Saturday, December 27, 2014 (St. John the Evangelist)
Isaiah 41:17-20
The Patron Saint of our parish is traditionally remembered on the 27th of December in the midst of the Season of Christmas. Many different stories surround the individual and his life. Many people of faith see him as the Beloved Disciple to whom Jesus entrusted the care of his Mother. The close bond between Jesus and John is seen throughout the Gospel records, when time and time again, John is present at significant moments during Jesus’ ministry.
The image which is brought to our attention in the quotation from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah offers a message with a profound visual component. “The wretched and the poor look for water and find none.” How often, as we sit in the comfort of our own homes do we have the images of other members of our global community presented to us as they yearn for the basics of life, like water. The images tug at our heart strings and many feel motivated to respond to the charitable organizations that place that need before us.
We actually do not need to look beyond our own Canadian context to become aware of the fact that a number of the citizens of this nation do not have access to clean, fresh drinking water. First Nations communities across Canada, do not have access to what so many of us take for granted.
It might be an easy option to dwell at length upon the reality of this imbalance in society. Fresh water sustains life, in all its forms. The renewal of the desert places referred to by Isaiah are going to be transformed by God’s intervention. The dry land will have springs of water and people will become aware of the fact that this transformation is completely due to the power of God at work.
Living water transforming a dry environment is an image that may be noted in writings, which, by tradition, have been attributed to St. John. He writes of those who have suffered persecution and borne faithful witness to Jesus. “They shall never again feel hunger or thirst, the sun shall not beat on them nor any scorching heat, because the Lamb who is at the heart of the throne will be their shepherd and will guide them to the springs of the water of life; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.” ( Revelation 7:16,17 ).
The dry and arid places of the soul are transformed by the Living Water of the Gospel. It becomes all the more important for us to value and appreciate this message during the Christmas season, when we celebrate the reality of the word “Emmanuel”, which simply means “God with us”. It is that refreshing and life giving message of the Gospel, which waters the arid places of our own lives.
In recent days our Parish Family has claimed this message as a theme framework around which we may build our shared ministry. St John’s is a place where anyone may experience “Living water for thirsty souls”. It is a simple, yet transforming message which provides a focus for anyone who enters into the worship and fellowship of our congregation. Each of us has a part to play as we seek to ensure that the Gospel message which was so central to the work, ministry and witness of our Patron Saint continues to be a life giving message in our own generation.
- Reverend Canon Christopher Pratt
Rector, The Church of St. John the Evangelist
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