Remembrance Sunday

A Short Address for Evensong

It has been suggested that Revelation was written under the influence of mind-altering drugs. Perhaps, however, Revelation itself is the mind-altering substance! Designed, I think, to overturn our earthly perceptions.

Take for example our understanding of the relationship between the Church and God. John, the author of Revelation sees the churches as seven lamp stands. That’s lamp stands, not lamps. Why are the churches described as inanimate objects? What role can they have in a story where the other characters are animate, all action, fire and light?

The relationship between God and the mundane is revealed in the lamp lighting drama that follows. Jesus holds seven stars in his right hand. He places this hand on John’s head and commands John to write to the seven churches. Could it be that Jesus is sending the seven stars to serve as flames for each of the lamp stands? We are told that these stars are the angels of the seven churches and there is an intriguing possibility that they also represent the Holy Spirit, sent out into all the earth. As the lamp stands are set alight by the stars, so the church is to be animated, set alight by the Spirit of God. 

On this Remembrance Sunday, as we are invited to look, to look back and to thank God for those who have died to maintain our freedom. And that is right to look back and to thank God for lives given for our freedom.

But tonight, our Bible reading encourages us to look. To look as followers of Jesus; to look and to long for God’s Spirit, who is ever present, always at work amongst us and always within Christ’s body, the church today. So as we go into this week, may I encourage you to do just that? To pray for, to look and to long for God’s Spirit, ever present at work amongst us and to ready and willing to join in where God’s Spirit might be calling us to serve God. Amen.