Sermon-Images of Unity

Celtic Knot on a Cross

A sermon given during the Sung Eucharist at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 19th January 2025 (Epiphany 2, Year C) based on readings from Isaiah 62.1-5, Psalm 36.5-10, 1 Corinthians 12.1-11 and John 2.1-11. The sermon was given on the morning of the first day of the proposed ceasefire between Israel and Gaza and at the start of Christian Unity Week.

An image of unity from Gaza - in the sixth century:

Imagine that the whole of creation is a cartwheel, that God is in the middle and each of us occupies a place on it. The spokes of the wheel represent different ways that we live our lives - each of us on a different path. When we wish to come closer to God we must make our way along the spokes to the centre – to the hub of the wheel, and in doing so we come closer to one another. And the closer we come to one another, the closer we come to God.

Perhaps as only a desert hermit can, Saint Dorotheos of Gaza reminds us that those who live their lives oriented towards others find a path to God. Those who turn away from each other, turn away from God. And vice versa.

For some, his ‘Wheel of Love’ is an elegant illustration of the Christian life. A life characterised by a shared desire for union with God.

A sentiment expressed in this morning’s Psalm – the full text of which contrasts those who have turned away from God and can no longer see him in their hearts - with those who have turned towards him and his light, which is the fountain of all life. This turning towards God – and therefore each other – is ‘true’ life.

There may be some for whom the image of life as wheel seems ominous - a reminder of all that is wrong when power is centred in the wrong hands. When the majority bear the brunt of life on the edge while a few, elite make it to the centre. Perhaps to do so is to see this vision of the world through our eyes, not God’s? 

The Psalm, like the model of the Wheel, places God at the centre of creation, linking every part of it, but implies the need for us to choose to turn towards him – to battle against powerful temptations that seek to drive us away and apart. 

It’s an intriguing way of conceiving of our life together as Christians. While some might feel the wheel of our world is buckled, its spokes and rim twisted after various crashes and potholes, each of us still retains our unique and direct path to God’s love.  

Perhaps less well rehearsed in the lives of the faithful is the idea that we can only truly encounter each other through that love. By meeting each other through God at the centre of the wheel. 

St Paul illustrates the same truth in a different way. What we call his first letter to the Corinthians seems to have been written to address a number of challenges in the church, which was made up of people from diverse backgrounds. The section read just now deals with problems that arose when the church gathered together for worship. 

Some in the community appeared to exhibit charismatic gifts such as speaking in tongues. This spontaneous and captivating manifestation of the spirit seemed to be revered by the community - becoming the focus of its worship. Those who could not speak in tongues in danger of being seen as less gifted. Less important. 

Paul reminds the church that while speaking in tongues is an impressive gift - it is but one of many given to us. To make this the focus of worship places more emphasis on the recipients of that particular gift than the one who gave it - who should be the sole object of their devotion in worship. Like turning away from the centre of Dorotheos of Gaza’s wheel and looking out from the rim.

Later in the letter Paul goes on to describe the church as a body, each of us as its members, with Christ as its head. 

In this section he lays the foundation for that image - that model - of unity, explaining that we are all connected - activated - by the divine gift of the Spirit, which works within us in unique and diverse ways towards a common purpose - God’s purpose.

What if we are unsure of our gifts - or whether we are using them correctly? It is through him that our gifts and those of others may be discerned. The closer we come to know God - through his Son, Jesus Christ, driven by the Spirit, the more we know of each other. 

The Book of Isaiah offers another model of union with God and with each other.

A marriage. 

The passage we heard this morning forms part of the prophecy of Israel’s salvation. It describes the construction of a new Jerusalem, a new nation arising from a renewed union with God. 

This is not a marriage of equals. The people, the city, the nation are a bride named Forsaken or Desolate. One who is weak, lifeless and dark, unfaithful and unfulfilled. 

Her marriage to God - the builder or creator - transforms her. She begins to shine like a burning torch or the rising sun. She becomes like the jewels of a diadem or crown worn on the King’s head. She takes on a new name which translates as “My Delight is in Her” - and the bridegroom - God - rejoices over her. 

To our hearing the gender inequality is obvious and unsettling. The fallen woman turned trophy wife for whom meaning is only possible through marriage. A name change. This is not the only place in scripture where Israel’s rebellion against God’s covenant with them is described in such a way. In each case the text seems intended to remind us of God’s enduring faithfulness. His superabundant love for all who have fallen. His ability to transform life - and relationships - at every scale, by and through his love. 

Themes developed in today’s gospel reading. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the first revelation of Jesus’ glory takes place in the context of a marriage. One to which we are all party.

A reminder that we have been united with each other through the life, death and resurrection of Christ to form this community of faith, the Church. 

Like a marriage, this is a union in which our conception of power and identity has been transformed - a singular event which bridges the relationship between private and public, novelty and continuity, the present and the future. A union in which the meaning and purpose of our lives is changed through love. 

The image of union with Christ as a marriage, like that of God as the hub of a cartwheel or the Spirit connecting parts of the same body, reminds us that however we choose to model unity in our lives - to live with difference - our understanding and action must be rooted in the Triune God; in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

It is through Him alone that our authentic relationships with each other can be revealed - through Him alone that our gifts and true purpose can be discerned - through Him alone that the promise of the future fulfilment of every possible desire can be realised.

As we begin this week dedicated to Christian Unity anxious to see the first glimmer of peace in modern day Gaza and an end to divisions between people and nations the world over, the scriptures are rich with images of how to model unity in diversity. 

By the grace of God may we all find the courage to turn to him, hold out our hands and embody it.  

Image : Celtic Knot on a Cross