Readings: Psalm 84:1-4; John 6:60-69
One of the themes we can track within the gospels – and a theme present in this morning’s reading – is that of misunderstanding what Jesus was on about. Often labelled as groups of people – there are the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Scribes, the Jews, the disciples, even the inner Twelve – all at one time or another, listening to Jesus’ message and somehow getting it wrong. The Gospel writers seem fairly clear that not everyone got it; not everyone stayed the distance; many turned away. I imagine that must have been very frustrating for Jesus! And it’s a timely reminder to ourselves that all these centuries later, we too might get it wrong; that our eyes and hearts might also be missing the extent of Jesus’ good news. Part of this faith journey is about exploring, about finding the song to sing when we can’t even be absolutely sure of the score. For those of us, who want things secure and all cut and dried, that’s very unsettling and we might wonder why we would stay. The disturbing nature of Jesus’ message might have us wanting to join the “many of his disciples” who, John tells us, “turned back and no longer went about with him.”
For us, in a very different context from 1st century Palestine, and many centuries later, as we see church pews emptying, church buildings crumbling and strong congregations faltering, we might hear echoes of Jesus’ question addressed to us “Do you also wish to go away?” As the challenges grow, without a corresponding growth in numbers, we might wonder, what keeps us from joining the crowds who drift and fall away? Are we only kept here by habit?
Peter’s answer to Jesus in this regard, is interesting. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" And Peter replied "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Over the centuries, some have chosen to interpret this concept of eternal life as something waiting for us (i.e. only for those who are ‘good’ – there’s an alternative for those who might be ‘bad’) and it’s all to be found in some future time and space after death. But for most of us today, such an interpretation is both unhelpful and misleading. For, in a careful reading of the gospels, we find Jesus’ teaching is deeply grounded in the reality of everyday life – in kitchens and gardens, in business deals and law courts, in partying and poverty. Yes, he does talk about the future – about the coming of God’s reign, God’s kindom; but this is not about some future life waiting for us in a place called heaven. Jesus’ teaching of eternal life, of God’s kindom, is held within a hopeful future, but also embedded within the immediate present. This language of eternal life is about right now – it “is a metaphor for living now in the unending presence of God.”[1]
Somehow, even with all his lack of sophistication and his personal failings, Peter had glimpsed something: Jesus’ words opened a door on this ‘eternal life’; they provided a song to sing, a way of full flourishing living within the unending presence of God. Do we share Peter’s motivation, asking “but where else would we go?” Are we here today, holding Peter’s conviction, knowing a way of living which works for the whole of life, singing “a song of faith that sings forever”? Do we sing in confidence that “nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God” that is, in times when things are plain sailing, as well as when things are really tough? Have we joined Christ’s ‘changed direction’ way of living, where we take our part in seeking the well-being of all people, all creatures, planet Earth and the whole cosmos? If that’s where we are, the option of turning our backs and walking away from such meaningful living isn’t even a real alternative. Who would give up on that kind of fullness?
And yet, the reality of lives is a little more complex...
Spiritual guide, John Shea tells of his experience at a retreat once, when a woman described the problem in her life: “I’m tired of being an apple giver”, she complained. She had three children under the age of five. They were always at her: “Mummy, I want an apple; Mummy, please tie my shoes; Mummy where is my jacket? Never ending.... She was sick of it. There was plenty of response from others in the group. Many had been there before her; there was no shortage of advice: day care, a job, more husband-father involvement etc. In the midst of these suggestions, another voice was suddenly heard. An older woman spoke up, “Honey, you’ve got to learn to sing.” She went on to explain that the changes being suggested by her well meaning friends were not going to provide lasting help – they might provide short-term escapes, but tinkering with the outer world was no substitute for inner change. Somehow, this older woman was suggesting – she had to learn to see in a different way – to find the song in the depths of her being – where the apple-giving could become a meaning-filled relationship between her and her child.[2]
We have recently been invited to reflect deeply on our life together through a parish self-review – providing us with an opportunity to think about our apple-giving moments and perhaps to find a new song to sing together as we nurture each other in abundant and flourishing life. Last year many of us filled in a church life survey; earlier this year at a congregational forum, Kevin Ward gave us some pointers about what our responses to that survey says about our life together at Knox. More recently, we’ve been asked to think more deeply (and I do recognise that takes a lot of time) to respond to a self-review that will assist us into the future. There hasn’t been a huge response to that questionnaire so far. I’m hoping there might be a flood of replies in this coming final week of opportunity.
As one who, because of her calling, will – in due time – be leaving this community, I want to tell you that I believe we are learning to sing. Jesus’ song of flourishing life is evident here in the people of Knox Church. I see it in the laughter, love and delight which helps negotiate the tougher decision-making moments in Council and Deacons’ Court. I see it in the faithful mission and justice commitment of many – and particularly some of our oldest members. It’s there in the compassionate listening and holding as we stand alongside each other in our grief and celebration. It can be seen in “Rendez-vous” as our young adults wrestle with ideas of how to be non-violent in a violent society; how to live with integrity in a sexually-open culture. It’s expressed in the beauty of architecture and magnificent music offered within this amazing historic building. Particularly, I see very clearly, this song of living fully and abundantly now in the unending presence of God, within the children and younger members of this community. In Sunday School, Youth Group and Choir, in Story time in worship and at their monthly Picnic@Knox programme, our younger ones are taken to places, which expand their understanding of life, in ways they are unlikely to experience anywhere else. They are drawn into concepts of love, companionship, beauty and wonder which enlarge and develop their present knowledge and experience; they are taught to believe and trust in the mystery and the “more” of life. In this world of individual choice, they come to church because they want to – they are eager to sing the song, to share in the life of a community centred on Love and fullness of Life for all. Here, they become part of a story which is big enough to carry them through the complexities of life and to enable them to join others in this journey. They have much to teach and show us – helping us to catch the echo of what Peter saw in Jesus with such clarity. Together, we are learning God’s song. Isn’t that why we are here? Where else could we go? In Christ we have found the words of eternal life.
[1] “’Eternal life’ does not speak of immorality or a future life in heaven, but is a metaphor for living now in the unending presence of God.” Gail R. O’Day, “The Gospel according to John”, The New Interpreter’s Study Bible (2003) p.1919.
[2] John Shea The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers, 2005 p.197-8
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