There used to be a great tradition, in chapel more than church I think, of the fire and brimstone sermon that majored on the themes of judgement and wrath. The story’s told of one preacher who was thundering from his pulpit about the grinding of teeth on the day of judgement, only to overhear one old boy remark to the person next to him that he’d be all right, since he no longer had any teeth. “On the day of judgement,” roared the preacher, “teeth will be provided!”
Seriously, though, today’s Gospel reading is one of many stories where Jesus speaks about how we will be accountable for what we’ve done with what we were given. The servant in the story is described as useless, and he’s punished for it. Followers of Jesus are supposed to be useful.
In what way useful? The first two guys in the story proved their usefulness by their wise investment of what they’d been given. So more is required of Christian folk than keeping out of trouble and not doing anyone any harm. We’re supposed to be enriching the world around us, making our bit of the world a brighter and better and more loving place - through positive action, through noticing what needs doing and getting on and doing it, and by encouraging and enthusing and mobilising others to share the same task. Jesus himself talks about going the extra mile, turning the other cheek, in other words doing more, and going further, than the expected norm.
Christians should be yes people, and it’s a shame that so often the Church seems to prefer to say no. If we’re following Jesus then like him we’re in the business of loving our neighbour as ourselves: which means opening hearts, not closing minds.
In the story the useless servant didn’t really do anything wrong. Maybe that was the problem: he was scared of ever doing anything wrong. So in the end he didn’t do anything. His boss got his money back, and maybe he might have been glad of that, but he wasn’t. That talent was there to be used, not buried. We only get one shot at this; we need to be getting it right.
So today we have a Christening. The Church prefers to say baptism, but let’s stick with Christening, because Christening means being named in Christ. Joining his band of folk. Now Poppy won’t know too much about that as yet; so her parents and godparents - and, to a degree, the rest of us too - are taking a responsibility upon ourselves as she comes to the font: a responsibility for her, to teach her, to encourage her, to set her an example of how to use well and fruitfully this amazing gift we have called life. How to be lovingly and usefully Christian in the way we live.
Now those of you who don’t come to church all that often may possibly go out of church today saying, “Hey, I quite enjoyed that! Maybe I’ll pop along to my local church - maybe to this church - at Christmas and see how I get on.” If so, alleluia, and you’ll be warmly welcomed. But maybe more importantly, if you go away thinking, “How can my life do more good than it has been doing?” then I’ll be happy and I think our Lord will too. I’m sure he’s pleased to see busy, well-filled churches where songs of praise are being sung; but what really gladdens his heart is when that praise, and that spirit, is taken out into our everyday lives too; when we’re investing the talents he gives us in making sure good things are happening in the world around us.
Many centuries ago the prophet Micah wrote: “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.” That hasn’t changed, and the world still needs justice and kindness and love. That’s the way of life and the world view we’re commissioned into when we’re Christened. That’s what’s on offer for Poppy today.
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