Unity in Faith and Charity
PROPER 18 – Year B – 2015 – Trinity 14
“The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD is the maker of them all.” Proverbs 22.2
As you look around the Church, you will see remembered in the windows and in the tablets on the walls a wide range of people who in the past have been part and parcel of the life of this Parish. But all of them, be they the Earl, the barrister, the shopkeeper, the servant, the fisherman, all will have knelt at the same communion rail, taken hold of this cup, remembering the Christ that died that each should live. This is why I have always valued the practice in the Church of Ireland of drinking from a common cup, kneeling side by side at the communion rail. It underlines that fundamental unity expressed in our reading from the Book Proverbs: “The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD is the maker of them all.” Proverbs 22.2
That unity in which Earl and fisherman come to drink from this cup runs deeper than that. It is a unity arising from a common faith, a common allegiance to Christ. St Paul, in writing to the Galatians reminded them: “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:27-28
The Old Testament talks of another common identity that spans all races, cultures and time as it speaks of an understanding of man not just made by God, but made in the image of God. The Jewish people have always had a very strong sense of their identity, of who they are before God, of their particular place in salvation history. Nevertheless, the Old Testament Scriptures speak of obligations to those on the outside, to the poor and the alien, recalling their own experience as a people of slavery and alienation.
In Leviticus we read: “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” Lev 19:33-34
In Deuteronomy, there is an obligation of practical care, a sharing of resources: “When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, do not glean what is left; it shall be for the alien, the orphan, and the widow. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this.” Deut 24:21-22
For the last few years we have watched the unfolding conflicts in Syria, Libya and Northern Iraq with the emergence of the so-called Islamic State. With this we have seen a growing number of refugees flowing into neighbouring countries. And now the problem moves closer to home as refugees have moved out beyond Italy and Greece in what is becoming one of the largest movements of population since the Second World War.
What are we to do? The initial reaction may be to throw up our hands and say this problem is too big for us, but can we in all integrity do this? What would it say about us as a people? This is where I find the injunction in Leviticus very pertinent. “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
Our Christian heritage, our own national experience of exile have all contributed to who we are as a nation, to our values as a people. What are these values that we bring to our response to the current crisis facing us? I think, first of all, there is a recognition of fundamental human dignity. Then there is a God-given responsibility to respond to those in need.
What can you or I do? Part of the solution to this current crisis will be in lots of small pieces coming together. Maybe as refugees arrive, there will be opportunities to reach out in simple acts of charity and hospitality. Let us begin to think imaginatively of ways in which we could engage either as a community or in partnership with other churches as a practical expression of our commitment to the Christian values that are a part of who we are.
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” As we kneel at the rails to drink of the cup, let us ponder on how we can serve the Christ we meet in bread and wine in the pain and turmoil of this world.
Prayers for the Refugee Crisis in Europe and the Middle East
Lord Jesus, as a child, you fled from persecution; You have lived the fear, desperation, hunger, cold, and isolation that being a refugee brings. Bring comfort and peace of heart, Lord, to all those risking their lives to seek safety, Protect and guide their journeys, Lord. “Faith, hope and charity, but the greatest of these is charity.” Father, bless those who see the plight of refugees, and who are meeting those needs. For those who are exhausted, give them renewed strength; For those who feel overwhelmed, give them courage; For those who feel fearful, we pray for peace and compassion.
Lord, we want to hear your voice again, Guide us as we, as Mothers’ Union, reach out in your name to refugees both in Europe and the Middle East and those affected by conflict in South Sudan and Burundi, in Thailand and many other areas across the world. Bless the work of Mothers’ Union, And lead us, Lord, to fully play our part.
We thank God that our countries our blessed with resources. We uphold in prayer the governments across Europe and the Middle East, asking for wisdom for leaders to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. Father God, you are our place of refuge and safety, We pray for you to help us at this time of need. Give us compassion combined with wisdom to meet need with the right resources. May our practical action be rooted in your love as we reach out as the hands of Christ. Amen.