Latimer, Latimer
Scheduled for August 10
Hugh
Latimer was the Archbishop of Canterbury. As such, in his time, he was viewed
as the highest church official of England. It was a time when Archbishops were
appointed by the king, and the king expected loyalty. The conflict in the mind
was intense.
On
one occasion the king, visited Latimer at Canterbury, and evidently it was an
unexpected arrival. Latimer began his sermon this way:
“Latimer!
Latimer! Latimer! Be careful what you say. Henry the king is here.”
“Latimer!
Latimer! Latimer! Be careful what you say. The king of kings is here.”
Is
it so? Our Lord assures us of the fact:
(Mat 18:20 NIV) For where
two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
It
is one of the most difficult of things to realize, and one of the simplest. We
are often so taken up in worship that we begin to pay attention to ourselves.
Aren’t we singing well? Isn’t that wonderful music? Right on, preacher! Yet
for each of these moments we must realize that our Lord is in our midst, unseen
but not unnoticed. The singing is not just for our amusement, nor just to make
a joyful noise. It is to put us in tune with him, by praise, by petition, by
thanksgiving in song. The special music is to turn our hearts to him; the
sermon to teach and remind us of his commands. All our music and all our words
should be done with this in mind.
There
is more. His presence in our midst is the source of our unity. A person has
one body (imagine what it would be like to have a selection!); that person
also has one spirit. We are one body because we have one spirit, the spirit of
God. In a very real sense which the world cannot understand -- because it
cannot understand or know God -- we are one.
We
are one here; we are one around the world. We are one around the world; we
are one throughout all ages. Not because we agree; not because there are no
factions; not because we are wise -- we are one because He is one (though
three) and therefore we are one (though many). We are formed into one body in
imitation of Him.
It
therefore is important for us to realize this most especially at Communion. We
are one; now we eat at the table as one. Do you come to His table with
thoughts which hurt the unity of His body, the church? Are you simmering the
stew called anger? Are you chilling the warmth of friendship and love in the
arctic of jealousy? Consider well: examine yourself, and ask: “Is there
anything in my heart and mind which hurts the oneness of His body?” If so, ask
forgiveness (of him and of those you have offended) -- and partake of His
generous forgiveness.
