Work in Progress

Sermon by the Revd Dr Brutus Green

The mind is a funny thing. It prefers to deal with broad brush strokes rather than detail, so if an idea seems to be true in one or two areas, the mind will seek to apply it to all areas – to make it a general rule. Upon discovering chocolate children usually want to eat chocolate all the time – not seeing the need for meals or a balanced diet. I wonder whether you might do children a favour just for a day or two giving them nothing but chocolate – it might just cure them of it.

But despite the number of delicious treats my family consumed at yesterday’s fayre; The layer of crusted icing I washed off Apollo’s face; I’m not concerned about chocolate today. The idea that I’m concerned about – That rules our minds – That distorts the way we see the world – That is, in the bad sense, ideological – Is the idea of progress. This is not I hasten to add because of any lack of progression achieved last night.

One of the first places we encounter the idea of progress is with evolution. Evolution is almost synonymous with progress. And given that evolution takes in all the natural world; if we see the development of life as a process of improvement then that makes it a pretty strong metaphor for all things. Only it’s not clear that evolution is progression. The dinosaurs certainly didn’t think so. And currently the diversity of species is in decline. The only reason to think evolution might be progression is if we happen to be particularly impressed with our own species – which I suppose is only natural. And yes humans have some pretty special features, But if evolution were progression we’d surely want to see the whole system improving, which actually, at present, the evidence is rather against.

A second area where progress seems undeniable is technology. My niece was born with one fully functioning hand and now has a range of prosthetics that make her life a whole lot easier. Televisions routinely get larger and more sharply defined. Everything, it seems, now has some form of artificial intelligence – With my voice I can operate lights, music, encyclopaedias. (as they were called before google); “Alexa – turn the television off – I’m going to bed”. But technology is a tool and so progress has a shadow. We’re only too aware of the advancements in weaponry which threaten the planet; We’re more aware of the risk of social media and internet on the health of children; Is the world safer, less violent, less divided, more equal, more honest, because of technology? Is this progress?

And then, history. Is the human story a story of progress? History is always presented to us as progress. The plotlines naturally go forward. Events build on the past. But few who lived through the first half of the twentieth-century had much reason to see history as progress. Who would choose the 2020s as a decade to live in? Battling against pandemics, a climate crisis, global uncertainty and war; and at home a winter of discontent; On what criteria would we see this current moment as a pinnacle, and not a pimple, in human history?

And I wonder if you look honestly at yourself? Are you a work in progress? Or have you noticed that middle-age slowing metabolism, The wit is a little rusted? In my twenties I remembered everything I read; Now I can quite easily watch a film twice and, only an hour in, think “oh actually I’ve seen this before.” There’s not much about being human that improves with age. It doesn’t get easier to watch England play football. And the results don’t steadily improve.

You might be asking yourself now – “why does this matter?” Why is this idea of progress a problem for the vicar? Well, my main problem with progress is that it doesn’t allow us to die “old and fat and satiated with life.” Like Abraham and Isaac – If we hang on to the idea of progress then we’re missing out on what comes next; What a tragedy to die before the metaverse finally happens; Before England win a trophy; Before the kingdom of God arrives; Before the season finale of Strictly… Because if the world is in a state of progress – the dying are being left behind; There is something missing – which is coming soon. And in a fast-moving culture that believes in progress, we’re going to end up feeling not satiated with life but “tired of life”; Especially if we have not kept up with progress.

So when we are gathered to our family – in a field at Mamre, on a mountain top at Pisgah, we have not found that peace of having seen the seasons pass and lived a meaningful life; We are asking what comes next? Will my children push on up the ladder and find some success, some fortune that has evaded me? What was the point of me, now the world has moved on and left me behind?

The idea of progress consigns us all to the dustbin of the past; The idea of progress seeks to erase the past – for its racism, sexism, bad taste, missed penalties and failure to keep up. But our faith does not believe in this sort of progress. Our faith believes that we have in every generation everything required to find meaning, to live a good life, to discover God alongside us. That at every moment – the Judge is standing at the doors! That a peasant five thousand years ago; that Abraham, or Moses or St Benedict or St Francis, or your great grandma or your children, being human, have equality in those things which make life meaningful; in discovering truth, beauty and goodness. And all of that is discoverable in the English countryside, the warmth of a pub fire, a conversation with an old friend, a voice lifted-up in praise, or in a softly-sung lullaby.

The various forms of progress that we cling to in the fervent hope that things are getting better and not worse, have little effect on our pursuit of a good life. Despite the three thousand apps that advertise they can give you exactly that. What is virtual reality and reality television, when reality itself is right in front of you? Two weeks ago we plant a thousand crocuses in the churchyard. I’m deeply excited about the abundant blossoming we’ll see this year in Spring. We all know this winter will be difficult – and in places like Ukraine unbearable. But we stand with two thousand years of voices, who have suffered like us, who have known joy like us – and we too pray: Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.’

Here – not awaiting the upgrade And not enfolding like a sham of progress that sees some getting on very nicely and others left behind; But here in a sudden transformation, when we suddenly see the world as it is in its beauty; When we see our neighbour as they are – enough to want to love them; When we see eternity as always having been present – in our troubles, in our triumphs, in our failure and our rising to try again. And when they shall obtain joy and gladness, [] sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  So Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Amen.