Faith

Oct

2022

The Kingdom and the prodigal

We are accustomed to think of the parables in the New Testament as simple stories for simple people, but Christ is a master story-teller, and within each of the parables there is a wealth of wisdom about finding the kingdom of God. The parable of the prodigal son is no exception.

Jesus’ listeners would have been familiar with the Old Testament story of Jacob and Esau, whereby Jacob is favoured by God, while Esau the elder brother to whom his father’s inheritance legally belonged, is rejected. The crowd listening to the parable would have been expecting a similar message of acceptance and rejection. However, in forgiving the contrite prodigal son the father does not reject the indignant elder brother, but instead reaffirms his fatherly love: “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours”. The father forgives both sons but commands them to live together in peace and brotherly harmony. Similarly, our heavenly Father who forgives us our sins commands us to show that same infinite love and mercy to one another. For it is only by being prodigal in love that we are truly marked as His children.

And another thing: As God’s chosen people Jews felt they had a major claim to God’s favour; but just as no father favours one child above another, God loves us all equally. In one sense we have all been chosen.

Sep

2022

Coffee break

Meeting a friend for that promised coffee, or using the spare time for private prayer? Given the choice on any given day I’m all too aware which I would naturally plump for. Any opportunity to enjoy a cup of hot frothy coffee laced with companionable conversation is so deliciously appealing that the time set aside for prayer gets pushed further down the queue. And if I’m really honest, it’s usually relegated to the end of the day—at best!

A practical solution for people like me whose spirit is willing (but, oh, the weakness of the flesh!) is to meet God often, along with that all-important coffee. It matters not how or where we meet Him, what matters, as in any loving relationship, is that we meet regularly. A solo coffee break with Our Father lends itself admirably to conversational prayer, and it can take place in our own homes, in our own time, and even as a breather in the midst of chores.

I close my eyes, sit quietly, coffee cup in hand, and ask God to join me. Soon I’ll feel Him right there beside me. Of course, I know that He’s always there, but this is our special time together, and He knows how much that coffee motivates me! At times I hear Him speak straight to my heart; at others there is nothing but silence. I’ll tell Him about my day with all its messiness, without worrying about being inarticulate or too focussed on myself. I know I am infinitely dear to Him, and that He really doesn’t mind. I always have to flick away the distractions, but our loving Saviour does the rest.

We can do a lot worse than enjoy a coffee break with our Father. He’s aware of the frailty of our nature and our need for inducements, and He’s always waiting for us. With prayer, it’s the practice that counts more than the theory. As St Teresa of Avila once said, prayer consists not in thinking much, but in loving much”.

Jul

2022

Fencing the Table

Holy Communion commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. It is a sacrament that is at the heart of all Christian worship. A vision of the Church universal, symbolically united as one body, becomes particularly meaningful when Christians gather together at the same table. Certain denominations practise ‘closed communion’, otherwise known as ‘fencing the table’, which restricts the administration of bread and wine just to believers deemed to be “spiritually worthy” (firm faith, repentant of sins, exemplary life). Congregants whose faith is ambivalent or lacking are welcome to attend the service but may not partake of the elements. Those who uphold this view say it it is justified in order to uphold the dignity and integrity of the sacrament.

However, many Christians object to its exclusivity. Is it right to exclude anyone for whose very sake the Lord instituted the Supper? Dividing a congregation up into ‘them’ and ‘us’ undermines Christ’s commandment to love our neighbours; and it’s not difficult to deduce that those whose consciences are super-charged may never feel they worthy enough. Jesus Himself was radically free in his table fellowship. He shared food with many people on the margins – outcasts, tax collectors, etc. Meals with him were not reserved for those who demonstrated particular holiness or sanctity.

With ‘open communion’ there is transformative potential, and John Wesley referred to it as a “converting sacrament” (Journal, 2:361). For many Christians admission to Holy Communion was often this early experience of the inclusiveness of God’s love, which transformed them from seekers to converts. Certainly, this was my own experience: the Methodist minister who generously welcomed me to the Lord’s Table many decades ago had no idea how momentous that particular occasion was for me, and how it became the cornerstone and turning point of my long-delayed conversion to the Christian faith. Keen evangelists afire with the zeal to garner souls for Christ would do well to be aware of this special reformative potential, and to be mindful that while he church has the honour of overseeing the Lord’s Table, ultimately it is Christ who is the Host. His role should not be usurped.

What then are we to make of Paul’s warning to the Corinthians (1 Cor.11:17-34) not to approach the Lord’s Table in an unworthy manner? I believe that the real issue lies not in measuring spiritual worth, but in gauging spiritual need. Except by God’s mercy no one is ever truly worthy, yet each one of us needs His grace, always freely given. So, if there is to be any fence, let it be one that shows we are all the sheep of His fold.

Jul

2022

An eloquent plea

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin, and made my sin their door?
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallow’d in, a score?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
And, having done that, thou hast done;
I fear no more.

(HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER)

Jun

2022

Faith

The Kingdom and the prodigal

Coffee break

Fencing the Table

An eloquent plea

My memoir

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