"The Lord is my Shepherd" by Paul Zach https://youtu.be/ejx1ijzjlgY
A luscious sandwich feast with my friend at the Kingfisher Cafe seemed an appropriate way to celebrate seeing my first Kingfisher in the 'flesh'. Of course it was too quick for me to photograph, but the pleasure of watching nature unfold before my eyes lead to me glimpse beauty in unexpected places.
Storms and trauma have been in the news seemingly for the past few weeks and troubles and threat and reality of war in Europe in 2022 seemed to fit the weather hiatus also recently experienced. Talking about Luke 8: 22-25 and Jesus calming the storm seemed to be a lectionary gift (of course a heavenly reminder) that He is always with us - an opportunity it would be wise not to pass on...
Sermon - Benefield
Luke 8: 22-25
"...May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Rolling out of a bed onto the floor of a cabin is guaranteed to wake you up. Some years ago on the North Sea as we were coming home from a trip to Denmark the ship we were in was caught in a storm. When we reached dry land it took three days for me to regain my balance and I was the one in the family with the sea legs! We weren’t exactly afraid but it was daunting to be in a big ship and listening to waves hitting the side and grinding underneath. I grew up in Hastings and in the Old Town there is a Fisherman’s Museum with a huge stained glass window depicting Jesus calming the storm. It is no mistake that the fishing industry around the harbour clusters around the old church of St Nicholas which was built in 1838. It was build on reclaimed land as up until 1830 the sea came up to the foot of the cliffs. The new land was owned by HM Customs and Excise to break up smuggler ships, but as smuggling in the 19th century began to die out the customs building was reconfigured in to a church, however in 1938 it was closed and reemerged in 1956 as the museum. There are three bigger churches inland a bit to cater for the bigger congregations, the little church on the beach may have closed but the reminder of how important the connection with faith and fishing is not lost. The sea around this part of the coast can be treacherous because of the shifting shingle and high shelved beaches boats including the lifeboat have to be launched by tractor into the sea. Even with the small harbour on a calm day there is a dangerous swell, respect for those whose livelihoods depend on the sea is immense, as it is for those who risk their lives in the rescue services of the coastal waters everywhere.
It is hard to imagine what it would be like to be in a small vessel open to the elements and encountering the full force of a squall. I’ve been on the beach when a squall hits, you take shelter and hope. Squalls come in quickly, if you are lucky you can see them coming and take shelter, but the very nature of wind, rain and waves will take your breath away if you are not prepared. On the Sea of Galilee the cool air from the mediterranean is sucked through the mountain passes in to the bowl like lake and when the cool air meets the humid air of the area storms suddenly spring up, violently and terrifyingly so. God’s wonderful creation of the elements are powerfully brought into play here in this narrative, God has created, and God as man is also sitting in the boat alongside the disciples, asleep.
The Gospel of Luke is revealing so much to us about the nature and mission of Jesus, it is a Gospel that shares the joy of the good news for everyone and there is an emphasis and element of social justice about it. The parables include farm workers, the low paid, women, the sick and children all these and more considered outside the cultural hierarchical system of Jesus’ day. In a sense it is a gathering of everybody who is willing to and who can hear to listen and to take to heart the Word of God. When Jesus calms the storm it is a warning shot across the bows to the disciples as he asks them “Where is your faith?” The 12 disciples, are beginning to get a sense of who Jesus really is, and in the aftermath of the storm as they regain their own balance the wonder escapes them as they ask their own question “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” This is an echo from Marks Gospel 4:41 and a rhetorical one because it is their realisation that this is the Son of God, God’s presence as well as His power has been demonstrated from the turbulence of the storm to it’s quelling, God is with them.
We all face squalls that seem to come out of the blue, we can feel lashed and afraid quite suddenly and can become overwhelmed with no warning. I am sure many of you can identify with that feeling of helplessness especially as we begin to walk out our own storm of the Pandemic. It isn’t over yet and people from all walks of life including our leaders can be blown off course by events that have overtaken them. It is in these moments of crisis when we can feel Jesus’s presence and power most. Often at these moments we can sense peace and calm, a stillness that is tangible is there; that is Jesus nudging our hearts to remember that He is always with us. Turning to God in times of trouble is not a weakness it is recognition that we need help..."
https://youtu.be/zY5o9mP22V0 It is Well with My Soul with Audrey Assad
Throughout Lent the Celtic Morning Prayers group are going to consider some of the meditations and discussions in "Celtic Lent 40 days of devotions to Easter" starting next Friday. We will adjourn for coffee somewhere after the quiet prayer time, it would be great if you could join us!
Below are some of the images from a rather blustery but joyous walk the other day, if you look very closely you might see the shadowy image/blur of said Kingfisher sitting on a branch over the lake imagination might be needed but it is honestly there perching on a willow branch :)
Reminder: Celtic Morning Prayers, Fridays at 9.30 in the Lady Chapel, St Peters', Oundle.
Peace be with you friends <><
Caroline :)
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