Creation in Christ

Readings:

• Colossians 1.15-20
• Matthew 8.23-27

Sermon:

It doesn’t seem so very long ago that the environment and creation barely got a mention in church services, apart from the annual Harvest Festival services. And those Harvest Festivals could be significant celebrations or they might be smaller occasions, it all depended on the nature of the community and their sense of connection with the environment, farming, the land and sea. How things have changed!

The work of A Rocha and Eco Church has done so much to ensure that as many people, and as many parishes and communities, as possible are more environmentally aware and have a deeper appreciation and concern for the planet we call home. This was beautifully seen at the recent diocesan celebration of Eco Churches, where people from across the diocese shared in their commitment to caring for God’s earth and engaging as widely as possible with stakeholders in the community to fulfil the green agenda. From weekly intercessions, special services, action groups, foam free flower displays, being Fairtrade places of worship, there is so much going on that shows that the Christian community in Worcestershire and Dudley really does care about creation and the environment.

Something which has been brought into even more focus this summer as we have seen the reality of the damage that climate crisis can do with raised temperatures, drought, fires and huge challenges for those who work the land. So it is timely that today is the first ever celebration of the new Festival Creation in Christ. This is an exciting time when the Church of England joins with other denominations in giving thanks, on this designated Sunday, for the wonder and beauty of God’s creation, and to give thanks for its redemption through Jesus Christ. It also provides a welcome focus for everyone to think again about the responsibility we have as humanity to care for the natural world and those whom we share the world with. And all of this is done with a commitment to pray for the renewal of the natural world. The official description of this new Festival, Creation in Christ, also puts an emphasis on how the Christian Church understands creation through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Creation is created through Jesus, sustained in him and destined for renewal in him.

Today you are invited to celebrate the wonder of all of God’s creation. The readings today can take you to a place of awe as we have a picture of creation itself responding in praise and worship to its creator. The prophet Isaiah describes the mountains and hills singing, and the trees clapping their hands. Wonderful, unbridled joy, praise and worship as the best possible response to the rich generosity of creation in front of us. And there’s something spontaneous about it all too. What else can creation do but be full of praise? There’s also hope that all that is destructive in creation, the thorns and the briers, will be transformed and life will flourish in joyful ways. All of which will be a further sign that Jesus is Lord of all creation, who constantly seeks new life and flourishing.

The calming of the storm, shared today from Matthew’s Gospel, paints another vivid picture. Adverse weather is something you understand, as it fills our news. It was something Jesus’ disciples experienced all too often. They were despairing in their boat, thinking that creation would destroy them. It wouldn’t have helped them seeing Jesus fast asleep! But when Jesus calms the storm, with a profound authority and power, the disciples are not only relieved but they start to ask the big question, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” Again you can see that Jesus transforms a situation which looked beyond help and fills it with the possibility of new life. The calm lake is a sign of all sorts of opportunities that the disciples, and you, have for seeing Jesus for who he is and serving him as best you can. With Jesus alongside you, anything is possible. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by the storms of life think about the calm lake and how Jesus is right there with you. Jesus really is Lord of all creation, an incredible idea, but one that reminds us that if Jesus can work through creation, he can absolutely work thorough you in ways you may not even think possible. And what incredible things everyone might be enabled to do for all of creation around us.

I hope you will celebrate Creation in Christ with enthusiasm and conviction, confident that Jesus will transform who you are, so that you can better serve God and the Kingdom. But so you can also do everything you can to cherish and protect the fragile and precious creation and environment which Jesus asks you to care for.

Questions:

• How might you celebrate Creation in Christ this year?
• What examples do you have when you felt that Jesus as Lord of Creation made sense to you?