In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
During this coming week we will remember St Ethelreda who was the Abbess of Ely in the seventh century. Ethelreda was born in Suffolk into a noble family—she was the daughter of Anna, who was King of the East Angles. Like many royal women through history, marriages were motivated by politics. Her second marriage was to King Egfrid, her first husband having died not long after they were married. Ethelreda was a devout woman who wanted to serve God and begged her husband to allow her to give up her status and goods so that she could live a monastic life. After much pleading and persuasion he finally gave his consent and Ethelreda entered the monastery of Abbess Ebba (King Egrid’s aunt) at Coldingham. Bishop Wilfrid received her and she became a nun.
However, she did not have long to spend in the prayer and contemplation she so longed for. Instead she was called upon to become an Abbess herself just one year later in the district of Ely. She built a monastery leading the other women in prayer and learning. Ethelreda did not make a distinction between herself and the other nuns—she wore simple woollen garments instead of linen and we are told that she seldom took a hot bath except on the eve of great feasts such as Easter or Pentecost! (Bathing like this was seen by many as an extravagance!).
Even then, she humbled herself by helping all the other nuns to wash before attending to herself. It is written that she rarely had more than one meal a day and spent time in prayer in the early morning before the work of the monastery began. Ethelreda was Abbess for seven years and when she died in around the year 678 she was buried in a simple wooden coffin alongside the other nuns, with nothing to indicate her status.
The story of Ethelreda remind us that humility is an important part of being a follower of Jesus who humbled himself to take on our human flesh and to live and die amongst us. In our Gospel reading today we hear more from Jesus about the call to discipleship and again some of it makes difficult or unpleasant reading. Many people find this passage from St Matthew really troubling—we do not want to hear Jesus speak about ‘bringing a sword’ or that he would ‘set a man against his father’. And yet, the road of discipleship is not always easy and we often have to give up the things we want to do—or, indeed, be willing to change—if we are to follow Jesus.
It is one thing to think about going out to proclaim the gospel and something else to actually do it. The disciples faced conflict and discouragement, it was very far from talking with Jesus and breaking bread comfortably together. And they must have worried that the message they faithfully carried would founder, like the seed cast on stony soil or eaten by the birds. This is the seed that when it takes root and flourishes transforms lives, transforms families, transforms communities. Jesus encourages the disciples to continue—despite setback and hardship—reminding them that God loves and values each and every one of us: ‘even the hairs of your head are counted’. This knowledge should equip us to keep on trying, to persevere in God’s service, to make his kingdom known on earth. For when the good news of the gospel is heard, received—treasured in the heart—then the whole of society will flourish: individuals, families and communities.
Jesus wants to remind us that no matter how difficult the road might be, no matter how much we must let go of the things we love and value, God is always with us.
I wonder how hard it was for Ethelreda to give up her comfortable life when it came to the crunch? After years of asking her husband to release her from her marriage, I wonder how it felt when he said yes? I wonder if she was frightened when she came before Bishop Wilfred to make her vows. I wonder how she settled into her life as a novice, with no servants, no fine robes—just plain food and a small cell to sleep in. And I wonder what she felt when she was asked so very suddenly to give up this life that she had just gotten used to? I wonder what she felt when she was given back a measure of power and authority as an Abbess with financial, spiritual and temporal duties and obligations. We are not told if she struggled with this, but it seems to me very ironic that a rich noblewoman who has given up everything to serve God is elevated to a position of power. Perhaps this is why she would not take hot baths, ate plain food and was buried with no honour or grand memorial.
For each of us there is a path of discipleship that will mean some measure of hardship. It is completely individual—what is hard for me might be very easy for you, and vice versa! Jesus is honest—he tells us that it can be very costly indeed to follow him. There will be difficulties, there will be conflict and there may be discord with those who we count as our nearest and dearest. As one writer says ‘the gospel shakes up values, rearranges priorities, and reorients goals’.
We could argue that because she was born of noble blood Ethelreda’s function in life was to make a good marriage and bear strong healthy children, to secure the kingdom. If that is the measure of her life then she failed and let her family down. But we know that what Ethelreda did was to follow what she believed God wanted for her.
In Morning Prayer we say the Collect for Peace. I particularly like the version from the Book of Common Prayer because the language is so beautiful. It goes like this:
O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord,
in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life,
whose service is perfect freedom:
Defend us thy humble servants
in all assaults of our enemies;
that we, surely trusting in thy defence,
may not fear the power of any adversaries;
through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The phrase ‘whose service is perfect freedom’ beautifully encapsulates the dilemma of discipleship. While we know that there will be hard times, by serving God and our neighbour we become truly free, truly ourselves in God. This knowledge gives us the strength and confidence to meet the inevitable challenges. As Jesus reminds us: ‘So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows’.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen