VICAR'S LETTER
17
Sundon Road
Streatley
May, 2007
Dear
All
The period between the Resurrection and the Ascension is when Jesus lays the foundations of his future church. It will be built on Faith, Service, and Harmony.
Jesus' first task is to establish faith. He is seen doing this most clearly in his handling of Doubting Thomas. When Jesus first appears to his disciples, Thomas is not there. Told of this appearance, he refuses to believe it unless he has clear physical proof. Only if he can put his finger in the mark left by the nails and place his hand in the wound left by the spear, will he believe. At Jesus' next appearance, Thomas receives his proof. Jesus invites him to do just what he asked: "Put your finger here, and see my hands, and put out your hand and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believe." Thomas responds, "My Lord and my God."
Jesus' second task is to establish the mission of the disciples. He does this in the commission he delivers to Peter: "Feed my lambs; feed my sheep; feed my lambs." It is a commissioning for a life of service. It is a commissioning to material service seeking to help the poor, the weak; the disadvantaged; the oppressed. It is also a commissioning to spiritual service. The disciples are not only to provide for the material needs of their fellow men. They are also to feed them spiritually by passing on to them Jesus' own teaching.
Jesus' third task is to establish harmony. He is well aware that if the mission to which he has commissioned his disciples is to succeed, then they must be at unity with themselves. He is equally aware that as yet that unity is lacking. In particular, Peter is jealous of the partiality which he believes Jesus shows towards John. He recognises this jealousy behind the question which Peter puts to him after he has spelt out Peter's own future: "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus replies: "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me." All personal jealousies and squabbles must be set aside in the interests of doing God's will.
Jesus founded his church on Faith, Service, and Harmony. They remain the sine qua non of every church. With them the church can do great things. Without them, it can do nothing.
All best wishes,
Roger