In the Gospel reading, we heard Jesus say that unless a
grain of wheat falls to the earth it remains a single grain, but if it dies, it
bears much fruit. This could be another way of expressing the idea that the
primary goal for Christians is not their own comfort and advancement but to do
everything possible to encourage others to life in all its fullness. We know
that the seed falling to the ground does not die. In fact, if it did die, it
would produce little except a minute amount of nutrients for another plant.
What happens when the seed falls to the ground is that it comes in contact with
the ground of all being which enables all the hidden potential of the seed to
be released and to flourish.
Christians for the main have aspired to move away from
earthiness rather than towards it. Why has the Church thought that grand
buildings were what brought glory to God? Does a great cathedral, which was
built at the cost of many lives both in the actual building and in the cost it
was to the poor people of the district show more of God’s glory than a single
sprouting seed? It depends on how you see glory. Do we see the glory of God’s
humble goodness or is it the power and wealth of Empires we see? Such buildings
show how clever humans are rather than the glory of God..
Being prepared to lay down our lives is about acting humbly
rather than showing how great we are. The world by now might be quite different
if the Church had remained an example of the humility of God rather than its
idea of the glory of God? If we had taken note of what God told Moses about the
glory of God being goodness, if we had heard the prophets telling us that God
hated the way the people worshiped and that what God wanted was justice, mercy
and humility, the whole world might be different.
God has made a new covenant with us and put God’s law with
in us. God has given us many gifts, fruit and abilities to enable us to become
more Christlike. We have the responsibility to trust these are sufficient for us to behave
as Jesus behaved and calls us to do.
Rev Julianne Parker
(for full sermon see sermons page)
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