Signs

When the right coloured smoke emerges from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel. everyone will know that it is a sign of the choice of a new Pope. The smoke is merely a pointer to something much more significant.

We have been reviewing the assorted signs outside St. Andrew's, with the aim of making it clearer what sort of place we are. 

We want our signs to lead people of all sorts to come into our buildings, so that they can discover what makes us tick. The signs are merely pointers to a deeper significance to be discovered.

In John's Gospel, the miracles that Jesus does are described as signs, and they all point to a deeper significance about Jesus' identity and our own needs.

Thus, following the feeding of the 5000, Jesus challenges the excited crowd to look deeper. 'Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” 

They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6.26-29)

In a culture obsessed by excitement and entertainment, and astonishingly obsessed by food, we all need to hear this challenge. 

I am challenged by Jesus' comments that I should not be so concerned about perishable things like food. My energy should be focused on the deeper significance of helping others to see beneath the surface of the signs about God's activity, so that they too can learn to do the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent. It is wonderful to see the signs of God's work in so many in our Church, but there are plenty more who see nothing. May our lives all be signs pointing to Jesus.

Best wishes,

Richard