Pathway of Faith - Rev Allister Lane
READINGS: EXODUS 12:1-14 AND PSALM 149
There has been a lot happening for us as a Church in the last couple of years – earthquake strengthening, fundraising, broken city infrastructure on the streets outside, changes to staff and use of property.
Oh yeah, and then a global pandemic as well!
And, let’s be honest, many of us are exhausted. It’s right to acknowledge this; we can be real with each other.
We can also celebrate the tremendous effort we’ve put in as a community. We have achieved a great deal together. And I also believe it is the right time for us to remind ourselves what we are about; what we live for, what our hopes are.
The big thing last year (if we can remember back 12 months ago) was our commitment to intergenerational faith formation – what we are calling the Pathway of Faith.
Ministry with young people has always been a significant part of the life of St John’s, and this is a continuing commitment. We have approached this in different ways, resourcing programmes and leadership creatively as suited the times – but always with dedication as a priority in the life of our church.[1]
Many of you came to the workshop last year, which introduced us to the cohesive framework for faith formation:
2 foundations and 8 pillars
which synthesise with our St John’s Mission Statement
As well as recognising our existing strengths as a Church, in what we already do within in this framework, we see further opportunities to experience meaningful faith formation together.
At the workshop we identified our top priority for faith formation at St John’s is Mentoring. We have our Mentoring Programme underway! And although the Programme is focused on committed mentoring matches (adult and young person) I want us to reflect on ‘mentoring’ as something important for us all; important for faith formation at every age – sustained by relationships.
So for the rest of this month the theme of the preaching will be ‘mentoring’.
THIS Sunday I want to LOCATE our broader commitment to intergenerational faith formation…
The way I see this, is that we are part of a big story. A big story that has been passed on to us, and that we are now part of.
This morning we’ve heard about the Passover – a crucial moment in the Exodus story, as the people of Israel understand God is providing them a way out of slavery to a new destiny.
We know this story because it is passed on – the people of Israel pass it on down the generations as a story of Jewish identity.
This was part of Jesus’ identity – and when he retold the Passover story with his friends (what we call the Last Supper), he opens it wide to embrace us into a big story for everyone.
So, at Easter at St John’s, we typically celebrate a Seder Meal, recalling how Jesus identified with and extended the story of Israel as the story of God’s salvation for the whole world.
And every time we share Holy Communion together, we express the connection with Jesus’ supper and the Passover, and we identify ourselves within this big story of God’s love across generations.
Locating our own intergenerational faith formation (Pathway of Faith) in the big story, I want to highlight some points from today’s Exodus story.
Point 1
Listen to the opening words again:
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt…
Let’s consider these words; what do they tell us?
Moses, Aaron and all the Israelites are in Egypt. (The song we sang earlier began ‘When Israel was in Egypt's land…’)
This context of the story tells us a great deal. The people of Israel are not in Egypt on holiday; they are held there in slavery. These is not a good time to be an Israelite. Their identity, and existence, is severely threatened.
This context is vital to understand what transpires and why this shapes identity in relation to God.
We know how context matters in our own lives. One powerful example recently has been at sentencing of the mosque attacks terrorist, as the victims read their impact statements. Perhaps like me, you found some of what was said difficult:
“...You are not actually a human, not even an animal since animals are beneficial to the world.”
MUSTAFA BOZTAS - WOUNDED AT AL NOOR MOSQUE“Your father was a garbage man and you became trash of society. He is ashamed of your identity. You deserve to be buried in a landfill.”
AHAD NABI - SON OF HAJI MOHEMMED DAOUD NABI, WHO WAS KILLED AT AL NOOR MOSQUE[2]
Such dehumanising comments sit uncomfortably with me – but I recognise that these comments are located in a context
This was the right moment for those who have been terribly affected to speak up; to say how they feel to the person who is responsible. Their words are not my words, and neither should they be. In the context of the sentencing by the court, these were true words for the victims.
Likewise, the context for the Exodus story is crucial for identity and meaning for those present and the succeeding generations.
Point 2
The next point to highlight is the instruction to do something:
take a lamb…
The detailed instructions that follow are for everyone in the community. So, this becomes a ritual confirming identity. The lamb is used this way, and becomes a powerful symbol of God’s liberation of Israel.
When Jesus comes on earth, he is identified with the symbol of the lamb, extending God’ rescue to the whole world. Jesus himself is the means of God’s rescue.
[On the Communion Table we read]
Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world
Rituals invite us to take our part in the story – to respond to what God is doing.
Point 3
The next point is about the instructions for how the Passover lamb is to be eaten.
This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly.
This was the beginning of a new way of living and being. God’s rescue involves them. They are to get moving! They must prepare for a journey. The saved community must be ready to go, must be prepared for the way ahead, moving through difficult terrain.
Compare these instructions for this Passover meal, to how we host a meal today.
We welcome people to relax, take off their jackets, sit down and make themselves comfortable. Not so for the Passover feast: you are to keep your walking gear on, and the meal is to be eaten in haste. This is more like McDonald’s Drive-Thru!
This is a meal that marks the start of a journey. The people of Israel are on the move.
As the Church, aren’t we also on the move?
If we are tempted to be settled and comfortable, let’s remember we are part of this story of a community that is on an exciting journey.
Point 4
The fourth and final point I want to highlight is how events like the Passover are moments we continously remember within the big story.
This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
A ‘perpetual ordinance’ is an ongoing action to remember. The story is remembered and continued as doing something together.
This ‘doing’ together confirms true identity, strengthens relational ties, and generates thankfulness.
A prime example (at the heart of our community and identity as the Church) is something we did last Sunday… We conducted a baptism. We baptised baby J. When we do this, we confirm our identity as loved by God, we support each other to grow in faith, and we give thanks for knowing God (through the saving death of Christ).
As we remember the story of where we come from, it still speaks to us about where we are going – God is faithful and committed to our well-being.
And this prompts me to quickly mention the other scripture reading: Psalm 149. The content of Psalm 149 is praise for the big story we are part of.
the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory
This Psalm is like a mirror: it beautifully reflects what God has done, what God thinks of us, …and what we think of God.
From listening to scripture, we see how we are part of a big story, where God is at work – confirming true identity, strengthening relational ties, and generating thankfulness.
I hope this helps LOCATE our commitment to intergenerational faith formation.
For us right now let’s recognise our interconnected togetherness in faith - and how we can strengthen and encourage each other’s faith – as a gathered church family, in our households, and everywhere God leads us…
We are journeying on the pathway of faith together in our exploration of intergenerational faith formation. This will require courage, patience and persistence! We will discover ways to work together, as an intergenerational church family, with our many blessings, so that we can all become better disciples of Jesus.
This reminder is so important for us, because is true that:
Faith is communally transmitted and communally sustained.
While intergenerational faith formation isn’t something new, we are approaching it more purposefully, because we can see the wonderful results – for us all, as we grow in our faith.
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[1] We are still striving to inspire young people and their families to grow in their faith. St John’s is a certified ‘Kids Friendly Church’ in the Presbyterian Network. At the centre of our vision, therefore, is the principle to make Church a place where young people feel at home and where they can learn about the love of God. Our hope is our young people will become inspired to explore their faith with others and be equipped with tools for continuing in their relationship with God, even when things get rough. So we remain committed to involving young people in the life of our Church and encouraging the open discussion of questions.
[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-shooting-factbox/quotes-from-court-hearings-for-new-zealand-mosque-shooter-idUSKBN25L04Z