Church News PENTECOST: ANOTHER VOICE
A few weeks ago I quoted a poem by T S Eliot, the American-born poet who became a British citizen.
In another poem Little Gidding, he wrote: “Last year’s words belong to last year’s language. “Next year’s words await another voice.”
That is a brilliant idea.
Tomorrow’s words will be different from yesterday’s.
Tomorrow’s words are heard in the American, now universal, protest movement for racial and ethnic equality.
Tomorrow’s words will be heard in the young people like Greta Thunberg advocating climate change. Tomorrow’s words advocate the need for a fairer and more equitable global society where the inequalities of the rich and the poor are condemned then banished.
As we contemplate a future after Covid-19 will we use tomorrow’s words?
Will we behave towards one another as individuals, as communities and as nations, in better ways?
The financial vulnerability through redundancies, High Street closures, and lock down for our fellow citizens is harsh.
Will we seek to speak a more humane language in words describing humanity’s true value?
But tomorrow’s different words will require another voice.
Martin Luther King once said that the Civil Rights protest movement was the voice of those who were not heard.
The Thursday evening clapping for the health care workers was a voice of appreciation.
The often unprotected service shown by the health service workers is another voice.
Their actions speaking louder than their words.
The supporting comfort shared by countless thousands of neighbours and friends echoes the “still small voice of God’s calm”(1 Kings 19.12).
God forbid that these voices speaking for the future will be silenced if they fall on the deaf ears of those in power and authority
But will we hear the prophetic voice of the church?
The vibrant voice of a church in the twenty first century and not the faint echo of a church from the past.
Church and chapel worship in gathered congregations may not re-appear.
Social distancing may prohibit the large gathering of congregations.
While virtual worship can bridge the gap for some, others may not have digital means to engage in such technological worship.
The future voice of the church will be different, but must be heard
But another voice, the voice of Jesus, is speaking to modern society.
He has been speaking to every passing generation.
But often Jesus speaks like a“voice crying in the wilderness”(Isaiah 40.3).
For the vast majority of people have simply turned a deaf ear to Christ’s golden words.
When Jesus declared:“Straight is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life and few there be who find it”(Matthew 7.13-14).
Jesus was speaking not as a politician but rather as the prophetic Son of God.
Jesus is telling humanity that the upward journey for the betterment of the world is arduous and difficult.
When Jesus declared:“Blessed are the peacemakers they shall be called the children of God”(Matthew 5.9) Jesus’words are not the words of a theologian.
Rather they were the words of a Saviour.
The Redeemer of Calvary is still calling men and women from his throne on the Cross to rise to his standard of life.
When Jesus declared:“The kingdom of God is upon you”(Mark1.15).
Jesus was not offering people a safe option for a quiet life.
Rather these are the words of the Lord of life eternal calling men and women to engage in his struggle to establish a better world.
Modern global civilization faces a momentous choice upon whose outcome the future of our planet depends. The gospel clearly indicates God’s way to safety.
Jesus’gospel upholds the value of human nature and the worthy of every individual.
That is the only Jesus I know.
Let every endeavour to enhance human dignity strive with the power of the gospel.
Let every word written or spoken that educates and inspires people and nations echo the message of the gospel. Let everyone set their gaze on Jesus’highest ideals for humanity.
Then be convinced these efforts are helping the universal God to create the new world of the kingdom.
Then another voice, the voice of the Saviour, will speak to humanity’s heart and soul,
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”(John 14.6).
HOLY TRINITY & ST BARNABAS’CHURCH
In common with many others, we have now suspended worship in our churches – but we have made alternative arrangements.
The Scottish Episcopal Church has started broadcasting video coverage of Eucharistic services via its website, social media channels and onYouTube.
The web page for the broadcast is located at www.scotland.anglican. org/broadcast-sunday-worship.
The next Sunday service is tomorrow at 11am and marks the third Sunday after Pentecost.
There will also be a service of the Word on Thursday at 6.30pm.
The website will also contain a downloadable video and audio format of the service.
We are conscious of the need to offer as much assistance as possible to those who have no access to the internet, and we encourage people to distribute the video/audio recordings and the Liturgy widely within their own personal networks.
In households with no internet or playback capacity, people who can be helped by others through the provision of printed materials will have the opportunity to read the words of the Liturgy to themselves close to the appointed time, praising God along with others in the Church.