Theologian and philosopher, Blaise Pascal once said that wars would cease if occasionally people could only sit quietly alone in their rooms.

If Pascal meant that our task as followers of Christ was to prayerfully reflect on who we are before God, and what God does for us at Easter, then I agree with him. But as we head towards another Easter, we could be forgiven for thinking that too few people really know God’s love and peace.

The time before Easter, the season of Lent, is a time of preparation for the church. Traditionally it has been a season where candidates ready themselves to be baptized into the faith on Easter Sunday. It was common for the candidates to knock on the door of the church to have the priest ask the question, “What do you seek?” The answer would come back, “New life in Christ.” The candidates would then be invited into the church to be placed in the midst of the congregation, highlighting that they are received into the community of faith.

If only more people would be welcomed into communities and know that they are loved by fellow human beings and by God! If only those who know God’s love would find the courage to sit quietly before God and allow God’s love to purify their hearts, souls and desires.

Lent and Easter are regular seasons on our Christian calendars, not because Jesus needs to die again and again, but because our process of purification is a lifelong one. It is easy to seek “New life in Christ”, but much more difficult to let go of revenge, or to let go of the lust for power, wealth and domination. This is why Lenten reflection is as important to us as it is to first-time baptismal candidates.

But until that time when all wars cease, Pascal provokes us to sit quietly in our rooms. This Lent and at other times we are called to consider who we are as God’s creatures, and who we are as people in this complex web of humanity and creation. And at this point of reflection we are reminded again how important Easter is to us. ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Sitting alone to genuinely consider who we are before God takes great courage. But once we know just how much God loves us, we are given what we need to allow God into the depths of our hearts and souls. Once we allow God to touch us deeply, it is time to right the prejudices, the hatred, and the parts of us that are wounded. And if we allow God’s love to touch us deeply, we are far less likely to dump our wounded nature onto others. Knowing that we belong in God’s love, knowing that we have life forever in God’s name, knowing that we belong in God’s community will transform the world towards Pascal’s vision for peace.

Please immerse yourself in God’s community knowing that you have a place to belong. And please immerse yourself in quiet reflection or prayer that you may fully know God’s Easter gift for you. And together we will find ‘new life in Christ’.

Blessings, Rev. Arnie

It is a very human trait to project onto Jesus all our desires and wants. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, a crowd makes a great fanfare and fuss over him, but they do not really know who it is they hail, or what it is they are seeking.

Sermon 16th March, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

It can be difficult amidst the pace of life to find a space that is quiet and reflective. It is not always easy to find a labyrinth like many have this weekend at the Augustine centre. But one simple way to take a few moments between emails or while surfing online is to check out the church resources ‘quiet space‘ online. In addition to the quiet space they have daily gospel reflections and other prayer resources, including those submitted by users.

The St. David’s Uniting Church in Oakleigh offers monthly labyrinth prayer and meditation walks also. There is an online labyrinth for you to trace at any time should you be seeking a quiet labyrinth space.

The gospel story of Jesus and the man born blind has at its heart the age-old question of Why Suffering?. The common idea amongst Jesus’ contemporaries is that the one who was blind must be dark himself, or if not him, then it must be his parents.

We reflect on light and dark, on sin and hope, and the places where the light of Christ is found.

Sermon Sunday March 2nd, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The stories we tell about ourselves and the world have the power to shut out hope and possibility – or to open our eyes to the things that God can do. The reflection on the people of Israel who are thirsty at Rephidim, and the encounter at the well between Jesus and a woman from Samaria shows us how different attitudes can radically change our lives.

Sermon February 24th, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s UCA, Oakleigh, VIC
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The dual stories of Adam and Eve being tempted by the snake in the garden, and Jesus being tempted into the wilderness are archetypal stories of the human condition. The message this week ponders the reality that “life is difficult”, as Scott Peck puts it, and considers where God is during the highs and lows of life.

Sermon Sunday February 10th, 2008 – Lent 1 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain top is a reminder that in Jesus, heaven and earth find their place of meeting. As we anticipate the difficult days of journey towards the cross of Easter, being touched and encouraged by Jesus to “get up and do not be afraid” helps us on this journey.

Sermon, Sunday February 3rd (Transfiguration)  [pdf]
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

With Shrove Tuesday rapidly approaching, the Oakleigh community is gearing up to support the ‘Take a break’ program while eating their share of savoury and sweet pancakes.

‘Take a break’ is an initiative of the Wimmera UnitingCare agency to help out drought affected families to take a holiday from the stresses and distresses of living on drought affected land.

The annual pancake day at the Oakleigh Uniting church serves as a fun community day while also raising awareness of UnitingCare, and in particular this year, the ‘Take a break’ program.

The pancake day is open to everyone, and begins at 5:30pm on Tuesday February 5th at 154 Drummond St., Oakleigh. 

The gospel reading this week is a call to Jesus’ disciples to learn the ‘fishing for men’ trade. This has sparked much evangelistic zeal over the centures. Sacha explores for us ways to live as disciples with an integrity to Christ’s call.

Sermon 27th January, 2008 (Sacha Miller-MacDonald) [pdf]
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh

As Jesus begins his ministry and calls Simon Peter, destined to be the leader of the Roman Catholic church, we reflect on a bold initiative by Richard Branson to gather a group of Elders to be brokers of world peace. In terms of our own personal journey, we too can live as elders who make a difference in the lives of others.

Sermon Sunday January 20th, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga