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.
If we ask the question, “What is our vision for the church in Burnley?” We could say that the churches should endeavour to find ways in which christian communities can enter into dialogue with their neighbours of different faiths and ideologies. This then enables a way of living out the christian faith in relationship and commitment to those neighbours with whom christians share towns, cities, countryside and nations. We are called by God to live in peace and harmony together.
If we think about today’s gospel reading which is the parable of the “Good Samaritan”, the lawyer addresses Jesus with the question: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asks him what is written in the Law and the answer is given: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbours as yourself.”
The lawyer quotes the Old Testament, for to love your neighbours was not a new idea that Jesus was stating. It was set out as an ancient law in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. But importantly, this limited the deeds and mercy to fellow Jews only! So when asking Jesus “Who is my neighbour?”, perhaps he hoped to trick Jesus on a point of law.
Jesus’s story involves a Jew travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho and who has been attacked, robbed and left for dead. Then ironically helped by an enemy, a Samaritan. The Samaritan and Jews were arch enemies who despised each other.
A priest comes along, of all people, who does not help the man. To touch a dead man, or to be tainted by blood would make the priest unclean as far as ritually serving God was concerned. So he dashes off, possibly praying for the victim’s soul.
The next person to come along is a Levite who passed by on the other side of the road, careful not to break tradition by associating himself with the injured man. Finally the Samaritan comes by and has pity on the Jews. He looks after him in a very commendable way. The Samaritan ran a terrible risk of being attacked and robbed himself, so he displayed immense courage as well as compassion.
The crowd which had gathered round Jesus to hear this story would have been amazed at the teaching probably more so than us, because the Samaritan had also to overcome racial prejudice. The smooth-talking, tricky, lawyer must have swallowed hard when Jesus told him to, “Go and do likewise”. He would have to love his enemies, and to care for all people, despite their colour, creed, or faith and this was not easy for him. Neither has it been easy for countless millions of other people up to our time.
Violence still erupts between various ethnic groups, or so-called followers of various religions. But all people are called by God to love each other, to show mercy and compassion. This teaching of Jesus is a clear and explicit one.
We need to remember that God is not a God of religion, being contained in religious circles and religious practices. He is not just to be found in religious institutions and constrained within theological concepts and liturgy. God works, moves and expresses himself in secular society and in total creation. In all that is made by him. His presence is inescapable and his creativity is universal.
God is found wherever justice is soughg and given; where truth abounds; goodness achieved; where peace is; and where love is shared. He supports the suffering and the oppressed. God is the creator and sustainer of all life. The task of the church then, is to proclaim the Gospel, and to show Christ’s relevance and saving power in our present time.
The love of God is revealed in Christ. The failure of society to comprehend this leads to basic disorder and loss of true and worthwhile values in life to live for. The health and well-being of a society will be directly related to its relationship with God. A society that is ungodly will not flourish. The gospel to be proclaimed recognises both the interrelatedness of all humanity and also the corporateness of human society, which is as much in need of redemption and liberation as is the individual person. It is a proper christian response therefore to engage with the political system which shapes our society. People develop and grow as part of a community. And our uniqueness lies in the relationship we have with God. Each one of us is personally responsible for his, or her, responsiveness to God and for one’s rejection of God.
We are personally responsible for the sins we commit and for the relationships we violate; the injustice we carry out and the lack of compassion we show. But there is a corporate responsibility for justice, fairness, peace and right relationships. Salvation in Christ involves carrying the message of reconciliation into areas of the community which are torn apart, and opening up the possibility of repentance and forgiveness.
It means moving from the knowledge of personal peace and restoration in relation to God, to pleading the cause of the disadvantaged, the victim of unfairness, greed, or exploitation. There should be a strong witness against social injustice. It is part of our response to God to help create conditions where others in the community can experience care and well-being.
Just as we are called to be stewards of the earth and its resources, so we are called to encourage and support each other. Our calling is to neighbourliness, to love, to compassion and mutual care.
The relevance of the christian church is that is serves as a place and occasion where God in Christ is known, worshipped, served and obeyed. God does indeed work to accomplish his will, often through secular agencies such as the Medical Profession, Security Forces, Courts of Law, and various bodies with powers of authority such as Government.
But the Church, which is a sacred and mystical body – ‘The Body of Christ’ – needs to make known to the secular world, the knowledge and love of God revealed in Christ. The good health of a community is very likely to improve when people work and live together for a common purpose and that purpose is revealed in the Gospel.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St Peter's Church 