbreaking. One of the greatest 20^th century Christian writers, Karl Barth, spoke of the utter simplicity of the Trinitarian God whose life give shape to our created world.

Within the complexities of modernity, Christian discipleship opens up a richness that cannot be reduced to simple mindedness. The love of the Father which through the Spirit is shown in Jesus, the Son, is the simple foundation for all love, trust, freedom, faithfulness and integrity.

Singleness of Heart

In St Mary’s centenary year (of Pilgrimage) we can learn from the Magi about the singleness of heart and straightforwardness that is the way of the Kingdom. This simplicity is what Jesus was speaking of when he said, “I thank you, Father Lord of heaven and earth, for you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes” (Matthew 11.25).

The Jewish/Christian tradition is rooted in the belief that human beings are designed to move towards God. When we lose that sense of “towardness” and become obsessed instead by ambition, money, possessions, importance, property, cleverness, or whatever, we become separate from God’s way of ordering things. When we are no longer attracted to God and the creation as God intends, we get lost in being simply attracted to (twisted into- as Luther puts it) ourselves and our egotistical agendas. We make faith too complicated when we forget that God is simple, wholly undivided, trustworthy, and faithful – and that’s why he calls out those virtues in us in our pilgrim year.

The Magi came bearing gifts

The gifts of the Wise Ones – Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh – remind us of the response we also need to make to keep alive the structures through which we make Christ known in Monkseaton. I believe we are very thrifty and careful in the way we spend the money you give to St Mary’s and the Diocese each year. I ask you please to consider on our Giving Renewal Day (February 19^th) either joining the planned giving scheme or increasing if you can. Also, in parallel, we are being asked to make a pledge to enable the building to be restored and reshaped for our worship, life and work now. We’re invited to give from a spirit of abundance even when every ounce of common sense says, “no, I can’t afford it”. When we let ourselves be foolishly generous, in the world’s eyes, we experience God making up all we think we shall have lost. People who have dared to do this have experienced a deep joy. The experience of joy however first requires the risk of giving more than we consider sensible.

God’s Lightening

The very nature of everything, as God has made it, is being attracted “towards”.  How about this year letting God untwist us, draw us away from self- absorption, and be drawn towards the light, the One. “It’s a wager”, you may say, “suppose this God is a total myth”. I reply, “It’s a wager worth taking if it brings me simplicity, singleness of heart, peace and a sense of being drawn in love towards others, rather than to myself.”

God acts unexpectedly like lightening. Falling off ladders is a profound way to experience vulnerability and dependency on God, but I suggest you explore going “home” by a different route. The renewal of our corporate life of faith (the church) is given to us when God reaches out with power, truth and love by Jesus, the Word, and by the Holy Spirit. Imagine what happiness filled those Wise Ones as they returned from their journey, having exchanged their sophistication for a central and simple belief.

May God bless us all in this coming year

Your parish priest

Robin