"A Stable Presence in an Unstable World"

When the storms of life are raging...

One of human nature’s major drive is the search for stability.  Stability offers a sense of community, and thus, safety, belonging, predictability and emotional peace.

Since the early days of humankind people looked at the stars, the Sun and the Moon to find the right time for planting and harvesting, and they looked at the stars for rain and fair weather.

To know where they were, they observed the stars to navigate the open waters of the oceans and to find the tides to bring them to a safe haven.

Before the Exodus the People of Israel never had a fixed worship schedule.  When they were blessed by God, they worshiped.  When they were in dire straits they prayed to God.  But once they were in what was to be their homeland, the Law offered them a sense of rhythm, community, belonging and clear moral guidelines for their times.  In other words, stability.

As the nation grew, they looked for a king who would rule over them, making decisions for the welfare of the nation, and when push came to shove, to defend them from their enemies, real or perceived.  They wanted a king so they could find a place for themselves in a fast-growing world.

And, so little by little, their reliance in God as the One who would bring real stability, increasingly fell on the shoulders of the political and religious leaders – and those who had the gold, and thus, made the rules.

When Jesus arrived at the scene, the people of Israel were looking at Him as the One who arrived to finally restore law and order.  Over the turmoil of conquests, exile, and various interpretations of the Law, many expected Jesus to be the One who would bring back their greatness of day’s past and the so deeply missed stability.

It is no wonder that when Jesus told those who would hear that His kingdom would not be about political, religious, or social order, many turned their back on Him and left Jesus behind.

In today’s gospel we heard the disciples asking to stay put up in the mountain.  Away from the daily chores, problems, temptations, political and religious enemies and even, perhaps the demands of family life. 

Up the mountain they felt safe and secure from all alarms.  In fact, they had their world made right for them.  Jesus, Moses, Elijah, all of them in a nice spot away from the world, who could ask for more?

Like them, amid the changes and turmoil of the world – or the immediate challenges of family and work – many today long for a sense of stability.  Some seek out organizations, people, politics, and routines that promise security, peace, and predictability.  

Yet it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that true stability can be found in buying stuff, in a swelling retirement account, in social connections, or in self-righteousness.

As the hymn suggests, when the storms of life are raging, true stability can only be found only in embracing the solid rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ himself, and Him alone. 

No.  It is not a vaccine against the challenges of life.  As it has been said, life happens.  But in Christ, in His steady presence, His constant grace, and in His unwavering love for us, we can have what we need not only to cope but, eventually, to thrive.

In his first address to the Synod (Convention) of the Church of England, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally said that she felt her calling to be “A stable presence in an unstable world.” 

She added, as well, that in considering the current state of the affairs in society, the nation, and the world, every aspect of society would be better served if the church were to be, as well, “A stable presence in an unstable world.”

In other words, the Archbishop felt that the church could offer a great gift to a world that it is in constant turmoil – Stability.

Stability does not mean inflexibility, stubbornness, or on sticking to forms and traditions only relevant to a time long gone.

Stability is a God given gift, for it is not based on ideology, feelings about the golden years of yesteryear, petty or sectorial interests.  Or a pigheaded approach to the challenges of culture, society, and even faith.

What Jesus offers is stability mediated by love, hope, and grace.  The stability which Jesus offers is one that will bring peoples of all nations and cultures into a community of faith, where each other can appreciate his neighbor as he or she is, and not as one would expect them to be.

It is stability which would not be based on policy or politics, race or social status, but in the common bond of baptism and of being sons and daughters of a loving God.

Today, as we reach the end of the Epiphany Season, a season of revelation and discovery, let me encourage you to open your eyes to what despite all challenges and trials St David’s has become, “A stable presence in an unstable world.”

St David’s is a haven for those who are going through the trials and tribulations of daily life.  A stable and predictable home where the rhythm of worship, of reading the Scriptures, of taking care of each other, of breaking bread together, and celebrating our common bonds in love, is not the exception, but the rule.

Perfect?  No.  But as good as it gets.  St David’s – Being Joyful, Keeping the Faith, and Taking care of the Small things.  A stable presence in an unstable world.”  This is who we are.  Thanks be to God!

Fr. Gustavo