Reflections...

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on Sunday 1st March 2009 by the Rev. Phyllis Wong. The scripture readings that day were Joel 2:12-14, 28-29; Psalm 25:1-10 and Mark 1: 9-15.


Introduction

Today is the first Sunday of the Lent.

The season of Lent started on Ash Wednesday a few days ago. Historically, Lent is associated with disciples’ self-examination, study, fasting, prayer and works of love.

Lent is a time for conversion, conversion literally means "turning around" or reorientation of our lives towards God. Both as individuals and as a community, we look inward and reflect on our readiness to follow Jesus in his journey towards the cross. Lent last for forty days, it corresponds to the forty-day temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and the forty-year journey of Israel from slavery to a new community.

The Hong Kong Christian Council has also designated this Sunday as Social Concern Sunday.

Mission is central to any historic understanding of the nature of the church. In Latin ‘missio’ means ‘to send or to send forth’. Therefore the Church as a representation of Jesus Christ consists of groups of people ‘sent forth’ to share with others the good news of God’s kingdom of love and justice, social concern is definitely part of God’s mission.

Before Jesus started his ministries, he was baptized and his identity as God’s beloved son was confirmed. After that, Jesus immediately spent forty days in the wilderness. During this time of retreat, Jesus was tempted by Satan.

From Jesus’ path to his ministry, we see clearly the starting point for upholding God’s mission begin with a designated period of time, that is a time to spend with God, to turn to God and to ensure that our focus is always in God.

The confirmation of Jesus’ identity as God’s beloved son did not free him from any temptations and struggles. In the synoptic gospels of Matthew (4:1-11) and Luke (4:1-13), there are detailed accounts of Jesus’ temptations. By observing Lent, Christians join Jesus on His retreat, to demonstrate our solidarity with Jesus. It is also a time for us to understand and realize that struggles and temptations are something Jesus and we as his disciples cannot avoid during his and our preparation to serve God. Jesus’ response to Satan’s temptations however, is rich spiritual resources for our reflection. Jesus serves as a significant model for us as his disciples to engage in the mission of God.

From the accounts of Jesus’ temptations, every time Jesus was challenged by Satan, he would engage in God’s word and majesty. In Matthew’s account, when Satan tempted Jesus to exercise a God-like power, such as by turning stone to bread, Jesus responded by saying ‘One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ (4:4) Satan then challenged Jesus’ identity as God’s son, saying ‘if you are the son of God, throw yourself down; God must save you, for it was written in the Law’. Jesus responded with wisdom and confidence: ‘Don’t put the Lord your God to the test.’ (4:7) For the third episol of Jesus’ temptation, Satan promised to give power and glory in the exchange of worshipping Satan. Jesus response was: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him’. Thus Jesus, demonstrating his strong spirituality, stood against Satan’s temptation of power. Jesus had also lived out his obedience to God’s sovereignty and his close connection to God. These are the significant elements for us as disciples; from them we learn and hold steadfast in our journey of mission.

In Hong Kong, some Christian organizations and churches have been actively involved in the campaigns of anti-homosexuality and anti-obscenity in recent years. They oppose the enactment of anti-discrimination legislation to protect sexual minorities, and strongly advocate stricter rules to control obscenity. The recent debates of the revised Domestic Violence Ordinance and the Anti-obscenity Legislation have aroused once again the very hot debate and divisions between groups, especially those who favor and oppose sex rights and tolerance of homosexuality. I am not trying to go in details of the debate and the differences between the two camps. I would like to share some spiritual reflections of such a phenomenon, and shed light on Church’s engagement in God’s mission in the world.

There are Christians regard the battle over sexuality as a matter involving the defense of the truth of God and the bible. My reflection on this kind of mentality is: Does God need his people to defend Him? Who are we represent God and defend His truth? Are we able to comprehend God’s truth fully so much so that we can claim the representations? God our Creator is so great that only he can reveal his truth to us and let us understand him. In God’s mystery of creation, we human being must admit that what we comprehend now are temporary and limited. We are able to comprehend part of the truth only. We should be humble enough to admit that there are many things that we don’t know. In fact, God reveals his truth to us in many different ways and from different people’s life experiences. I always think homosexuality issues that have aroused so much controversy in Hong Kong and abroad could be God’s way to reveal to us the truth of God’s diverse creation in sexuality. Sexuality is never just about sexual behavior such as intercourse or the gender of our partner, sexuality is all about humanity, about human dignity for we people are sexual beings. Sexuality is about relationship with God, with ourselves and with others. In addition, sexuality is not only about physical body, but also closely related to spirituality. It is in our life journey that we should focus on, searching and understanding God’s truth with wisdom given by God in a humble way. It is in this search for God, the church and disciples will get closer to God, and to know more about the mission God wants us to do.

There are Christians and church leaders who justify their position against homosexuality by citing a few biblical scriptures to justify themselves. They challenge Christians who hold alternative views on sexual orientations. As honest and responsible Christians we need to study the scripture with reference of the socio-political and religious cultural context. We should not just read the bible literally on the surface of the words. More importantly, Christians should not use bible as weapon to fight for their own position, and leaders should never take the bible as weapon to claim their own religious hegemony. In interpreting the bible, the Church representing Christ should have the openness to accept different perspectives and traditions. Obviously, there are different interpretations of the bible. Biblical scholars and theologians would have different understanding of some biblical accounts according to their theological discourses and perspectives. Therefore, it is important and more valuable if Church can be open and learn and allow space for sincere dialogues to facilitate mutual understanding and to address differences.

In some churches, there are Christians who stand for gay or lesbian rights or do not totally object, who will be challenged by their pastor in church or some other sisters and brothers who are opposed to sexual minorities. They may be labeled as unfaithful to God and, worse still, being judged as immoral. The spread of this kind of ‘political correctness’ in the church is very unhealthy. Jesus’ challenge by Satan of His identity has given us a very good reference point to assert our right to trust in God and not being shaken by others’ unreasonable allegations. Christians and the Church, who have committed time and resources to God’s missions for certain social causes, should be careful about judging other people according to our own morals and perspectives. It is absolutely destructive to label, categorize and demonize people whose positions are different from us.

During the course of debates, it is upsetting to see antagonism, divisions and hatred between different camps in society, and especially within the Christian communities. Jesus has given us the ministry of reconciliation to bring people together, and to reconnect people with God and one another. The hostile attacks obviously bring division rather than harmony and unity in both the Church and society. As Christ’s disciples, how are we going to address differences with openness and respect, so that sincere dialogues made possible? It is an area we can think about in future.

In Lent, we turn back to God with our hearts and focus our lives to God. We will then be reminded once again that God is the creator and we people are only human beings created by God in his mercy. We are all created in God’s holy image and yet we are full of limitations. Whenever and wherever we engage in God’s mission, we should be aware that we are only God’s servant. We should never try to play the role of God. Let God be God. Let the truth of God be revealed to us through all sincere encounters with the complex and diverse human experiences. Let’s also accept that God will not speak identically to everyone through the scripture, and an individual can make sense of God’s words according to his/her life situation. That’s why we refer to the Word of God as living words.

Jesus Christ proclaimed the good news by coming to the world in flesh, and bore the pain of human sin. The Church needs to be involved in the world, to hear the cries of the people near and far. Only if we understand people and share their realities, are we able to bring Christ’s good news of reconciliation in a way that is relevant to their lives.

In the season of Lent in March, I am going to deliver a series of sermons on Christian Faith in Context, with a theme repentance and reconciliation.

Conclusion

Last Sunday, Ms Maggie shared with us the message of transfiguration and transformation. Being called by God to be his disciples and engage in the faith community, transformation of individual life like Christ, and transformation of the world to fulfill God’s kingdom on earth are needed. In the Lent season, we are reminded once again by the life and words of Jesus. We have to repent and change for Jesus’ sake. Only when we are fully connected in God through Jesus Christ, we are able to transform in God’s way and in God’s grace.

Jesus had demonstrated his obedience to God, willingness to follow the will of God, and commitment to fulfill God’s kingdom. He paid his great price--dying on the cross. It is a choice made by Jesus in his time. Today, though these are different times, we face struggles and challenges just as Jesus did. But the good news is: God is merciful and upright. Our Lord will instruct all us sinners in his righteous and humble ways. God’s steadfast love and faithfulness enable us who believe in him to continue the struggles with joy and hope. The resurrection of Jesus has also overcome violence, injustice and death. Death never claims the last word, but life does. This is the life of love and justice that Jesus has demonstrated to us.

When we are able to admit our sins, to face our limitations sincerely and return our hearts to God, God will send his spirit to empower us to have visions and dream dreams, regardless of who we are and what we have. All of us are given the grace to share and own the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Closing prayer

God, we thank you for your good news given to the world through Jesus Christ. We ask Lord for your full presence and guidance in our life. Give us the patience to wait for you, an open and renew heart to listen to you, and a will to follow your step. Lead our congregation to share your mission by turning to you our Holy God and transform the world with courage. May your kingdom come to earth as in heaven. Amen.