UNCHAINED
“…the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I endure everything” (2 Tim 2.10). “… whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church: by the Spirit’s gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ and make us eager to do your will” (Collect 122). “… Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17.19).
IF THE PEOPLE of the church live in fear of the financial implications of a declining church, then the church might as well lock up the Word of God and throw away the key. But she can’t can she?! The Word of God is not chained. The Spirit of God is wild and free. All else may pass away, even heaven and earth, but the Christ words will not (Luke 21.33 and parallels).
Tuesday last week was the feast of St Francis. When Francis, a wealthy young trader on the world market, heard Jesus’ call, “Go rebuild my church, which is in ruins”, he didn’t respond by scheming how best to use his finances or pile up collateral to raise more through the banks. Francis gave everything he owned away. He understood Christ’s identification with the poor and powerless and chose to live close to the dust, travelling from village to village, teaching that the kingdom of heaven is right here, in the village, on the road, in the hearts of all who are humble enough, broken enough, to open themselves to the freedom of God’s Spirit, to the unchained and unchainable word.
Tonnau Duw ('God's waves') Fr Tim Ardouin 