Today, on this first Sunday after Christmas we observe the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Preached at the Parish Mass on Sunday 29 December 2013 at St John’s Walworth We pray that the God who made Beatrice will continue to bless her and give her strength and we wish her a very happy birthday. On this day then, marked by the number 70 – though not looking a day beyond 29 – we recall some Biblical 70s and are reminded that like the 70 elders we have come here to worship God in His house to renew our commitment to the Lord, as his disciples, like the 70 he sent ahead of him throughout Galilee and that our lives are lived by the grace of God, forgiving – and being forgiven – not seven times but 70 times seven. Today is also a day for us to give thanks for Beatrice for her love and friendship, her care and encouragement and her lively presence among us. For thinking of past birthdays and those who shared those happy days but who are not here to share this day. Today, as we her family and friends join her to mark this milestone in her life, it is primarily a time for rejoicing but it is also a time for memories. I’m sure that Beatrice has forgiven – and been forgiven – more than seventy times. That as she has been called, she continues to follow the One who knew her even when she was in her mother’s womb.Īnother occurrence of the number seventy in the Bible is after Peter asks Jesus “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22). On her seventieth birthday we give thanks for Beatrice’s Christian discipleship as a follower of the Lord Jesus. In St Luke’s gospel we are told that Jesus appointed seventy disciples and sent them out in twos ahead of him to the places he would visit. She comes give thanks for that life and for all the blessings she has received and we pray that God will continue to bless her. Today, Beatrice comes to the House of God – gathered with us her family and friends – to worship the God who made her and gave her life. ‘ said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel.” The elders were gathered with Moses before the Mountain of the Lord the dwelling place of God in worship at the place where Moses would receive the commandments. In the book of the Exodus we are told that Moses went up the Mount Sinai accompanied by seventy elders of Israel. The number 70 appears several times in the Bible but not in respect of birthdays. Yes, she is lively, fun-loving, cheerful and ever-smiling but she is also strong-willed and determined and a force to be reckoned with. For we all know that Beatrice is a strong woman. Perhaps the most well-known Scripture reference to age of seventy is to be found in the ninetieth psalm (verse 10) “The days of our years are threescore years and ten and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Looking at Beatrice today I don’t think we need to worry about her flying away just yet and we pray that we will be with her to mark her fourscore in another ten years. We come to join with her in celebrating this special day in her life as one who is still very much alive and full of life. Today, we are glad as we rejoice with Beatrice on her seventieth birthday that she has not forgotten us and that we very much remember her. I must tell you the truth – I forgot your mother’s name about five years ago.” The father looks at his son, somewhat embarrassed, looking very embarrassed, says, “Things are not always what they seem to be, son. I think it’s fantastic that even at 70 years of age, you’re still calling mum by those loving pet names.” While his mother is out the room, the son goes over to his father, kisses him and quietly says, “Dad, I’m so pleased for you both. His son is very touched when throughout the dinner, he hears his father call his mother by such endearing terms as ‘darling’, ‘petal’, ‘sweetheart’ and ‘my love.’ It’s clear to the son that his father is still very much in love with his mother. A man is celebrating his seventieth birthday and his family arrange a dinner.
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