Faith Matters - Powerful

Our world is filled with situations that are beyond our control. There are moments in our lives where events seem so much bigger than we are. This illusion is powerful and disheartening. Our worldview as Christians is not one of individuality or isolation. We are connected spiritually to all those of faith on the earth today and those who have died and live eternally with God. The Spirit lives within us and Jesus walks beside us as we move through our day. Knowing we do not face life alone is the key to unlocking the enormous power we possess.

Last week I witnessed a profound event. As I arrived at my office I noticed over on the grass a young Magpie being attacked by an adult magpie. Every time the adult moved away the young bird attempted to fly off to the trees, and whenever it did so the older bird would rush over and attack it again. After this occurred a few times the commotion drew the attention of a pair of noisy miner birds. The next time the adult magpie attacked the younger one the miners harassed the larger bird. After each attack more miners came to harass the adult magpie. In the end there were twelve miners involved and the adult magpie moved on which gave the young bird the chance to seek refuge in the trees.

I do not know what the miners were thinking or why the adult bird was attacking the young one. But what I saw was a moment of truth. Together the small can disempower and overcome the powerful. This revelation is especially relevant in our world today. The pandemic continues beyond the control of governments around the world. At this point there are over 800,000 new cases and more than 14,000 deaths per day globally. In Australia our hotel quarantine process has every state government hyper vigilant for any transmission that will lead to the immediate lockdown of millions of people.

Our society is grappling with endemic and generational domestic violence and abusive behaviour towards women. Many young people are overwhelmed by the housing market and find it difficult to believe that they will one day own a house. Rural communities are increasingly being left behind economically and socially as young people leave for university and life in the city. Our Church is grappling with the changing nature of our community and what “Church” means to busy families and young people. For many work life is very different to the nine to five experience of their parents. There is so much in this world that seems too big to tackle or too powerful to confront.

Whilst these problems are real what is also true is that one person can bring change. The courage shown by Brittany Higgins has broken through impossible barriers and women across the country have been empowered to do likewise. Rosie Batty AO challenge the silence that historically surrounded domestic violence and although still scourge on our society each new case is challenged and condemned more honestly and publicly. The economic despair of young people is being challenged by our Church. Pope Francis speaks of the “culture of indifference” where people are viewed as objects and advocates for the “humane economy” where the poor and marginalised are valued and enabled.

As we continue to journey through the Easter season our focus is on the Risen Lord. In the fullness of his humanity and divinity we as Christians know well how one person can change the world. In Jesus we see what courage is. In choosing God’s will, as Jesus did, we are powerful beyond measure. The fullness of creation is at our disposal. The angels and saints intercede for us. The Holy Spirit lives within us and empowers us. Most importantly Jesus walks beside us and guides our hearts and actions so that we offer his love to all we encounter. This love is transformative and irresistible.

St Paul reminds us of the centrality of love, what being a Christian means and how we can change the world is we live as Jesus did in choosing God’s will in all situations.

St Paul teaches, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honourable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Romans 12:9-21

Although we may feel powerless at times and even when we truly are small in the context of a challenge, the truth is we have all that is needed to stand up to any problem. St Paul teaches that as Christians we are powerful beyond our own understanding and are to respond to any situation with love alone. This is multiplied exponentially when we as a community choose God’s will and love as Jesus did. More often than not, the challenge of confronting the behaviour of another person, or broken societal models that disempowers and marginalises people, is little more than an illusion. Having courage in our smallness and offering love no matter what the challenge is where the spark of new life can be witnessed, this is where Jesus lives and continues to change the world.

As we follow St Paul’s vision for us as Christians we become more like Jesus. During the season of Easter we focus upon new life. In seeking God’s will, offering love to others and in the sacrifice we make we are transformed. On Easter Sunday Jesus was resurrected and the world was forever changed. Early on that morning a magpie may have been carolled but I think the less powerful miners were watching and understood that being small is often just an illusion.

Yours in Christ,

Brendan Nicholls  Liturgy Coordinator