7th Sunday of Easter Acts 1: 6-14 John 17: 1-11New discoveries are being made quite frequently. Depending on what they are they will hit the headlines in the newspapers or in the news bulletins. Astronomy is a great interest of mine and I read in the scientific press of new discoveries being made by the James Webb Telescope launched into space recently almost daily. Photographs are being taken of previously unknown space objects. Similarly, explorers venture into unexplored regions of our planet and discover insects previously unknown, vegetation again previously unknown. In all of these discoveries it is not so much that the item is ‘new’ but ‘unknown’. It was always there, just not known to us.Let us look at the Church and new discoveries waiting to be found. In fact there are probably none because they are already there, just waiting to be used. In the early days of Palestine the people of that land believed that they were special. They thought that they were God’s chosen people and that because of this they had special privileges and that world-wide dominion would be theirs. Palestine was a small country only 120 miles long by 40 miles wide. They were regularly occupied by neighbouring countries and so looked forward to times when they would have their own sovereignty. God’s kingdom on earth was seen very much in political terms.But Jesus looked at things in a different way. In his eyes the kingdom would be founded on love and not power. Jesus looked at Palestine as a society here on earth where God’s will would be as perfectly done as it is in heaven. The first lines of the Lord’s Prayer amplify this completely as the words, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” testify.In order to achieve the power to become a major country the people would need help. That help would come in the form of the Holy Spirit. It would make them Christian witnesses allowing them to work in ever-increasing circles, firstly in Jerusalem then throughout Judea, the semi-Jewish states and then, as a bridge, out into the heathen world. But there was a problem. They were waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit.Back to the times of my discoveries. In almost every case the item being discovered existed before we had come across its very being. Luke, in his Gospel, spoke of waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. It would be wrong for us to think that the Holy Spirit had not yet existed. It had always been but it is only at certain times that we have used it consciously. God is eternally Father, Son and Holy Spirit, always has been and always will be. It is up to us to ‘discover’ him in our lives. There has been much discussion about atomic power and the building of Atomic Power Stations to help with the world’s energy crisis. However, we did not invent atomic power. It was always there but it is only in our times that we have started to tap into it. So it is with the Holy Spirit. It is the power of God at our side waiting to be called upon. Calling upon the Holy Spirit makes us Christian Witnesses as we utilise the power that the Holy Spirit gives us.To be a witness we are proclaiming that what we say is true. In the courts of law we cannot stand and say that “so-and-so says that ……..”. What we testify must be through our own personal experience. We say, “I know”, not “I think so”. This what faced the Palestinians. About them were nations who had their own ideas with the Jews thinking that their religion was best, the Mohammedans thinking theirs was best. What is Christianity was a think-so too? As I mentioned a few lines ago, We say, “I know”, not “I think so”. A Christian says that they know God and that God knows them. They become witnesses to God’s presence. In Greek the work for witness and the word for martyr is the same. To be a witness is the same as being ready to be a martyr, loyal no matter the cost. The Holy Spirit is there always, not just waiting to be discovered. “They shall call on my name, and I will hear them”.Collect for the Seventh Sunday after Easter.O God the King of glory,you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christwith great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen usand exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.
Acts 17.22-31 John 14.15-21In the days before it was chips with everything, and here I mean microchips and not those found covered in salt and vinegar with a nice piece of fish or a pie (with mushy peas), much of our information, our learning, and things that we considered important, were all committed to paper. We have now found ourselves moving more and more into a paperless society. Information is being placed onto computers full of microchips. We are all guilty of this as so many of us walk around with mobile phones with diaries an integral part of their make-up. The paper diary is becoming obsolete except for those of us stuck in the age of pencil and rubber.Our diaries, paper or electronic, can play an important role in developing our relationship with God. In any relationship there are a minimum of two sides, and for the relationship to work both sides must be ready to listen. In comes the diary. Making a daily space in our schedule for God is opening up a relationship with him. God will not force himself into our lives, into our hearts. He will not impose himself upon us. Instead, he will wait patiently at our side. Then, when we open up our channel of communication, we are immediately at one with God. A direct line between the two of us allows for God to be received into our hearts. Through the Holy Spirit God will act within us and achieve wonderful things. Soon we shall learn of the gifts that the Holy Spirit can pour upon us.The promise of those gifts surely is incentive enough to set time aside for God. We live in a world which is so full of the hustle and bustle of modern living. To find time to slip in any task quite often would involve a drastic cutting and paring in a day’s entries. To do so on a day-by-day basis would possibly lead to an occasional gap as the required time just cannot be found. Far better to make a recurring entry and build the day around and upon God.What are the advantages of spending this time especially set aside for God? Is curtailing time spent at a meeting worth the time expense? What we are looking at here is the Holy Spirit given gifts which are ours to use for the benefit of others. Spending time with God strengthens these gifts and makes us more acceptable in any particular situation. If it is eloquence that we are given then, when used to bring about the glory of God, the circumstances in which we find ourselves will be the more pleasing and in line with the teachings given to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. And there are many other circumstances likewise in which God can be seen at work within us.Finding that time. It is not always easy. The demands made upon us are great. We can barely find the time to go to bed and relax in sleep. Then, the next day we are up early and rushing off to start the next round of appointments and meetings that cram that page in the infamous dairy.At first difficult. As time passes, day after day, a routine will become apparent. It may only allow for a few moments, but those few moments of peace will become so valuable as you realise that during that time you receive a burst of spiritual energy that will recharge you for the rest of what the day will bring. Then, week by week, that moment of time will increase to the point that it becomes the important entry in your diary.As we find written in John’s Gospel reading for today, “But you know him because he remains among you and will be within you." This can only happen when we make the time to get to know God. That knowledge is achieved through spending time with God, coming to peace with him, shutting out the noise and clamour of the world charging through time and space.CollectGod our redeemer,you have delivered us from the power of darknessand brought us into the kingdom of your Son:grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.
Kings’ CoronationI am reminded of a saying, “You can please some people all of the time or please all people some of the time”. Looking at the prayer that the King spoke out loud at his Coronation service he is setting himself some high standards.To be a blessing to all God’s children leaves no-one out. We are all included. The King is asking God that he may be a blessing, someone that people may recognise and feel associated with. He is asking God that he may recognise those talents that have been given to him so that they be used for the benefit of others.King Charles, like all of us, has been bestowed from God, with various gifts and abilities. Perhaps we are especially gifted in the ability to speak kind words to others when the need arises. On the other hand, we may find it within ourselves that we are especially good at volunteering, doing good works within the community. There are many ways in which we can do good ranging from a general sharing of things to giving food, from sharing with others some of your Christian love of God, to praying for someone in need. All are gifts and all are given by God in one way or another.It is all well and good having these gifts if we do not use them to good effect. In general terms we pray that we may use these gifts for the benefit of others. King Charles expands upon this by praying that the gifts given to him may be used to discover ways of gentleness and the path of peace.Peace is something that most people pray for. About us we hear of unrest and fighting within countries and between countries. We regularly pray that the leaders of these countries will come together and discuss a way forward in peace bringing an end to fighting, to loss of life, to a loss of all that people hold dear. But it is not just fighting in the arenas of war but also the unrest and dispute within industry and commerce. Time and time again various groups withhold their labour in an argument about salary, wages and conditions of work. As with a conventional war many people on the fringes are affected by this withdrawal of work. Plans have to be cancelled; arrangements made to cater for that which had been planned for and is now no longer being available.Way back in time the King would ride his horse and lead his troops into battle to fight to bring about peace. No longer do we expect King Charles to climb upon the back of his trusty steed and to be seen riding off into the sunset waving his sword crying, “Peace for God and King”. Instead, his works of peace can be seen in the visits that he makes, and the contact with people in different locations.In his prayer King Charles acknowledges that the role that is being conferred upon him is to be a leader to God’s children of every faith and conviction. No one is excluded. Black or white, a supporter of the royal family or not. The King is praying that he may be a blessing to all. All of those gifts that I have mentioned, and plenty more besides, he is praying that he will have at his elbow to bring forward and use as needs describe. There is no discrimination as to whom or where. He is praying that we may all work together in a common cause.Here is the key. The King is not on a lone mission riding off into the sunset. He has us with him too. It is a joint venture. As he prayed he asked that “We may together” be working as one. And in all of this we do it in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.Collect for the 5th Sunday of EasterAlmighty God,who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christhave overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires,so by your continual helpwe may bring them to good effect;through Jesus Christ our risen Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.
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