Tokens of Trust:Tokens of Trust:An Introduction to Christian An Introduction to Christian

BeliefBelief

4. The Peace Dividend4. The Peace Dividend(He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again)(He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again)

Sunday, February 15, 200910 to 10:50 am, in the Parlor

Presenter: David Monyak

Primary Primary ReferenceReference

Tokens of Trust: Tokens of Trust: An Introduction An Introduction to Christian to Christian BeliefBelief,, Rowan Rowan Williams, Williams, Westminister John Westminister John Knox Press, Knox Press, Louisville, Louisville, London, 2007London, 2007

Primary Primary ReferenceReference

Tokens of Trust: Tokens of Trust: An Introduction An Introduction to Christian to Christian BeliefBelief,, Rowan Rowan Williams, Williams, Westminister John Westminister John Knox Press, Knox Press, Louisville, Louisville, London, 2007London, 2007

The Most Revd. Rowan Williams is the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury. He was enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on 27th February 2003

Born 1950 Born 1950 Studied theology at CambridgeStudied theology at Cambridge DPhil at Oxford 1975DPhil at Oxford 1975 Priest 1978Priest 1978 1977 to 1992: taught theology at 1977 to 1992: taught theology at

Cambridge and OxfordCambridge and Oxford 1986: Lady Margaret 1986: Lady Margaret

Professorship of Divinity at the Professorship of Divinity at the University of OxfordUniversity of Oxford

1991: Bishop of Monmouth in 1991: Bishop of Monmouth in Anglican Church of WalesAnglican Church of Wales

1999: Archbishop of Wales1999: Archbishop of Wales Dec 2002: confirmed as the 104th Dec 2002: confirmed as the 104th

bishop of the See of Canterburybishop of the See of Canterbury Considered by many the best Considered by many the best

Protestant theologian in the world Protestant theologian in the world todaytoday

Also a noted poet and translator Also a noted poet and translator of Welsh poetryof Welsh poetry

Tokens of TrustTokens of TrustAn Introduction to Christian BeliefAn Introduction to Christian Belief

Jan 25.Jan 25. Who Can We Trust? Who Can We Trust? (I believe in God the Father (I believe in God the Father almighty) almighty)

Feb 1:Feb 1: The Risk of Love The Risk of Love (maker of heaven and earth)(maker of heaven and earth) Feb 8:Feb 8: A Man for All Seasons A Man for All Seasons (and in Jesus Christ his only (and in Jesus Christ his only

Son our Lord) Son our Lord) Feb 15:Feb 15: The Peace Dividend The Peace Dividend (He (He

suffered and was buried, and the third day suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again)he rose again)

Feb 22:Feb 22: God in Company God in Company (And I believe in one catholic and (And I believe in one catholic and apostolic Church) apostolic Church)

Mar 1:Mar 1: Love, Actually Love, Actually (I look for the resurrection of the (I look for the resurrection of the dead) dead)

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.and for ever.

Collect for Friday in Easter Week, Collect for Friday in Easter Week, Book of Common PrayerBook of Common Prayer, p. 224, p. 224

Last Week:Last Week:3. A Man for All Seasons3. A Man for All Seasons

(and in Jesus Christ(and in Jesus Christhis only Son our Lord)his only Son our Lord)

A Man For All SeasonsA Man For All SeasonsGod as Father and as SonGod as Father and as Son

In Jesus, we see:In Jesus, we see: divine purpose, power, and actiondivine purpose, power, and action

but also:but also: humility, responsiveness, receptivityhumility, responsiveness, receptivity

Jesus prays to his Father and puts his will and Jesus prays to his Father and puts his will and his decisions at the service of his Father. his decisions at the service of his Father. He is in a relationship of He is in a relationship of dependence dependence on the one he on the one he

prays to as Father prays to as Father

A Man For All Seasons A Man For All Seasons God as Father and as SonGod as Father and as Son

Therefore, if Jesus is “God as Son,” then our concept Therefore, if Jesus is “God as Son,” then our concept of “God” must include more than:of “God” must include more than: power and initiative.power and initiative.

It must also include:It must also include: receiving, reflecting back in love and gratitudereceiving, reflecting back in love and gratitude

““God as Father”, and as “God as Son” (= God as God as Father”, and as “God as Son” (= God as Jesus) suggests God’s love is:Jesus) suggests God’s love is: both a giving and receiving,both a giving and receiving, both a flowing out and reflecting back,both a flowing out and reflecting back, both an initiative and a dependingboth an initiative and a depending

““God” is not the life of a heavenly individual on his God” is not the life of a heavenly individual on his own, but mysteriously, a life within which there is own, but mysteriously, a life within which there is relationship, inner movement, differentiation.relationship, inner movement, differentiation.

A Man For All Seasons A Man For All Seasons Jesus as Fully God and Fully HumanJesus as Fully God and Fully Human

In the gospels we read how Jesus was a human being In the gospels we read how Jesus was a human being who suffered and wept, slept and awoke. He was who suffered and wept, slept and awoke. He was vulnerable and mortal.vulnerable and mortal.

Yet we also see in Jesus the incarnation of the eternal Yet we also see in Jesus the incarnation of the eternal God, proclaiming the kingdom of God was breaking God, proclaiming the kingdom of God was breaking into creation, forgiving sins, healing the sick, into creation, forgiving sins, healing the sick, commanding the winds and the waves.commanding the winds and the waves.

How do we mesh these two pictures together: Jesus How do we mesh these two pictures together: Jesus as a human being, and Jesus, God as “Son”?as a human being, and Jesus, God as “Son”?

A Man For All Seasons A Man For All Seasons Jesus as Fully God and Fully HumanJesus as Fully God and Fully Human

An analogy from music:An analogy from music: When you look at a great musician playing a piece of When you look at a great musician playing a piece of

music, you are looking at one human being playing at the music, you are looking at one human being playing at the limit of their skill and concentration. limit of their skill and concentration.

All their strength, their freedom, and even their love, is All their strength, their freedom, and even their love, is focused on bringing to life the work and vision of another focused on bringing to life the work and vision of another person, the composer.person, the composer.

As the vision and imagination of the composer comes As the vision and imagination of the composer comes through, it does not displace the human particularity of the through, it does not displace the human particularity of the performer, but might be said to ‘saturate” the performer's performer, but might be said to ‘saturate” the performer's being for the time of the performance. being for the time of the performance.

A Man For All SeasonsA Man For All SeasonsJesus as Fully God and Fully HumanJesus as Fully God and Fully Human

Now imagine an entire lifetime given to such a Now imagine an entire lifetime given to such a performance.performance.

Throughout his life, Jesus, the human being, Throughout his life, Jesus, the human being, “is performing God’s love, God’s purpose, “is performing God’s love, God’s purpose, without a break, without a false note, without a without a break, without a false note, without a stumble; yet he is never other than himself, stumble; yet he is never other than himself, with all that makes him distinctly human taken with all that makes him distinctly human taken up with this creative work.”up with this creative work.”

A Man For All SeasonsA Man For All SeasonsWhy Was Jesus’ Life Required?Why Was Jesus’ Life Required?

We have talked about WHO Jesus isWe have talked about WHO Jesus is But WHY exactly is this life, Jesus’ life, But WHY exactly is this life, Jesus’ life,

required?required?

This Week:This Week:4. The Peace Dividend4. The Peace Dividend

(He suffered and was buried, and the (He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again)third day he rose again)

Breaking the Web of Breaking the Web of Original SinOriginal Sin

Original SinOriginal SinThe Kingdom of God Breaking InThe Kingdom of God Breaking In

In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (= God as In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (= God as Son), the kingly rule of God (= the “Kingdom of Son), the kingly rule of God (= the “Kingdom of God”) began to break into the human world.God”) began to break into the human world.

Human nature was transfigured, allowing those who Human nature was transfigured, allowing those who say “yes” to what Jesus is saying to transform their say “yes” to what Jesus is saying to transform their lives and reveal to the world a foretaste of the lives and reveal to the world a foretaste of the Kingdom of God in all its glory.Kingdom of God in all its glory.

We can say: the Kingdom of God has broken into the We can say: the Kingdom of God has broken into the human world. It is ALREADY.human world. It is ALREADY.

Original SinOriginal SinThe Kingdom of God “Not Yet”The Kingdom of God “Not Yet”

But the Kingdom is also “NOT YET”But the Kingdom is also “NOT YET” We don’t see the promises of God: peace and praise, We don’t see the promises of God: peace and praise,

reconciliation and delight, abundantly in our world.reconciliation and delight, abundantly in our world. We have the freedom to reflect the image and likeness of We have the freedom to reflect the image and likeness of

God, but often use our freedom only to “protect” ourselvesGod, but often use our freedom only to “protect” ourselves Our world has set up potent defenses that separate individuals, Our world has set up potent defenses that separate individuals,

nations, ethnic groups, classes and religionsnations, ethnic groups, classes and religions

An “economy of gifting” = living by one another's An “economy of gifting” = living by one another's generosity, is acknowledged in our:generosity, is acknowledged in our:

exchanges of family affectionexchanges of family affection routine courtesies or kindnessesroutine courtesies or kindnesses

But most of the time, we avoid giving to each other.But most of the time, we avoid giving to each other.

Original SinOriginal SinInhibiting Us From Full HumanityInhibiting Us From Full Humanity

The tangle we are in that inhibits us from The tangle we are in that inhibits us from being “fully human” and fully reflecting the being “fully human” and fully reflecting the image and likeness of God, is what we mean image and likeness of God, is what we mean by by “Original Sin.”“Original Sin.”

Original Sin is:Original Sin is: not a metaphysical curse hanging over humanity, not a metaphysical curse hanging over humanity,

but rather:but rather: the observation that learning how to exist in this the observation that learning how to exist in this

life is now woven with learning that does not life is now woven with learning that does not enhance our life or joyenhance our life or joy

Original SinOriginal SinInhibiting Us From Full HumanityInhibiting Us From Full Humanity

We live entangled by webs:We live entangled by webs: of rejection and defense,of rejection and defense, of drastically false accounts of who and what we are,of drastically false accounts of who and what we are, that block or ensnare our freedom to make good choices.that block or ensnare our freedom to make good choices.

This tangle of Original Sin is a consequence of the This tangle of Original Sin is a consequence of the “wrong turns” we and people of the generations “wrong turns” we and people of the generations before us have made:before us have made: Miss a right turn on a highway, and it isn’t so simple to get Miss a right turn on a highway, and it isn’t so simple to get

back on course. Add multiple such missed turns over back on course. Add multiple such missed turns over generations …generations …

We are no longer “human enough” (full humanity = We are no longer “human enough” (full humanity = reflecting the image and likeness of God) to break the reflecting the image and likeness of God) to break the webs that entangle us.webs that entangle us.

Original SinOriginal SinBreaking the WebsBreaking the Webs

Yet a Yet a humanhuman act is needed to break through act is needed to break through these webs and allow fearlessness in giving these webs and allow fearlessness in giving find its place at the heart of human find its place at the heart of human relationships relationships

Only a Only a human acthuman act will heal the process of will heal the process of human history: some moment in history that human history: some moment in history that evinces and permanently changes the evinces and permanently changes the possibilities for human relationships.possibilities for human relationships.

Original SinOriginal SinJesus, The Human EventJesus, The Human Event

Jesus is the Jesus is the human eventhuman event that breaks these that breaks these webs that entangle us. webs that entangle us.

Jesus’ humanity is soaked through with “God Jesus’ humanity is soaked through with “God as Son;” it is a life without restriction, rivalry as Son;” it is a life without restriction, rivalry or envy in its capacity for giving.or envy in its capacity for giving. Or in other words: Jesus is perfect love made flesh Or in other words: Jesus is perfect love made flesh

and blood.and blood.

Original SinOriginal SinJesus Pays the Price of SinJesus Pays the Price of Sin

Jesus’ perfect love and goodness however is Jesus’ perfect love and goodness however is unsettling and suspect in our world:unsettling and suspect in our world: The only fully human person (full humanity = fully The only fully human person (full humanity = fully

reflecting the image and likeness of God) is seen as the reflecting the image and likeness of God) is seen as the enemy of humanity enemy of humanity

He pays the price of our ingrained revolt against who we He pays the price of our ingrained revolt against who we really are (human beings, made in the image and likeness really are (human beings, made in the image and likeness of God)of God)

Sin: the state of revolt against truthSin: the state of revolt against truth If we live in untruth, in self-deceit, we will ultimately If we live in untruth, in self-deceit, we will ultimately

destroy the life that is in us.destroy the life that is in us. In his violent death on the cross, Jesus pays the price In his violent death on the cross, Jesus pays the price

of sin.of sin.

Original SinOriginal SinJesus “Becomes” SinJesus “Becomes” Sin

For our sake For our sake he made him to be sinhe made him to be sin who knew no who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the sin, so that in him we might become the

righteousness of God.righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NRSV) (2 Corinthians 5:21 NRSV)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for usbecoming a curse for us – for it is written, “Cursed is – for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”everyone who hangs on a tree” (Galatians 3:13 NRSV) (Galatians 3:13 NRSV)

More than that, in his dreadful physical suffering, his More than that, in his dreadful physical suffering, his mental and spiritual torment as he cries to God asking mental and spiritual torment as he cries to God asking why he has been forsaken – Jesus:why he has been forsaken – Jesus:becomes a sort of embodied image for what we are = becomes a sort of embodied image for what we are = he becomes “sin” = he takes on himself the “curse” he becomes “sin” = he takes on himself the “curse” that we had laid on ourselvesthat we had laid on ourselves

He Suffered and Was He Suffered and Was BuriedBuried

He Suffered and Was BuriedHe Suffered and Was BuriedSacrificeSacrifice

A common New Testament image for Jesus’ A common New Testament image for Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross is suffering and death on the cross is sacrificesacrifice..

SacrificeSacrifice, in Hebrew scripture, is a gift that , in Hebrew scripture, is a gift that makes peace with God.makes peace with God. When we are alienated from God because of moral When we are alienated from God because of moral

or ritual irregularity, that which we need to give to or ritual irregularity, that which we need to give to restore the relationship may be costly.restore the relationship may be costly.

There is also the sense in the Hebrew There is also the sense in the Hebrew scriptures of scriptures of obedienceobedience as a kind of sacrifice as a kind of sacrifice

He Suffered and Was BuriedHe Suffered and Was BuriedSacrificeSacrifice

Jesus’ life and death may be seen as Jesus’ life and death may be seen as sacrificesacrifice in: in: The sense of his perfect The sense of his perfect obedienceobedience to God’s to God’s

purposes, an obedience that led to his death, purposes, an obedience that led to his death, The sense that his blood was shed, like that of the The sense that his blood was shed, like that of the

sacrificial animals under the Law of Moses, so to sacrificial animals under the Law of Moses, so to restore a broken relationship with God and the restore a broken relationship with God and the worldworld

He Suffered and Was BuriedHe Suffered and Was BuriedRansomRansom

Another image of Jesus’ death is a Another image of Jesus’ death is a ransomransom, , paid to our kidnappers (the powers of paid to our kidnappers (the powers of destruction)destruction) A punishment which we may deserve,A punishment which we may deserve, voluntarily borne by anothervoluntarily borne by another

He Suffered and Was BuriedHe Suffered and Was BuriedImages, Not TheoriesImages, Not Theories

We should appreciate these images, but not treat them We should appreciate these images, but not treat them as conflicting theories on why Jesus’ life had to be as conflicting theories on why Jesus’ life had to be given up, one of which must be right and the others given up, one of which must be right and the others wrong.wrong.

All we can affirm for sure is what the Creed of Nicea All we can affirm for sure is what the Creed of Nicea says: he died “for us and for our salvation”says: he died “for us and for our salvation”

He did not die because a vengeful and inflexible God He did not die because a vengeful and inflexible God demands satisfaction; rather:demands satisfaction; rather:

the state of our world somehow made it unavoidable the state of our world somehow made it unavoidable that the path to our freedom lay through the self-that the path to our freedom lay through the self-giving of Jesus, even to the point of death.giving of Jesus, even to the point of death.

He Suffered and Was BuriedHe Suffered and Was BuriedThe Depth of Human ExperienceThe Depth of Human Experience

““Jesus has plumbed the depths of human Jesus has plumbed the depths of human experience, including the terrible sense of experience, including the terrible sense of abandonment by God that he endured on the abandonment by God that he endured on the cross; he has maintained his own peace with cross; he has maintained his own peace with the Father throughout it, even in the heart of the Father throughout it, even in the heart of the protest wrung from him as he cries, the protest wrung from him as he cries, ‘Why?’ He has travelled to the outermost limit ‘Why?’ He has travelled to the outermost limit of what our sin and untruthfulness produce — of what our sin and untruthfulness produce — to the edges of hell.”to the edges of hell.”

He Suffered and Was BuriedHe Suffered and Was BuriedThe Depth of Human ExperienceThe Depth of Human Experience

Some theologians (Reformer John Calvin, Roman Some theologians (Reformer John Calvin, Roman Catholic writer Hans Urs von Balthasar) have Catholic writer Hans Urs von Balthasar) have suggested that Jesus literally endured hell while on suggested that Jesus literally endured hell while on the crossthe cross Hell = the experience of final alienation from GodHell = the experience of final alienation from God

Such ideas have difficulties, but do highlight that the Such ideas have difficulties, but do highlight that the “cross is … a sign of God’s willingness to “cross is … a sign of God’s willingness to accompany us through all the consequences of sin accompany us through all the consequences of sin and finally to bring us back from the furthest point of and finally to bring us back from the furthest point of distance from him that we could imagine.”distance from him that we could imagine.”

He Suffered and Was BuriedHe Suffered and Was BuriedDescended into HellDescended into Hell

In the Apostles Creed we do find the phrase In the Apostles Creed we do find the phrase “he descended into hell”“he descended into hell” The meaning intended here is that found in The meaning intended here is that found in

Ephesians 4:9-10, that Jesus descended to Ephesians 4:9-10, that Jesus descended to “the “the lower earthly regions” … “in order to fill lower earthly regions” … “in order to fill the whole universe”the whole universe”

The Peace DividendThe Peace Dividend

The Peace DividendThe Peace DividendA New CreationA New Creation

When the Cold War ended, there was talk of a When the Cold War ended, there was talk of a “peace dividend” since the monies and “peace dividend” since the monies and energies spent on war materials could be now energies spent on war materials could be now channeled to new purposes.channeled to new purposes.

Out of the events of Good Friday and Easter, Out of the events of Good Friday and Easter, we might say there was also a “peace we might say there was also a “peace dividend”dividend”

Out of the events of Good Friday and Easter Out of the events of Good Friday and Easter came a New World, the New Creation St. Paul came a New World, the New Creation St. Paul writes of.writes of.

The Peace DividendThe Peace DividendGod as Physical PresenceGod as Physical Presence

The Resurrection of Jesus and the stories following The Resurrection of Jesus and the stories following tell us a remarkable fact about God’s love in this New tell us a remarkable fact about God’s love in this New World, this New Creation:World, this New Creation:Just as people met God’s absolute love Just as people met God’s absolute love beforebefore the the crucifixion in the physical presence of Jesus of crucifixion in the physical presence of Jesus of Nazareth, Nazareth, so they still doso they still do.. After the Resurrection, we see Jesus doing what he always After the Resurrection, we see Jesus doing what he always

had done, calling the disciples to him, breaking bread with had done, calling the disciples to him, breaking bread with them, teaching them what the Scriptures say, making God them, teaching them what the Scriptures say, making God present in present in his actual presence, his voice and touchhis actual presence, his voice and touch..

The Resurrection displays God’s triumphant love as The Resurrection displays God’s triumphant love as still and for ever having still and for ever having the shape of Jesusthe shape of Jesus..

The Peace DividendThe Peace DividendThe Spirit, The Breath of Jesus’ LifeThe Spirit, The Breath of Jesus’ Life

And there is something more.And there is something more. St Johns gospel tells us Jesus “breathes into” St Johns gospel tells us Jesus “breathes into”

his disciples his “spirit”, the breath of his life, his disciples his “spirit”, the breath of his life, and they then become equipped to do what and they then become equipped to do what Jesus does, to speak with Jesus’ voice to God Jesus does, to speak with Jesus’ voice to God and to the world. and to the world.

By breathing into the disciples, Jesus sets up a By breathing into the disciples, Jesus sets up a chain of human contact coming down to our chain of human contact coming down to our own day, a chain of voices and faces in which own day, a chain of voices and faces in which He is active. He is active.

The Peace DividendThe Peace DividendThe Spirit, The Breath of Jesus’ LifeThe Spirit, The Breath of Jesus’ Life

Disciples to this day who have so received the Disciples to this day who have so received the breathe of Jesus, the “Holy Spirit,” become breathe of Jesus, the “Holy Spirit,” become Jesus’ body in the world.Jesus’ body in the world.

To be in contact with a human being who has To be in contact with a human being who has received the breath of Jesus’ life is to be in received the breath of Jesus’ life is to be in contact with Jesus.contact with Jesus.

In the Atmosphere of In the Atmosphere of the Holy Spiritthe Holy Spirit

The Holy SpiritThe Holy SpiritThe Risen and Ascended JesusThe Risen and Ascended Jesus

Jesus of Nazareth the human individual no Jesus of Nazareth the human individual no longer inhabits the earth; he has “ascended” longer inhabits the earth; he has “ascended” into heaven and sits at the right hand of the into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.Father.

““at the right hand of the Father” means:at the right hand of the Father” means: When you look at God, you cannot help but see When you look at God, you cannot help but see

JesusJesus Jesus is inseparable from what God is; he is Jesus is inseparable from what God is; he is

forever part of our sense and understanding of the forever part of our sense and understanding of the Divine life.Divine life.

The Holy SpiritThe Holy SpiritA Contact Before It Is A MessageA Contact Before It Is A Message

““Christianity is a contact before it is a Christianity is a contact before it is a message”:message”: The risen and ascended Jesus is not merely an idea, The risen and ascended Jesus is not merely an idea,

but remains but remains a living person.a living person. We meet Jesus in the flesh and blood persons who We meet Jesus in the flesh and blood persons who

have received the breath of Jesus’ life, the persons have received the breath of Jesus’ life, the persons who (whatever their individual failings and fears) who (whatever their individual failings and fears) have been thus equipped to take responsibility for have been thus equipped to take responsibility for Jesus’ tangible presence in the world.Jesus’ tangible presence in the world.

The Holy SpiritThe Holy SpiritThe Breathe of Jesus’ LifeThe Breathe of Jesus’ Life

The divine life between “God as Father” and as “God The divine life between “God as Father” and as “God as Jesus,” involves:as Jesus,” involves: both giving and receiving,both giving and receiving, both a flowing out and reflecting back,both a flowing out and reflecting back, both an initiative and a dependingboth an initiative and a depending

This loving inner movement within God, this This loving inner movement within God, this witnessing between “God as Father” and “God as witnessing between “God as Father” and “God as Jesus” is what is being communicated in the Jesus” is what is being communicated in the mysterious agency we have called “the breath of mysterious agency we have called “the breath of Jesus’ life,” or more commonly, the “Holy Spirit” Jesus’ life,” or more commonly, the “Holy Spirit” (literally, the “Holy Breath”)(literally, the “Holy Breath”)

The Holy SpiritThe Holy SpiritThe Atmosphere of the Holy BreathThe Atmosphere of the Holy Breath

The fellowship of Jesus’ disciples is formed by their The fellowship of Jesus’ disciples is formed by their breathing together the “atmosphere” of the “Holy breathing together the “atmosphere” of the “Holy Breath,” the Holy Spirit.Breath,” the Holy Spirit.

All who “breathe” the Holy Spirit can relate to God All who “breathe” the Holy Spirit can relate to God the Father just as Jesus did:the Father just as Jesus did: In St. John’s Gospel: Jesus tells Mary Magdalene when he In St. John’s Gospel: Jesus tells Mary Magdalene when he

appears to her on Easter: appears to her on Easter: I am returning to my Father I am returning to my Father and and your Fatheryour Father … … (John 20:17 NIV) (John 20:17 NIV)

St. Paul tells us: St. Paul tells us: … you received the Spirit of … you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father”we cry, ‘Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15 NIV)(Romans 8:15 NIV)

Abba = the same Aramaic word for Father Jesus used in his prayersAbba = the same Aramaic word for Father Jesus used in his prayers

The Holy SpiritThe Holy SpiritThe Atmosphere of the Holy BreathThe Atmosphere of the Holy Breath

Every time we say the Lords Prayer, Every time we say the Lords Prayer, “Our “Our Father who art in Heaven”,Father who art in Heaven”, we are we are proclaiming that Jesus is now the atmosphere proclaiming that Jesus is now the atmosphere we live in. we live in. In Jesus, in the strength of his Holy Breath, we can In Jesus, in the strength of his Holy Breath, we can

grow up into intimacy with God. grow up into intimacy with God.

Already Versus Not YetAlready Versus Not Yet

Already Versus Not YetAlready Versus Not YetThe Second Big BangThe Second Big Bang

When we celebrate Easter, we are celebrating a When we celebrate Easter, we are celebrating a second “Big Bang,” a tumultuous surge of divine second “Big Bang,” a tumultuous surge of divine energy as fiery and intense as the physical energy of energy as fiery and intense as the physical energy of first “Big Bang” that began the universe.first “Big Bang” that began the universe.

The “atmosphere” of the world has changed, charged The “atmosphere” of the world has changed, charged with the Holy Spirit, and so St. Paul writes of a with the Holy Spirit, and so St. Paul writes of a New New CreationCreation coming into existence (the Kingdom of coming into existence (the Kingdom of God breaking in).God breaking in).

Some Christians poets have spoken of Easter Day as Some Christians poets have spoken of Easter Day as an “extra” day of creation, an eighth day of the week, an “extra” day of creation, an eighth day of the week, where everything before is taken up and begins again. where everything before is taken up and begins again.

Already Versus Not YetAlready Versus Not YetGod Is At the End of Our StoryGod Is At the End of Our Story

But the tension between God’s Kingdom as But the tension between God’s Kingdom as ALREADY but NOT YET remains.ALREADY but NOT YET remains.

Our history is still on-going, and remains all Our history is still on-going, and remains all too visibly a history of suffering, rebellion, too visibly a history of suffering, rebellion, and uncertainty.and uncertainty.

We can be certain that God is the end of our We can be certain that God is the end of our story, and our history will not ultimately fall story, and our history will not ultimately fall away into final, irredeemable chaos.away into final, irredeemable chaos.

Already Versus Not YetAlready Versus Not YetHopeHope

Therefore, there is much to hope for.Therefore, there is much to hope for. But hope by its nature is something projected in But hope by its nature is something projected in

the darkness (St. Paul, Romans 8:24, NRSV: the darkness (St. Paul, Romans 8:24, NRSV: Now Now hope that is seen is not hope at all. Who hope that is seen is not hope at all. Who hopes for what is seen?hopes for what is seen?))

Until Jesus comes again “to judge the living Until Jesus comes again “to judge the living and the dead,” unknown trials and crises lie and the dead,” unknown trials and crises lie ahead of us.ahead of us.

Living in the Light of Living in the Light of ChristChrist

Living in the Light of ChristLiving in the Light of ChristThe Last JudgmentThe Last Judgment

At the Last Judgment, in the At the Last Judgment, in the light of Christlight of Christ everything and everyone will finally be shown for everything and everyone will finally be shown for what they are, and find their true place.what they are, and find their true place.

We do not know (and cannot know) the date of the We do not know (and cannot know) the date of the final end.final end.

Therefore we must live our lives:Therefore we must live our lives: 1. As if the end might be at any moment, and1. As if the end might be at any moment, and 2. With complete responsibility for the here and now2. With complete responsibility for the here and now

In other words: we must learn to live In other words: we must learn to live nownow in the light in the light of Christ’s truth.of Christ’s truth.

Living in the Light of ChristLiving in the Light of ChristFinding BalanceFinding Balance

The challenge in living in the light of Christ’s truth is The challenge in living in the light of Christ’s truth is finding the balance between:finding the balance between: Doing what is required of us here and nowDoing what is required of us here and now Detaching ourselves from the pressures of here and now in Detaching ourselves from the pressures of here and now in

light of the possible imminent coming of Christlight of the possible imminent coming of Christ We need to figure out what truly matters and what We need to figure out what truly matters and what

does not matter.does not matter. We must “take our responsibilities with deep We must “take our responsibilities with deep

seriousness; and then we must learn to say, ‘If we seriousness; and then we must learn to say, ‘If we don't succeed in the way we wanted, so be it; God is don't succeed in the way we wanted, so be it; God is still God.’” still God.’”

Living in the Light of ChristLiving in the Light of ChristLead Us Not Into TemptationLead Us Not Into Temptation

When we pray in the Lord’s Prayer “lead us When we pray in the Lord’s Prayer “lead us not into temptation,” we are asking God not to not into temptation,” we are asking God not to bring us immediately to a trial we are not bring us immediately to a trial we are not prepared for. prepared for.

““Don't bring us naked, fearful, helpless and Don't bring us naked, fearful, helpless and confused into the presence of absolute truth confused into the presence of absolute truth and love; give us time to get used to the fierce and love; give us time to get used to the fierce light of Christ.”light of Christ.”

Living in the Light of ChristLiving in the Light of ChristLiving in the Light, Out of the ShadowsLiving in the Light, Out of the Shadows

The New Testament interweaves two themes of the The New Testament interweaves two themes of the second coming of Christ:second coming of Christ: The light, transparency, and glory of his coming, when The light, transparency, and glory of his coming, when

everything and everyone will finally be shown for what everything and everyone will finally be shown for what they are.they are.

The necessary daily task of putting to death our selfish and The necessary daily task of putting to death our selfish and fearful habits to prepare for that coming.fearful habits to prepare for that coming.

““We have to live in the light of the end — not We have to live in the light of the end — not gloomily and fearfully, but trying to bring ourselves gloomily and fearfully, but trying to bring ourselves relentlessly out of the shadows where we hide from relentlessly out of the shadows where we hide from God and ourselves and each other.”God and ourselves and each other.”

Next Week:Next Week:5. God in Company 5. God in Company

(And I believe in one catholic and (And I believe in one catholic and apostolic Church) apostolic Church)

God in CompanyGod in CompanyThe Spirit That Gives “Communion”The Spirit That Gives “Communion”

The Holy Spirit, the breath of Jesus’ life, is The Holy Spirit, the breath of Jesus’ life, is described in the Bible both as:described in the Bible both as: the Spirit of truththe Spirit of truth the Spirit that gives “communion,” or “sharing”the Spirit that gives “communion,” or “sharing”

This “communion” or “sharing” includes the This “communion” or “sharing” includes the sense of having something in common, of sense of having something in common, of belonging to the same group or family.belonging to the same group or family.

Next week:Next week: we explore what it means for us to we explore what it means for us to be meeting God in company, in “communion” be meeting God in company, in “communion”