Drawn by Rev'd Caitlin Thompson

The Readings

Exodus 20.1-17

The Sermon
By Joe P, St. Mary's

The content of today’s readings is pretty well known. The Ten Commandments, and the story of Jesus cleansing the temple.  Now – spot quiz – at first glance, what do they both have in common?

I could do with a ‘Countdown Timer’ here….

Well, they both appear more than once in the Bible.

The list of commandments we know as the Ten Commandments occurs 3 times; Exodus 34 is the only place where the label "The Ten Commandments" is used in the Bible. The other two listings (Exodus 20 – tonight’s reading -  and Deuteronomy 5) are normally referred to as the Ten Commandments, but the actual text doesn't describe them as such.

And cleansing the Temple – that appears once in each Gospel.  The narrative occurs near the end of the Matthew, Mark and Luke’s Gospels, and near the start in the Gospel of John – our OTHER reading tonight.

Now, remember how I said ‘At first glance’ in my question? Well, some scholars believe that these refer to two separate incidents, tonight’s cleansing happening at the start of Jesus’s Ministry, and the other three Gospels describing a different event that took place at the end of Jesus’s ministry. I think that this is quite reasonable; John’s Gospel also features more than one Passover, so more than one visit to the Temple by Jesus would certainly happen.

So – why did Jesus behave like this? We know from his previous experiences that Jesus wasn’t a stranger to the Temple in Jerusalem; he once ended up there ‘on His Father’s business’, as he put it, when he was a boy, and we can understand his affection and respect for the Temple.  The Temple was the Third Temple – the Temple of Herod, initiated by Herod to try and gain favour with the Jewish people.  By the time today’s reading takes place, it’s still not complete – it would only be completed about 6 or 7 years before it’s destruction in 70 AD.

It’s worth taking a look at the context of why the animals were in the temple precincts anyway, and what the money changers actually were.

At Passover, people would come to Jerusalem from all over Israel – and from further afield as well.  All worshippers at the Temple except women and children - would be expected to pay a half-shekel Temple Tax - worth about £2.50 at the current value of silver – and would also be expected to provide a sacrificial animal; a lamb or calf.

Now, the money had to be sanctified - Temple money. You couldn’t just give over any old cash. Each year different coins would be produced, and as a visitor you would exchange your currency for the Temple coins with which to pay the Temple Tax. This is where the money changers came in.  Similarly, many people coming to Jerusalem would find it easier to buy a sacrificial animal on arrival, rather than bring one with them on a long journey.

There was also a risk associated with bringing your own sacrificial animal.  Anything presented for sacrifice had to be of highest quality and would need to be approved by the Temple authorities before it could be sacrificed.

And here we find things get a bit messy, and potentially corrupt; money changers would charge a fee for each transaction they carried out.  Sellers of sacrificial animals would sell at a much higher price than would be normally expected, and it was often suspected that the Temple authorities would be ‘encouraged’ by the sellers of sacrificial livestock to disapprove as many ‘out of town’ animals as possible. Quite a few opportunities for the world of commerce and human greed to come between a worshipper and God.

Initially, the animal dealers were based outside the Temple, in the valley of Kidron on the Mount of Olives, but eventually, by the time Jesus visits, they’ve moved in to an area of the Temple called the Court of the Gentiles – the part of the temple that is open to Gentiles as well as Jews. In other words, part of the worship space has become a combination of a bank and a cattle market.

In Mark’s Gospel, Chapter 11 Verse 17, we hear that the temple was designed to be a place of worship for all nations. Gentiles who wished to worship God could, in principle, do so in the Court of the Gentiles – however, this area was now not really fit for worship – and this is why Jesus is so angry. His Father’s house is not fit to be a place of worship for all nations, if the gentiles have to worship amidst animals and moneychangers.

There’s a general idea amongst people that here’s where we see ‘Rambo Jesus’ – wading in and whipping the people as well as the animals to get them out of the Temple Court.  This is how it’s portrayed in at least one painting; but it’s not the case; the whip was used to drive the animals out, and Jesus turned over the tables over the money changers and generally ruined business for the day.

His disciples remembered what was said in scripture about the coming Messiah – that they would be overcome with zeal for the house of the Lord.  Well, this meets the bill.  The Jewish authorities, unsurprisingly, were less impressed and asked him on whose authority Jesus was asking.  His answer – that he would be able to raise the Temple in 3 days – rather foxed them.  But this answer, combined with the scriptural reference – was remembered by Jesus’s disciples after his death and resurrection, and reminded them again of the truth of the Scripture and of His teachings.

Temples are not just buildings. As Jesus pointed out – the body is a temple; even our human bodies.

Our Temple is our body, heart, mind and soul.  The place where we meet with God.

What do we do in our temple to interfere with worship? Who are the sellers of sacrificial animals and temple money-changers in our hearts and minds?  Maybe:

The noise and bustle of the market place of ideas

The sense that what we bring – our thoughts, feelings, our very body itself - isn’t clean enough, good enough or pure enough?

The sense that we need to change what we are for something else to become acceptable?

What can we do to cleanse our heart and mind to make accepting Jesus easier, to make worship and prayer easier?

We can bring Quiet in to our hearts.

We can accept and embrace the we’re broken; we’re fallen; we will never be perfect. That’s fine. We just try not to sin; be repentant. It’s an ongoing process; try again, fail again, try again.  Keep at it.  That’s how we are – that’s how God expects to find us. Be yourself and present yourself to Jesus humbly, throwing yourself on his grace and mercy.

We are unique; we are made in the image of God. There is nothing in what we are to change, just how we behave.

Driving out these distractions and impediments to worship from OUR temple is not easy.  I feel I’d have more luck with shifting sheep and cows and overturning a few tables than I would in controlling and disciplining my occasionally unruly heart and head.

But, we need to make our temple suitable for worship of the Lord.

May our equivalent of whips and table turning be effective.

The Prayers
Prepared by Siobhan H

As we journey together through the season of Lent, Gracious God we ask that you help us on the path of repentance and renewal.

Faithful God,
We pray for all who share in the ministry of this community, that they bring compassion and understanding to all those in need. As Sue prepares to be licensed as Priest in Charge and Matthew Associate Priest, we ask that you grant them the wisdom, understanding and strength they need to fulfil their call. May they have joy in their ministry and be enabled to have times of rest and retreat. Inspire them and the laity with vision and commitment, so they may be instruments of your divine grace and love.
We pray to the Lord
Lord hear our prayer

Creator God,
Thank you for the lengthening of days, for the coming of growth, life and birth. Help us to appreciate the wonders of our world and create in us a desire to care for our environment for the benefit of future generations and all your creatures.
We pray to the Lord
Lord hear our prayer

Loving God,
As schools fully reopen next week we pray for teachers, students, and their families that you would ease any anxiety about going back to school they may have. Especially we pray for our church school of St Mary’s. May it be a place where every child matters, where healthy relationships are formed, knowledge acquired and positive memories made.
We pray to the Lord
Lord hear our prayer

Everlasting God,
We pray for all who are sick in mind, body or spirit and for the nurses and professionals who care for them. For all people in our local nursing homes; may the palm crosses and cards we are preparing to send remind them of their great worth. For those at home being cared for by loved ones; that they may be supported by their community and know your loving presence close to them. Be with those meeting this week from our churches, as they seek to find ways to support those with a dementia diagnosis and their carers.
We pray to the Lord
Lord hear our prayer

Merciful God,
We pray for those we love but see no longer. Grant them your peace, let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
We remember before God those who have died recently especially Diane Gascoyne.
Bless all who mourn with the comfort of your love.
In a moment of silence we pray for own prayer intentions.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen

Image from Tearfund's reboot campaign: https://www.tearfund.org/campaigns/reboot-campaign

The Readings

Genesis 9.8-17

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.’

Mark 1.9-15

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Sermon
By the Revd Canon Dr Matthew Rhodes

Today we begin to journey with Jesus in the wilderness through the forty days of Lent. Many of us will be feeling that we have been in the wilderness for quite a long time now. But around the world, many more people are experiencing an even greater wilderness with the effects of climate change. Some people are experiencing enormous floods like the one in Noah’s time that we heard about in our first reading. Other people are experiencing prolonged drought. Today, as well as being the first Sunday in Lent, we are marking Climate Sunday. And as part of that, I would like to invite you to watch a short film from Tearfund about a woman called Orbisa who lives in northern Ethiopia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXuEkAtZLi8

In Lent we spend a bit more time thinking about our sinfulness. The things that we have done wrong or the things that we haven’t done that we should have. And we tend to think in terms of our individual sins. We might decide to give up chocolate or alcohol. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But we’re also aware that sin isn’t just an individual thing. As human beings we share in the sins of the world. And one of the greatest sins of our time is the damage we are doing to our planet and the impact it is having on nature and on the poor. And perhaps that’s something we need to spend a bit more time with this Lent. Thinking about the bigger picture and our part in it.

Like Orbisa, Jesus knew what it was to go without water. Without food. We’re told that the devil tempted him, and in other versions of the story Jesus was tempted to make bread out of stones; to put God to the test by throwing himself off the temple; and to take power over the nations. Jesus could have done any of these things but he didn’t. He resisted temptation. Because we live in a rich part of the world which hasn’t suffered as much from climate change we may be tempted to ignore it. To do what we want and let other people deal with the consequences. People in other countries. Generations still to come. But as followers of Jesus we are called to do more than that. To repent and change.

It’s easy for us to feel powerlessness in the face of climate change. It is such a huge issue. But we are not powerless. As the film said, we can pray, we can campaign. And we can act. Even though this is a worldwide issue there are still things that we can do as individuals. Collectively, our small actions can make a difference. For a start, most of us are driving less at the moment and we’re certainly not flying anywhere. And that might be something that we choose to continue with after the pandemic. Walking and riding bikes are good for us and good for the planet. Some of us might want to change our diets. Fasting during Lent has a long history. Before refrigeration, many people ate less meat and dairy during Lent because it just wasn’t available. Meat production contributes a lot to global warming so we might choose to have a meat free day each week. We could eat more fish which would help our fishermen who are having a difficult time at the moment.

And there are lots of other things that we can do at home. We can change to LED light bulbs to reduce our energy consumption. We might want to think about changing to a renewable energy supplier. As the weather warms we can get out in the garden and enjoy planting seeds and encouraging wildlife. Plants help to capture carbon and they also make us feel better. When we do plant things, we should avoid using compost with peat in it. Peat bogs store even more carbon than forests and need to be preserved. We can improve our own soil by creating a compost heap. We can recycle more. And just buy less stuff. All of these things help to reduce our carbon footprint. And they are all in the spirit of simplicity that we see in Jesus.

St John’s Building Group has been thinking about how our church can reduce its carbon footprint and we hope to share some ideas soon. We are already using more LED bulbs and monitoring our energy use. In April we hope to plant some more trees in the Parish Centre grounds. Some of us did the RSPB bird count a couple of weeks ago and we’re putting up boxes for swifts. We’re also looking at the church’s investments and making sure that we don’t put our money into fossil fuel industries. There’s a lot more to do but I’m delighted that St John’s has just been awarded our Silver Eco Church Award. There are only two other churches in the Diocese that have received this award and this is a major achievement.

Climate change is a huge issue. There are lots of people in all sorts of wildernesses at the moment. But we are not powerless. There are things we can do. At the end of his time in the wilderness, Jesus came to Galilee and proclaimed good news, saying the kingdom of God had come near. We too can get beyond wilderness and bring good news to people like Orbisa. We can all help to bring God’s kingdom nearer. Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared By David C, Lay Reader

With confidence and trust let us pray to the Father.

We pray for the world.
Where human greed and violence have marred the beauty of creation.
We pray for a right relationship between ourselves and the natural environment.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for the church.
For its mission to all peoples and in all places. For our Bishops Pete and Sophie.
We pray that humility and loving service may the hallmark of your church.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

For those who are eager to learn about the faith
and those who would be baptised or confirmed at Easter.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer in body mind or spirit.
We pray for knowledge of your grace in their lives and your healing presence.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

In communion with all those who have walked in the way of holiness.
Those from our own lives who we miss and those who have no one to pray for them.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

Merciful Father
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The Readings

Hebrews 2.14-18

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Luke 2.22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Sermon
By David Clark, Lay Reader in Training

How do we encounter God?

A question with a wide range of answers. Were we all to answer it now, there might be broad themes that might emerge, God encountered in scripture; the sacraments; music; nature, but each answer would also be slightly different. Some would not have everything above on their list, or have different ways in which they encounter God. Just take a few moments to reflect on where you encounter God.

Our Gospel reading today tells us how two seemingly very ordinary people had their first encounter with Jesus.

Simeon has been looking forward to the consolation of Israel and is expecting to the see Lord’s Messiah before he dies. This combined with his speech gives the impression that he is an old man who can now depart in peace having seen the salvation of all peoples, but the passage isn’t explicit on this.

Simeon is led by the Holy Spirit to the temple for this encounter with Jesus. He is drawn to the holy place of the Lord, and there meets him. For this to happen he must be receptive to the Holy Spirit, it rests upon him, and be willing to follow her lead.

Simeon then gives us this great hymn of praise to God. It is enduring, in use in worship for more than 1600 years. Today we might say it at funeral or hear it sung in a service of Compline or Choral Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer. It is the third and final of the three hymns of praise in the first chapters of Luke. First we have the Magnificat, uttered by Mary in response to the words of Elizabeth, who was moved by Holy Spirit and the baby John in her womb. Secondly the Benedictus, spoken by Zechariah, John’s father, who in following the Lord’s plan and naming his child John finds his voice again.

The language of these hymns has much in common, albeit with different emphases. Salvation for all, help for Israel, fulfilment of promise. All of what is spoken in these hymns will echo down the generations. These words are not just for the here and now but for the future.

Separate from the hymn Simeon has words for Mary to ponder. A recognition that Jesus will cause division and a reversal of fortunes for many in Israel. The encounter with Jesus has changed not just the person themselves, but those around them. Simeon’s words to Mary also foretell her own sorrow, which lies ahead of her at the foot of the cross. Which is the reason we find this passage set for Candlemas, the end of the forty-day greater season of Christmas. We turn from the infancy narratives to the coming forty-day season of Lent and Jesus’ passion.

Luke has a pattern of pairing a man and a woman together for stories. Elizabeth and Zechariah for example. So we turn now to Anna. She is explicitly given the title of prophet, a rarity for a woman, given to Deborah in the Book of Judges, but to no other woman in the Old Testament. She is explicitly described as being of great age, having lived most of her life as a widow. Unlike Simeon she is faithfully in the temple all of the time, worshipping, fasting and praying. Like Simeon she has been waiting to for the redemption of Israel. Sadly, she has no hymn of praise, or at least none is recorded for her.

Both Simeon and Anna encounter Jesus in the temple. Both have been patiently waiting for the salvation of God. One has been doing so within the temple, the other outside, but is drawn inside by the Spirit. The same holds true today. Some of us will dwell within the modern temple of the Lord, the church worshipping and praising God. Others will be drawn to the house of the Lord at particular times, by the Holy Spirit for an encounter with Jesus. They will have much to teach those dwelling in the temple, just as those dwelling in the temple of have much to teach those who are drawn in.

While both Simeon and Anna encounter Jesus in the temple, it is not the only place of encounter. As we reflected earlier on the places where we encounter God I’m sure some of them are outside the church. As it should be, God is not restricted to one place. But encountering God often requires us to be receptive to the encounter, which can be more easily accomplished in a place designed for that purpose. Hopefully, sometimes it can be hard to encounter God in church, often when the church is not living up to it’s best ideal. When it is exclusionary, inwardly focused or not attentive to encountering God.

Let us work for a church that is receptive to God, open to encountering Jesus throughout our lived experience and ready to hold the light of revelation up for all to see.

Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared by Siobhan

God of love, we ask for your blessing on your church and world. We pray for all who serve you in ministry especially remembering our worship team. May we proclaim the love of Christ in our neighbourhood by being sensitive and responsive to the needs of others. Help us to consider the gifts we have to offer and the service we can do to help our neighbour, our church, our community and our world.

Continue to strengthen the link between our mission partnership churches St Mary’s, St Mark’s and St John’s. As we prepare to engage in shared learning through Lent, may we be open to the enrichment, insights and spiritual growth that come from dialogue with one another.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

God of mercy,
As Holocaust Memorial Day was remembered this week, we pray for all those who are victims of persecution, oppression, prejudice or racism. Be with those who are fleeing their homes, those who are exploited and those whose human rights are violated. Give strength to the people who investigate and prosecute trafficking. Bring liberty and freedom to all whose lives are entangled in slavery and trafficking in our world today.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

God of healing, we pray for the sick of our community and for all who are in need. Amid mental and physical suffering may they find consolation in your healing presence. Watch over those who feel isolated or alone, calm their fears so they may know your peace. We pray for those struggling financially at this time of economic uncertainty, for those who are homeless, and for those experiencing relationship problems. Help us to reach out to others, with personal small acts of kindness, by signposting them to support agencies and by holding them in our prayers.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer

God of faithfulness, we pray for all our frontline workers across the country, who work in many different sectors. We pray especially for NHS staff on our critical care units, Emergency Departments, COVID wards, and for ambulance and police personnel. Give them the physical and emotional strength to continue to respond to the demands placed on them. Protect them from long term psychological distress resulting from their day to day work. May they be supported well by services which provide counselling and pastoral listening. Help them and all frontline workers to have time to be restored and refreshed in their week.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

God of compassion, we pray for all those who have died recently and those who mourn them.
In silence we remember those known to us.
Eternal rest grant to them O Lord.
In silence we bring before God our own prayers intentions
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.