Texts: Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25; Mark 13:1-8

We had a congregational meeting last Sunday, dealing with our current and future finances. One of the issues we are well aware of is the upkeep and maintenance of this building—one of the architectural gems of Brandon. I have long been aware of the congregation’s love of this Cathedral, and our desire to see it remain in good repair and functionality.

The building is considered to be the masterpiece of W. A. Elliott, the architect who was responsible for some of the most important buildings of pre-WWI Brandon. There is much about the Cathedral that is notable. Some parts of it may well be irreplaceable, such as the solid oak ceiling. Other parts are replaceable at considerable cost, such as the stained glass, which has recently been appraised at $500,000. The foundation is mostly solid, but we have become aware that water drainage issues are causing some problems around the building perimeter.

Even though the building looks solid and enduring, it will take work and money over the next several years to keep it in appropriate repair.

The Jerusalem temple also looked indestructible. Herod the Great had greatly expanded the temple precinct, building on top of huge hewn blocks of limestone in the foundation. When Jesus’ disciples pointed to these massive stones and the spectacular building they supported, he told them that “Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” What looked permanent and everlasting would prove to be only temporary. In AD 70, the Roman Army leveled the temple to the ground, leaving only the foundation platform.

And so we may look around our “temple” in the full knowledge that the same fate could befall it. The impermanence of things built by human hands came violently into our consciousness on September 11, 2001. We know full well that what people can build, other people (or nature) can destroy.

If seemingly solid structures like the temple or the World Trade Center can be destroyed, how much more fragile is human existence. There is a prayer in the funeral liturgy which begins

O God, whose days are without end and whose mercies cannot be numbered: make us, we pray, deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life…

         (Book of Alternative Services, p. 601)

If life is short and uncertain, and we do not know “when will this be,” how then are we to live?

Next Sunday flowers will be placed at the altar in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the death of Dean Harry Hobbs. That event is seared into the collective memory of this congregation. A sudden death such as that is always a shock, making us deeply aware of the uncertainty of this life. At such times people will reach out to each other for comfort and consolation, often finding new meaning in the smallest things of life. Looking back to 9/11, I recall a friend commenting on the kindness people showed to each other in public that day.

We may have very little chance to make this life as if heaven were here on earth, so let us take what opportunities God has given us, and use them to the fullest.

As Dr. William W. Purkey wrote:

sing …as if no one is listening
dance …as if no one is watching
love …as you've never loved before
live …as if heaven is here on earth

There is no time like the present to “provoke one another to love and good deed.” to sing and dance and love and live. Indeed, there is no time but the present.

The temple was destroyed, but God’s people persisted.

This earthly life may be destroyed in an instant, but God’s love persists beyond the veil.

These are difficult times for many churches, as I heard in a sermon in a Winnipeg church last Sunday evening. Times are difficult for Jesus’ people—as a parishioner once lamented to me “We have lost our voice.” The church no longer commands the same respect as it did in earlier years. But we should not lose heart just because times are difficult, but stand firm “…hold(ing) fast to the confession of our hope without wavering…”

To Dr. Purkey’s words I would add, following on Jesus and the writer of Hebrews:

worship …as if you will have no other chance
speak …as if you had no fear

The early church expected things to happen quickly—“the Day” was coming soon. We too may see “the Day” approaching, perhaps not in quite the same literal sense, but in our awareness of the shortness and uncertainty of this life. And like those early Christians, we have only the time allotted to us to help make of this life what God intends for it.

We live in an in-between time. As we mature as disciples, we become ever more aware of God will for this world. As we grow older and become conscious of our mortality, we begin to recognize that our ability to help fulfil God’s purposes will not last for ever.

But in the meantime… let us do what we can with what God has given us to help God build his new creation, his kingdom of peace, joy and justice.

In the meantime—in this present time—let us seek to live as God intends for us.

There is no time like the present. There is no time but the present. Let us pray for the grace to make this time truly God’s time, and let us pledge ourselves to use this time for the glory of God and God alone.

Amen.