Stories to Tell

 

Stories to Tell

 

This Bible passage refers to events on the same day the women found the empty tomb.

Two people walking down the road, talking about what had happened.

I wonder what it was like.

Being with Jesus

Seeing the crucifixion

The empty tomb

The wondering

What happened to the body

What now???

 

….

 

I love stories, well I love good stories, stories can be a powerful way of helping us to see truth and beauty, love and grace.

 

Something about stories I should mention; just because they are called stories doesn’t mean they are made up.  Also, because we see and experience life differently, our stories will be different; that is OK, each of us will bring something different to the conversation.

 

We are people of story. while the Bible has lots of stories, there is also an overarching story.  There are stories that tell us of something of God's interaction with the world, and how people have interpreted the world around them. There are stories from prehistory of creation and ark; there are stories of war, famine, exile, return; there are poems, speeches, letters, and a travelogue or two. 

 

There is also an overarching story, a story of a God who is involved with all of creation, a God who loves so much, that God will become human to show us how much we are loved.

 

Through this story, we are connected to people through many generations and around the world, people who have heard and told and retold and lived these stories. Stories transcend time and space, yet we read them in our particular time and place.

 

We each have a story, stories that tell about our birth, our family, our culture, our faith. This congregation also has its own story, probably more than one story; stories that tell of how this congregation came into being, of how different people have joined this congregation; of how and why people have left this congregation; of the various ministries of the congregation, past and present.

 

Part of what we do each time we gather together as a community of faith, when we come together to worship, and in other ways, part of what we do is to remember who we are in God's eyes. We again hear the stories of our faith, the stories written in the Bible, and also stories of our life together, stories of how God is still speaking to people today, of how God is still interacting in our lives today.

 

In the Easter address by the Moderator, Simon talks of the gospel story that helps us make sense of the world, of pain, and brokenness, and suffering and struggle, and joy and hope.

 

Around Anzac Day we hear stories, stories of mateship, and of the ones who did not come home; we hear of heroes, human and animal. We are now starting to hear the stories of those who return so damaged by war, by what they experienced, that they retreat to alcohol or drugs or die by suicide.  

 

In the video from Uniting World, we see how the gospel is life giving.

 

The stories I see in the media about Africa, Asia and the Pacific are not usually the inspiring stories we will see and hear this week as part of Seven Days of Solidarity.

 

It is the same locally, we hear of bad teenagers, but not those who study hard, work hard and are a delight to be around.

We hear of people born overseas, or with darker skin, who get into trouble with the Police, but we do not hear of the stories of all the people who look different to us, who work and love their family and pay their bills and are kind to their neighbours and patrol our beaches.

Because good news isn’t newsworthy.

 

We live in a society where people are labelled as “them”, as other, because of skin colour or ethnic background or the part of town people live or work in.

 

The stories we tell are powerful.

The stories we tell can wound or heal,
tear down or build up.

The stories we tell can harm or help,
inspire or lead to further despair.

What stories do we tell?
In our words and actions.

 

One thing I appreciate about the stories of Jesus is the way he weaves Scripture and life together. As Jesus walked with, and then ate with, the two travellers he spoke of Scripture and how it connected with what had happened. He connected their life at the time with Scripture in a way that helped them understand what was going on.

 

Can you see where the God story connects with your story?

Can you help someone else see where God has been active in their life?

To help someone see how the Gospel helps make sense of their life, of their struggle, their pain, their confusion.

 

We are people of the story,

the best story ever told,

a story of presence in the most difficult of circumstances

a story of life,

a story of hope,

a story of grace,

a story of peace offered,

sins forgiven,

life renewed.

 

We are people of story

The Bible includes stories of floods and droughts and wars and families and brothers that deceive and sisters swapped during a marriage ceremony and food shared.

Stories of plagues and illness
stories of healing

stories of real people living real lives

imperfect people, just like us.

The Bible is a full of stories, very human stories, stories of people interactions with God, and God’s interaction with people.

 

We have a story worth telling

a story of peace and hope and joy and love and grace

we have a story to tell,

a story about a God who creates and recreates

a story of a God who was born and lived and healed and taught and forgave

a story of a God who dwells within us, who sanctifies and inspires.

 

What story do you tell, with your words and tour actions.

 

How can you believe?

Proclamation of the Word

One question I have been asked is: how can you believe in Jesus?

A member of the church was dying, I’ll call her Meg. Meg was strong in faith and a great believer in prayer.  Her son rang one day to talk with me about her situation. He had grown up believing, but had struggled, and found himself unable to believe. As we talked, he asked why/how did I believe? How was it possible?

I have been asked that question a few times, mainly when people find out that I have studied science and engineering; and that I grew up in a family that was not part of a church.

Each of us will answer that question differently, but for me, it is about experience, experiences that speak to me of love and hope and healing. That doesn’t mean there haven’t been some doubts along the way, sometimes when I wondered if God actually knew me and cared about what happened to me. but experiences strong enough for me to keep believing even when it seems futile.

……

On our gospel reading today we heard of two people walking the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a distance about the same as from here to West Gosford. Imagine what it would have been like for them;

they had been with Jesus, though not as part of the Twelve,
they had witnessed the crucifixion
they were fearful,
sad
confused.

That very morning some women went and found the tomb empty, some angels told the women to remind the disciples of what Jesus had told them, and to meet him in Galilee.

I imagine them walking to Emmaus slowly, burdened by dashed hopes, then running back quickly back to Jerusalem to tell the others of their encounter.

Some days it is a struggle

to get out of bed

to keep on going when we feel like it doesn’t make any difference

to keep praying and working for peace when war and violence seem to increase

some days it is a struggle to believe

Part of being in a church is we help each other believe;

not by insisting on a set of doctrines,

but by meeting together to pray and sing

and listen to the stories of our faith.

To remember the way God worked in the lives of people throughout the Old and New testaments, and the way God works in our own lives.

We show God’s care in our caring,

we show God’s generosity in our sharing

Where do you see/hear/sense the risen Christ?

When walking

gardening

singing

in the breaking of the bread

in the laughter of children

where do you see the risen Christ?

Who do you tell?

The two people walking on the road did not recognise that the stranger was Jesus.

I wonder why?

What stops us recognising the risen Christ?

The two people walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, were walking westwards, into the sun, maybe that is why they did not recognise him immediately, or was it their confusion and grief?

What about us, what stops us recognising the risen Christ?

Is it that we are looking the wrong way?

or too busy with our own thoughts
or looking at our self?

What stops us recognising the risen Christ?
in people we meet
and in the world around us? 

…

There are a number of different resurrection sightings of Jesus recorded in the Gospels.

 In Matthew’s gospel, the women at the tomb are greeted with “Do not be afraid”

In John, Jesus tells the disciples, and then Thomas: “Peace be with you”

Here in Luke two people walking together, trying to make sense of the past week.

How often do we find time to try and make sense of what is going on in our lives?

How often do we seek out a partner for reflection and prayer?

Someone to help us think about how we live as a follower of Jesus in a world where violence is the first option in conflict?

Someone to help us think about how we live as a follower of Jesus when we live in a community where some people have to choose between food and medicine?

Someone to help us think about how we live as a follower of Jesus when so many voices shout for our attention?

Maybe it would be easier to not be afraid, and to live in the peace of Christ, if we talked and reflected together with one or two other people, people we trusted who challenged and comforted us as we try and make sense of life.

Life is a struggle some days, we move around in a fog of despair and disappointment, fear, anger or resentment.

We are burdened by grief and shame and anxiety

Life can be messy and confusing.

This story reminds me that Jesus is with me, even when I don’t recognise his presence.

This story also challenges me to look for signs of the risen Christ in the people I meet and the world around me.  

What helps you believe? 

good news!

Proclamation

 

 

^“ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation,”

 

I have told you before that I think I have the best job in the world, that is telling people that God loves them, and that each of you also has this job.  We may use words to let people know they are loved by God, but more often it will be our presence, our listening, our praying, our support, that shows the love of God to people around us. We will bring the good news with a casserole or the washing, or flowers, or picking children up from school.  And this congregation is good at those practical ways of showing Gods love in action.

 

But I wonder if we downplay the story we have to tell.

Because it is a great story that we can tell.

The ‘big’ story

of the interplay of God and creation,

of God’s presence with people throughout time,

of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus,

of the spread of the message of Jesus throughout the known world in the early church.

 

There is also the personal story that each one of us has of the difference Jesus has made in our lives.

In freeing us from guilt and the fears that hold us back

In healing us from hurt and shame

In liberating us to be the person God created us to be

The stories of

the times when we have been aware of the presence of God or Jesus or the Spirit in a special way

the times we have sensed a deep inner peace in the midst of difficulty

 

as well as the ongoing story of God and creation and history

as well as our own personal story

there is the story of this congregation.

….

 

In the Gospel reading this morning, we heard about the two followers of Jesus who were discussing the events of the past week, trying to make sense of death and resurrection

Wondering if it was true

Wondering if the time spent following Jesus around, was a waste of time.

 

Talking with each other

about what we are experiencing,

about our struggles and joys

discussing bible readings and other material

all this builds up community, and  also encourages in our life as faithful followers of Jesus.

 

Hearing other people experiences and telling our own, can help us to understand, or at least acknowledge, the presence of God in our lives, and sometimes in ways that are startling.

 

I remember a time when I was on retreat, and I had an experience during a time of prayer and communion, that was new for me. It felt like someone was pouring warm oil over me – it felt wonderful and soothing, but I couldn’t understand what was happening. And I didn’t mention it to anyone in case they thought I was stupid or weird!

On the way home, the person who was travelling with me, told me of her experience a few years earlier,  and it was quite similar to what I had experienced the previous day. I was then comfortable to talk with her about it. Her words were good news to me.

 

^“ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation,”

 

We can be bearers of good news to each other within this faith community, within small groups that meet for Bible study, discussion, craft and travel.  

But we can also be bearers of good news in the community.

By being involved in the community

By valuing all people

By being a place and a people who forgive

By offering space for people to talk about their doubts without judgement

 

We have a story to tell,

a story of peace and hope and joy and love and grace

we have a story to tell,

a story about a God who creates and recreates

a story of a God who was born and lived and healed and taught and forgave

a story of a God who dwells within us, who sanctifies and inspires

 

a story of how this community, Engadine Uniting Church,

has strengthened our faith,

has valued and loved us

has taught and encouraged

 

we have a story to tell of this community and the way its life is inspired by the love of God in Jesus.

in collecting food for Shire Youth, because people are important and food is a necessity

in operating the OOSH to help local families with quality child care.

In having social activities that all people are invited to participate in, that help ease social isolation.

 

We have a story to tell

Yet I have rarely heard those stories

Maybe that is because I am a scary person

Or you have other people to talk to

Or maybe like me, it can all be a bit uncomfortable and embarrassing, because someone might ask a question we can’t answer.

 

popcorn [maybe earlier or here?]

popping a single kernel over the Christ candle, thinking about story

  

“ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation,”

 

In what ways do we announce good news, salvation and peace in our community?