His Forgiveness and mine

Luke 13.1-9
1There were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them - do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’
6Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” 8He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’

Today's Dulverton Sermon

If we update the events used by the Galileans to elicit the response "Unless you repent you will all perish as they did" from the lips of Jesus twice within five verses we might think of the attack on the Twin Towers in New York in 2001 and the Asian Tsunami in 2005. They were similar tragedies on global scale, news of which travelled around the world in seconds.

Undoubtedly such events can be interpreted as punishment for sin. In today's gospel Jesus is rejecting that kind of thinking "Do you suppose these were greater sinners than others?" he asks and answers his own question with "They were not, I tell you". However he does urge all to take personal responsibility for their lives. He pointedly reminds us that we are all sinners in need of repentance and forgiveness in the context of God's love and mercy. It is a reminder to us all that Lent is a penitential season, that being reconciled to God and neighbour is the best preparation for Easter.

I started my ministry in South Wales in the late 50s and early 60s where I had a colleague who moved on to become Methodist minister at Aberfan where at 9.15 a.m. on Friday 21st October 1966 a waste tip slid down a mountain into the village and engulfing Pantglas Junior School. The children had just returned to their classes after assembly when the tide of waste hit them. One hundred and sixteen children dies, and five of their teachers. The following Sunday, 23rd October, a preacher (not my former colleague) stood up to preach in a local church and took as his text the verse of scripture I am highlighting from today's gospel. I am told that he claimed that what had happened to the children of Aberfan and their teachers was a warning from God, the same warning that he gave when the tower of Siloam collapsed "Unless you repent you will all perish as they did". It was a sermon in the direct evangelical tradition I have heard used at many a funeral where, in effect, the preacher says "It could be your turn next. It could happen today. Are you ready to meet your Maker?" It is not a preaching style with which I feel comfortable. It feels more like the abuse of a captive congregation than the seizing of an evangelistic opportunity. Nevertheless we cannot, and shouldn't want to, escape or avoid the form in which our Lord himself presented the gospel "Repent.The Kingdom of God is near." Least of all in Lent.

The Parish Lent Course, at St Martin's on Wednesday mornings and St Saviour's on Thursday mornings, has "Reconciliation" as its theme using the Parable of the Prodigal Son as its scriptural base. The details are on our notice board outside this chapel. Fr Tony, the parish priest, writes: "Christianity is unique among world faiths in giving such a high priority to reconciliation and forgiveness. Forgiveness is a central component of true love. The Cross of our Lord powerfully reminds us of this truth....Those who find it easiest to forgive are those who know themselves to have been forgiven....The Sacrament of Reconciliation provides a personal encounter with the risen Christ, who assures us of God's forgiveness and provides that new beginning and new life Easter promises".

Lord, against you, and you alone have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. You are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Cleanse me and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.