This got me thinking about just how visual we are… and how much our opinions and judgments can be swayed by the appearance of people and things. In other talent shows this is very definitely the case. So much so that the Susan Boyle’s of the world are rarely “successful”, in a material sense, and, quite often the appearance of an artist who doesn’t fit our conventional views of visual perfection becomes the subject of ridicule. I have also sometimes been surprised when I have met, or seen images of, radio announcers, because their appearance doesn’t seem to match the image I had formed of them.

In our day to day world people are constantly in the process of making decisions based on the evidence gleaned via one or more of their senses. The way we appear may result in an upgraded seat on a plane – or convince a shop assistant that we might be worth serving. We, ourselves, may avoid people who look, sound or smell “unsavory” according to our particular standards.

The reality is, in the wisdom of God our Creator; we have been given the 5 senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell – with which to explore creation. Furthermore, we have been given the gifts of wisdom, reason, discernment, empathy, intuition, faith and love… empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In the Body of Christ, we also have the wisdom, creativity and understanding that each person brings to share, for the good of all. And, just as we need to use all of our senses and gifts, to make the most of our individual lives, so we need to share the giftedness of the whole community in order to become more Christ like and to spread the “good news”. I was reminded of this at Parish Council on Monday night.

For anyone who is despondent about the future of faith and the church… do not despair! When we “look” at the whole picture, using all the senses and gifts at our disposal, we have many reasons to sing God’s praises, and celebrate our community of faith!

Blessings

Reverend Shan

Speaking about Easter and the Resurrection he says “Easter raises an extra question, uncomfortable and unavoidable: perhaps ‘religion’ is more useful than the passing generation of gurus’ thought; but is it true?”

Oh, if only Pell had the eloquence and faith of Rowan Williams … for whom the answer was found, not in instant scientific analysis but in a longer measure of the effect of belief in the lives of believers: “How do we know that it is true? Not by some final knock-down would-be scientific proof, but by the way it works in us through the long story of a whole life and the longer story of the life of the community that believes it. We learn and assimilate its truth by the risk of living it; to those on the edge of it, looking respectfully and wistfully at what it might offer, we can only say, ‘you’ll learn nothing more by looking; at some point you have to decide whether you want to try to live with it and in it.’”

“And what’s the difference it makes? If God exists and is active, if his will and action truly raised Jesus from the dead, then what we think and do and achieve as human beings is not the only thing that the world’s future depends on. ”

Wow! The future of the world doesn’t depend on us!  Hope rests not on our shoulders… but on the shoulders of he who has already carried the weight of the world… And that one man has already proved himself trustworthy and capable of bearing the weight. Alleluia!

Christ is risen, Alleluia! He is risen Indeed, Alleluia!

Many Blessings

Reverend Shan

Another bearded bishop was mistaken for Santa Clause when, on Christmas morning a child whispered in his ear “Thank you for the presents”!

But the one that really got me thinking was this little gem, shared today by my friend Les, from Newcastle Diocese.

“When I walked into St XYZ’s this Thursday morning for Playtime, one of the 2 year olds said to me “Hello God.” I was so stunned that I didn’t even respond. Kid now thinks that “God” is a mystery who has no will or capacity to communicate.”

“Hello God!” Isn’t that priceless? I doubt that anyone would ever look at me and mistake me for God but it got me thinking about the image of God we present to our children… and the wider community. I was reminded of a different greeting sometimes used, in Christian gatherings, instead of the “Peace”.

Each person greets their neighbor by taking their hand, looking them in the eyes and saying, “I love the face of Christ I see in you.” It isn’t appropriate for all occasions and many people find the experience a little too confronting, BUT, we are ambassadors for Christ, and we are to be “as Christ” to those we meet.

Whatever you think of the practice, are you able to recognize the face of Christ in the person sitting to your right or left? Possibly of more importance, is whether or not they are able to recognize the face of Christ in you!

Jesus said, “Whatever you do to the least of my little ones, you do to me!” So, it seems to me that the more we are able to see Christ in others… and treat them as such… the more Christ like we ourselves will become!

During this Holy week, may all of our lives be a reflection of Christ.

Blessings

Rev Shan

In this week I have seen that sort of love shine brightly as members of our parish community worked together and ministered, one to another, in a number of contexts. This was especially so on Monday … and in the days immediately before, in the careful preparations for Andy Tame’s funeral. I was glad to be a member, with you all, of the body of Christ!

When an outsider or newcomer is witness to such compassionate and loving unity they are drawn to it, when they are included in that loving unity they long to remain within it… in much the same way that we are drawn to Christ when once we recognize the wonder of His unconditional love for us on the cross.

Equally, if newcomers and strangers witness disunity, grumbling, mischief making, deceit, back biting or any of these unloving behaviors … from a group of people purporting to follow Jesus … they are turned away.

Therefore, you and I have a huge responsibility, as ambassadors of Christ, to root out sin from our lives. During Lent we strive to remove any darkness and shadow, so that we may truly look like “love”… truly look like Christ … so that we might more truly reflect the light of Christ!

Oh… and just a little footnote to my challenge (at the beginning of Lent) to give up “negativity”. It is not being negative to comment on (or share) bad news, a sad story, a hurt or a concern. By giving up “negativity” I meant negative ways of thinking… i.e. “bad things always happen to me” or “there is no hope for the church!” Negativity stems from a heart without hope. Negativity causes people to give up trying and, inevitably reflects badly on our God. Ultimately… “Negativity” witnesses to a loss of faith in our God… in whom all things are possible!

Love and Blessings

Reverend Shan

The old Greek, Aristotle, once said, “Anyone can become angry that is easy, but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way this is difficult.” It is difficult. But anger can be a great motivating force in our lives. Sometimes that anger can be constructive. God has used angry people to cure some of the worst injustices and to solve some of the most perplexing problems this world has known. In today’s gospel reading we see an angry Jesus, and it is rather refreshing, since we are so used to thinking of Jesus as gentle, meek and mild as the old hymn describes him. Jesus saw wrong and injustice and he sort to put things to rights.

It seems anger is not the problem, so much as what we do with our anger!

Let us pray that God might give us wisdom, courage and clarity of thought that we might act according to His will, in regards to the election, and all matters that incite us to anger. Amen.

Blessings

Reverend Shan

Self Denial is about making a sacrifice that makes a difference, focusing on the Cross and reminding ourselves what Christ gave up for us. Rev. Craig Gates has a great list of suggestions. He says we should:

1. GIVE UP grumbling! Instead, “In everything give thanks.” Constructive criticism is OK, but “moaning, groaning, and complaining” are not Christian disciplines.
2. GIVE UP 10 to 15 minutes in bed! Instead, use that time in prayer, Bible study and personal devotion. A few minutes in prayer WILL keep you focused.
3. GIVE UP looking at other people’s worst attributes. Instead concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. It is a lot easier to have people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook theirs first.
4. Give up Grieving the past. Instead, make plans for the future – even if it is only for the next hour or week. To plan and dream is to hold on to hope!
5. GIVE UP speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting or to offer a smile. Why not check that sharp tongue at the door?
6. GIVE UP your hatred of anyone or anything! Instead, learn the discipline of love. “Love covers a multitude of sins.”
7. GIVE UP your worries and anxieties! They’re too heavy for you to carry anyway. Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about: like tomorrow! Live today and let God’s grace be sufficient.
8. GIVE UP TV one evening a week! Instead, visit someone who’s lonely or sick. There are those who are isolated by illness or age. Why isolate yourself in front of the “tube?” Give someone a precious gift: your time!
9. GIVE UP buying anything but essentials for yourself! Instead, give the money to God. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs. We’re called to be stewards of God’s riches, not consumers.

10. GIVE UP judging others by appearances and by the standard of the world! Instead, learn to give up yourself to God. There is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ.

May lent be a time of refreshment and renewal.

Love and Blessings

Reverend Shan

Most of us have been through enough “Lents” to know that complete transformation rarely occurs, although we are aware that with God all things are possible! Never the less, whether we are able to achieve a complete transformation, or not, Lent is an opportunity for repair work in a specific area of our life that might need reconstruction.

Maybe you have doubts about faith or questions about church traditions and practices. Lent is a time to resolve the doubts and get some straight answers.

Maybe you have been carrying personal wounds that have been eating away at you. Lent is a time to find ways to let the healing begin!

Maybe your spiritual life is stuck in neutral and you want to be able to pray as easily and spontaneously as Jesus did. Lent is a time to really begin to experience prayer.

Each of us has some part of life that needs a lift and a little remodeling. It is less a time for pain and punishment than it is a time for healing.

Nobody is exempt, this is the leveling significance of the smear of ashes: beneath all of our differences, we all need renewal.

By making a conscious effort to come into the presence of God, in prayer and quiet contemplation, by setting aside time to read the bible and share with other Christians, we open ourselves to the healing power of God… so may you know His transforming presence through your Lenten “discipline”.

Love and Blessings

Reverend Shan.