Almost daily we are learning more about creation and as we
have our eyes, ears, minds and hearts open to the possibilities, we can be
continually in awe of the implications of God’s love in every small detail of
what we observe. We cannot help but worship the Creator.
What a tremendous privilege it is to be living at this time
when new methods of communication allow us to be privy to the wonderings of
others. We owe a great debt to the likes of David Attenborough and National
Geographic. We can be fed daily on a diet of TV and radio shows that amaze us
with new information about everything from nano to light year size. The glory
of the Lord that the heavens now reveal to us is vastly more that the people of
the time of David could have ever imagined.
The writer of Psalm 19 which is set for today knew and
showed, by what he wrote, that worshipping God was about contemplating
creation. What things would you select to include if you were to rewrite this
Psalm today? What is most awesome of the things you have learnt recently? Today
on the radio they have been talking about the malaria parasites which are
animals that behave more like vegetables
and so they are looking at herbicides that might possible kill them.
Jesus had every right to be angry with the traders in the
temple. In selling animals and bids for sacrifices, they were showing that they
had not grown up in their understanding of God. They wanted to stay with the
childish practices of sacrifices. Several of the prophets had tried to tell
them God hated their sacrifices. What God wanted was for them to act with
justice and mercy. They were inclined to worship the temple. It had become for
them and idol. They were also exploiting the poor by charging exorbitant prices
for the animals.
May we be brave as Jesus was in the stand he
took in the Temple against corruption. May we dare to practice situation ethics
when deciding right behaviour and not be bound by unjust laws. May we be brave in
reclaiming the word “Holy”. May we reclaim the Sabbath day of rest to have time
to smell the roses. It is a wonderful gift from God for us. REv Julianne Parker (see sermons page for full sermon)
No comments:
Post a Comment