Here is an edited version of Sunday’s reflection where we had a baptism.
Photo (The Bield Grounds)
Seeing is believing so the saying goes.
What do you see? In the photo - death or life, destruction or new growth?
When you look around the world what do you see?
At first glance we see the world falling apart.
Creation is in meltdown – literally. The ice caps are melting, and with that comes rising water levels. On World Penguin Day we learnt that there are not as many baby penguins as there should be. The polar bear community is losing their hunting grounds. Rising water levels are wiping out island communities especially around the equator. We live in a consumer society where so much is wrapped in plastic…and we live for today with little or no thought for tomorrow. But at first glance we say – what’s the point? It’s not like the rubbish gets sorted down the line either.
Yet when we look a bit closer, when we pay attention we find out that actually since the Blue Planet plastic episode usage of plastic has been cut. It is known as the Attenborough Effect, where 53% of people reported cutting down on use of plastic, and the EU have banned single use plastic. Coffee chains are introducing recyclable coffee cups. We will be introducing reusable plastic cups for the water cooler to save on that plastic waste.
Seeing is believing!
Last week we were rocked by the bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday as Christians and ‘wealthy’ guests at hotels were targeted. Previously we have mourned with Muslims in New Zealand when they were targeted. We mourned with the community of Londonderry and beyond as Lyra McKee is killed in the shootout. We mourned with the Jewish Community who were attacked in the States. We look at people around our world, at how they treat each other, even those who practise faith that speaks of love and mercy killing others. Christians have no excuse because we are called to love our enemies, and Jesus took a non-violent route.
Seeing is believing and for many today – faith is meaningless. What’s the point in faith when the evidence of what it gives believers is judgement, prejudice, hatred and violence? Faith is meaningless when even those of faith behave as if there is no hope.
But again, look a bit closer. Christianity thrived in the New Testament times because when everyone else abandoned those in need, Christians didn’t. When the plague hit London it is said the last to leave were the Christians. Wherever there are situations that require that extra mile, often you will find Christians in the mix. Faith, whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish or others can often make us more willing to go into the breach, especially when it hurts or calls for sacrifice, because faith gives a perspective bigger than ourselves or even our families.
Seeing is believing but when we cannot see, whether literally or metaphorically, what happens?
For the disciples they were blessed to see Jesus. Probably terrified to be honest, hence he offers them peace first. But they were witnesses to the resurrection and there had to be witnesses to the resurrection. Once again, though, God is subtle. Like Jesus’ birth, his resurrection is shared with the few and not the many. We could have had Jesus appear in the sky with a whole fanfare of angels but instead he appears to small groups of people, to the disciples on a number of occasions and others.
We are not coerced into faith. God doesn’t do some kind of magic show. He provides markers along the way, but our faith has to be built on more than just vision. There is a running joke that poor Thomas is left with the nickname Doubting Thomas but somehow none of the others get landed with their failure. I think, however, doubting Thomas is a actually a blessing to us, even if he doesn’t think so.
We cannot stand before the leaders of this world, the naysayers and those determined to undermine us, and say we were witnesses to the resurrection like the story in Acts. But we can say blessed are those who believe without seeing. We have looked beyond the first glance, and found more than we expected.
We are blessed. We are loved when we are unloveable. We are don’t just live today but we live forever. We are in a relationship with him who made the world. And I don’t mean in 7 days but the one who created everything so intricately, so balanced, so beautifully is real. When our world is upside down, God is our rock, our anchor, our safe place. When we celebrate, the angels celebrate. When we worship, pray, praise, God is there.
When we need peace or comfort or strength that is unfathomable to the world around us we can know it, feel it, experience it.
When there is no reason to hope we are not hopeless.
Yes life hurts. Yes bad stuff happens to good people. It has always been so. This world is not perfect – and it won’t be even if you believe. We will still need foodbanks because officials are more interested in protecting their misguided prejudices than helping those in need. We will still have war because people just cannot get along with another, heavens most of us don’t get along with the people we call family. We still have pain and suffering and grief.
But we also have hope, the very real hope that this isn’t all there is. Hope that one day the words of Scripture that we hear so often – there will be no more pain or suffering, death or tears. The Psalmist writes –
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Saviour and my God.
The author of Hebrews writes ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’ James encourages us, indeed instructs us not to doubt because then we are tossed about like one on the waves. And Peter believes that we should be able to explain the hope we have within us, gently and with respect.
Today we welcomed M at the Font, as we have a large of number of people over the years. We welcome all whether they come for a week, a month or years and years. We welcome because we believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead to bring life to all people. Baptism is a sign and a sacrament that helps us to receive the grace of God, and an outward sign of our acceptance of that grace and love. M is welcomed in God’s family, and in that moment of mystery and grace, where heaven and earth touch and the water of the font, poured upon his head, enfolds him in the loving arms of Jesus, blessed forever by the Holy Spirit, we are witnesses to God’s grace and love.
Blessed are those who believe without seeing, and yet once you look deeper, you might be amazed at what you do see, with the eyes of faith. What is holding you back? Can you look deeper?
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