Below is Brian Scotcher’s sermon.
‘Promises, Promise, Promises’. John 14 v 23-29
Some people have a beautiful fantastic gift of story-telling, something I enjoy tremendously. A few weeks back I finished reading a novel entitled ‘The Good Father’ by an American writer I had never heard of but the novel was given such praise by the media critics, I felt obliged to read it; it was very powerful, very gripping and very emotional reading, one of those books that keeps you on tender hooks until the mystery or the truths unfold so very difficult to put down until finished. Very briefly it begins where a twenty year old young man has shot dead the next president elect of the United States. It chronicles through flashbacks the upbringing of the young man. It deals with the anguish, the despair, the loneliness, the destruction, the self-hatred of the young man and then the criticism and analysis that his parents must subject themselves to and in particular as the title suggest the father. So the father begins to evaluate himself as a father, subjecting himself to deep intense emotional interrogation that doubts his ability as a father let alone a good father. Furthermore his son confesses to the crime!
So many questions and so few answers, what possessed his son to show such anger against another individual, where were the signs that showed in his early life that he was capable of such an horror- because that is what it was. What did I do wrong, the father will ask to himself; was I too strict or not strict enough. My son had friends around him all the time or did he – was he a loner, was that all make believe? We read stories to him at bedtime, said our prayers, tucked him into bed and we thanked God for our son. He went to college and I know there were a few of his mates I did not approve of but basically they were all good kids. He had never been involved in any major catastrophes or caused any major headaches – well as far as I know he did not. I know I worked hard and long hours, I had to, I had the bills to pay, the groceries to buy, the school uniform it was not easy, I gave him my best – I tried to be there for him, whenever it was necessary, at schools or the clubs to show I was giving him my total support! I had promised to be a good father as a witness to my family and friends and yet as I watch the news bulletin over and over again, the images of the assassin in there in front of me – and the man at the door says – that’s your son. How is this possible? Where did I go wrong? The weeks turn to months and the trial is over – the father sits alone and hears the punishment. Tears flow uncontrolled down his face, his body shakes – is it shame – is it fear – pity or what, he meets his sons eyes through the partition – he has told them he is sorry, what is he trying to say to me though – can’t they take that into consideration the fact that he is sorry , he is going to be executed he is my son – he is my son, I am his father ! Don’t you understand !
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She had always wanted a large family ever since the eldest had been born, for the boys to grow up in the family business and take it onto another generation, as for the girls they were so beautiful and charming. They would have the pick of all the local young men. She loved them all so dearly and quite equally so she told herself but there was something special about the eldest boy. Of course – they had had their problems in this day and age raising children who didn’t – all teenagers rebel at some stage in their lives – it was quite normal, well they had all followed the same pattern boy or girl but a good example finally. But there was always something very special about the eldest – was it his attitude- the way he spoke or was it just the way he looked at her – he was really very handsome probably the best looking of all the boys and as he had grown into a young man his features although hardened were soft and gentle. All of them had done well at school, some of the lads were helping now with the family business but the eldest he had decided to take some time out and take care of the poor and needy – exactly what that meant she was not quite sure, but he had such a large circle of friends – some of whom were always inviting him to supper – others would take him out to dinner. They all valued his knowledge, his wisdom, his decision making – she was really quite proud of him. They were living in troubled times so she always used to say to him be careful my son, try not to become too political- as there was always headlines about people being arrested under false pretences. But he always assured his mother, don’t worry my darling mother – I shall be fine and that was all that she needed to know. He had been away for a few months travelling across the country and she had heard so many good things about him – neighbour were always coming to her and telling her what they had heard – I know that’s my son, but you know he does not get all these good traits from me she would often exclaim!!!!! She had done her best, she had promised to take care of him and now in her heart she knew though the real truth!
She had warned him to be careful – now he has been arrested for doing things he would never have dreamt of doing – he would never harm anybody only help them but he had angered the local politicians or government officials over some policy issues. I shall have to go into town and see what is happening!
It had been years since she had been to the big city and much had changed, even the people, she found her son’s friends who seemed frightened, but where was he – in prison they said, there had been a trial and the court had found him guilty of crimes against the state and the punishment is …… no they have got it wrong, it’s all taking place today they said; but I have not seen him – I must go to him they cannot do this to him, he is my son! She saw him in the distance – he had changed – he looked thinner, older – had someone been hitting her boy – their eyes met – he is so wonderful she thought as tears fell uncontrollably down her face – he is my son she shouted what are you doing to him. He has done nothing wrong except do what he should do; he is my son. I am his mother
Don’t you understand !
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Well my children I have always tried to do my best for you – he has told them that so many times. I have always tried to guide you and protect you even when you wanted nothing to do with me – it has always troubled me the more that I do for you it appears you resent me more but I do not want to go over old ground and history, what is for sure I will always be there for you in the future – as I have always been now and in the past .There have been many hiccups and problems and arguments but I am your father and it is my responsibility to take care of you. I have given you all that you need, far more than enough to enable you to prosper and assist one another, help one another as I told you, be loving and patient and understanding and compassionate. It troubles me so much that even after all that we have been through still you persist in knowing what is best, for yourselves ,yet you only have to look back. I sacrificed so much for you – part of me had to be destroyed to show how much I care and love you all. But that’s finished, I am restored because I do know what is right. However I am giving you this gift – it’s basically my power so that you can continue doing your best for yourselves and your neighbours and for me! So please no more disillusion, no more re-writing of history, you know the facts – Jesus my son died on that cross for you but he lives again , trust me – I am your Father and you are my children and I love you ! You must understand.
Promises, one that sort of went wrong for whatever reason and the other well it had all been planned and that is still part of a bigger promise of a wider picture – the Holy Spirit whom God sends – teaches us everything we need to know, but our hearts and minds must be receptive towards him waiting to know what he has planned to teach us. There is much that God can and will teach us here at St Chad’s. There is much that he teaches us through everyday life, we may consider it irrelevant, but everything is there for a purpose to teach us how to respond to each other to have compassion for one another and have the love that Jesus has for each other.
God is our father and mother always there protecting us – our healer if only we will let him; for there is more to be healed that just our bodies.
Life is too short to waste time; time is too precious; being precious is to love God so that when we love God – he will say to all of us you understand, I am your Father. Amen.
Brian Scotcher
Lay Reader.