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Homilies by Rev. Andrew Collis unless indicated otherwise.
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Lent 1, Year A
South Sydney Uniting Church
March 5, 2017
Psalm 32; Matthew 4:1-11
‘Life begins at 40’
The words we hear Jesus speak today come from the beginning of his ministry, during a time of 40 days and 40 nights praying alone, living simply in the wilderness (outside the city – a bit like camping). God be with you ...
Jesus remembers his favourite stories from the Bible (“every utterance that comes from the mouth of God”) so that he can focus on being the strong and gentle, joyful and generous person he feels God calls him to be. Sometimes he feels he might like to be selfish and greedy, and he knows a desire to be popular and famous. (He remembers the verse: “Do not put God to the test – don’t make faith just a way to show off”). The Holy Spirit helps him to focus on Love – helping, sharing, and really enjoying life in the world. (He remembers the verse: “Worship the Most High God; Love alone will you adore”).
Today, we too can remember some Bible stories as we ask the Holy Spirit to help us focus on Love. We can do that by acting out four stories with the number “40” in them. “40” is a special or symbolic number in the Bible. There are many stories that feature the number “40” – it might be surprising to learn that.
One of the oldest stories is about a man called Noah and his family. Noah builds a big boat called an ark – big enough to keep all the animals safe when it rains for 40 days and 40 nights. Listening to this story in the Spirit of Love we can hear that it means 40 days and 40 nights learning how to care for the animals. How many examples can you think of? What have you learned that different animals need? ...
Let’s write a few words next to the number “40” ...
There’s a long story about a people called the Israelites who were slaves before God set them free. They are suddenly free to wander. And they wander in the wilderness for 40 years! Walking around and around, learning to be a caring community, making mistakes, finding food and water, meeting strangers, trusting God (and their leader Moses) to lead them in freedom and peace. In the Spirit of Love we can see them learning to be free for each other and with each other. Let’s go for a walk ... Have you ever been on a journey with other people? Where did you go? What did you learn or enjoy? ...
Let’s write a few words next to the number “40” ...
Here’s one more story that’s told in several ways. The Israelites ask God for a king to rule over them, and God chooses a shepherd named David who also plays the harp (an instrument like a guitar). David is king for a number of years. Can you guess how many years? ...
For 40 years David keeps learning how to be a kind and fair leader. He has many adventures and writes many songs about friendship with God – sad songs as well as loud, happy songs. In the Spirit of Love, he achieves something no other king ever does – he unites the people in the north and the people in the south. He brings the broken nation together – and together they are stronger and happier. Perhaps we can act this out in some way ...
Let’s write a few words next to the number “40” ...
So ... “40” (days or years) means the time it takes to learn and grow. “40” (days or years) means a time to listen to God, a time for prayer and patience ... What do you think? ...
Dear God,
Thank you for this time of Lent,
as we prepare for Easter
and the goodness of new life.
The Bible stories we’ve heard today
teach us that it takes time to learn
how to care for animals in the world;
it takes time to learn
how to give freely, and how to live freely;
it takes time to learn
how to be strong and happy with others.
Keep us in your Spirit of Love
so that we become
more patient
with others and with ourselves.
When we make mistakes
help us to be honest
so that we become
more thoughtful and wise.
Keep us close to Jesus,
who shows us what Love can do.
Amen.