Readings:
Proverbs 8:1, 22-31
Psalm 104:26-end
Colossians 1:15-20
John 1:1-14

Collect:
O God of all creation,
whose Word has come among us:
may the light of faith, kindled in our hearts,
shine in our words and deeds;
through him who is Christ the Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Reflection 

Words are for speaking. In our modern era when we, rightly, place high value on literacy, we can all too easily forget that words are for speaking.

It may sound a little obvious, but bear with me when I say that speaking is for communicating. I ask that you bear with me because there are people who speak, sometimes eloquently, sometimes not, but who do not listen. You may know someone like that. A woodcut in one of my books is of a preacher, in full clerical garb, standing behind a lectern, arm out-stretched and mouth open. He’s in full flight. And around him, flying like large flies around a rotting carcass are words, words, words, words, words, words. The artist, Robert O. Hodgell, calls this piece “The Sermon”. No communication going on here. Just words … and a direct challenge to me every time I begin to prepare a sermon, or a reflection like this.

A few weeks ago, at Night Prayer, Revd Peter Sharrocks, read for us Clive Scott’s take on this most dramatic opening to John’s gospel. Perhaps because he’s worried about the words not always being communication, Scott begins his piece: “It all arose out of a conversation.” Now, that’s different.

A conversation takes at least two people, often more. And, at its best, a conversation is personal, even intimate, communication. This is the story of the whole of John’s gospel – God who comes among us and who meets us face to face and who turns our flimsy, ethereal world upside-down. People are met in the dark (Jn 3:2) and in broad daylight (Jn 4:6). People are challenged, “What are you looking for?” (Jn 1:38) and concerns are answered directly, “Put your hand into my side” (Jn 20:27). Instructions are given to those over whom he has no authority, “Fill those jars with water” (Jn 2:7), and names are changed, “You will be called Cephas” (Jn 1:42). This is one who engages directly, personally and at every level.

All the readings today are great poetry. And they are also much more than poetry. They call out to us, communicate with us, to move us and to challenge us to enter the conversation ourselves. To listen too, but not passively. We are called to be actively engaged and partners in the conversation, with the one who is conversation. The Word.

Barry Lotz