Sexagesima Sunday 12 Feb 2012 Sermon

Sexagesima Sunday 12.2.12 Reaching one’s peak

The epistle unfolds the following sequence: St Paul suffered a lot in his efforts to spread the Gospel; then was consoled for his sufferings; then suffered again so that he would not be carried away by the consolation!

It seems that God will not allow us to experience either too much unhappiness or happiness. If we reach the real depths of sorrow He will throw us a line.

If we are highly elated He will remind us of the passing nature of earthly joy. It is not that He begrudges us happiness; just that He knows how easily we could seek false happiness.

If we need bringing back to earth He will let that happen. But even if we did not need any bringing back to earth we would still suffer because in that case we would be called upon to share more fully in the Cross of Christ.

The better we are at being disciples the more we will be called upon to do. ‘To do’ the same as the Master did – to love to the point of suffering and self-sacrifice.

Just as in ordinary life: if we are good at something we will be called to higher office. e.g. if we excel at sport we might be called upon to play for our country. Or if at playing a musical instrument, to give concerts.

The more good we are the more trouble we will get. More pressure will be upon us; more responsibility. This is the price of being good at something.

The same applies to being a good disciple of Christ. More will be expected of those who love more.

Yet we hide from this whereas we probably would not hide the other talents.

Generally people who have talents in worldly matters would display those talents and enjoy the recognition, even if it does bring certain costs.

But when it comes to being known as friends of Our Lord we like to avoid notice as far as possible. We fear looking different and we fear persecution.

Sportsmen and musicians are not usually put to death for being good, but Christians are!

We would all like to do a few good deeds, but we don't want to suffer for our faith.
We would like to get to heaven with a minimum of fuss.

But look at the New Testament and the writings of saints that always ask for complete detachment and commitment. Never just tagging along.

So the better we are the more we suffer. Not a great selling point!

But there is also the promise of reward. The joy exceeds the sorrow. The more we suffer the more joyful in turn we will feel. Even in this life.

Many look on religion with worldly eyes. They see only the pain and the sacrifice and they shrug their shoulders. Why would anyone want to do that? What is the good of it?

But if we live it, we see what good it does.

We can only trust and not try to make too many calculations. Put it all in His hands – Lord, make me the best I can be.

Not holding back through fear but launching out like a bird in flight.

Not bury our talents, not trying just to squeeze in almost unnoticed, but to be a flower unfolding. Be what you are. Find out what you are in the process.

We become ‘better’, ‘greater’. This is what Paul did; as did the other apostles and other saints. In modern jargon we seek to unlock our full potential.

We find in this life that joy and sorrow coexist, but not as equals. The sorrow is permitted only so that the joy can be greater.