Homilies
Stir us up in Preparation
So here we are. The final week of the church year. Next week, the start of Advent, begins a whole new journey through the church year. Today we celebrate the end of that journey with the feast of Christ the king, celebrating Christ as past, present and future king over all the earth. Alongside this we celebrate our faith in the coming of the kingdom, where the world will once again fully reflect its creator.
Throughout the ages there have been many artistic representations of Christ the king. Some have portrayed him royally, some in his humanity, some as ruler, and some as a warrior. Each of these portrayals emphasise a different attribute to being a king. So, what makes a good king? Can other titles be interchanged. Christ the leader, Christ the manager, perhaps Christ the problem solver?
When Pilate asked Jesus ‘so you are a king?’, Jesus replied ‘you say that I am a king’. I often ponder about this regarding myself. I have so many different spheres of my life all over lapping that I am not really sure if I exist in any one form at all. Who I am to my children is different from who I am to people who know me as a teacher and different again from those who know me from church. I am one version of me to my parents and another to my friends and colleagues. The me that people know, can only ever be a version formed rom their perception of me and their interaction and response to me.
Queen Elizabeth reigned for 70 years and 214 days, only out reigned by Louis XIV of France who reigned for 72 years and 110 days after taking to the throne at the age of four! But hat made Jesus so different that he reigns forever?
Jesus was a leader, he was a motivator and also a rebel of his time but he was also a teacher and a servant and was bound to do his duty. Most notably he was all about LOVE. This is what sets Jesus apart. His kingship is rooted in humility, service and sacrificial love.
In the gospel today, Pilate asks Jesus ‘are you the king of the Jews?’ Jesus replies that his kingdom is not from this world. Most earthly rulers rely on their power, their wealth or their armies but Jesus was different.
He didn’t wear a golden crown, he had a crown of thorns. His throne wasn’t a seat of power but the cross. So how was he recognised as a king without all these symbols? He showed the world that true power doesn’t come from conquering others but instead begins by conquering the darkness within ourselves, letting in the light Christ brings and demonstrating that light by acts of love towards others. A kind word or encouragement, a phone call or hug, maybe offering to volunteer somewhere or giving to charity, it could even be forgiving someone who has hurt you. All of these acts, and many others honour the love of Christ. When we engage in acts of love and kindness we become part of building his kingdom here on earth. We become reflections of his light in a world that often feels so dark.
On a completely different note…….or maybe not so different ….this Sunday is also known as ‘stir up’ Sunday. Traditionally, it has become the day that families gathered together to stir up the mixture for their Christmas pudding, in preparation for Christmas.
The name comes from the start of today’s post communion prayer – ‘ stir up o Lord, the wills of your faithful people’. This is a prayer not to prepare a pudding, but rather to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. So that before the season of Advent, we pause to recognise the kingship of Christ and then allow that knowledge to stir up our lives so that we might live intentionally in the ways of Christ.
So, you see the call of being stirred up, transforms us in heart and mind in to action. I say transforms because in Christ’s kingdom, the last are first, enemies are loved, those who hurt are forgiven and those in need are served. It is a kingdom that challenges us to live outside our comfort zone and to reach out in kindness and compassion.
Advent signals the start of a time of preparation. Preparing for the birth of Jesus. I’m not sure about you, but when I prepare for something I like to get everything tidy and have a clean, fresh start. I also know, however, that in getting to the clean and tidy part, I am going to make everything so much messier first.
Being stirred up is the start of that messy process. It is a time to have a clear out to make room for something new. I have a little habit of shopping, mostly for clothes and shoes and I always promise myself that when I buy a new item, I will recycle an old one so that my wardrobe doesn’t become too packed…..it’s not been going well but the analogy is good. The season of advent gives us time for the preparation of our hearts. To reexamine the bad habits that have crept back in over the year and to sweep clean with new intentions to do better.
As our hearts and wills are stirred up today, may we be more aware of the kingship of Christ in our lives and consciously let his love reign over our actions, words and decisions. May our stirred up lives reflect his heart and encourage us to live more fully in the way of his kingdom, serving others with compassion, mercy and grace.