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THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Sermon by Michael Moorhead
In Genesis chapter 1 we read “on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So, God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from the all the work that he had done in creation.” This reminds us of the importance of rest. God rests: we too need rest. After all, we are made in his image. The passage tells us that rest is blessed: it is a precious, sacred time. Furthermore, if we read on to Genesis Chapter 3 we realise that we were originally made for rest and not for work. God placed our ancestors Adam and Eve in the Garden of Delight – in paradise – to rest and enjoy it. When they committed the first sin –they were driven from the garden as punishment and in verse 19 God tells them “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground.” Work, then, is God’s curse brought about by our sinful condition!
In the gospel today we hear how the disciples return from their mission. They have been sent by Jesus on an expedition, with his authority. In his name they are to preach the gospel, heal the sick, exorcise demons. The go out in pairs, they travel light, they are dependent on local hospitality. They are gone some time. When they return, they are called not disciples but apostles. This is the only time this word is used in St Mark’s gospel. The word disciple has the sense of being a pupil. The word apostle has a different sense. They have authority. The same authority as the one they represent – Jesus himself. God himself. The word disciple has the sense of one who is lesser than the master. The word apostle has a sense of being equal.
Of course, the word apostle, especially in other parts of the New Testament also has the sense of those who are the leaders in the church (initially the twelve). But Mark is not here meaning this. What he is saying is that all disciples of Jesus can be apostles when they engage in mission…. The apostolate of every Christian is to share the Good News, and to bring God’s healing and peace to a waiting world. So, the disciples return from their mission. They have been working hard for the kingdom and Jesus calls them to rest. Nowadays we call this getting our work-life balance right. We cannot just work, and work and work, and hope to remain well; physically, mentally, or spirituality. We are made for rest. As St Augustine says “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Just as the Creator ended his work with rest, so our work on earth will end in eternal rest. Rest is our hope, our goal, our final destiny.
I have been working since the age of 12 when I had a job at weekends and during school holidays picking soft fruit at a local small holding. So, I know adapting to life beyond 3rd October will be a challenge. I really envy people who can lay in bed. I have a friend who sometimes spends all day in bed! Once I wake up, I must get up. If I lie there, I start thinking about all the things I could be doing.
Talking with a man still living at home with his parents, he said that to buy your own home today you need to be doing two jobs. I have done that! Modern life is pressurizing and does not put a proper value on rest. Even so-called leisure activities can be very demanding – in amazes me that people shop for pleasure.
However, I do believe when we stop, things happen. This happens on retreat. Not only are we refreshed physically by rest; but we can be renewed spiritually. We stop; we can think; reflect and this can give God his opportunity. When we rush on and on; we are pre-occupied, and this is pushing God away; keeping him at arms length.
Retirement can be a difficult time – adjusting to more focussed rest after a life of work. I am sure we all know people who retire and then go through a difficult period. I know of some who have simply dropped dead. Their whole life has been so focussed on work – their metabolism is not able to cope with rest; with just being and not doing.
You know the story of the soldier Ignatius. He was a typical young soldier – with the usual interests. But when wounded in battle he was forced to convalesce for several months. He found it difficult and took up reading to pass the time. In the house where he was staying there were two types of books. Some were racy romances. These he very much enjoyed reading but he noticed this thing within himself. The pleasure soon faded when he put the book down. Also in the house were a bible, and some lives of the saints. He noticed that as he read these, afterwards, the pleasure did not fade. Rather he was left with a feeling of simple inner joy and peace. Ignatius noticed these things because he had time to notice them. It changed his life. Ignatius chucked in being a soldier and devoted himself to spiritual writings and to serving God in his church.
Let us value rest as God values it. Let us ask God into our lives: let us rest in him. Amen.
In Genesis chapter 1 we read “on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So, God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from the all the work that he had done in creation.” This reminds us of the importance of rest. God rests: we too need rest. After all, we are made in his image. The passage tells us that rest is blessed: it is a precious, sacred time. Furthermore, if we read on to Genesis Chapter 3 we realise that we were originally made for rest and not for work. God placed our ancestors Adam and Eve in the Garden of Delight – in paradise – to rest and enjoy it. When they committed the first sin –they were driven from the garden as punishment and in verse 19 God tells them “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground.” Work, then, is God’s curse brought about by our sinful condition!
In the gospel today we hear how the disciples return from their mission. They have been sent by Jesus on an expedition, with his authority. In his name they are to preach the gospel, heal the sick, exorcise demons. The go out in pairs, they travel light, they are dependent on local hospitality. They are gone some time. When they return, they are called not disciples but apostles. This is the only time this word is used in St Mark’s gospel. The word disciple has the sense of being a pupil. The word apostle has a different sense. They have authority. The same authority as the one they represent – Jesus himself. God himself. The word disciple has the sense of one who is lesser than the master. The word apostle has a sense of being equal.
Of course, the word apostle, especially in other parts of the New Testament also has the sense of those who are the leaders in the church (initially the twelve). But Mark is not here meaning this. What he is saying is that all disciples of Jesus can be apostles when they engage in mission…. The apostolate of every Christian is to share the Good News, and to bring God’s healing and peace to a waiting world. So, the disciples return from their mission. They have been working hard for the kingdom and Jesus calls them to rest. Nowadays we call this getting our work-life balance right. We cannot just work, and work and work, and hope to remain well; physically, mentally, or spirituality. We are made for rest. As St Augustine says “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Just as the Creator ended his work with rest, so our work on earth will end in eternal rest. Rest is our hope, our goal, our final destiny.
I have been working since the age of 12 when I had a job at weekends and during school holidays picking soft fruit at a local small holding. So, I know adapting to life beyond 3rd October will be a challenge. I really envy people who can lay in bed. I have a friend who sometimes spends all day in bed! Once I wake up, I must get up. If I lie there, I start thinking about all the things I could be doing.
Talking with a man still living at home with his parents, he said that to buy your own home today you need to be doing two jobs. I have done that! Modern life is pressurizing and does not put a proper value on rest. Even so-called leisure activities can be very demanding – in amazes me that people shop for pleasure.
However, I do believe when we stop, things happen. This happens on retreat. Not only are we refreshed physically by rest; but we can be renewed spiritually. We stop; we can think; reflect and this can give God his opportunity. When we rush on and on; we are pre-occupied, and this is pushing God away; keeping him at arms length.
Retirement can be a difficult time – adjusting to more focussed rest after a life of work. I am sure we all know people who retire and then go through a difficult period. I know of some who have simply dropped dead. Their whole life has been so focussed on work – their metabolism is not able to cope with rest; with just being and not doing.
You know the story of the soldier Ignatius. He was a typical young soldier – with the usual interests. But when wounded in battle he was forced to convalesce for several months. He found it difficult and took up reading to pass the time. In the house where he was staying there were two types of books. Some were racy romances. These he very much enjoyed reading but he noticed this thing within himself. The pleasure soon faded when he put the book down. Also in the house were a bible, and some lives of the saints. He noticed that as he read these, afterwards, the pleasure did not fade. Rather he was left with a feeling of simple inner joy and peace. Ignatius noticed these things because he had time to notice them. It changed his life. Ignatius chucked in being a soldier and devoted himself to spiritual writings and to serving God in his church.
Let us value rest as God values it. Let us ask God into our lives: let us rest in him. Amen.
