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Moseley Chimes
September 2008
When I was interviewed by the Church wardens to be Vicar of St Mary’s and St Anne’s, one of the questions they asked was, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” One of the things I find hardest is to say “No”, especially when people ask you to take on another responsibility or do what seems to be an easy job that takes up far more time than originally expected.
With the pressures of life however, many people prefer to say “No” especially when it involves a regular commitment to something, whether it’s being on a rota at Church, signing up for a course or going on a trip; the answer is frequently, “I haven’t got time” or “I’m not sure what I will be doing”. In a society where we have so much choice, then we often want to be free to decide to do what we want, what suits us and what will give us the most pleasure even an hour before the service or event takes place — Lastminute.com thrives on this approach. Yet commitment and trust are essential ingredients of the Christian Faith, and as we celebrate her birthday at our Patronal Festival on Sunday 7 September, Mary shows us the importance of being committed by saying “Yes” to God both in being prepared to bear Christ and support him, throughout her life until she is finally assumed with glory into heaven.
At the Annunciation, Mary unreservedly says “Yes” to be the Mother of Jesus; Mary certainly ponders in her heart what she is taking on, but she exemplifies the commandment her Son will fulfil — Love thy Neighbour as thyself. She thinks about what is best for God rather than necessarily herself and is obedient to God’s plan because his will and option not only provided the best and deepest fulfilment to her life, but also today for ours. Mary’s life was far from plain sailing, yet because of her commitment to support Christ she was able to face periods of exile, uncertainty and ultimately agony at the foot of the Cross; when times get hard for us, it is all to easy to walk away from God and the Church when we either don’t get what we want or the commitment doesn’t suit us.
Mary’s message of commitment and trust is needed for our Church and world today. In the midst of possible schisms in the Anglican Communion over issues of human sexuality and gender, the Church must remain loyal in prayer and trust in God, to discern and remain faithful to reveal his plan for the world today; it must be committed to not saying no to others, but a yes to discernment, listening and respect — and thank goodness that three quarters of Bishops were prepared to do that in July at the Lambeth Conference. For us here in the Benefice in Moseley, we too must remain open with Mary to what God may wish to conceive in our lives today, and be prepared to be committed to taking on the responsibility to owning and upholding the Church’s ministry which God has given to us.
To strengthen us in helping us be more committed we are holding an Ignatian Prayer Course in October and November to enable us to make greater space for God in our lives through prayer. Ask yourself whether you give God enough time each day for him to manifest his love and purposes in your work. Be realistic before answering, weigh up how great God is and perhaps like Mary have the courage to say “Yes” and through your commitment to the Church finding the same life enhancing fulfilment that Mary did in simply serving God and being rewarded for it.