In recent days I have really noticed, in my slow return to work responsibilities, that so much can detract people from the actual invitation of Jesus to come to him. So often, the institution of church gets in the way. We have to spend so much energy on raising money to keep the church going; we fret where things are done a little differently to the script we cherish and find safety in; we find church tough because there are less of us, so sometimes we turn on one another and relationships become difficult. And yet, the church is built on faith, not rules, not numbers on seats, not how busy the building is and how much money we are bringing in. Jesus says to Peter at that moment when he shares his views on who he has been following, "on this rock, I will build my church" - a rock of faith, not a book of routine, rules or stress!
Tomorrow morning, I am taking two services for the first time since my return and will give communion to people for the first time since September. I have missed giving the people in my pastoral care communion. I believe it is the greatest privilege of ministry. As people come to the altar, Jesus allows them to remember his invitation, to start again, to find the reality of a new covenant, to go into the world renewed and wanting to do things differently - at least that's what he hopes will happen in people, I think!
I am using two readings which I share here. Today is the birthday of Albert Schweitzer, born in 1865, a missionary who set up a hospital and leper colony for the very poor in Africa and who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. I found a little prayer of his which is powerful:
"Here, Lord is my life. I place it on the altar today. Use my life as you will."
As we come to the altar, the table, we come to see again the grace of God and his love for us, despite who we are. We offer this God our lives and try to be better people as we receive of him. We come and see, and then we go and live.
I find strength in knowing I can always have this new start. I need to know I can receive this strength for life daily, especially when dealing with some things the church does when it gets sidetracked from the invitation!
We are also sharing these words tomorrow. In our new Methodist hymn collection "Singing the Faith" there is included this hymn by the New Zealand hymn writer, Shirley Murray. These words remind me of the quality of the invitation and the challenge of our response being worth something in return:
Because you came and sat beside us,
Because you came and heard us speak,
And we ignored you and we refused you,
We ask forgiveness, Jesus Christ.
Because you laughed and loved the child-like,
Because you lived from day to day,
And we love status and steady money,
We ask forgiveness, Jesus Christ.
Because our peace was your agenda,
Because you wept to see us war,
And we love power, and winning battles,
We ask forgiveness, Jesus Christ.
Because your cross compels an answer,
Because your love absorbs our sin,
And we are wounded because we wound you,
We ask forgiveness, Jesus Christ.
Because you came on Easter morning,
Because you come at Pentecost,
And in the Spirit, we are forgiven,
We live to praise you, Lord Jesus Christ!
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