A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 20 June 2021, by Rev Phyllis Wong. The scripture readings were Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32; 1 Samuel 17:1a, 4 – 11, 19 – 23 ; 32-49.
Thank you Joel for your message. It is
very uplifting and encouraging.
Apart from studying, reading books and
writing assignments while he is in HK, Joel has been actively using his labor/body
strength to take care of the church’s gardens. He is very diligent to come to
the church at least three days a week to water the plants and tidy up the gardens.
In the midst of life challenges and many
uncertainties, Joel does not give up. I have been so much inspired by many
refugees and asylum seekers like him all over these years. Aimé, actually is
another person I admire for his courage. Their faith and resilience is such a
great encouragement to me and many others. In a way, I see Jesus Christ lives
in them when they are suffering and when they are enduring all these struggles
by putting God at their centre of life.
I would like to use Jesus’ words in
response to those he had been healed. One example is after he healed the woman
suffering from blood discharge problem for 12 years. He said to her: “Your faith has saved you”. Faith
entails trust and responsibility. Joel takes his responsibility for his life.
He makes choices for himself. He makes good use of his time to equip himself
and to do service for others and for the church. He makes offering within his
very limited capacity. Instead of living a life of complaints, he chooses to
live it fully with praise. He does not waste his time to wait for nothing. But
he has actively engaged himself in meaningful activities so he is able to live
a life, a life of abundance by God’s grace.
Faith entails responsibility. Our responsibility
is to make choices in our life.
In today’s gospel story, it tells us how
the disciples are facing a great windstorm when they are on the boat and how
Jesus makes the wind cease and calms the sea.
After Jesus did the miracle, he asked his
disciples this question: “Why are you
afraid? Have you still no faith?”
I have a question with these two questions. Why
did Jesus ask this question after he restored peace for them and not before he
did it?
Was it because he realized that the disciples
were still afraid and in disbelief after he had done such an amazing miracle?
Let see what goes on after Jesus’ questions.
At the end of the story, the scriptures said:
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this,
that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
The scriptures said the disciples on the boat
were filled with great awe. I am attracted by this word – Awe. What does AWE
mean?
AWE. It means - a
feeling of reverential (divine) respect mixed with fear or wonder.
Did the disciples still disbelieve and wonder
if is it true? Or did they immediately acknowledge the power of Jesus? Or they
are still not sure, they still have mixed feelings and they are still not fully
understanding? The closing of the story gives us an open answer to understand
the disciples at that time. It also give us an open space for us to reflect on
our faith in Jesus. How would we respond to the work of Jesus in our life when we
are facing storms?
The question from Jesus could be a challenge.
It is challenge to those who are disciples of
Jesus and take him as their Lord, their saviour and liberator, do they follow
him with fear or with wonder of respect and trust? You may take time to think
and pray for it.
The question from Jesus could have another
meaning.
And I would suggest it could be taken as an
invitation to us. Jesus invites us to receive his peace and put our faith in
him who is revealing God’s full love and gracious presence on earth.
I will take the testimony and message of Joel
shared with us today as a support to my
suggestion.
No rights to work for asylum seekers who
have to passively rely on others’ financial support. Long legal process to assess
their application for refugee status. Long waiting time for resettling in other
countries even after their refugee status is confirmed. We can imagine life
storms could never end to asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong. Every human
being, I believe, encounters different kinds of storms in life, big or small,
short or long lasting.
From the gospel story from Mark, let us
notice and remember one very important fact and truth. When the disciples were
facing the heavy windstorm and life threatening danger, Jesus was on the boat
with them. Jesus was never absent. He was fully present! But he chose not to
panic. He had deep peace inside him so he was not afraid. He went to sleep.
In the midst of life storms, let us
remember that Jesus Christ our Lord, the prince of peace is on the boat with
us. He is the peace within us.
Yesterday the Refugee Ministry Group
celebrated World Refugee Day in the Church of Christ in China - Wan Chai. Our
Harambe Choir was singing beautifully there. The theme of the celebration this
year is “Standing Together in Hope”.
When we look at the gospel story, do
notice that the scriptures said there are many boats in the sea when the storms
come.
It informs us another truth, there are
people around suffering with us and facing the same difficult situation. What
we need to do is to stand together and help each other.
When people are able to stand together,
help and care for each other, there is hope and new possibilities. The gospel
story does mention about whether if the people help each other. It is up to us
to complete that part and continue to the spreading of the good news Jesus has
already given us.
With the presence of Jesus on the boat and
many people on different boats in a stormy sea, we know that we are never
alone!
Being together with God and with each
other is important. That’s why Jesus built the Christian community, the church
of which takes Jesus as the head of this one body.
In the midst of a storm, let us work
together, care and support each other. By the power, love and grace of God
through Jesus Christ, the incarnate, I am sure we shall overcome all fear and
live a life of peace and hope together.
I would like to close my sermon with
Psalm 107: 1-2:
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is
good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
May God bless you all!
# posted by Kowloon Union Church : Sunday, June 20, 2021
