Scripture Reading
Rev. Heather Robbins
Introduction
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he is talking about his abilities to preach to the people. Some have had visions and boasted about them (maybe even Paul himself). Is he writing about those who are “holier than thou”, because he is not charismatic enough or well spoken. Paul has big challenges but he is confident in his religious experiences and how he endures despite his challenges. Paul was of the conviction that Christ proclaimed is paramount and that God’s grace is sufficient in his weakness.
12 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3 And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep[a] me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.[b] 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power[c] is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God.
Solo: “When a Child Lights a Candle”
Sermon
May the words that come from my mouth and the listening and meditations be acceptable to you this day. We pray in the name of Creator God, our Rock and Redeemer.
O Canada ! This beautiful country in which we live. There are many things for which we can be thankful. The four seasons that we are blessed to enjoy (some more than others!). what is your favourite season? I can’t choose, they all have their merits and challenges.
Here in Canada, many of us live privileged lives but also try in various ways to help those who struggle to meet their needs of daily living.
Our hope here at Westworth and St Andrews River Heights is to be the hands and feet of Christ in compassionate hospitality, worship, education and community.
The Apostle Paul was instrumental in helping the new followers of Christ to know that Jesus is the Son of God and what they should be doing to follow his examples.
There are several letters in the Christian Scriptures attributed to Paul. He travelled the Mediterranean and preached the Good News of Jesus Christ risen and wrote many letters of guidance and sometimes retribution.
In the reading today, Paul begins by relating an incident of someone “caught up in Paradise – or the Third Heaven”. Maybe like a near – death experience we may have read about. He doesn’t want to boast about his spiritual experiences but about his weaknesses. To keep him from boasting and being too elated as it says in verse 7, he is given a thorn in his side to keep him humble. He asked God three times to take away this burden, but God said, “Paul, my grace is sufficient for you – your power is made perfect in your weakness.”
I believe God is also telling us that whatever struggles and challenges we go through, God is with us. That is what God’s grace is. The promise to be with us through our trials and tribulations and whenever we feel bewildered or “have a thorn in our side”. I’ve often thought that this power in weakness can be troubling for those whose problems aren’t resolved the way they hoped, and there are those who say…well you must not have prayed hard enough. We are called to trust God’s compassion and love for us, God’s creation.
Oh Canada ! What does it mean to be Canadian? It feels to me that our beloved country is now burdened with a thorn in the side, so to say.
These past many months have been horrific with the COVID-19 pandemic leaving us with deep and painful learnings. Some that come to mind: care for our elders…especially those in PCH’s and assisted living residences. Too many died because of inadequate care, and others were left abandoned to their rooms or apartments with no contact with family or friends and no ability to interact with other community members. We need to do better.
There were many painful and tragic events that pained us but hopefully brought learning’s to help us be better citizens.
Racism reared its ugly head in so many ways. What? How can that be possible, we Canadians are welcoming to all…we boast being a multi-cultural country but people of Asian decent have been attacked, spit on and blamed for the Covid pandemic. As one woman told us in a webinar I attended, that here in Winnipeg, she was told to go back to China where she belongs, only she isn’t Chinese, she is a relatively new immigrant from Korea and is actually a student at the Centre for Christian Studies in Winnipeg. Xenophobia is alive and well, too, sadly for our Jewish neighbours who tell of increased hate crimes and our Muslim citizens are attacked, resulting in injury and even death because of their faith, their skin colour and sometimes their clothing.
And lastly but not least our Indigenous siblings, whose history and tragedies are being brought to the surface with the discovery of unmarked graves, mostly of children, in Residential School areas.
Thursday, I walked with Rev. Karen and Rita from SARHUC along with thousands of folks of every age and stage and ethnicity in a rally to support Residential survivors and families in the horrific news uncovered. Every Child Matters orange shirts were in abundance and many had other sayings that were speaking of their feelings, such as No Pride in Genocide and Bring the Children Home. The walk was very peaceful and there was a feeling of solidarity and the recognition of years of pain and trauma as a result of the state and churches involvement in Residential Schools.
The large crowd went in two directions as the group I was with headed into the Legislative grounds to hear Survivors speak and drummers sing and drum their honour songs. The other group continued down Portage Avenue to the Peguis
Admisitstraion buildings.
It was a very hot day and the three of us decided to go home, after listening and resting on the steps of the Legislative Building along with speakers and Residential school survivors. But first we visited the camp on the east side of the yards, along Kennedy street. There was a sacred fire, a tepee, and other tents, the opportunity to smudge if one so desired and a sacred dance and blessing of folks gathered. Karen, Rita and I said our goodbyes and I headed home through the gardens stopping for a rest under the shade of a beautiful old cedar tree in the Lieutenant Governors’ yard. I took a picture of the statue of Queen Elizabeth 11 as I left. Sadly, when I watched the news later at home, I found out about the turn of everts that ended up with toppling and marking and destroying the statue of Queen Victoria and toppling the statue of Queen Elizabeth. It was a disappointing end to a peaceful rally of solidarity with our Indigenous folk. I feel sadness and a heaviness in my heart for the lack of knowledge many Canadians have about Residential Schools and I can sympathize with the anger folks have at past leaders who reigned and or governed during the decades of attempts to assimilate people they didn’t understand and possibly were afraid of. We can and must do better.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action can be our help and guidance. Right now we are asked to listen and pray, not to try to fix and help. There is lots of assistance in this booklet that we could work on.
To conclude this reflection, I’d like to end with a prayer written by the Right Reverend Stan McKay, previous Moderator of the UCC and an esteemed Cree elder who wrote this prayer in the book Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry edited by Steve Heinricks. Stan was a residential School attendee at the Birtle Residential School run by the United Church.
Let us pray with Stan’s words.
Great Spirit (Kisay – Manitou)
With humility and thanksgiving we come acknowledging that we live on land that the elders called the Creator’s resting place (Manitoba – Manitou -apa)
We seek to understand the fullness of life. (Pimadizewin)
Each life is a gift for the community to share. (Mamawi)
Together we share stories.
Feast and dream of the mysteries of our relations
(ka-ki-nu-in-wa-ma-gun-uk), all plant life, the ones that crawl, swim, and fly, the four legged and the two legged.
The water is sacred. (ka-na-tun-ni-pi)
The earth is sacred. (ka-na-tun-us-ki)
We acknowledge that we are part of the earth, Our Mother (ni-ka-we-nan)
We ask only for what we need and with the guidance of the spirit helper, of what we have we will share. Amen.
seen his face.
May God support us and guide us in the times ahead as we work towards reconciliation. Amen.
