... Jesus became the problem solver for our guilt and fear
instead of the blueprint for what God has been doing all the time and
everywhere. The Epistle reading [Ephesians 1:3-14] tells us that God chose us
in Christ before the foundation of the world. Most Christians are familiar with
the image [John 15] of Jesus as the vine in which he names us as the branches.
A vine is not a vine without branches so Jesus was saying we formed part of
him. In the same way, we have the image of Christ as the head and us forming
the body of Christ [ Colossians 1:18].
This understanding says we are each one of us, part of
Christ and have been since the beginning of time. This simply does not fit with
the idea that Christ is in some distant heaven, separated from us, until such
time as he decides to return. This
understanding was held by St Francis of Assisi. He believed that every part of
creation was part of Christ. That is why he treated animals with such respect.
A common image we have of people in prayer is with their hand raised towards
heaven. The statues of Francis show his hands turned towards the earth. What
difference would it make to our respect for creation if we all understood all
creation to be divine, part of God in Christ?
May we be open to hearing what others say from their
relationship with Christ and willing to ponder/contemplate our thoughts and
feelings as we seek to know Christ and to serve him.
Rev Julianne Parker
(for full sermon see sermons page)
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