240915 Pentecost 17 year B – Baptism Trevor and Lukus
Proverbs 1.20-33 – PSALM 19 – James 3:1-12
– Mark 8.27-38
With the whole church around the globe, members of the Cathedral have been connecting with the Season of Creation, a particular period of the year which runs from the beginning of September to St Francis day early October. It is a period when we are more conscious about reflecting about the environment and more specifically the threats to the sustainability of our planet as we watch the unfolding consequences of global warming due to our continued over reliance on fossil fuels and the over exploitation of the earth’s resources.
This is a topic which is featured regularly in our preaching as well as our Cathedral actions throughout the year. This is a topic about which you may feel passionate, or one which makes you feel powerless. For many it is a cause of deep anxiety as we contemplate potential consequences for future generation.
A group of over forty members of this congregation participated in a conversation at the beginning of the summer about just that.
It was a time of deep personal sharing, a time when participants were able to express the grief they feel as we experience changing weather patterns, unexpected rain and floods, ever larger forest fires, and generally the sense that the delicate balance of creation is slowly going out of control. This is a conversation which will continue.
There have of course been many wise voices speaking out for decades about the effects of greenhouse gases on our changing climate. Some listened to the messages of the scientists, joined the campaign. and adjusted their lifestyle to minimize their carbon footprint. Some heard the predictions and did not change their ways. Some heard, discounted the wisdom altogether and did nothing. And some did not even listen.
During that time, many continued to be busy making vast fortunes by exploiting our planets while upsetting the finely tuned balance of our ecosystem regardless of the consequences.
In the words of the writer of the book of Proverbs we just heard this morning: ‘They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord’.
Knowledge can indeed be inconvenient, especially when it goes against what we really deep down want to do. Get a bigger car, turn up the heat in winter or the aircon in winter, eat more and more meat, import cheap produce from far away regardless of the season, unreasonable food waste – these are the things we have learnt to take for granted, things that we can’t easily give up.
Recycling, self-control in our consumption habits, eating less meat, sharing resources with others, less travelling, these are the things we know make a difference not only on our planet but also on ourselves. We struggle taking them to heart. Yet.
The same extract may offer some consolation: ‘those who listen to Wisdom will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster’.
And what is the ‘Fear of the Lord’ of which the writer of Proverb writes? Not some oppressive system in which we spend our life wondering about the consequences of offending an autocratic deity focused on control. But instead, an invitation to reflect with awe and wonder at the intricacies and order of the divine creation all around us – from the tiniest nano-particle to the largest star, from the innocence of a new born child to the life wisdom brought to us by our elders.
As we follow the story of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark today, we hear of his continued village-hopping journey in Galilee, slowly moving towards Jerusalem. We see his care for his friends and the impact he has on many.
Here is no capricious despot, power and money hungry influencer, fire and brimstone preacher who wants to destroy the world. Instead we see one who cares so deeply for the freedom of his friends against the Roman and the religious authorities that oppress them that he is willing to walk into the lion’s den in Jerusalem and to risk his life, even die, in order to save us all. Think about that.
‘Who do they say that I am?’ Jesus asks.
‘Who do you say that Jesus is, as you look deep into your hearts? Deep into your souls?
For some in our societies today, looking into ancient scriptures may feel like escapism and a displacement activity. It is indeed a huge leap of faith to spend time reading about ancient civilisations and how they rose and fell according to their respect for a divine order which predicates care for the environment and care for one another, as we come to understand the mystery of our lives not as a personal achievement but a gift from God.
Time and time again, prophets recorded in sacred scriptures, and all those who have risen in the last two millennia who did not make it into their hallowed pages, have been warning humanity – all of us – against waywardness and complacency in believing that the world was created only to suit our own purposes and benefit. Often to little avail.
Yes, as James writes in his letter, humanity has been given custody of the created world, and we have gained knowledge and understanding beyond measure to tame it. Not to abuse it. And especially not to find ourselves in a place where our tongues, our words, are used to speak untruths to hide what is in plain sight to continue to profit for ourselves.
Amazingly, some human beings have responded and continue to respond to God’s call. And because of that, and because of God’s love for the divine creation – for all of us – God has so far always relented and continues to hold our planet in the palm of God’s hand, saving us from the brink.
Today, we rejoice that two more people have looked deep into their souls, have heard God’s call, and are prepared to make in public promises that will transform their lives, promises that transform the world.
Trevor and Lukus have joined this cathedral months ago, and have been pondering on the role of God in their lives, individually and as a couple.
They have heard God speak through, and sometime despite, their experiences, and will today be baptised into the Church of God.
This is an awesome moment for them – in the sense that it is full of awe, wonder and promises. Perhaps somehow a coming home.
We rejoice with them today, and their baptism gives us an opportunity to reflect on the promises that we ourselves made or which were made on our behalf by our parents and godparents.
Listen to them again, feel the stirring in your soul at the familiar words, take them to heart, and recommit with Trevor and Lukus to be the person that God is calling you to be in the world today.
Jesus says, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’.
Strong words.
Strong words indeed for Trevor and Lukus who will in a moment be making promises which will take them on this particular journey.
Strong word for us who were baptised as young children or even as adults, as we consider how well we are in fact discharging this particular part of our relationship with God as we strive to live up to our pledge to follow Jesus.
Regardless of the past, today, we are called once again to see and listen, and to act for this generation and for the generations to come.
This is true of the climate change emergency – but of course this is true in every aspect of our lives.
Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that we are too focused on human things and not enough on divine things. Centred on me, me, me and not the bigger picture.
Jesus’ way of change for good in the world is one of gentleness, one which is not focused on oneself but on others, one predicated on love which gives life and builds community, and flows through justice and peace.
This is the transformation that we strive for daily, the one to which we leave ourselves open to as we come again round the altar to share bread and wine.
Putting our life as we know it on the line when we recognise that it is no longer on the right Gospel tracks. Being willing to stand for truth and speak it out, even if the consequences are unpleasant.
Yet Jesus is clear that we need not be ashamed of him and his words, because we know they give us life and they give life to the world.
Not in a theoretical utopian way – but instead in the fruits we see around us when we open our hands and our hearts to others – when we move on from putting ourselves first to putting others first. When we don’t take more than we need and work to give others what they need. When we live lives of generosity.
May God be with you, Trevor and Lukus, and all of you as you continue to strive to live in this way.
Amen