Building a House forever
The vision that such a phrase conjures up in the mind has for us here at St Thomas More a special resonance. Over the decades (which for some must feel like forever!) several attempts have been made to improve the quality of the building we call our Church as a place both fit for worship and for community, and as you know we are still in the throes of our latest attempt! But the scripture today for this the 4th Sunday of Advent, draws our thoughts to what must surely be at the spiritual heart of our quest: a place where God is, and fulfilling this quest must be the goal of our ambition. The building that has gone on here in Wollaton over the years, has indeed made this community a place where God is, and this is recognised not solely by the building which stands on Glenwood Avenue, and in which we sit today, but because of the living faith of so many parishioners past and present. The work which has been and continues to be done, and the love with which it is carried out, are shining examples of faith in action. This is the work which really builds the house, and keeps its foundations and walls robust and firmly planted, because all that is done is centred and founded on the knowledge that Christ is present here amongst us. This is the presence we celebrate at Christmas, not as a past event, but as a living reality.
As we come to the end of our Advent and prepare for the celebration of Christmas it is true to say that we are often brought to a moment of memory. For many this will mean recalling familiar events from the past, some good, some bad, and some indifferent. The very act of remembering becomes an experience, recalling all those different times and occasions. But they are gone. The Feast of Christmas is not a past event but a new and vibrant celebration which looks forwards and not backwards. This is because for every Christian, the act of remembrance has a spiritual dimension which in its proper context becomes sacred and profound. When we gather round the table of the altar, here in this place, and listen to the words do this in remembrance of me what is being made present isn’t simply a re-telling of a story, but a re-presenting of a reality that is propelling us forward and outward to build and build anew the place wherein God is with us. The Christian gospel is not a message frozen in time and tied to the past, but a new born reality that is waiting to be experienced with hope and joy.
It is our task to make this experience available to others, and we are assured of our success, because as disciples, the Lord Jesus will be working in and through us to make the house we build a home. Its eventual size and shape, dimensions and look may not be what we originally had in our minds eye but it will, notwithstanding that, be the house that God wants. And we can be sure that if this spiritual dimension of our lives has a context then it is in the remembrance of every celebrated sacred moment, making them the basis of our discipleship. It is what builds and renews each of us to strive to establish His house forever.
4th Sunday of Advent
Building a House forever
The vision that such a phrase conjures up in the mind has for us here at St Thomas More a special resonance. Over the decades (which for some must feel like forever!) several attempts have been made to improve the quality of the building we call our Church as a place both fit for worship and for community, and as you know we are still in the throes of our latest attempt! But the scripture today for this the 4th Sunday of Advent, draws our thoughts to what must surely be at the spiritual heart of our quest: a place where God is, and fulfilling this quest must be the goal of our ambition. The building that has gone on here in Wollaton over the years, has indeed made this community a place where God is, and this is recognised not solely by the building which stands on Glenwood Avenue, and in which we sit today, but because of the living faith of so many parishioners past and present. The work which has been and continues to be done, and the love with which it is carried out, are shining examples of faith in action. This is the work which really builds the house, and keeps its foundations and walls robust and firmly planted, because all that is done is centred and founded on the knowledge that Christ is present here amongst us. This is the presence we celebrate at Christmas, not as a past event, but as a living reality.
As we come to the end of our Advent and prepare for the celebration of Christmas it is true to say that we are often brought to a moment of memory. For many this will mean recalling familiar events from the past, some good, some bad, and some indifferent. The very act of remembering becomes an experience, recalling all those different times and occasions. But they are gone. The Feast of Christmas is not a past event but a new and vibrant celebration which looks forwards and not backwards. This is because for every Christian, the act of remembrance has a spiritual dimension which in its proper context becomes sacred and profound. When we gather round the table of the altar, here in this place, and listen to the words do this in remembrance of me what is being made present isn’t simply a re-telling of a story, but a re-presenting of a reality that is propelling us forward and outward to build and build anew the place wherein God is with us. The Christian gospel is not a message frozen in time and tied to the past, but a new born reality that is waiting to be experienced with hope and joy.
It is our task to make this experience available to others, and we are assured of our success, because as disciples, the Lord Jesus will be working in and through us to make the house we build a home. Its eventual size and shape, dimensions and look may not be what we originally had in our minds eye but it will, notwithstanding that, be the house that God wants. And we can be sure that if this spiritual dimension of our lives has a context then it is in the remembrance of every celebrated sacred moment, making them the basis of our discipleship. It is what builds and renews each of us to strive to establish His house forever.