Readings: Job 9.1-10, Psalm 77, Matthew 14.22-end
May I speak in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good.
It has been such a joy to visit the Diocese of Cameroon over the past five days as part of my first pastoral visit to Africa as Archbishop of Canterbury.
During my visit I have found a Church that is rooted in Christ and generous in hospitality; a Church that offers hope, shows compassion, and strives for peace; and Church that is confident in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.
Here in Cameroon, I have been profoundly moved by the witness of the Church amid the ongoing struggles that you face. I encourage you to stand firm in the faith. To know that God sees you; that Jesus sees you: and that God is with you both in the wrestling, and in the blessing.
On Sunday I was gifted a beautiful carved wooden boat from St Andrew’s, Limbe, in the South West region. The carving tells of your story as a diocese, and with your roots as the ‘Missionary Diocese of Cameroon’.
You have shared with me how the Anglican Church in Cameroon was established by fishermen and traders, by ordinary people carrying the traditions, liturgy and worship of the Anglican Church to Cameroon - founding churches, planting missions, and expanding over the years to become the Diocese of Cameroon.
I have seen the way in which mission and your vision for growth are still at the heart of your call as a Diocese. Jesus has called you into the boat, to be fishers of all people – and you have followed! You have followed with courage, in obedience, and with joy! Where you have seen your people suffering, caught up in continued conflict, displaced and fearful, you have been faithful to Jesus’ call. Your people are hard-pressed, ministry is challenging and communities are often hard to reach – and yet, the Anglican Church in Cameroon is growing! Praise God! Alleluia!
And - you are ambitious for even more growth! You want to see the church extend to unreached areas with the good news of Jesus Christ. Amen! Alleluia!
I have been blessed by the rich cultural heritage of Cameroon. It’s been a joy to share in the beautiful diversity of your traditions – in worship, prayer, hospitality; in food, music and dancing! And I have been struck by the beauty of the landscape – of ‘Africa in miniature’. I was inspired to hear about the mission of the church supporting agricultural projects in communities on the outskirts of Yaoundé and to see the church grow through this ministry!
The richness and diversity of Cameroon is such a blessing! And with diversity comes difference.
Sometimes difference can be seen as a threat. But our differences, our diversity, can be a route to dialogue and peace, rather than a wall of division.
In the Anglican Communion we have learned that our differences don’t have to be a barrier to relationships. When we acknowledge our differences, when we find the strength to come to the table together, we can learn from one another and find unity in our common desire to follow Christ. To share his love and peace with the world.
Jesus calls all people to follow him - he calls fishermen, traders, tax-collectors; he calls men and women; he calls young people and children – he calls his people to get into the boat and build up his missionary Church.
Jesus doesn’t promise that the way will be easy; but he does promise to be with us, always.
The carving I was given, of course, speaks of our gospel reading this morning. As the storm rises and the boat is battered by the waves, the disciples are terrified. Perhaps they feel that Jesus has abandoned them. Perhaps they feel he is ignoring their cries.
But looking across the stormy waters, they see Jesus walking towards them on the lake: ‘Take heart’, says Jesus, ‘it is I; do not be afraid’.
Jesus sees that they are afraid, he hears their cries for help, and immediately he speaks words of comfort: ‘Take heart, it is I: do not be afraid’.
When the waves are threatening; when our boat is battered by the waves; when it feels as if we might sink beneath the waters; we can take these words of Jesus to heart: ‘It is I; do not be afraid’.
Peter is emboldened by Jesus’ words and steps out in faith. But he notices the waves and, once again, is overwhelmed by fear. He begins to sink in the waters – and Jesus immediately reaches out to save him.
There is an urgency to Jesus’ response – Jesus doesn’t watch while Peter sinks, waiting to see if he’s learned his lesson. He reaches out immediately to lift Peter from the waves.
We can have confidence in Jesus. When we turn to the Lord, when we cry out for help, Jesus is close at hand. Jesus sees us, Jesus hears our cries and lifts us from the waves.
Put your faith in Jesus. Fix your eyes upon him – for it is he who commands the winds and the waves. We can put our trust in Jesus for all things are in his hands: ‘all authority has been given to him in heaven and on earth’ (Mt 28.18). As our reading from Job proclaims:
‘He who commands the sun… who seals up the stars;
He who alone stretched out the heavens,
And tramples the waves of the sea …
He alone, who does great things beyond understanding –
And marvellous things without number’ (Job 1.8,10)
Fix your eyes upon him – for he alone is Lord, and ‘truly he is the Son of God!’ Amen! Alleluia!
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Keep your heart alert to his voice and his word of peace. Trust in the mighty name of Jesus and in his authority alone to save. For he is your strength, he sees you, he knows your fears, he watches over you, he lifts you up from the waves. ‘Take heart, it is I: Do not be afraid’.
Trusting in the word of Jesus doesn’t just happen once! As pilgrim people we are on a life-long journey of faith. We are called to turn again and again to fix our eyes on Jesus whenever we sink beneath the waves.
As we follow Jesus, just like the disciples, we are called to get out of the boat in new places: to be a missionary people who share the good news of Jesus, for the healing of the nations.
Our world cries out for healing. Millions of people live in fear. Millions are displaced. Hundreds of thousands of children do not have access to school, young people are unable to find training or work; there is inadequate healthcare that impacts maternal and infant mortality. I have heard you speak of all these things, and I know that the people of Cameroon have suffered for far too long. The Anglican Church in Cameroon cries out on behalf of its people, for healing and for peace.
I have seen how the Church is a place of transformation, healing and of peace, because you know your people. You see those who long for peace – and, as a peace-loving people, you strive for the dignity of every person made in the image of God. You serve the church in some of the hardest to reach areas, being present in places where all other support systems have broken down; and you provide schools, hospitals, chaplaincies, churches, where people can reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak; you are the hands and feet of Christ, bringing healing, hope, reconciliation and peace.
I have seen how the Anglican Church in Cameroon is working in partnership with the Catholic Church, other churches, and faith communities to build up peace. You make the courageous choice not to let your differences divide you. You sit together at the table, building partnerships for peace. You nurture your congregations: seeking to be places of healing and reconciliation.
Peace requires genuine and inclusive dialogue – it needs to have everyone around the table. That requires courage, it requires strength, and it requires commitment at every level of society, but particularly those in authority.
As Shepherd and Pastor, I urge you to follow in this way of Christ, who is the bringer of peace, ‘for he himself is our peace’.
When I arrived in the Province of West Africa for this visit, I used the words of St Paul to the Colossians: ‘I have long heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Colossians 1.4). Having spent time in Ghana and Cameroon I leave profoundly inspired and full of hope in the Church – I have seen with my own eyes, touched with my own hands, and felt with my whole heart, your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – and I give thanks to God!
Alleluia! Amen!
And now, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
