Only human - Pastor's pen for 4th May 2025

The window frame pre-repair and painting does not look to be in good shape. It reminds me of myself, looking through smudged glass in a rusty frame that needs significant amounts of physical intervention to keep on running. Actually, it's not that bad, but you get the idea.

I watched part of Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday evening, which seemed to reflect his attitude of living simply and cutting back on the historic trappings of the papacy (less gold, more wood). He was a man very much in touch with his own fallible humanity and the needs of the poor and oppressed. I thought it was great he was able to greet the Easter crowds at the Vatican before his passing.

I was amazed in a way, that the Dean of the College of Cardinals was preaching the funeral homily without a nifty folder to put his papers in, or even a lectern. It seemed a bit awkward and makeshift to me, for such a significant public occasion, with hands quivering and papers at arms length. It reminded me that all the dignitaries and officials on display are only human, some nodding off, texting and fidgeting as us ordinary folk might do.

In Apostle Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth, we read;

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves." (v7 NLT)

Our bodies remind us every day that the light of Christ, the treasure of the gospel, is contained within these perishable bodies, these cracked pots or jars of clay. This time is given to us in these perishable bodies that we might live in Christ and grow in Him while we are able. We are only human, but have the imperishable hope of God's renewed heavens and earth living in our hearts. Amen.