Nigel Rawlinson (67-74) preached in Chapel on the Sunday of the 1999 Old Birkonian Weekend. The text of his sermon is as below...
Old Boy’s day, Birkenhead School Chapel. Sunday 12th September 1999
Reading: Luke 17: 11-19
Prayer: May the words of my mouth and meditation of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer (Psalm 19: 14)
Sermon: WHO NEEDS GOD WHEN WE’VE GOT CASUALTY?
I read that lesson as a choir member, in the 3rd form, when Dick Homan was chaplain. Happy memories. It was a few years ago - 1970 - I didn’t think, then, that I would be here now. Thank you – it’s very good to be back.
I am a consultant in Accident and Emergency in Bristol. I was ordained priest this year by Bishop Jim Thompson in Wells Cathedral, and the church has released me from parish work to stay as a Minister in Secular Employment - a "worker priest".
My work? Its like BBC’s Casualty - but the real thing. You’ll be glad to hear that I don’t wear my clerical collar in Resus – that could lead to misunderstanding! Can you see it? The patient suddenly exclaiming "Hang on – I’m not dead yet! Get me a doctor!" It is a stressful environment - high tech, and high emotion. There the sudden, unexpected happens - tragedy strikes. (Heart attacks, trauma - recently I was called to see two people whose house had caught fire. They jumped out of an upstairs window and had burns and fractures) We save life - though not always. It is acute, real time medicine - any budding doctors here? - I recommend it!
So why God?
Well lets look at the lesson. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. Imagine! He knew what was to happen to him, yet he was full of compassion – God’s non-judgemental compassion. His heart was heavy – not for himself but for other people. He heard the 10 lepers. "Have pity on us." "Please help."
My ministry is outside church. It is my experience that many, many more people are aware of God than you’d think. They may not yet call him God - but I am certain that that "sense" is there. People are seeking. Look at the week after Princess Di’s death, and the number of people who went to church for the first time. And don’t forget that only a minority of school children have the RS that you get here – That education is a special thing - you may not feel that now - but one day you will……*
It can be in times of need that people seek God. They cry "please help". Often when I am telling a family their father, son, or baby has died – a very difficult moment - we all shed tears sometimes - people ask for the chaplain. In a mysterious way they want God there….. Not to blame but to share; and of course God is there - with outstretched arms saying "Yes come".
What does God give?
Comfort - God cries too, alongside those who are sad
Forgiveness - a unique gift from God, the chance for a fresh start, hope.
Peace - So often Jesus says "my Peace I give you". That is unique - both here and now, and for eternity.
Eternal life - to embrace God is to embrace that future hope - however it happens.
*spoken directly to choir
Why does God do this?
Because God knows us. Jesus lived here on earth - fully human. He is now, as he was before, fully divine - of, and with, God. For a while though he was on earth, and was crucified by humankind - us. He lives again - I am certain of that. He knows us – our hurts, pride, anger, joy sadness – he knows it all.
Let us return to the reading. So these people cried for help.
Jesus heard - he always hears when we call.
He sent them to the priest - a common practice after healing…….
but he told them to go before they were healed - we read that as they went they were cleansed. God was working then as he does today. The miracle happens on the way.
Then the crunch of this story - and the parable for us today. One of them saw, turned, praised God and thanked Jesus. He threw himself down at his feet.
He was a Samaritan – a people normally loathed by Jews. Jesus often affirmed the underdog - the outcast - the misfit. Jesus says "Rise and go - your faith has made you well…… your faith has saved you." "Heal" in Greek means both physical healing - be freed from suffering - and spiritual healing - go in peace.
The miracles of Jesus were not an end in themselves. If they had been Christianity would have died out long ago. They were signposts to God - inviting people to believe.
The Parable for us…. our response,
It is that realisation of the reality and relevance of the Gospel. Jesus said so often "if only you could see".
When the penny drops and someone believes, turns and thankfully accepts Jesus for his love it is a joyous moment. Philip was aged 19 and had cancer. He asked me about God and I tried to explain the Gospel. He believed with his whole heart. During his treatment I saw him with the Peace of God in his eyes. The treatment failed. He died on ITU 2 months later. As I anointed him just before his death, with his parents there, I could say to them quite clearly that they will see him again one day in Heaven.)
So Who needs God ?
Everyone does. We all do. I am convinced of that.
So do not reject him. Treasure what you learn now. Remember it…
and when the chips are down…….turn and say - please help…..God will.
in Jesus name, Amen.
Revd Mr Nigel Rawlinson
Consultant in Emergency Medicine
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Nigel.Rawlinson@ubht.swest.nhs.uk
