Third Sunday of Epiphany – morning
Sunday 21st January 2018
Epiphany 3 – Week of prayer for Christian Unity.
Revelations 19. 6-10
John 2. 1-11
Revd Preb Maureen Hobbs
Inclusion is a powerful message. I have in the past recommended to the PCC that we should become known as an Inclusive Church, where all may find a welcome regardless of denomination, background, gender, sexuality, race or any one of the many ways in which we human beings seek to classify ourselves. We haven’t quite got there yet…. but I still live in hope!
When I was very new in ordained ministry one of the first acts of worship I put together was based on the concept of circles and in doing so I came across a poem by Edwin Markham, an American poet born in 1852 and died in 1940
“He drew a circle that shut me out-
Heretic , rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle and took him In !
From the poem ” Outwitted”
It expresses something that speaks to me very deeply – I hope it may to you too? But I think that in the week of prayer for Christian Unity and having just welcomed into God’s family, the church…. not any particular church, but God’s Church, a new member, Kim, I would like to think that by seeking to welcome and draw in not just her, but any and all people, we are fulfilling – in our own small way – something of the great commandment. To remind you, that is what Jesus gave to his apostles at their last ever meeting, at the Ascension. “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” Matt 28.18-20
But baptism and the second stage of that – which is confirmation – are not the only important life events we mark in the church. There is also of course marriage – about which we have heard quite a bit in our readings this morning. And marriage could be claimed to be both inclusive and exclusive.
It is exclusive in that it concerns two people, a man and a woman, promising that they will be faithful to each other, to the exclusion of all others. It is exclusive in church because we are not yet free to offer the ceremony of marriage to all people. Same sex couples are specifically excluded, which some consider to be right and proper, while others consider to be counter to the spirit of the gospel of Love that Jesus preached. Time will tell who wins that argument.
But at its best, marriage offers an image of inclusion. Of love that overflows from two people and deeply affects the community in which they live. As the marriage service puts it – “may their love overflow to neighbours in need and embrace those in distress”.
And judging from our Gospel reading this morning Jesus not only approves of the idea of marriage – or else why would he accept an invitation to be present at one with his disciples and family? But Jesus also ensures that the wine – the symbol of God’s love and good will towards his creation, – should be provided in abundance; it is truly overflowing to answer a need. It really is a ridiculous quantity of wine that is transformed. This is one wedding party that will go on for days and will draw in the entire community.
If the church, the ekklesia, is the gathered family of God, coming together to worship him, then the image that we present today is too often a sad and somewhat dysfunctional family. For we have taken that great image of the family of nations and caused it to become fractured and split with our schisms and theological arguments.
One of the great benefits of being the only place of worship in a village like Pattingham is that here, in this building, we are our own little churches together;our own collection of covenanted Christians. While I acknowledge that we are very Anglican in our worship and style, I also know that within these walls are people from very different denominational backgrounds. Everything from Roman Catholic to Free Church and all shades in between! Sometimes we even attract worshippers who are from other faiths completely! Yet we come together, we rub along together. We like some parts of the service, or some times of service more than others, while acknowledging that others may find their spiritual food in different ways. And that is OK.
Because, when all is said and done, all that really matters is that you come here with an open mind, prepared to say, “I love God; I love his son Jesus Christ. I wish I could be more like them. I know I mess up most of the time. But I’m not going to stop trying and I know that God loves me.” That’s it. Pure and simple.
And anyone who can take that statement and make it their own is welcome to come to his table and share in his love in the symbols of bread and wine and blessing. All are included. Amen.