I would like to focus our attention this morning on our Gospel reading. Think for a minute about the flow of the Story -

• The Leper begged Jesus
• Jesus felt compassion on him and made him clean
• Jesus warned him to tell no one
• The man told every one
• Jesus could no longer minister in the towns

Now at various times, I hope to talk a little about the healing ministry of Jesus, but for today I would like us to think about the aftermath. The man received his healing, but his subsequent actions and inability to follow Jesus instructions limited Jesus ministry. This begs the question, "How do you and I limit the work of our Lord?" Now this is not about the place we have in the kingdom or about God's gracious dealings with us, but rather about the type of response that we have.

It seems difficult for us to understand in a culture that teaches that "any publicity is good publicity", that Jesus would not wish to be noticed. I often wonder about this contrast between God's methods and ours, and I suspect that Jesus healing ministry was not the principle purpose of his life on earth, but the natural outworking of his compassion for those in bondage to disease or evil. By that I mean, that in the morning he set out to preach the Gospel, but when he encountered those with illness or who were possessed by demons, his heart went out to them and he acted to free them. But his primary purpose was the proclamation of the Gospel.

Now I am not negating this pastoral ministry, for I feel that it is important, that we, like Jesus, are called to be moved with compassion at those whom we encounter, but the primary purpose is not that at all - this is rather an outworking of who we become.

But let us focus on the last part - Jesus sternly warned - don't tell anyone - the man spoke freely - Jesus could not act in the city. It is the result of disobedience to our Lord's instruction, that this man got in the way of Jesus ministry - and it will be the result of our disobedience to our Lord's instruction, that we will get in the way of God's working in our community.

I know that in the Cursillo community to which I belong, there are several individuals that make things difficult - it is not that they are negative about the experience, but rather, they are too positive, and their enthusiasm puts people off. They speak without wisdom and this ends up with bad press. They get in the way of the movement - not deliberately, and so they get in the way of God's work.

The enthusiasm that this man had was quite understandable. Leprosy was like AIDS today - a death sentence to all who contracted it, and it was a lonely death as the sufferer was cast out of the community, for they threatened the community by their presence. His joy at not only gain a reprieve from death, but restoration to the life of the community is not at all surprising, but his response placed limitations on the further work of Jesus.

As I have been writing this, there is a parable of Jesus that springs to mind. When describing the kingdom, he suggested that "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." It is the image of the silent and hidden working of the yeast within the flour that appeals. Perhaps this is an image for us to grasp in our ministry in our community - to be like yeast in the various parts of our community until all are changed and challenged by us. This is perhaps a different approach to the evangelistic rally, in which with fanfare and speaker we confront, but rather with quiet coming alongside we can change others.

Our first reading described the crusade of Naaman to find healing. He wanted something spectacular and was offended when the prophet would not even come out to see him and told him to wash in some dirty foreign river - and he almost missed out, because he wanted the great performance. He wanted the prophet to make a spectacle from the process. Naaman had to learn that the real work of God is in the quiet stillness. If you like, God does not have to prove who he is, Naaman himself almost got in the way of God's work, but for the wisdom of a servant. (and this in itself is a point of reflection).

Our holidays afforded us the opportunity to see a number of different churches - two in the city and one in the country. One of the city churches has a web site, which proudly proclaims its ministry and its size - (it was one of the worse services that I have ever been to). In both of the city churches, those who belonged wore nametags (and we were clearly outsiders because we had none). But in both cases, there was little interest in the outsider (who ever they were). In the country church, no one had nametags - because they all knew each other. I would not say that the welcome or the morning tea was as good as at Cressy, for I suspect we may have been the first outsiders in a while, but the did try to meet with us and engage us.

For me it reinforced, what I have suspected for some time, that ministry - true ministry is in the small personal approach. The country church may never change the world, but it will change the world around it if it is obedient to the instructions of Jesus.

Naaman ran the risk of missing out, because he was looking for the large and the grand. But God works in the small and the quiet; in that still small voice not earthquake, wind or fire. Let us not seek the spectacular but rather to quietly work for God where he has placed us. But let us also take warning from the leper, that there is a need to follow instructions. The starting point is to begin by listening - to God, and not to the world (even the Christian world). God will speak to us and guide and instruct us and heal and cleanse us here in the Parish of Cressy. Our job is to listen and respond. Let us then turn away from the models of the world and focus on God and his voice. No one but God can teach us the way forward - No one but God can show us how to be church in this place. We may find ideas elsewhere, but our prime focus should be on how God is teaching us as a Parish.

The challenge for me, as parish priest, is not to tell you what to do or even to go to God on your behalf, but to teach you to listen to God - that we might together recognise his voice and take up his guidance.

Will you join me in this, as our focus turns to the season of Lent - that you and I might make this season a season of listening? Let us pray that God will give us ears to listen and courage to obey.

AMEN.