Rivertown United Reformed Church

“Sorry seems to be the hardest word”

Let me be one of the first to congratulate – if that is the right word – the new Roman Catholic Archbishop, Most Rev Vincent Nicholls, on his new office. He has promised to raise the profile of the church, so that it plays a larger role in democracy. That is something that we should all support.

But - did you know you could be a priest without ever turning your collar round? Or even going to college? In fact all praying Christians (is there any other kind?) are priests. For the role of the priest is to be a go-between between God and God’s children. Not just the churchy ones – all of them. To pray for them when tragedies occur – but also when they themselves make a mistake. In Exodus ch 19 verse 6 God tells Moses that the fledgling Israelite nation is to be “ a priestly kingdom (RSV “a kingdom of priests”) and a holy nation”. They were not only to teach and demonstrate the ways of God to other nations, but also to pray to God on their behalf. In Old Testament times that might also involve offering sacrifices to God. Why? Because in choosing Israel, God had given them the responsibility of being “a light to the nations” (Isaiah ch 42 verse 6). In short, if other nations ignored God and ended up in tragedy, it was in part down to Israel! St Paul reminded the Christians in Rome of their responsibilities to the non-Christians around them, Jews and non-Jews: “how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom, they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?”

Christians have a dual task – to pray for the world and all their neighbours and to tell them the Christian story by all possible means. That is why God gives Christians the Holy Spirit – the presence of God in our lives – so that we can in our own words and actions tell the story of Jesus. That means never ever giving up on our neighbours – whether it be those next door or those who seem to want to annoy or mock us, or exterminate, oppress, persecute other people and nations; it means paedophiles, extremely violent criminals, and especially members of other faith groups. It means members of the BNP, young people on the street whom we cannot understand. It means praying for bank managers and big bosses – and MP’s who have swindled the system. Because praying for them allows God to change our attitude to them, giving us a real love and concern for their welfare, peace of mind, relationship with God. It’s called interceding – going between.

Moses did it twice for his troublesome nation; Samuel, Kings David and Hezekiah did the same. Jonah went to Nineveh city. Jesus encouraged his special friends to pray for those who treated them badly; and Paul asked his friend Timothy to ensure that “supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings.be made for everyone”. And on the cross, in horrendous agony, Jesus asked God to forgive his mockers and killers. And every time, God listened – and acted.

How often do we just give up and say “there’s nothing I can do – it’s beyond me”? There’s so much we can do as God’s priests – as I Peter ch 2 verse 9 describes Christians.
Our world is full of people struggling to make sense of what is happening to them, and where goodness and truth and love are to be found. Our obsession with “image” makes “Sorry” the very hardest word. It has had to be wrenched out of MP’s and Peers alike. Sadly politicians associate it “u-turns”, “climbdowns” or failure (eg the Gurkhas)

Christian should have no problem saying sorry. Or showing that “better way” of love. Because of that mystery which the Bible calls “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1 v 27). That makes “sorry” the easiest, most glorious word of all. Have taken your priestly orders yet?

Your friend and minister,
Colin