A peace that disrupts
A sermon for the twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, from Mthr Pirrial Clift
Jesus declares he has not come to bring peace, but division, in apparent contradiction to the message of the angels at his birth. Those who understand this peace to mean domestic harmony and lack of conflict may find this baffling – but it is not peace in that sense which had been promised. It is ‘the peace that passes all understanding’: the lasting inner peace experienced by believers even in the midst of strife and disharmony.
Jesus’ declaration that he brings division finds an echo in Simeon’s prophecy over the infant Jesus when his parents brought him to the Temple: ‘This child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed.’
History is bursting with tales of opposition to Jesus which caused not only family divisions but also murderous conflict. In daily life now, examples are numerous. I knew two blokes who lived together – they began to attend church, and one was baptised. The other came to see me – very distressed – to say how he longed for baptism, but because his parents practiced another religion he knew it would tear his family apart, and just couldn’t face it. He came again and again in great inner turmoil.
Then there was an asylum-seeker who’d believed in Jesus since he was a teenager in a country adamantly opposed to Christianity. His father held a high Government post and his uncle a senior army commission, and they were enraged. After enduring years of punishing treatment and pressure to renounce his faith, he was beaten so badly that he realised he had to leave, and found a place in a boat. He was baptised in Melbourne, and has no contact with his family.
Jesus next accused the crowds of being unable to interpret what the signs of the times will bring, even though they can interpret the weather by the signs in the sky. I say ‘accused’ because it seems they are turning a deaf ear to what the signs of the times are saying.
Being able to read the signs of the times and speaking God’s word into them is the task of the prophet. I feel sympathy for prophets because their voices are almost always unwelcome. Jeremiah had the unhappy assignment of taking the religious leaders of the day to task publicly. Today’s verses are the continuation of a long, uncompromising diatribe by God against the shepherds of his people, who had scattered and neglected the flock: they had also deluded the people. ‘Both prophets and priests are ungodly,’ said the Lord. Their dreams and prophecies are their own inventions, God complained, and lead the people astray. Jeremiah has to remind the leaders that God is omnipresent and fully aware of their behaviour.
The signs of our own times are clear: the combination of rampant materialism and the abuse of creation is leading to an unprecedented global catastrophe. Leunig, one of the principle prophets of our time and country, called patiently and persistently, year after year, for us to live simply, appreciate all God’s creatures, and return thanks to God for our blessings.
In recent years the scientific community has added their warnings ever more loudly, ever more clearly, as the ice melts, the fires burn and the earth shakes. Almost everybody now recognises the necessity to listen to the cries of Mother Earth, and repent of our destructive behaviour. Almost everybody.
There remain voices carrying the authority of power and position who murmur soothing, encouraging words to the public, saying ‘Peace, Peace’, when there is no peace. We can know them by their fruits.
Jesus once said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life’. Jesus, with his Way of forgiveness, offering freedom from the power of sin and the fear of death, divides households and nations.
All Truth has its source in Christ, including the truth regarding the precarious condition of our sister, Mother earth. Those who turn a deaf ear to her cries for relief and mercy turn their backs on Christ her Maker.
To care for the marginalised, heal the sick and protect the vulnerable has always been a Christian imperative – all that we do for them we do for our lovely Lord. These climatic convulsions the earth is experiencing pose the greatest threat to Jesus’ beloved poor ever seen. Once again Jesus’ compassionate presence in the world is creating a great divide, as throngs of desperate refugees from climate disasters and battle zones, and the poverty stricken urban poor, vie for mercy and bread; and the rich get richer.
The haves and the have nots.
The fiddling while Rome burns.
The letter to the Hebrews sets up a contrast to the false shepherds called out by Jeremiah, citing a long list of extraordinary characters - a motley crew whom the writer states had one thing in common: faith strong enough to sustain them through whatever suffering came their way. We are then directed to look to Jesus, the ultimate example of faith, who willingly died for love of our love, and are exhorted to follow him faithfully no matter what life throws at us.
I leave you with some of Leunig’s words.
Mother, dear Mother, what is my duty?
Truth and love, compassion and beauty.
Father, dear father, what is my song?
Soulful, mysterious, tender and strong.
Sister, dear sister, how do we know?
Joyful and humble, painful and slow.
Brother, dear brother, why do we live?
To see, to feel, to grieve and forgive.
God, my dear God, what do you say?
The flower, the bee, the music, the day.
Dear heart of mine, what can I do?
Make peace, and make way for all that is true.
God’s peace be with you.