May the words that I speak be both spoken and received in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Recently, I went out into my garden and I saw a large spider’s web hanging between a tree and a neighbouring honeysuckle, which happened to stretch across the footpath. I saw the spider just making the finishing touches to its work of art, or cunning trap, depending on one’s point of view. Which before long would provide it next meal.
The spider’s web reminded me of the idea that our Christian faith is interconnected, and held together in some ways like a spider’s web. Each strand representing the strand of a person’s faith. On its own a strand would not be sufficient and would seem to be out of place; it is not meant to be on its own.
But when brought together with other strands of faith and weaved into the fellowship of the church: ‘The Body of Christ’, then a person’s faith not only becomes stronger, but each person will have a place, a purpose and a function in a family, which is the Lord’s family. Each person will receive gifts of the Spirit, which are to be used to build up the church by worshipping together and by supporting and encouraging each other. Christ has called each one of us into his family, for which he gave his life.
Our common purpose is to proclaim and live out the gospel, which reveals the love of God for all his people and the saving power of his son Jesus Christ. The church witnesses to this by simply being where it is and by each one of us witnessing to Christ by the lives we lead, and by the faith we reveal to other people.
We are called to love God and to love other people. To love God involves putting one’s complete trust in him and in his son Jesus Christ. We are guided and inspired by the gospel, worship and through receiving the Holy sacraments. We are strengthened in faith and commissioned to serve Christ in fellowship. This is achieved by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
One of the characteristics of the early Christians which was noted by their enemies, was their love for one another. This love was a vital principle in their lives, grounded in their faith in Christ. As St. John puts it: ‘We love because he first loved us’. Their love was, and our love must be, a true reflection of Christ’s love. Christian love should be, and often is the means of leading other people to the redeeming, saving and uplifting love of Christ.
In some ways we are set apart, a light to other people in a needy world. A world that can lose its spiritual values, and that can at times be preoccupied with materialism and selfishness, oblivious to the ways of God. Light is a favourite symbol of the new life of the Risen Christ, that new life to which we are called. Christ himself said: “I am the Light of the world”. We receive the Light of Christ and it is our responsibility to pass it on to others. According to the old saying: “Christianity is caught, not taught”.
The fellowship which we share in Church is based on our common belief in Christ; on our individual and mutual response to Christ; of our faith in the Gospel and on our dependence on the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
Today is the Festival of Feast Day of St. Bartholomew. Virtually all that is known of Bartholomew is that he was one of the 12 apostles ‘called’ by Christ. He remained a loyal disciple and seems to have kept a low but important profile. The name Bartholomew means ‘Son of Tolomai’ and there is some speculation that because in John’s gospel Jesus says that: “He is a true Israelite in whom there is nothing false”, but calls him Nathaniel. John claims that he came from Cana. Many modern scholars believe that Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person!
In today’s gospel reading certain disciples are having a discussion about who is the greatest of them. Jesus tells them that the greatest is the one who serves. Jesus says that he came to serve and so we ought to follow his example. Bartholomew fits well into this concept of quietly going about in service as we should.
Jesus also says that the Jews wanted signs, whereas the Greeks chose wisdom. We are ‘called’ by Christ into the family of the church by faith and with a vocation of service. Christ says, remain in me and I will remain in you. In order to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit we must by faith remain in Christ. We should then experience inner peace and spiritual joy through receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promised to his disciples this spiritual joy, which he experienced. And like the peace that Jesus promised to give them, this joy would remain with them, even during trials and persecutions. The Holy Spirit gives to believers two main kinds of blessing, or gifts.
Firstly, the Holy Spirit causes his own fruit to grow within us, namely: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. These fruits are revealed in the lives of christians.
The second main kinds of blessings from the Holy Spirit are the special gifts of the Spirit. These gifts of vocation are given to chosen christians at particular times. One person may be a teacher, another perhaps and administrator. Each Christian has been given his, or her own service, that is work or responsibility. But these different kinds of services or vocations are all done for Christ. They are given for the common good, the upbuilding and fellowship of the Church.
As we worship and witness together, we will be blessed by God and given the gifts and fruits of his Holy Spirit, in order to strengthen and sustain his church in its mission, to the glory of God, and for the sake of his son our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St Peter's Church 