Sermon: Come, my way, my truth, my life
From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
Good Friday 2010: Talk No 5: Come, my way, my truth, my life CP 405 Frank Nelson
It’s been a week of unprecedented news coverage for the Christian Church – most of it negative, but coverage nonetheless. The world’s news media continue to dig for more on the alleged abuses of children by Roman Catholic priests, and, in my view, is likely to continue as the focus narrows down on the Pope. Our local paper sent forth a stream of vitriol through its editorial column on Monday, followed that up with a cartoon on Tuesday, and various other reports and articles. Most, but not all, portray Christians and the Church in a negative light. I found myself sitting quietly in the back row of the Chapel in our sister Cathedral of Sacred Heart earlier this week. Despite the sense of sadness at not being able to receive Communion, it felt right to be there, a very small show of solidarity in the face of the assault.
Let me be very clear that I in no way condone abuse of children, or anyone for that matter. We try to be vigilant in this Cathedral, with all those who regularly work with children subject to police checks, and very much aware of their position of power and responsibility. It can be a confusing time for many, as the witch hunts continue in the search for more victims, even while society at large overthrows traditional values and norms. What is right and wrong these days? Who decides? How is it decided, on what basis? If, as a recent newspaper editorial claims, the Church has no moral right to pronounce on issues of life and death – who does? The editors of newspapers?
Tomorrow night, at what for me is one of the most dramatic and moving services held in this Cathedral, a number of people will say these words: In faith, I turn to Christ, my way, my truth, my life. This is the third of three responses made to questions put to those about to be baptized. It is a very clear statement of intent to base one’s life on Christ – one whom Christians claim is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The words themselves come from a passage in John’s Gospel, where Jesus has been telling his disciples he is going away. Thomas, later to be dubbed the Doubter, asks the question on the minds of them all. Listen to a few verses from John 14. Jesus is speaking. ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’.
These are strong words these days raising questions, not only in the minds of non-Christians, but even in many who do profess Christ. They seem to be such exclusive words – the way, the truth, the life! What about all those who don’t believe? Those who believe in other gods, religions, ways? Are they all wrong? Is it not terribly arrogant for Christians to claim this sort of exclusivity?
George Herbert, early 17th century poet priest, used his native Welsh gift for music and words well in his relatively short life. Although a priest for only three years before dying of TB just short of his fortieth birthday, he is revered as the patron saint of parish priests, remembered for his faithful visiting and care for his parishioners, especially in time of sickness and death. We still sing a number of his hymns today, including “Let all the world in every corner sing”, “King of glory, King of peace” and a translation of Psalm 23, “The God of love my shepherd is”.
Clearly George Herbert was not afraid to think about Jesus’ claim to be the way, the truth and the life. Yet he brings several interesting dimensions in his hymn, “Come, my way, my truth, my life.”
In the Gospels it is Jesus who usually does the inviting. Think of him walking along the lake-side calling the fishermen to leave their nets and follow him; calling Matthew to leave his tax-table to join the group of followers; or Zacheus to come down from the tree. Wherever the Gospel is preached the invitation to come and follow Jesus is given.
George Herbert however, turns the invitation around. In our next hymn it is we, the singers of the hymn, who offer the invitation to Christ, picking up the very words we heard earlier from Jesus. Here then is an acceptance of, and invitation to, the one who is the way, truth and life. Except, not quite. For the hymn does not speak of the way, the truth and the life – but my way, my truth, my life. There is a subtle but profound difference. It is the singer, the believer, the one being baptized, who recognizes and invites Jesus Christ to be my way, my truth, my life. Is this at least part of the answer to those worried about people who worship other gods – that once we have heard the call from Jesus, once we have fully recognized who he is, then he can only be my way, my truth, my life? There can be no other way; no other truth; no other life for me. This is baptism at its best. In faith, I turn to Christ, my way, my truth, my life.
In a masterpiece of writing George Herbert weaves his thoughts together, one word, one idea, feeding another. One commentator on this hymn has this to say about the three short verses: “The poem reveals the nature of Christ by allowing the qualities to succeed one another and interact with each other, so that the singing of the poem as a hymn becomes an experience of feeling layer upon layer, fold upon fold, of multiplying significance. It should also be noted that the three-fold structure of the first verse is repeated in the other two; there is a trinity in each verse, and three verses, making a trinity of trinities.”
How might we use this hymn? Obviously sing it and enjoy it. But also, read it, aloud and several times. Ponder on each verse, each line, each thought, each word. It is a hymn to be mined, unlikely to be understood at first grasp. Like a good wine it is to be savoured – first the colour, then the bouquet, then the first taste on the tip of the tongue, the slow tasting in different parts of the mouth, and only then the swallow and enjoyment of after taste. Use your pencils to make notes and marks, draw connections, write your own reflections. Dig into your bible for those ideas that are sparked off by this hymn. And then, when you have done all that – say or sing the words again – this time as an invitation to Christ to come.
Let me end with a few words from the last chapter of the last book in the Bible. “See, I am coming soon: my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come”. And let everyone who hears say, “Come”. And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. Amen. Come Lord Jesus.
