5^th February, 2012

(Ordinary 5) Mark 1.29-39

Bless my words and our meditations, O Lord our rock and redeemer. Amen

Being in the World

The Rev'd Dr Ron Atkins, St Peter's on Willis

Late one afternoon, some weeks ago, I became aware of a chittering, and chattering, chirping and tweeting, with occasional squawks and mad flapping in our Pohutakawa tree. Finches and sparrows were flitting around and I wondered if there was a furry presence in the tree, but then, I had not heard any of the familiar cat warning chirps. Also Chido and Besh were inside, not that they are tree climbers. Then I saw at least four adult Tui and two younger birds. The younger birds were being encouraged to fly. An adult would push one off a branch and if it flapped to a near branch the older birds would send it to one further away.

The activity went on for over half an hour. This is what growing up is, or should be about, learning, developing confidence and courage. Not, being wrapped in cotton wool, and protective this, or protective that, not being protected from the world, but experiencing and learning to live in, and be part of the world.

Thursday was Candlemas, which we celebrated last Sunday. In the past altar candles would be consecrated at Candlemas. In the 17th century Puritans disapproved: one angry sermon referred to the "notorious acts" of one John Cozens who, one Candlemas Day, spent no less than two hours "climbing long ladders to stick up wax candles", no less than 220. How dare anyone have fun, especially in a church, despite the first miracle where Jesus showed he was not of a puritanical mind when he turned water into wine? Today there are those in the church who would turn wine into water, discourage any fun, and pour cold water on any expectation of good outcomes from projects. They are protective, better not do that, we did once and it didn’t work, better not try.

In the gospel story today Jesus goes next door to Simon Peter’s house. Peter’s mother in law was sick, and Andrew, James and John wanted her to be healed, and Jesus healed her.

Being in the world means illness and accidents happen. Parents protect us from the worst, stick on plaster and comfort us. Our attitude plays an important part in recovery. Surprise, surprise, a recent study found that attitude affects recovery in hospital. The most positive wards in Wellington hospital are the cancer wards. We notice that those who, despite the worst predictions, have a positive outlook, who are open and friendly are the people who don’t follow the dire predictions, they attend weddings and baptisms, and go on trips, whilst those who are grumpy, and unwelcoming are usually not with us for long. Yes, many are worried, and frightened at what is beyond their control, but most are able to open up when they find they are not alone.

Miracles do happen; I have a quiet friendship with a patient who is now three years, and a couple of trips overseas past, the “we can’t do any more, maybe this trial drug will give you a couple of months” point. Of course there are other patients who have had similar outcomes. Miracles do happen, not so often with crowds, music and the man in a white suit asking for donations; usually they happen quietly in families, and individually.

With all the present day technology, there is still room for belief; for faith to believe that we can be healed through the use of medicines and technology. Research shows that people often get cancer sixteen months after an emotionally traumatic event in their lives. Trauma does not necessarily cause cancer, but stress can open us to illnesses, including cancer. At the heart of healing is prayer, to pray deeply for your own wellness, and for the wellness of those around us. Then we need belief in the power of prayer to bring healing, strength, and God’s presence to us and our loved ones.

Also, we need to be honest about those things we don’t want to be honest about. For many of us, the art of life is pretending, pretending we are well and in control when we are not. We need Jesus to heal and help us to change the conflicts and stresses that contribute to illnesses. At the very heart of healing is honesty about those things in our life which are not well. Like many in hospital we say to God, “no all is well the tubes and pumps the hospital bed are all illusions actually I’m quite okay” when we should be saying I know I need help.

At a clergy meeting last year, a soon to retire vicar, said he once was a choirboy at St Peter’s and carved his name in one of the choir pews, but now cannot find it. Up there are layer upon layer of choirboy and choirgirls names, the earliest date is 1895, but there is no name. On the front desk on the south side is a small drawing of an igloo, a flag pole with Union Jack, and the words South Pole. Had Captain Scott been successful a date in 1911 would no doubt have been added. And so a naughty act of a choir boy, most likely, has become part of our history. That is part of life, children do things that they shouldn’t, and when they do we should, we must be tolerant.

Recently an adult and a young Tui flew down the neighbourhood valley. The younger bird was not as agile and the adult Tui was close by. Then last week I saw one of the younger birds on a power line. It still had some baby feathers; was it showing off; it hoped along the line for about 15 metres turning 180 degrees with each hop, then it swooped over me and was gone.

The Tui parents have been doing what all parents do; training and teaching the children, not keeping them from danger, but being nearby. If they were overly protective the younger Tui’s would not learn to fly. Okay they were birds but the idea remains. Mum and dad taught us much, and we were always reassured they were nearby if ever things went wrong. But we were not wrapped in cotton wool, we learnt and along the way scrapped and scratched ourselves. Building balsa planes I learnt that yes dad was right there were razor blades one should never use.

We are not meant to creep round the world in fear, nor are we to act with arrogance toward the world and each other; we are to live life to the fullest(1) in the company of others.

Amen.

Mark 1: 29-39

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.  That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him.  When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.