The Sabbath
Archdeacon Patrick Cunningham • October 28, 2024
The Sabbath
Sisters and Brothers
Today, on this Second Sunday in Lent (Day 12), I share with you a reflection from Glenn E. Porter Sr., titled “Relevancy”:
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?” But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. Then he said to them, “if one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?” And they could not reply to this (Luke 14: 1-6)
When you pray for rain, you’ve got to deal with the mud, too. - Caribbean saying
The religious leaders in Jesus’ day said that it was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was supposed to be a day when all work ceased. The day that was set aside for rest, but the spirit of honouring God became lost in a labyrinth of laws. The rigorous rules and regulations were so exhaustive that, as the Tyndale Bible Dictionary points out, “the main purpose of the Sabbath became lost beneath a mass of legalistic details.” As Jesus said in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath.”
There is a line from the old movie Green Pastures in which Noah says to God, “People around here don’t do much church-going. They mostly use Sunday to get over what they did all night on Saturday.” It is probably safe to say that recovering from a hangover (or other natural consequences from Saturday night of excess) is not what God intended in establishing the Sabbath as a day of rest and recreation!
The local church faces many challenges in this age. One of the most prominent challenges for the modern church is to remain relevant.
This is often a Herculean task for older, established historic congregations. In Unfinished Evangelism, author Tim Wright argues that tradition can turn into traditionalism. This is when “tradition becomes an anchor holding the church to the post rather than a rudder guiding it into the future.” The church must break some chains and tear down some idols in order to stay true to the spirit and authentic intent of the gospel.
Patrick +
God wants us to be more than ordinary servants and in the lesson for today, James teaches us how to do this, including looking out for the vulnerable in our society and to be careful of the words we utter as the spoken word is very powerful.
Truly abiding in Jesus Christ requires a daily commitment on our part. This means that we have to choose Him above all else, allowing His presence to shape our thoughts, words and actions.
On Youth Sunday, we reflect on the importance of displaying wisdom, which should be shown by parents as well as children.
Jesus proclaimed that He is the Bread of Life and that whoever goes to him will never be hungry and whoever believes in Him shall never be thirsty. He calls us to have a personal relationship with Him and to surrender our lives to Him as this is the only path for the salvation of our souls.
As we celebrate Jamaica's Emancipendence, let us reflect on our past and look towards our future as we strive to build a better Jamaica.
Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
In times of disaster or trouble, we should rely on God's protection and provision over our lives.
As we come to the end of child's month, let us strive to protect our children, whether they are ours or someone else's.
This message which is especially for men encourages them not to be afraid to display their vulnerability, and to reach out to other men who may be struggling mentally or physically.
In the parables of the Growing Seed and the Mustard Seed, we see that in the Kingdom of God growth may be slow. However, magnificent growth is accomplished if we exhibit patience and wait for God to reveal His Glory.
Sisters and Brothers, Today we celebrate the remarkable legacy of St. John the Baptist and extend a warm welcome to the St. John Ambulance team. Both embody the spirit of service, compassion and dedication to the well-being of others. St. John the Baptist, a pivotal figure in Christian history, is revered for his role as the forerunner of Jesus Christ. His life, characterized by humility and fervent faith, serves as a profound example for us all. Born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, his birth was heralded by the angel Gabriel, signifying his divine mission. John dedicated his life to preaching repentance and baptizing those who sought to renew their faith. His baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan marked a significant moment in Christianity, symbolizing the inauguration of Jesus' public ministry. John's message was one of transformation and preparation. He urged people to prepare the way for the Lord, to repent of their sins and to embrace a life of righteousness. His call for repentance wasn't just about moral correction but also about social justice, fairness and kindness. John's penitent lifestyle and unwavering commitment to his mission, even unto his martyrdom, inspire us to live lives of integrity and service. In the same spirit of service exemplified by St. John the Baptist, we are delighted to welcome the St John Ambulance team to our community. This esteemed organization, founded on the principles of the Order of St John, has a long history of providing essential medical aid and emergency care. Their commitment to first aid, healthcare training and community support is invaluable, especially in times of crisis. The St John Ambulance team is renowned for its volunteerism and professional training programmes. They empower individuals with the skills and confidence needed to respond to medical emergencies, potentially saving lives. As we reflect on the legacy of St. John the Baptist and embrace the contributions of the St John Ambulance team, we are reminded of the importance of community and service. John's life teaches us the value of humility, courage and unwavering faith. His dedication to preparing the way for others, even in the face of adversity, inspires us to support and uplift one another. As we celebrate the nativity of St. John the Baptist and his enduring legacy, let us embrace the spirit of service and community. The St John Ambulance team embodies these values through their tireless efforts to provide care and support. Their work is a testament to the power of compassion and the impact of community service. We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals among us, ready to assist and educate, ensuring that we are prepared for any emergency. Together, we can honour the past and build a future rooted in care, compassion and mutual support. May we continue to find inspiration in the life of St. John the Baptist and the work of the St John Ambulance, striving always to serve and uplift one another. Blessings, Kamar+
MENTAL HEALTH MONTH ESPECIALLY FOR MEN The month of June has been designated as a time to focus on the mental wellness of the male population. The experts have concluded that historically men have displayed an unwillingness to accept our weaknesses and to seek help for physical and other ailments. It has been suggested that due to the established role of man as the strength of the family, we have been embarrassed when feelings of weakness confront us and in response we try to “tough it out” by pretending that all is well. Psalm 130, while not being only for men, encourages us to cry out to the Lord for help unashamedly. “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. “ This is a complete and contrite plea for help from the Almighty. But let us immediately recognize that the cry for help can be also communicated to each other. We, as a people, are the representation of the Lord and we have a duty to uphold each other continuously. The key to being mentally strong is to realize that our strength does not come from within us; it comes from God. “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength in whom I will trust…” (Ps. 18:2). No matter what happens, put your faith in God and trust that He will take care of you. The conclusions of mental health experts, known as psychiatrists and psychologists, are very much in keeping with Biblical advice. In the case of us men, most of us have been socialized to pretend to be well, even when we need urgent assistance. Turning inward is not the way. Rather, that is when we need each other. The principle of neighbourliness extends beyond the material and may be even more urgent in mental circumstances. And so, our reference material, our Holy Bible, and our technical experts say to us as men, not to be embarrassed in our times of weakness. It is okay to experience challenges. In fact, the real show of strength is when we recognize our weaknesses. It is in these moments that we need to “let go and let God.” This is the recognition that we are not alone as we confront the challenges thrown up by life. The greater willingness of our female partners to seek help must be a lesson to us men. This is the indication that we are interdependent beings and in shoring each other up we are carrying out one of the most fundamental duties as designated by the Almighty. Let us encourage each other and serve each other as the greatest service to God. Denzil Wilks St. Philip’s Church
My Brothers and Sisters In observing June as Men’s month, the intention is to focus on our men and invite those who have not been attending church to return and be actively involved in the church's ministry. It is also to recognize the importance of our men in the church's life and its future growth. A study done in Switzerland in 2000 concluded that the religious practice of the father of the family determines the future attendance at, or absence from, church by the children. If a father does not go to church, no matter how faithful his wife’s devotions, only one child in 50 will become a regular worshipper. If a father does go regularly, regardless of the practice of the mother, between two-thirds and three-quarters of their children will become churchgoers (regular and irregular). If a father goes but irregularly to church, regardless of his wife’s devotion, between half and two-thirds of their offspring will attend church regularly or occasionally. A study from Hartford Seminary found that involved men are statistically correlated with church growth, health and harmony. Lack of male participation is associated with congregational decline. Let me therefore invite the men to exhibit an abiding faith, sacrificial love, and commitment in the life of the church and be a positive influence for others, especially young men and boys, so that they may commit themselves to the service of Christ and his Church. Men, the Lord is depending on us to grow the church. I ask your prayers for a speedy recovery after surgery. Patrick +
Sports, particularly track and field, can develop positive values and natural abilities, but should not prioritize winning at all costs. Athletes should showcase their talents with humility and respect, while coaches provide guidance and support.
The theme of worship is explored through the Ten Commandments, emphasizing our relationship with God and our duty to love our neighbours. For the remainder of the year, we are encouraged to draw closer to God through worship and demonstrate love through acts of kindness.
On this the first Sunday of Lent, let us seek to strenghthen our bond with God our Father through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Let us also remember that Lent is a time for renewal and introspection and also a time to prepare ourselves for the Easter season.
Dr. Lee reminds us that, just as our Lord Jesus Christ was more than an Ordinary Servant, we too, can follow His example and aspire to be more than Ordinary Servants of God.
No Ailment is Beyond the Healing Touch of Jesus Christ
We should always give thanks to God and praise His name for all the wondrous blessings He has bestowed on us.
On the First Sunday after Epiphany, we should reflect on the similarities and differences between Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist and our own baptism.
