In this morning’s epistle, St Paul claims

"Then I will know, even as I am known."

St Paul knows what was important for him. HE WAS KNOWN, recognised, valued.

I want you to imagine that you are in a large building. You are surrounded by strangers. There is no one there who you recognise. no one seems to know you, see someone who seems to have a friendly face. You try to approach them, BUT they seem not to notice you, and they turn away. No-one seems to be in the least concerned about you. They are all busy with their own lives. No one seems to notice you, or even want to know you. How do you feel? No doubt, emotionally lonely, lost, disabled It is not a good place for you. to be.

But then, coming towards you is someone you do recognise, and they have seen you, Hullo! they say, It is good to see you again, I am so glad you came, Come and meet some of my friends, I know they will want to see you, to get to know you. - You are taken by the arm.

The whole atmosphere changes. To be known and to be recognised restores your self confidence, to be seen and known and welcomed, you begin to feel yourself. To be recognised and known and welcomed, has an empowering effect on you. If that is true at a human level, it is even more so in a relationship with God. Truly empowered.

This theme of being known and empowered is one that runs through all those three readings this morning.

In Jeremiah, we hear how this sensitive young man, who, really would have preferred to live the quiet life, certainly did not want to be a prophet. Yet he felt compelled to speak out about the injustices of his time. He felt empowered by his deep sense of being known. He tells us, "I heard God speaking to me, saying Before you were even born, I knew you."

Then in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. We hear again, those familiar words about Love, We may hear those words at a wedding or a funeral.

The are often read in an encouraging or consoling voice. But that is to miss the real meaning. Paul has a very different tone. He writes to a congregation, who are confused, caught up in power struggles, at odds with each other, and in conflicts about spiritual gifts. Paul is being quite fierce with them, telling them that their false religiosity isn’t worth 2p. What is important is their relationship with each other. But what is it that gives him the encouragement to say such things? He tells us "Then I will know - even as I am known." Paul knows how he has been taken hold of by the compassionate Love of God "I am known"

And then the Gospel points us to Jesus. He has come to his own town, Initially they speak well of him, The local Boy has made good. But then villagers turn against Jesus, - Who does he think he is? In spite of the opposition, and there is much more to come, He is upheld, empowered by the words of his Father; "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" He knows himself to be known. That made the difference.

TO BE KNOWN HAS AN EMPOWERING EFFECT.

NOT TO BE KNOWN DISABLES US, LIFE DRAINS FROM US.

Not to be known is a common experience for many people today.

One group that comes to our attention today is the Homeless.

In the past, while I was in the NE of England I knew a great deal about the plight of the homeless. I not only read about them I worked for them. I worked with them. I have to admit that since coming to Edinburgh, I have not really known the homeless. Yes, seethe beggars on the street.

But now I have been made to look, A small group in Christ Church have made me look. To read the reports. To check with the agencies. And I do not like what I see. Many of you I know, have looked, and seen,

Who are the homeless? PEOPLE WHO FEEL UNKNOWN -I can do no better than quote from two reports;

First from The Scottish Churches Housing Action. It tells me;

Homeless people are not just the one’s you see begging on the street. In fact many beggars, whatever their signs say, are not homeless. (That is not to say that they don’t need help, they do, and there are trained people trying to help) The sellers of the ‘Big Issue are homeless and are trying are trying to find a way out of that situation.

But one third of people affected by homelessness are children under the age of 16.

Young people leaving social work care, are encouraged to apply as homeless.

People of all ages, can become homeless when their relationships break down, Suddenly one household needs two houses., but when there is a long list of people waiting for council or housing association accommodation. What are they supposed to do?

Homeless people may be some of the men and women leaving the army and finding it difficult to fit into civilian life, Mums with children trying to hold down a job, people with mental illness, those with a drugs problem, ex -prisoners, or people who have lost a lifelong partner. People who feel lost, deserted not known.

And in a report from SHELTER;

From the Headmistress of an Edinburgh Primary school; She tells us;

This is an area of huge deprivation. We have an awful lot of itinerant tenants down here. This means they come for a short time, Then they disappear. It turns out they have been homeless but we weren’t told.

I had a pair of twins from a very needy family. We organised full-time nursery places, We felt they needed the support. But then the family were put in homeless accommodation on the other side of the city. Now these children cannot access the support.

Many of them have private landlords, but the family can just be put out on the street. There is a problem with such tenancies, the property is damp, the landlord will not put in heating or ventilation. If they complain they are put out. Because of this there are problems with children’s health.

A few of my children are still lying on mattresses on the floor. One of them came to school absolutely delighted because he had just got a bed. He was so proud, he didn’t realise that everybody else had a bed. and so she goes on..........

People who feel left out. not known.

And then from the same report, part of a national survey, but highlighting Edinburgh;

Edinburgh is one of Europe’s great cultural and financial centres. Tourism alone generates £1 billion a year for the city. The city is booming, with house prices rising by 124% since 1997.

There is however a side of Edinburgh not seen by the average visitor, Since 1997 homelessness in Edinburgh has risen by 44% Beyond the tourists trail there are areas characterised by high unemployment, shifting populations, high levels of poverty and poor housing. Much is being done in these communities, but their experiences remain a stark contrast to the millionaire houses of Edinburgh’s Georgian Squares and elegant suburbs.

And finally, A personal story. I remember a mother, She had been rehoused and was beginning to get on her feet again. She told me about her experience. This time last year I felt awful, ashamed, I felt alone, I felt no one knew me, or wanted to know me.

I wanted to put an end to myself. BUT now I have a home, NOW I FEEL I AM KNOWN , that makes the difference.

How can we respond to the homeless of Edinburgh; Help them to feel they are known?

There are some suggestions on the back of our service sheet this morning.

Seek Information; Through the Peace & Justice Group at Christ Church. Read reports from Shelter www.shelter.org.uk or Scottish Churches Housing Action. www.churches-housing org

Contribute; Purchase £1 vouchers which homeless people can exchange for food or clothing at ‘The Ark Trust’. Donate tins and dry goods for St Catherine’s.

Support ‘Fresh Start’ by donating household goods. www,freshstartweb.org.uk

Involvement; By volunteering at Fresh Start, The Ark, St Catherine’s, Joining the Peace and Justice Group.

Political Pressure; Join Shelter, Involvement in Local Political Party, write to MSP’s BUT, also PRAY about the issues!