Posted Thursday 1 May 2008
I’m writing this during the week of the third Sunday of Eastertide, writes the Rev Canon Kenneth Stephen of Christ Church, Dalbeattie, continuing to celebrate with joy the Lord’s resurrection, with the ringing out of our Alleluias, and our supreme rejoicing in the message of the promise of life in the Lord.
Last Sunday (6 April) we read in the Gospel of St Luke the very familiar narrative of Jesus’ encounter with disciples on the road to Emmaus and of his being made known to them ‘in the breaking of the bread’.
There is a significant moment here, when the disciples realise that the Lord has risen: ‘Without a moment’s delay they set out and returned to Jerusalem … described what had happened on their journey, and how he had made himself known to them …’ (Luke 24.33,35 REB).
During March’s diocesan course, Leading Your Church Into Growth (LYCIG), in which I took part, we were encouraged to share with a neighbour, for a few minutes, our ‘faith stories’ - aspects of our coming to faith and significant moments on our Christian pilgrimage. Some admitted they found this difficult. Perhaps they had never engaged in such sharing before.
But several then said they discovered that the exercise opened up for them a realisation of differing highlights from their particular journey in faith and pilgrimage, and brought an increased confidence in using a variety of opportunities to speak of their faith.
Pleasantries
I was reminded yet again of the times in my early years of ministry when I merely talked social pleasantries with those whom I was visiting, doing nothing significant to convey to them the ‘good news’ of forgiveness and life in the Lord which I was charged at my ordination to convey. I was perhaps 14 years into my ordained ministry before particular formative experiences of the presence of the Lord in my life brought the realisation that I had to take all opportunities given to ‘give account for the faith that is in me’.
All of us on the course were reminded of our baptismal commission: ‘God calls the Church to reflect Christ’s glory, in baptism to declare Christ’s new life, in fellowship and mission to share it. Do you accept God’s call?’
And we were reminded of the response we give: ‘We hear and accept God’s call.’
‘Will you proclaim the good news by word and deed, serving Christ in all people?’ ‘With the help of God, I will.’ (Revised Baptism Rite 2006 Scottish Episcopal Church.)
We seek daily the help of God that we might have courage and forthrightness in proclaiming Jesus as Risen Lord and Saviour.
Category: Thought for the Month
