Today in the parish we are having two celebrations. At different ends of the spectrum of Christian experience.
We are interring the ashes of a beloved parishioner Molly who has died after a long and faithful Christian life
and we are baptising Maile.
These might seem, to some, to be at odds with each other
But because they both speak of the Christian call
one at the beginning of a Christian life
and one at the end
they reflect each other
So, at the heart of what we hear this morning
is not a warning but a truth
No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other
This, as I say, is not a threat
it is a truth.
If we are to give ourselves to Jesus
then it is all or nothing.
Molly knew this, more and more throughout her life
and also discovered that not only was this "work"
but also a joy
The greatest joy that we can know.
The promises of the gospel we hear this morning
is that if we enter into this mystery
then we also come to know
that this is not a slog
this is something that God enables in our life.
We open ourselves to the life of God
and God responds with faithfulness
and abundant life.
At the other end of the scale
the parents and godparents
are being asked to initiate this journey
in Maile's life
Their role is principally by their own example
to help her understand the truth of the gospel.
It is important to hear the particular emphasis of the gospel today
---as we try to share the gospel with each other
we are not being invited to to teach them how to be clever
or even prudent, or wise---
But rather to have faith in God
We sometimes get this wrong
we think at best that being a Christian is about common sense
when it is about trusting God.
We think it's about developing good habits, saving, planning, discipline
...and it's not that these things are not involved
It is rather that faith in God is our prime concern
So we all ask ourselves at such a time:
(and chiefly those who make the baptismal promises)
How do I help this person to have faith in God?
We have the example of one faithful person as well today, Molly.
As we watch (so often) life stripped away
or as we witness as we have this week
lives cut short
we actually are reminded that
when things are cut back, when they dwindle
when we are pushed for what is important
..it is not how rich we are, it is not how well we play sport
or how good we have been at work
BUT rather how have we opened ourself to the mystery of God's life.
This is not 'common sense'...it is the life of faith
not a contradiction but a deeper profounder approach to life.
Turning to Christ, repenting of sin, rejecting selfishness and renouncing evil
All of these are at the heart of what one life has been about
and what another life is to be about.
Jesus says what energises your life, what we are to strive for is this:
Strive first for the kingdom of God and a right relationship with Godand these other things will be given to youThe Memorial Garden at St John's Coromandel Valley
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