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At present, I really enjoy Sunday evening television. After Sunday services, Mary and I look forward to watching two programmes which celebrate the natural, and the man-made, beauty of Britain. The former is Coast, and the latter - How we built Britain - presented by David Dimbleby. A couple of weeks ago - in the first of this series - Dimbleby began his journey at Ely, in the spectacular Cathedral that dominates the Fens - Ely Cathedral, where the Priory Singers will be spending a weekend leading worship later next month. As he showed us around Ely Cathedral, Dimbleby reflected on how so much of its detailed beauty is hidden from our sight - and how only God alone can see all the skilled and dedicated work of the medieval craftsman.
How utterly foolish this might seem to our 21st century Western minds! What a total waste of time, money, and energy to create something that can't be seen, a work that the craftsmen often didn't live to see completed. It doesn't make any sense. Unless, that is, we come to see it from a radically different perspective, which realises that such work doesn't seek to receive honours and awards. Rather, it is intended to stand as a sign, a symbol, a sacrament, pointing beyond itself to the One who inspired it.
Just as JS Bach ended his compositions with the letters SDG, "Soli Dei gratia", which means "to God alone the praise." Perhaps we do well to reflect on those words of Jesus at the end of this evening's second Bible reading: "Wisdom is proved right by her actions" (Matthew 11: 19).
"Wisdom is proved right by her actions." Today - as we remember the life and witness of John the Baptist - we are invited to consider how the Wisdom of God - the Wisdom supremely revealed in Jesus Christ, true Wisdom, was - and is - proved right by her actions. And how, in the face of all the challenges that we might face in this day and age, this same Wisdom is still the true source, and lasting inspiration, for all that we should seek to build.
John the Baptist. The one mentioned at the start of all four Gospels as having a pivotal role in preparing the way for Jesus. And, according to Jesus Himself, here was someone who was "more than a prophet." In fact, John the Baptist was the one about whom it was written long ago: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you" (Matthew 11: 10). For those with eyes to see, and ears to hear, John the Baptist - the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth - was like the venerated prophet Elijah, sent by God to herald the Day of the Lord. That "great and dreadful day" foretold by the prophet Malachi.
John was certainly a man with a powerful message. He preached a "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Mark 1:4). And he urged people to "produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (Luke 3: 8). John's message was down to earth and very practical. But his fiery preaching also cost him dear. King Herod certainly didn't appreciate John's denunciation of him for marrying his brother's ex-wife. And, when taken together with the Baptist's message about God's coming Kingdom and true King, it is little wonder that Herod put John in prison.
In this evening's New Testament reading, Matthew tells us of how John in prison knew what it was to have doubts, and a sense of disappointment. He had heard about what Jesus was doing, but it wasn't what John had expected. It seemed as though Jesus was working to a different script. Instead of overthrowing Herod as king, Jesus was going round befriending tax collectors and sinners. No wonder doubts began to grow in John's mind. Had he foolishly got it wrong? And, if he hadn't, then what God-given script was Jesus working to?
Sometimes you and I might find ourselves asking rather similar questions. As we look at the state of the world around us, then doubts and questions can and do arise. In the face of all the evil and injustice, what is God up to? And what are the signs of His Kingdom already at work?
Like John the Baptist, we may find ourselves left with more questions than answers. When that happens then, like John, we also need to be reassured by Jesus that "wisdom is proved right by her actions." We too need to know that the Lord continues to work His Kingdom purposes out, and that whatever we do for the glory of God is not wasted.
That includes the work of the Friends of Malvern Priory. Work which seeks to maintain and enhance the beauty of this ancient house of prayer, so that it can continue to be a place of Christian worship, welcome, and witness. As with Ely Cathedral, and other ancient churches, some of the work resourced by the Friends will be largely invisible to our eyes. Other work - including the unfolding development of the north aisle area by the Millennium windows - is a more visible reminder of how the Friends can help encourage creativity in various media, as a focus for prayer and contemplation. And all - visible and invisible - offered - as this Priory Church has been from its beginning - for the glory of God.
The work continues. As does the need for its resourcing. Some of you may have read an article in The Times last Tuesday. Entitled "God's work is an expensive enterprise" this report focussed on the finance of the Church of England. It acknowledged that one of the biggest expenses is the upkeep of Churches, noting that these include 45% of all the nation's Grade 1 listed buildings. Here at the Priory - itself a Grade 1 listed building - we know how large bequests, like the Radford bequest, make such a difference to what is possible, as do specific gifts from Friends for particular projects. Over the coming months, we finally hope to replace our existing chairs, and install a new PA System with an inductive loop throughout the building. Two specific projects, which will need to be funded from somewhere.
Looking a little further ahead, other building related works will need to be undertaken over the next few years - eg replacing our ageing lighting system, and doing something major with the bellframe, when a decision is finally made! Clearly such major work would not be possible without legacies and generous gifts, just as generous planned giving is also needed if we are to meet our ongoing running costs and mission commitments. So financial resourcing on all fronts has to be sustained, if we are to continue to maintain the heritage, and develop the potential, of Malvern Priory. And, as those of you who were at the recent Open Meeting on Finance will be aware, the challenges we face are certainly considerable.
Yet face them we shall, with the help of God, and with the active co-operation of all who consider themselves to be a friend of Malvern Priory. Yes, such investment in the Priory might seem foolish to many of our contemporaries. And, yes, you and I may not live to see some of the work completed. But to those who see with the eyes of faith, we are playing our part in a great work. A work here at the Priory which points beyond itself to the One who inspires it. The One to whose glory this Priory Church continues to bear witness, the One in whom "wisdom is proved right by her actions."
John Barr
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