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Homilies by Rev. Andrew Collis unless indicated otherwise.
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Ordinary Sunday 14, Year A
South Sydney Uniting Church
July 9, 2017
Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30
‘The Heart's Language’
Firstly I would like to look at the bones of this passage, and its movement. There are three turns within it that will be very important for us. Before we come to this text, Jesus has praised the work of John the Baptist and expressed disappointment, to put it lightly, that no one truly appreciated his work and understood his message. When Jesus asks, “But to what will I compare this generation?” he quickly replies by comparing them to children who are debating about what game to play. Because they cannot agree, they decide not to play at all! The people just can’t be pleased. John didn’t touch a drop, ate very sustainably, and lead an austere life in the wilderness. The people condemned him. Jesus drank at the people’s tables, celebrated with them their luxurious weddings, and appreciated the blessing of good food. And the people condemned and criticized him as well. Rather picky don’t you think? Jesus is riled up about this and he disperses “woe to you” quiet generously here. But then there is a turn. Jesus begins to pray to his Father.
In this turn away from commendation, Jesus gives thanks that his word has been heard, by some. He gives thanks that it has been revealed to “infants” and not to the wise and intelligent, as is expected.
The third turn: An Invitation. To those who have heard. And a promise that although following him requires sacrifice and sometimes pain, the burden of the way of life that Jesus is offering, brings unparalleled freedom. Jesus has observed and is calling out the strict religious laws under which people suffer. These laws encode who is acceptable and not acceptable, who is clean and unclean, who qualifies as okay with God and normal in society. He invites us then to a different way. And instead of offering his listeners a set of rules that they must accept blindly, he invites them to listen and learn.
There is the Law and then there is the Language of the Heart.
So again we acknowledge the turns and the steps of this dance.
Indictment and Grief
Turns to prayer
Turns to Invitation
In the past week we celebrated NAIDOC, and in particular the power and importance of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander languages. Once numbering in the many of hundreds, there are now around 120 known and actively spoken languages and dialects, but they are in danger of being lost.
National NAIDOC Committee Co-
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages are not just a means of communication, they express knowledge about everything: law, geography, history, family and human relationships, philosophy, religion, anatomy, childcare, health, caring for country, astronomy, biology and food.
“Each language is associated with an area of land and has a deep spiritual significance and it is through their own languages, that Indigenous nations maintain their connection with their ancestors, land and law,”
I had the privilege this week of visiting the Uniting Community Services in Dubbo, in my role as Chaplain for Uniting. In each of the different services, whether it was out of home care or a fostering program, we met people who were embedded in the community doing the hard work of rehabilitating families and the complex social issues that divide them. We met with people who are doing this work even when similar issues, the same burdens of pain, trouble their lives and spirits.
I was most struck by a program called “Bringing Them Home”. As a foreigner in this land, I learned this history of the stolen generations, and this programs intention to give counseling and healing to the families and individuals affected by the loss of family members and the deep trauma of the Australian government’ policies towards Aboriginal people. Part of the work consists in tracing family lines and brining family members back together. Another part is in facilitating healing days that bring people back to specific sites of trauma, or perhaps just out on country-
In the gospel Jesus is telling us how important it is to not listen to the law, in order that his language (the language of unruly justice and courageous compassion) be understood. The wise men, the lawmakers, the powerful suits – are missing the point, or I like to think that they just need a translation.
I think of this as many work and wait for the proper recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Straight islanders in the constitution. Many in this community have pointed out how the language in this founding document is not only not inclusive, but it subtly enforces a violence hundreds of years old. When the law of the land is a burden upon the people, Jesus says, it is not truthful.
We know that how we speak about people deeply affects their freedom, and therefore why we as Australian’s are called to re-
To all those laboring under harsh religious and political systems, Jesus says, "Come to me... and I will give you rest."
We pray that our indictments, accusations, are rightful grief is turned to prayer-
To take his yoke upon oneself is to be yoked to the one in whom God's kingdom of justice, mercy, and compassion is breaking into this world, and to find the rest for which the soul longs.
So here for now is our turning. To call out and name injustice, to be creative with our language, to know what needs to be healed and speak out for and with those in situations of hardship and oppression.
To Pray; with gratitude for the hard lessons and the moments of joy-
To invite and welcome everyone-
Caitlin Scott