Dear Friends,
S. Michael’s Church School finished its third term on Friday, and is now on holiday for three weeks. At the School Mass last Wednesday, surrounded by families and godparents and friends and the whole School community, we welcomed to Holy Communion twenty-nine young people. Some of these had been baptised here a fortnight ago, and the rest at other times and places. I am very grateful to Dr Marla Hughes and the Revd Lynne Horwood, who have prepared these children throughout the last term. With the help of our prayers and loving support, may these young people grow into who they are, beloved children of God and members of the Body of Christ.
Next Sunday we shall pay some attention to the work of Hospital Chaplaincy. This is an important ecumenical ministry which has always been carried out in our Parish area. Our own Claire Anstice is one of the chaplaincy team and she will speak at the 10:00 am Mass. (Remember that Daylight Saving begins next Sunday morning.)
The music for Evensong on that day will be led by The Eight, the newest chamber choir in Christchurch, and will include canticles by Jeremy Woodside and anthems by Richard Madden.
The Gospel today has Jesus laying down his values clearly and shockingly. To his disciples, who have been talking about their relative status, he takes an anonymous child and says “This is me”. If you are pursuing status in society, then you are not going the way of the Kingdom.
Jesus compares himself, and by extension God, to a child. It is not innocence as absence of sin that he probably has in mind. Rather, children were not the proper recipients of honour. They did not do the kinds of things that adults (and especially men) did to acquire honour. They did not seek to enhance their reputations by demonstrating prowess and beneficence. They did not exercise authority over others. In the honour-shame value system they were nonentities. Now Jesus says that by welcoming one such insignificant person, you welcome him, and when you welcome him, you welcome God!
Jesus’ demand that his followers become humble servants was difficult for the disciples, just as it is difficult for us today. We are taught by our culture that success means gaining for ourselves. It is no easy thing to make real sacrifices for others, to give of ourselves, to put aside our own interests and give up what our culture tells us is most important. Yet Jesus is clear that in God’s kingdom, that is what is required.
(David Watson Commentary on Mark)
This ‘great reversal’ is the basis of Christian values, and it is always a challenge to the things we take for granted.
May God bless you all.
Fr Peter Williams
