The promises made through the words of Jeremiah are fulfilled in Jesus’ life, passion, death and resurrection, so let’s return to the prophet to see Easter in the context of Salvation History.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Our covenant should be with God but translated into our earthly daily life: forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. If God’s law is written in our hearts, that is how we will act. If only, you say. More likely we will be trying to teach our neighbour, teach our siblings, teach our grandmother even.
We can do better than that with the New Covenant in our hearts. Let us allow ourselves to be transformed, as Mary Magdalene was on that first Easter morning in the garden. Let us look on each other as forgiven sinners, every man and woman of us, every one of us saved.
Starlings, true to their nature, know their time to come to their feeding places and roosts. Jeremiah laments that God’s people are not true to their human nature, but turn away from their Creator and do not pick themselves up when they fall, nor do they turn about when they are on the wrong path. They come to believe their own lies.
Maybe Judas was believing his own lies? He must have had some way of justifying his approach to the authorities. Did they suspect his wrong-doing, exposing himself to their blackmailing, while trying to keep his plans ‘confidential’ from his Lord and his fellow disciples? Spy Wednesday this day was once called.
You shall say to them, Thus says the LORD: When men fall, do they not rise again? If one turns away, does he not return? Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return. I have paid attention and listened, but they have not spoken rightly; no man relents of his evil, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turns to his own course, like a horse plunging headlong into battle.
Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the LORD.”
Jeremiah 8: 5-8.
It is all too easy to believe the stories I tell myself about my deeds or misdeeds, my mixed motives and thoughtlessness, my lack of reflection. Lord, give me the patience to take a few minutes of quiet at day’s end to consider the graces given, the graces ignored, and to remember that I am not here to ‘do it my way’ but your way.
The kingdom of the twelve tribes of Israel, the Kingdom of David, fell apart on the death of King Solomon. Judah was the smaller kingdom, based in Jerusalem, to the South. Israel was the northern part, and was already conquered and colonised by Assyria. That did not mean that God had abandoned them or forgotten them; here he sends Jeremiah toward the North with a message of repentance and hope. May I be given the knowledge and understanding to acknowledge my backsliding and turn from it!
And the Lord said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah. Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more. At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
A voice on the bare heights is heard, the weeping and pleading of Israel’s sons because they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the Lord their God. “Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness.”
“Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God. Truly the hills are a delusion, the orgies on the mountains. Truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel. But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers laboured, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonour cover us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.”
3:21-25. ESV
I remember one of those posters outside a church my school bus passed every day: ‘Wild oats make bitter bread’, it said. Our conduct has consequences, consequences for each one of us, but also for people we may never meet.
There is a time for regret and repentance, and that time is now; Lent is the time we are given to turn again to the Lord.
Today Jeremiah warns the people of Jerusalem of a cruel enemy about to invade their territory; fear is on every side. Time for sackcloth and ashes, not just a cross on the forehead but to wallow, to cover themselves in ashes.
Thus saith the Lord, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth. They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
Most bitter lamentations; just seeing the wars ravaging our home is enough to evoke lamentations but we should not keep our consciences shiny while ignoring how our need or desire for the products of war-torn countries contributes to greed, corruption and oppression, and on to open conflict. We use Nigerian oil, Russian gas, Israeli fruit, Ukrainian sunflower oil…
Wallowing in ashes would be most uncomfortable – but discomfort is a feeling we should experience, at least from time to time, when we contemplate our part, however unwilling, in the sufferings of others. Let’s pray for them, and for ourselves that we may adopt habits and purchases that treat workers fairly.
The Catholic Church remembers Mary today, the feast of her immaculate conception, nine months before her September birthday. The dates are arbitrary but this is a good opportunity for us all, Catholic or not, to reflect upon Mary’s experience as the mother of Jesus.
When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple as a young baby they met a saintly old man called Simeon, who recognised the child as the Messiah. This window from Saints Cosmus and Damien, Blean, Canterbury, relates part of his speech in Luke 2:34; Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.
Catholics sometimes count up the seven sorrows of Mary, but there must have been very many more. Saint Luke, who tells the story of Simeon, also records that ‘Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.’ (2:19)
It’s not morbid to remember our sorrows, hurts and mistakes, but deeply human and wise, if we ponder them in our heart, see the bigger picture. For sure, Mary had many good experiences to ponder as well. By the time Luke set them down on parchment she and others in the early Church will have talked them through and seen how they all fitted together.
Pondering on my life, what do I have to forgive, whom do I need to forgive, even if we’ve lost touch? What do I have to be grateful for? Who deserves a gesture of friendship from me? Whose forgiveness should I be seeking?
I have sinned in thought, word, deed and omission. Pray for me.
After an early morning start Samuel Pepys, his wife and friends have a Sunday outing to Epsom, where he took the waters of the spa; his companions did not. They still had a very full day, returning in their coach after dark.
I talked with the two women that farm the well at 12l. per annum of the lord of the manor. Mr. Evelyn with his lady, and also my Lord George Barkeley’s lady and their fine daughter, that the King of France liked so well, and did dance so rich in jewells before the King at the Ball I was at at our Court last winter, and also their son, a Knight of the Bath, were at church this morning.
I walked upon the Downes, where a flock of sheep was; and the most pleasant and innocent sight that ever I saw in my life. We found a shepherd and his little boy reading, far from any houses or sight of people, the Bible to him; and we took notice of his wooling knit stockings, of two colours mixed.
Mrs Turner mightily pleased with my resolution, which, I tell her, is never to keep a country-house, but to keep a coach and with my wife on the Saturday to go sometimes for a day to this place, and then quit to another place; and there is more variety and as little charge, and no trouble, as there is in a country-house.
from The Diary of Samuel Pepys, 14 July 1667.
The Pepyses would enjoy getting about in this cherished VW camper van! It wouldn’t be so good for the tall Mr Turnstone, but there is plenty of variety in the range of holiday homes available today; we still don’t need a country house of our own.
We do need a home to go to! Not just the one behind our own front door but also at the end of our pilgrims’ progress through life.
Great art Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Thy power, and of Thy wisdom there is no end. And man, being a part of Thy creation, desires to praise Thee, man, who bears about with him his mortality, the witness of his sin, even the witness that Thou “resistest the proud, “ – yet man, this part of Thy creation, desires to praise Thee. Thou movest us to delight in praising Thee; for Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.
The Rev’d Ryan Sirmons is a former American naval officer who discerned a call to ministry while living in the UK. After training at Westminster College, Cambridge, he was ordained in the United Church of Christ and served as pastor of The United Church of Christ of Annapolis in Maryland for eight years. He now serves in Newcastle. An interesting take on power and politics.
1 Peter 2.11-14 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
Reflection
Jesus showed us that we don’t need or want dominant worldly power to be disciples. Yet in both the United States and the UK, too many Christians succumb to the temptations of seeking, and exercising, levers of dominant power. Perhaps this is a desperate reaction to overall decline. Just above 60% of Americans identify as Christians, down from 90% in 1950. Under half of Britons identify as Christians, but fewer than 5% go to church.
Yet even before that, culturally Christian assumptions were often given privilege in law. Not all of this was damaging—some seems very helpful—but some was used to justify enslavement, child labour, misogyny, abuse, and sexuality shaming.
American and UK contexts have taught us time and again that enshrining our faith in law enforced by dominant power does not benefit the common good. It further isolates us from one another. Isolation is the antithesis of Christian faith.A better way is to live as ‘resident aliens,’ as Peter encourages us in his letter.
Jesus didn’t have dominant power. He had to demonstrate through words, deeds, and relationships that he was ‘the Way, the Truth, and the Life.’ He had to develop disciples who, with the gift of the Spirit, could carry this work of seeing, listening, and being with people, beyond him, in order to share the Gospel. He had to meet people where they were and show them that the image of God was reflected not only in them, but in every person they encountered. He didn’t enshrine anything in state law (indeed, the state crucified him).
The tools of dominant power perhaps seem more out of reach as our numbers and secular influence decline. We shouldn’t get desperate. Instead, it’s perhaps now easier to avoid the temptations of manipulating systems of dominant power and focus on where Christ calls us: to be with people where they are, not expecting them to cross our doorstep. They might very well be Christ for us. We can be resident aliens known by our love. Thanks be to God, we don’t need state-backed dominant power and privilege to do that.
Prayer Holy One, you showed us that we don’t need or want dominant worldly power to be your disciples. Keep us from the temptations of exercising the levers of dominant power. Remind us that you have already equipped us to go, be with, and do ministry on the edges of society. Amen.
We at Agnellus’ Mirror are very grateful to the United Reformed Church for permitting us to reproduce their copyright posts from their missionaries in the UK. Special thanks to Revd Andy Braunston, who is responsible for their digital ministry, for his part in this and for an interesting website: United Reformed Church Daily Devotions <dailydevotions@urc.org.uk>. God Bless, Will T.
Here is the first of a series of reflections by ministers in the United Reformed Church who come from overseas. We thought that these insights from members of synodical churches could stimulate some thought in our Catholic church which is moving towards a more synodical way of doing things.
We at Agnellus’ Mirror are very grateful to the United Reformed Church for permitting us to reproduce their copyright posts from their missionaries in the UK. Special thanks to Revd Andy Braunston, who is responsible for their digital ministry, for his part in this and for an interesting website: United Reformed Church Daily Devotions <dailydevotions@urc.org.uk>.
God Bless, Will T.
The Rev’d Sujeeth Kumar was ordained in the Church of South India – Karnataka Central Diocese, Bangalore, India, He served in various capacities within and outside the Diocese both in rural and urban churches for 21 years. He is married to Sucharita, a homemaker. Now Sujeeth works for us in the East London Area Group of the Thames North Synod.
10 July 2023
Luke 19: 1 – 10 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So, he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.”
Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Reflection Pastoral ministry is considered as a vocation rather than a profession. Coming from a diverse community, rich in religious heritage, I understood that pastoral visits create strong bonds between members and minister. Pastoral visits build a relationship which eventually strengthens the church and encourages members to actively participate in mission and ministry.
The context in India, and particularly in South India, is so very different. Having served in both rural and urban churches, I have come across many situations where the minister’s presence is essential during the time of crisis, particularly during a death in the family. A minister’s presence is valued for any special occasion or maybe just for a pastoral visit. Families and individuals are assured that the church always stands by them. A minister in a rural setting can visit a member’s house at any time; no need for any appointment or permission. Even members of urban churches will welcome a minister’s visit even if it is unannounced. The common belief is that, if a minister visits it is like God visiting them. Therefore, in India, pastoral visits, which are highly regarded and welcomed, strengthen ministry.In the UK, it seems to me with my limited experience, pastoral visits are not a priority either for ministers or members. I feel this is so strange and wonder, what if the same situation was during Jesus’s time? Did Jesus need permission to visit? Did Jesus have to make an appointment to visit the sick?
My struggle in understanding cultural, social, economical, racial, and spiritual differences have made me grapple with the Word/Text, which is important to every context. Jesus’ visits transformed the lives of people and paved way for a holistic life. Jesus’ radical measures, or thinking and acting out of the box is an invitation for us to follow.
Prayer God of all, may we always welcome you in all situations of our lives. Your presence transforms us, enriches us, and empowers us to be a welcoming and accepting community. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This is the second of Canon Anthony Charlton’s reflections on the Eucharist. These pilgrims are singing and playing their instruments as they gather at the Abbey of St Maurice in Switzerland for the annual Pilgrimage for the Martyrs of Africa. St Maurice and his Companions were Egyptian Roman soldiers, martyred in what is now St Maurice, but the pilgrimage is timetabled to be near the feast of the Uganda Martyrs, 3rd June.
So here we are, the gathered people of God, and we have responded to the invitation of Jesus to come and celebrate. Jesus has invited us.
Note that the first instruction in the Roman Missal says that the Entrance chant begins as the priest enters with the servers. I know there are some who prefer a ‘quiet Mass’, because they are not keen on singing. The purpose of this chant is to open the celebration, foster unity of all who are gathered, introduce their thoughts to the liturgical season and accompany the procession. The entrance Antiphon can be sung by a choir; or often a hymn is sung, based on a psalm. If there is no singing, the congregation is encouraged to recite the antiphon together.
It is important that singing should be an essential part of each celebration. We use what talent we have to praise and give thanks to God. Singing creates unity, brings about unity. St Augustine said: ‘Those who sing, pray twice.’ The first prayer is the words we use. The second prayer is the extra we add to those words when we express them in song.
When the priest reaches the altar, as a sign of reverence he kisses it. The Altar, says the General instruction of the Roman missal, ‘should occupy a place where it is truly the centre toward which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally turns.’ These rules are repeated in the Order of Dedication of a Church and an Altar; this ensures that newly-dedicated altars are freestanding, so that the priest may face the congregation (IV:8). The altar is known as the altar of the sacrifice of the cross and the table of thanksgiving. In our church we have retained the old High Altar, because of its artistic merit.
As the priest goes to the chair we have the Penitential Rite, which needs to be simple and brief. It is time to acknowledge our sinfulness. During the pause, one writer suggests that ‘we reflect in silence on our human condition and implore the divine mercy.’ This is different from celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation. The purpose of the Penitential Rite is to acknowledge our sins in order to enter the celebration with a humble spirit.
The blessing and sprinkling of water may replace the Penitential Act as a reminder of Baptism, and this is especially recommended for the Easter Season.
We then say, or sing, a song of praise that has been sung for over 1500 years: the Gloria. And after this ancient song of praise, the priest introduces the opening prayer, knows as The Collect. All of us, together with the priest, observe a brief silence so that we may be conscious of the fact that we are in God’s presence. The prayer expresses the character of the celebration. The text of the prayer is usually in four parts: an address to God by some title, an acknowledgement of God’s mighty deeds, a petition and a concluding formula.
In this third week of Easter, we pray:
“May your people exult for ever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.”
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