Category: From the Vicar

Our second reading today begins: ‘Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.’ (1 John 4:7)

They are noble words, are they not? But what does it really mean to ‘love one another’? I believe the English word ‘love’ is somewhat inadequate as it is used in so many ways, with many very different meanings. For example, the word ‘love’ has very different meanings in the following expressions: ‘I love my wife’, ‘I love walking in the sun’, ‘I love chocolate’, ‘I love this movie’, ‘I love AFL football’.

So, what does it mean when John urges us to love one another?

St Paul shared his view of love with the Corinthians in chapter 13 of his first letter:

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. (1 Corinthians 13:1–8a)

I invite you to ponder the question in the light of what you know of the Scriptures generally and in the light of the acts of love demonstrated by Jesus.

Grace and peace to you all,

Chris

Next Thursday is Anzac Day. As Christians, ANZAC Day offers us the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice, not only of the 130,000 men who died at Gallipoli on both sides of the conflict (including 8700 Australians and 2779 New Zealanders), but on the sacrifice of all men and women throughout history who fought and/or made the supreme sacrifice to achieve peace for our nation.

The soldiers who fought at Gallipoli demonstrated a willingness to lay down their lives for their country and fellow soldiers. Their selflessness is a powerful reminder of the Christian principle of putting others before oneself and loving our neighbour as we love ourselves.

ANZAC Day is also a time to reflect on the terrible consequences of war and the impact it has on individuals, families, and communities. War is terrible – full stop. We are called as Christians to be agents of peace and reconciliation in a world that is often torn apart by conflict. Through our actions and attitudes, we must work towards and pray for a world where war is no longer necessary and where peace and justice reign.

As we seek to live as ‘salt and light’, we are called to be willing to put the needs of others before our own, to show compassion and empathy, and to work towards a better future for all people. It means recognizing that we are all part of a global community – that community for whom Jesus lived, died, and rose again. We have a responsibility to care for one another because we are called to be agents of peace and reconciliation, and to work towards a world where war is no longer necessary.

Grace and peace to you all,

Chris

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’ Sadly, many people in our society are paralysed by their fears. Fear can be one of the biggest obstacles in our path. Often, we fear what we do not know. It is that lack of knowledge about what might be that heightens our fear and causes us distress.

When the risen Jesus appeared to the disciples, they were overcome with fear. In the Gospel reading set for this Sunday (from Luke Chapter 24), St Luke tells us that the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost when Jesus appeared to them, because they were convinced the risen Jesus was not real. Jesus recognised that the disciples’ fear was caused by their doubt. They doubted that he could be alive. They doubted that God could save Jesus from death, and we know from other Scriptures that they feared for their own safety in the light of the terrible things that had been done to their Lord. But they had nothing to fear. Lovingly, Jesus met them in their doubts. As he did for Thomas in last week’s Gospel account, he invited the doubters to look at his wounds and touch him to see that their fear was ill-founded.

God’s reassurance in the face of doubt and fear was not and is not new. In Isaiah 41:10 God spoke through his prophet saying, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” In Deuteronomy 31:6 we read, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread … for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” In John 14:27, Jesus blessed his friends with these words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

At this Easter time, let us be reassured by these words and by the knowledge that God raised Jesus from the dead for the salvation of all.

Grace and peace to you all,
Chris

The first disciples were confused and incredulous when confronted with the empty tomb. Even on the day of resurrection, their feelings of elation were mixed with great doubt. Mary thought that someone had stolen Jesus’ body. The two walking to Emmaus were saddened by Jesus’ death, so much so that they did not recognise Him as He walked with them – until, of course, they realised who He was as He broke bread with them. Even though several of the women and Jesus’ closest friends reported that the tomb was empty, it seems that the reality of the resurrection had not yet been accepted, and perhaps at the time could not be accepted, as true by many of them.

This Sunday’s gospel (John 20) records the famous account of Jesus’ appearance to ten of the disciples behind locked doors when Thomas was not present. Thomas’s subsequent expression of doubt when hearing about it reminds us that doubt is a reality for many of Jesus’ followers from time to time, both then and now. Wonderfully, Thomas’s doubt turned to belief and faith in Jesus as “his Lord and his God” when Jesus appeared again a week later and lovingly invited Thomas to touch the scars of his wounds.

I think it is important to note that Jesus did not condemn Thomas for his doubt, but rather met him in his doubt and invited a deeper encounter with him. Jesus’ words that “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” speak to an emphasis on the role of faith, which goes beyond physical evidence and requires a heart that is open to God’s revelation and a willingness to trust in God’s promises.

May we, like the disciples, be willing to encounter the risen Christ in our doubts, receive his peace, and proclaim his truth with unwavering faith.

Every blessing.

Chris

Today we cry with confidence, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” Let us rejoice in the annual reminder that our Saviour is alive and has overcome death and sin. We might ask ourselves: how can this possibly be? Surely, no sensible, clear-thinking person would believe that a human being could be raised from the dead!

When I was teaching at a Grammar School, I taught Chemistry, Science, Mathematics and Religious Education. I remember one Year 9 boy who said to me, “You are weird, Sir!” When I asked him why he thought so, he replied, “Because you teach Science and Religion!” In his mind at least, the two disciplines were incompatible. The reality is, however, that there are many learned scientists who also believe in the risen Christ. I suspect that the reason that they can, is the same as it is for me. They do not deny the laws of physics, chemistry and biology; rather, they believe in a God who can work outside of those laws because God is the creator of all. It is not hard to believe that God could raise Jesus from the dead, if you believe that that same God created a universe ex nihilo (out of nothing). Do I understand how God did either? No, I don’t. But I have studied enough science to know that the extent of what we don’t understand far exceeds what we do understand.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is a great mystery. But it is a glorious mystery! As Paul wrote, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans, 6:3-5)

Because God raised Jesus from the dead, through baptism we share in both his death and resurrection. His glory becomes our glory. How wonderful!

A blessed and happy Easter to you all.

Chris

During the great days of Easter, we will be reminded of God’s saving grace to his people in bringing his ancient people out of slavery into the promised land. For the ancient people, that was a time of incredible stress and anxiety. After the Ten Plagues of Egypt, Moses finally led the people towards freedom, only to be apparently trapped at the Red Sea. The sea was in front of them, the pursuing Egyptian army was behind them. No one could see a way to escape. There was nowhere to go. But God found a way! Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Then, at God’s command, Moses lifted his staff and struck the sea. The sea divided, and the Israelites walked across on dry land. (Exodus, Ch14). Sometimes in our lives we may find ourselves, ‘stuck’ or ‘trapped’ with no apparent way to proceed – no way to find freedom. Yet, God in his mercy often shows us a way, as he found a way for his ancient people.

Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension demonstrate God’s salvation for all people. Humanity was lost in sin, but God provided a way to overcome sin and enjoy the freedom of his Kingdom. When we feel trapped, let us give thanks that we have a God who provides the way of salvation and freedom.

Grace and Peace be with you all.

Dear members and friends of the parish of South Darebin,

Greetings! I look forward to getting to know you all in this interregnum period as you prayerfully search for a new Vicar. I know that the recent months have been chall-enging and I hope that together we can look forward to what can be, and will be, as the people of God in Northcote and Thornbury.

I would like us all to take heart in the words of Jesus when he said:

“Do not worry about your life… Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith? Therefore do not worry… But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6: selected verses from 26–34)

Let us take comfort in the knowledge that our God of love knows our needs and wants what is best for us, our families and our neighbours.

May God bless you all,

Canon Christopher