In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'.
Jesus announcing a 'new way' - the 'new way' that we heard of in our epistle in Paul's letter to the Roman's urging that it was not through the law but by the righteousness that comes from faith that Abraham and his descendents would inherit the world. Abraham who trusted God, trusted God's faithfulness to him, the faithfulness of God who will remain faithful to all who follow him then and throughout the ages, no sacrifice required.
In the Gospel of Matthew, we have just heard the most powerful examples that clearly exemplify Jesus' 'new way'. The writers of Matthew have given us very few details; the incidents recorded speak for themselves.
Such is the importance of these incidents - the calling of the tax collector, the healing of the woman who suffered haemorrhages, the shared meal and the raising from the dead of the daughter of the leader of the synagogue that all four are reported in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Each writer reports the incidents slightly differently, each for the community they are writing for.
The fact that we have so few details makes me think about what it must have been like to have observed these amazing events and to consider what it must have felt like to be involved.
What must it have felt like for Matthew to be called from his hot stuffy tax collectors booth? Matthew who shunned his Jewish religion to work for the Roman Authorities as a tax collector, an occupation despised by the Jews and carrying the stigma of deception. What would have been his thoughts as he looked out and saw this young prophet Jesus coming along the road, who perhaps smiled at him, a smile of acceptance and who perhaps put his hand out and who did say 'follow me'.
What would have been Matthews thoughts and feelings - would he have felt excited, scared. Would he have seen this as an opportunity to make a fresh start following someone who had set no preconditions, follow someone, Jesus, who was taking an interest in him, something that had perhaps not happened to him for a long time. Whatever the reason we hear that Matthew did not hesitate, he responded to the invitation - 'he got up and followed him'.
And what about the woman who had suffered haemorrhages for 12 years - 12 long years of suffering, of being shunned for her uncleanness? Because of the strict Jewish hygiene rules she would not have been able to worship in the synagogue or mix with her fellow Jews. What must she have felt like taking the risk of being 'unclean' in the crowd or risking contaminating Jesus by touching him?
This was a woman to had spent years pursuing healing whose greatest wish was to hear that she was healed. What must she have felt like inside, what emotions would her face have displayed as Jesus, the healer Jesus, spoke the words 'take heart daughter, your faith has made you well'. Her faith in Jesus as the physician - the healing presence, was what had healed her.
And then of the leader of the synagogue whose daughter had died, what must he have felt, what lengths would any father, any parent go to if there was a hope of restoration of life for their child. This man, a devout Jew putting, kneeling at Jesus' feet, his faith in this young prophet's healing ministry that was justified when Jesus took his daughters hand and she got up.
What would have been his thoughts as he waited, waited until Jesus had healed the woman, perhaps impatient that time was being lost for his daughter or perhaps his faith also gave him the patience to wait - to wait for Jesus' time. And what would have been his reaction to the miracle - the raising of his daughter - profound faith in the love and power of Jesus.
In each of these accounts Jesus calls and cares for the marginalised - each of the three were marginalised - the tax collector who had shunned his religion, the woman who was unclean according to her faith and the leader of the synagogue who moved out from his strict observance of law to faith.
Each account exemplifies God's faithfulness displayed in the mercy and constancy of Jesus, mercy and constancy that we are called to display towards our world and each other. Jesus calls us to be disciples in our broken world to increase faith and ease suffering. He reminds us that we are not working alone and, as with Matthew, he accepts us faults and all. His mercy transforms our lives and calls us to be all that we can be and do all that we can do.
Sometimes it is easier to recognise the work of others than of our own contributions.
Earlier this week I was reminded of the mercy of other, people who I spend my time with day by day. I was invited to an afternoon tea party given by students with additional needs in my college. I have always felt very privileged to work with these youngsters, their tutors and support workers.
We may have legislation to ensure that all of our students and staff are treated equally and fairly, to ensure that we follow our inclusiveness policy but it is neither the legislation nor the policies that make the difference to these students' lives. Rather it is the gifts and the skills that the staff bring and share, from the heart not wholly for the salaries they receive. It is mercy, not pity or sacrifice that they display when they put in huge numbers of extra hours to make a difference to their students. A difference that is also felt by their parents and families.
This is what made the tea party such a success with students who had built skills and confidence to grow, being accepted and valued. The healing that this work brings to the families of these youngsters has touched my heart many times over the years.
And this month we are supporting the work of the Vine Trust in prayer and action 'sowing seeds' - in faith, hopeful of 'making a difference' to the lives of marginalised young people in another part of our world.
On Tuesday evening we are looking forward to our talk from Ken Jeffrey from Cupar. Ken is coming to talk about the project that he and others have been involved in Peru, building a home for orphaned boys. Supporting financially and in practical ways taking volunteers over to Peru to help with the building. Displaying mercy - making a difference, responding to a cry from a community far away crying out to be releases them from their suffering.
You too will have many examples of your own, carried out by people in their everyday lives, not saintly people, ordinary people like you and me.
As part of the ministry of the baptised we are all called to share in God's work All called to follow the examples that Jesus left us - being with people in their times of trouble, offering the accepting touch and smile that he shared with the marginalised - examples of mercy, not sacrifice.
I will leave with you a saying of Mother Theresa's 'We can do no great things, only small things with great love'.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Sermon by: Christine Barclay