Bible Text: Resp. Ps. 95 & 97, John 13:31-34, Matthew 5:17-20 | Preacher: Rev. Charles Scott
Introduction
Last week we ended our meditation on the problem of integration of the Peter and John traditions when we place our emphasis on one or the other. The spirituality of John can produce an individualistic focus on self which ignores the community and worship, the corrective and service opportunities which the community can offer. It includes the prayer support, the sacraments, the encouragement and support necessary to live out our lives according to the model presented by Christ.
On the other hand a focus on the Peter tradition with its emphasis on the external can lead to a misguided focus on the outward. It often expresses itself with a commitment to using our resources to maintain structures, outmoded traditions which stand in the way of ministry and mission. In personal terms the necessary changes in our lives becomes impossible so that we are no longer open to the Spirit and the transformation helpful to live a more abundant life in Christ. I would put this question to you to consider. As we get older it becomes more difficult for us to introduce change into our lives. But if we accept that transformation is an ongoing process in our lives, when was the last time that any fundamental change occurred in your life in response to the work of the Spirit?
I would suggest that we are all prone to follow a particular route in our lives simply because our comfort zone often determines our choice. Certainly I am aware of this process in my life, but I am also aware that periodically the Spirit of Christ shatters my illusion of comfort to open me to a re-balancing of the two traditions. This is a continuous process in the Christian life. The old saying that a rut is simply a coffin with the ends kicked out often is reflected in our lives. The inner life of the Spirit evident in the solitude of prayer, worship, study and community is to be reflected in the outward life expressed by the fruits of the Spirit: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL.
1) The Necessity of the Peter Tradition
Our text in Matthew emphasizes for us the necessary place of law and structure in our lives. We all recognize the need and place of structure in order to function. Without law no society can operate. The Psalmist puts it this way: THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT, REVIVING THE SOUL; THE DECREES OF THE LORD ARE SURE, MAKING WISER THE SIMPLE; THE PRECEPTS OF THE LORD ARE RIGHT, REJOICING THE HEART. This applies to our bodies as well as to the whole of creation. Without structure or laws of life which regulate our bodily functions we cannot exist as human beings. Without the structure of our skeletons our bodies would simply be unable to function. Looking after our bodies with proper nutrition and exercise is critical for us. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 104 expresses the necessary inter-relationship of the earth and the whole cosmos in this manner: O LORD, HOW MANIFOLD ARE YOUR WORKS! IN WISDOM YOU HAVE MADE THEM ALL. Couched in terms of Genesis God in his love and wisdom brought the order of law and life out of A FORMLESS VOID AND DARKNESS.
In Matthew Christ is the fulfilment of the law, for it guides us in living a life of righteousness, of peace and justice in which we live in a right relationship with God and all life forms. As the text tells us we are not simply to live like the Scribes and Pharisees. They tended to live in terms of externals for all to see. The law became the means by which they attempted to control and manipulate the lives of others. There have been many instances recently by which those in power have attempted to use the law to stifle legitimate descent. I have often thought that the term Party Whip is an appropriate term to control anyone from objecting to a particular party. Our present materialistic and busy age sets a great store on the outward appearance and possessions and activity. As Graham Vietch suggested we live a difficult Christian life in the midst of an all- encompassing culture which shapes our responses unconsciously. The law which in the manner of its fulfilment modelled by the Christ, is a guide and corrective for each one of us. Faithful action is a necessary ingredient of the Christian life.
Another emphasis in the Peter tradition is expressed by the church; its memory in its traditions, the sacraments and Bible, its worship and fellowship. It is like a family which in its relationships helps us to live with one another in peace and harmony. Parents are to model for their children what it is to live with the give and take of family life. The church is this family for us. It becomes a shelter and necessary rock for our lives.
It can open our inner vision to creation so that we can see it with fresh eyes as God’s gift to us. In our times of loneliness and trouble we have all drawn comfort from singing the church’s hymns, saying prayers together with folk who like us, have known temptation, loss and emptiness. The church service gives voice to our yearnings for God’s goodness at the heart of humanity. When we are brought to repentance in light of the love and law of God modelled in Christ we are not turning away from ourselves to become someone different so much are we are returning to our true self to become what we are personally created to be. We are made in the goodness of the image of God.
2) The Necessity of the John Tradition
Lest we think that we can function with a primary emphasis on one tradition let me suggest an image. We recognize that structures are necessary. But as I have suggested like our own skeleton it is useless unless the life of the body is infused by the spirit of life. The Gospel lesson in John indicates the nature of this life in the new commandment that Jesus gives to us. I GIVE YOU A NEW COMMANDMENT, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER. JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, YOU SHOULD ALSO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. BY THIS EVERYONE WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
This ancient tradition is a treasury of the house of faith which enables us to discern God’s presence in all of life. Harvey Coxes, a writer of the Book of the Secular Society which I read in theology many years ago has made the comment that we are moving into the Age of the Spirit. Science recognizes and explores the interrelationship of all life both on earth and throughout the cosmos. Earth is held in its orbit a particular distance from the sun so that life can exist. It is simply one expression of this reality. Cosmonauts have recognized this fact. Our bodies are an expression of the inter-connectedness of all life. As we damage this relationship with the creation we begin to make life more difficult. The various species of animal and bird life which have been destroyed by our way of live and which continues to threaten these species warn us of danger. They are similar to the canaries which were used in the mines to warn of the release of life threatening gas. They tell us that all is not well with the creation upon which we rely and to which we are intricately related. We are dependent for life on the creation. Because this is God’s world and God is the source of all life we have an obligation to care for one another and the creation. It is the way we are TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
The John tradition emphasizes the essential goodness of all life. In the Church’s symbols and rituals they clearly point to the world which is God’s dwelling place. As we listen to the agony of the world in its people, in the creation itself we can hear the heartbeat of God, the continual suffering and pain of God. I have mentioned on occasion that none of us can carry the pain of the world, even of those closest to ourselves. But in Christ we know and recognize the God who carries this pain and suffering for us.
3) Putting the Two Together
It’s interesting that Peter and John were together at the last supper and both went to the empty tomb in response to the news of the women. Peter and John also went to the temple together in the Book of Acts in chapter 3. In each case Peter was the active one who went in to the tomb first and spoke to the lame man at the temple. John on the other hand hung back and may have reflected on what he was seeing and about to do. It was to the Beloved disciple that Jesus on the cross gave the responsibility to care for his mother. They reflect the character of Mary and Martha. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to Christ while Martha organized lunch. We need both of these traditions in our lives. We need this balance in our spirituality, believing and hoping in our God given goodness on the one hand and being wise and alert to our sinful leanings on the other.
It is like a surgical procedure. The aim of medicine is to enable the healthy energy deep within to assert itself against any disease or malaise that is threatening our well- being. This transformation from sickness to health in ourselves, others and the creation comes through love. This love of Christ wells up from life’s deepest springs, the place of God’s abiding.
Where do we listen for the heartbeat of God? For those of us who belong to the Christian household the primary source is the Christ, in the teaching and life of Christ, his joy and suffering; the stories of scripture and the life of the saints, in the beauty and pain of life, in the poor and dispossessed, in the life of creation and our own hearts. We do so through the medium of prayer in silence and solitude as did the Christ if we are prepared to listen. Both the Peter and John tradition plays a part in this stethoscope of listening.