Connexions

A group of us were talking through Jesus’ saying that ‘Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted’ and wondering about Jesus’ meaning when he used the word ‘mourn’

Was he saying that those who lose a loved one will be comforted? - that in itself of course would not be a bad thing, as we can all think no doubt about friends or neighbours who we might have offered some comfort to in their loss.

Or is there more to it than that? I must confess that I think of the Beatitudes as reflecting the qualities of life that Jesus displayed, and that we also should aspire to, and in that sense this is an odd verse. Therefore I’m more taken by William Barclay’s suggestion that Jesus may have been talking about something slightly different - that blessed are those who are saddened by the burden of their sin and the sins and state of the whole world, because it is at that point that God can be so close, so close in fact that it is at this point that so many find their way to God in faith and accept Him.

Jesus mourned for the sins of this world, and longed for all to find comfort in the love and Grace of God. Isn’t that what our attitude should be for the world? If it is then we too shall find comfort in knowing that our thoughts and prayers are as one with His, and any acts of love and generosity that we do are done in His name.

For those of you who are interested in Celtic Christianity, can I offer my book, heart2heart as an idea for Christmas presents - buy now and get it delivered in time!

There’s around 100 prayers and liturgies inspired by the rich heritage that we have received from the early Christians in Britain and Ireland, and some background material on Celtic Christianity.

An example of one of the prayers in the book below:

Creator God
on windswept beaches
your saints of old
held their hands up to you
in wonder and amazement
felt your power through the roar
of wind and surf, and
exposed to the elements
felt a unity
with the One
who had created all things.
This world does not often allow us
such intimacy, Father
we are crowded out
by circumstances of our own choosing
seeking fellowship with each other
rather than with you.
Forgive our unwillingness
to follow in the footsteps of your saints
to meet you in the solitude of your creation
Forgive our unwillingness
to get our feet wet

You can find the book at my website

Or if you are happier buying through Amazon then it is here

Preached today on the theme of ‘The God of Surprises’ which seemed apt for Advent. What greater surprise for the world that Messiah would come not as some all-conquering superhero (which would have been convenient and fit in with expectations) but rather as a fragile and vulnerable baby.

God surprises us by his choice of people. His Prophets were a mixed bunch, often unwilling to do that which God asked of them, and I guess that’s often true today - we’re often making excuses when the call comes, surprised to be asked, wanting someone else to take our place!

Strangely, we seem to surprise Jesus! Or at least we read that at times he was both surprised by some people’s faith (the centurion) and other’s lack of faith (his own disciples for some!)

A greater surprise might of course be that despite all that we do to hurt Him, God still continues to love us!

If you look at the story in John 7:53-8:11 about Jesus and his conversation with the adulterous woman you see that he is God of the Second Chance.

Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘… Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’

God is interested in not just who we are and what we have been, but what our potential is - he wants us to become the people we could be. So he says to us, sometimes more often than we deserve, ‘OK, you messed up, and you know you did - but I’m giving you another chance to redeem yourself’

Of course, it doesn’t end like there, because that could be taken as an open invitation to keep on messing up without fear of any judgement at all. No, Jesus says to the woman, ‘I’m not going to judge you on this, go away and do something with your life, become the real you… BUT you’re going to have to make changes in your life, you’re going to have to stop doing all this wrong stuff.’

Jesus makes demands, but he knows human nature well enough to know what we’re capable of doing. He doesn’t come down hard and condemn us as sinners, he wants to inspire us to become saints, which we can be with his help.

Isn’t that how we ought to be treating other people as well?

Give thanks for the God of the Second Chance!

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