'Radical Restoration' - Weekly Reflection 30th June 2024

A different kind of ‘Reflection’ this week as I want to invite you to check out the reflection in the link below.

On Thursday last I joined the small group who meet at St Andrew’s Rugby to discuss the Gospel reading upcoming for the next Sunday, set according to the RCL. (Revised Common Lectionary)

The Gospel reading was from Mark (the ‘‘principal’’ Gospel for this year) – Mark 5: 21-43.

This one of Mark’s sandwiches (intercalation) – a story within a story that gives us a bigger story than just two stories!

The story is of the women who have suffered with an issue of blood for twelve years and a young twelve-year-old girl dying prematurely, the daughter of Jairus a Synagogue leader.  

As you will have picked up, I have been engaging recently with 'The Welcome Directory.'  We have had three evening 'training sessions' on Zoom exploring what it means to welcome those stepping out of prison.  (https://www.welcomedirectory.org.uk/)  St Oswald's, Rugby is signed up to the Welcome Directory as a Faith Community that would welcome anyone being released from prison. 

The obvious link here is the story of restoration into the community. Which it would appear, if you think about it, why Jesus took what seems a rather odd step of calling out the woman who touched his cloak. She should not have been there, but in calling her out and declaring her clean, Jesus is saying to the community that she can now be welcomed back into the community as healed of her impurity.  

The only other point I would want to make about these stories is that of interruption.  How good are we at being interrupted and turning aside for our schedule

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes in Life Together;

‘We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and cancelling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with our more important tasks. . . . It is a strange fact that Christians and even ministers frequently consider their work so important and urgent that they will allow nothing to disturb them. They think they are doing God a service in this, but actually they are disdaining God’s “crooked yet straight path.”

 

I hope you enjoy reading this reflection as much as I did.

 https://journeywithjesus.net/essays/3051-not-dead-but-sleeping

May our song always be that all are welcome in this place....

https://youtu.be/N9bOiAxwi4U?si=aPEfY3d8JB74NZoc

'Badly Named Dogs' - Weekly Reflection 23rd June 2024

Give a dog a bad name and hang him is an English proverb. Its meaning is that if a person's reputation has been besmirched, then he will suffer difficulty and hardship. A similar proverb is he that has an ill name is half hanged.

The proverb dates back to the 18th century or before. In 1706, John Stevens recorded it as "Give a Dog an ill name and his work is done". In 1721, James Kelly had it as a Scottish proverb – "Give a Dog an ill Name, and he'll soon be hanged. Spoken of those who raise an ill Name on a Man on purpose to prevent his Advancement." In Virginia, it appeared as an old saying in the Norfolk Herald in 1803 – "give a dog a bad name and hang him"

The observation is due to negativity bias – that people are apt to think poorly of others on weak evidence. This is then reinforced by confirmation bias as people give more weight to evidence that supports a preconception than evidence which contradicts it

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia)

On Friday last (21^st June) Jane (wife) and I made a trip to Bosworth as it was a nice day. This wasn’t our first visit and in fact our first visit was some thirty-nine years ago when we happened to be driving past. All those years ago there was very little apart from a sign declaring Albion Hill to be the place where the Battle of Bosworth took place.

We now know better and although Richard’s troops may have camped on Albion Hill, the actual battle took place about a mile and half southwest.  Similarly, King Richard 111 was the subsequent victim of Tudor propaganda that sought to besmirch his name. He was ‘given a bad name’, particularly by Shakespeare who was obviously seeking to curry favour with the current reigning Tudor Queen, Elizabeth 1.

Richard, the usurper, the murder of the princess in the Tower, the manipulator, the mean deformed hunch back.  Is it true, well probably not the half of it.

I must resist the urge to speak at length of how Richard was maligned and how due to recent evidence and research he now lies in Leicester Cathedral with a royal coat of arms, recognised as a legitimate King of England. (We visited the Richard 111 exhibition in Leicester a few weeks ago, so we were keeping to a theme)

To finish off our day we watched the film, The Lost King.  This is the story of Phillipa Langley whose dogged determinism led to the finding of Richard’s remains.  Written by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, it is based on the 2013 book The King's Grave: The Search for Richard III by Philippa Langley and Michael Jones and is a true and yet quirky telling of the discovery  of the remains  Richard 111.  She fully approved of the film and in fact has a cameo part.  I could speak about the film itself as there are many life lessons in the story.

However, I want to highlight one particular aspect, Phillipa’s determination to find Richard and to restore and have him recognised as a true and rightful King of England.

Last week as part of a training session with the Welcome Directory (www.welcomedirectory.org.uk) we had three people with us on the Zoom call who had spent time in prison.  We heard of incredible stories of them finding faith whilst in prison and then engaging with a Christian Faith Community upon release. And it was a person who befriended them and walked alongside that helped the most.

Their ‘bad name’ started to change as they began to write a very different narrative and follow a very different story.

There are plenty of people who still view Richard 111 through the lens of Shakespeare and perhaps Laurence Olivier’s performance. "Now is the winter of our discontnent."

Richard 111 laid buried under concrete in a car park. It took the tenacity of one woman to remove that concrete and then begin to help remove the negative biases against Richard 111.

What would it take for us to help remove the ‘concrete’ – the ‘bad name’ that someone may have and to try and help them write a better story?

I am reminded of one of my favourite Bible characters, Banrbas the Apostle of whom we read…

After his conversion, Saul travels sometime later to Jerusalem. Luke writes…

He (Saul) tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:26-27).

This is the Apostle Joseph or Joses, better known to us as here, as Barnabas, a nickname meaning ‘son of encouragement’ – he is willing to listen to a different narrative about Saul.

Phillippa Langley looked ‘outside’ the common received narrative about Richard.  May it be that we also look ‘outside’ the presenting narrative of those whom we encounter, especially if they have been given a ‘bad name.’

 

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Book Cover Bias' - Weekly Reflection 16th June

 

If you don’t judge a book by its cover, how do you judge it? I guess the obvious answer is to read it. Maybe read it more than once and possibly discuss it with others.

A friend who posts some very tongue in cheek comments on Facebook put this up recently.

‘Do the Scottish football team all wear kilts and have ginger beards and hair?’

On Wednesday last (12^th June) I took part in the first of three sessions with the Welcome Directory.  (https://www.welcomedirectory.org.uk/) The main thrust of their work is working with Faith Groups - ‘empowering Faith communities to welcome prison leavers.’  My home Church of St Oswald’s is registered, and I am the link person. These sessions are to introduce us to the charity and to explain and explore prison life and what it can mean to step out of prison and back into the community.

I have a vague memory of going around Rochdale market and my mum mentioning a man on one of the stalls being a murderer. He apparently murdered his wife. The comment I remember was that he had served his time and should be allowed to get on with his life.  (This was not spoken to me; I was only very young. But it shows we need to be careful what we say around even very young children)

In HMP Stafford there is a slogan in several places, ‘We do not release ex-offenders, but citizens back into the community.’

The first training session invited us to explore what stepping out of prison might feel like and what might help those being released.

This linked in perfectly with another training session on Thursday night (13^th June) ‘Unconscious Bias.’  This was put on by the Diocese of Coventry.  We all carry biases that are formed by our life experiences.  However, what we need to explore and be aware of are those biases that sit ‘below the surface.’ That means we need to ‘read the book.’  It is natural to make a first assessment and we do this as a matter of safety.  Can I trust this person. But that is only the cover and not the book. However, we have a problem because we live in a world of sound bites and ‘first level relationships.’   When it comes to something like Facebook, we often have a mile wide circle of ’friends’ but they are only an inch deep.

There are any number of instances of biases in the Scriptures and this one from John 1:46  is very informative.  “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

Philip’s response is one we can seek to emulate when faced with a bias like this, ‘come and see.’ Come and read the book, try to see what’s going on inside. What’s the full story, what’s the bigger picture.

Happy Reading!

 

 

 

  

 

''Out of your mind!' ~ sermon transcript

 Tuesday Morning Worship 11^th June 2024 St Oswald's Rugby

Mark 3.20-35

What type of sandwich do you like?

Mark also like sandwiches, but not the sort that you eat.

Scholars studying Mark’s Gospel discovered that Mark uses a literary device where a narrative is interrupted by an apparently unrelated story, which then returns to complete the original narrative. This technique is known as “interpretative intercalation” or simply put, “sandwiching.” It’s used to highlight certain themes or teachings by juxtaposing two different stories that, upon closer examination, reveal a deeper connection or truth.

That might sound a bit technical but once you see it, it does bring a fresh understanding to reading the text.

Our Gospel reading today, Mark 3.20-35 in one such sandwich.

A key verse is verse 31, ‘Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, the sent someone in to call him.’

So, Jesus is inside, and his family are outside.

Let’s look at verse 20 to discover where Jesus is…

‘Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.’

They are, if you like, the two slices of bread.

In the middle we read first of his families concern for his mental health and wellbeing.

Some teachers of the law have been dispatched from Jerusalem and have made the long trip up to Galilee to see just who Jesus was and what he was teaching and doing. And by inference we see that this is because Jesus’ didn’t have the authorised credentials.

Jesus’ response is to speak in parables and to point out the basic flaw in their argument that he is in league with Satan. Because what Jesus is doing is releasing people from Satan’s grasp and grip.

Jesus is the strong man who after his anointing at his baptism was driven into the desert and there confronted the Satan and defeated him.  In effect he tied him up and Jesus is now plundering his house and releasing Satan prisoners.

From Luke 13…

 “You hypocrites!” the Lord replied, “Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water? Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be released from her bondage on the Sabbath day?” When Jesus said this, all His adversaries were humiliated. And the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing.…

And then this curious verse about the unforgiveable sin – which is not really that difficult to grasp in context.

Simply put, if Jesus, through the Holy Spirit is bringing health, healing, wholeness, release, and forgiveness of sins – then to turn around and blaspheme that same Sprirt and to call it out as being of Satan is to put yourself in a place where you are unable to receive any such forgiveness and new life.

If you are ill and the doctor prescribe some tablets but then refuse to take them and you remain ill – you see the logic of this argument and the thrust of this verse. Which ties back up with the comments of the teachers of the law claiming Jesus was in league with the devil.

We return then to verse 20 and the outer layer of the sandwich.

‘Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, the sent someone in to call him.’

Remember, we have those inside and those outside.

So, just who are those inside.

And the answer to that is key to what Mark wants to tell us, what Mark wants us to grasp, what Mark wants us to embrace and understand.

 Mark wants us to become ‘insiders’ – and tells us how we can do that.

 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Jesus asked.

Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!  Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

And thereby, by inference, anybody who does God’s will are also brothers, sister, mothers and fathers to each other, all part of the new family Jesus is creating.

And I am sure you will be fully aware of just how important the family was in the time of Jesus and in that culture.

I’m not going to unpack that anymore but leave for us to meditate and ponder over, simply offering you a few pointers.

The big question is, are we on the inside or the outside.

If we are on the inside how much do we feel we are part of God’s family?

(Let’s dismiss the concept of the Western nuclear family and think much broader and wider)

A tricky bit is when you have part of your natural family who are ‘inside’ and part of your natural family on the ‘outside.’  They may well think that you are out of your mind. Why bother going to Church when it is a lovely day and we can do so many other things.

Getting that balance right is not easy and Paul addresses this with regards to marriage in 1 Corinthians 7.

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” Jesus asked.

Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!  Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Well, are we – are we seeking to do the will of God in all things, at all times, and in all places in each and every situation. 

Now that’s something to ponder on and presents us with a real challenge and the need to call upon the Holy Spirit to help, aid and guide us as Jesus invites us to follow him and become part of God's family.

https://youtu.be/S-Bq1YtpQL8?si=g34aY8IluAQ6NpBP

Will you follow me....

'Inside or Outside' - Weekly Reflection 9th June 2024

 Reading through the payer request from Prison Fellowship’s Prayer Line (Prayer Line - Prison Fellowship) it becomes very obvious that many of the prayer  request are from people who are struggling with mental health issues.

(Since 2020, people in prison have been able to ring Prayer Line and leave a confidential prayer request that will be prayed for by local groups across the country)

In the various charities that I volunteer with I am hearing about a ‘new’ aspect of first aid, which historically has sought to offer help to physical injuries. This new aspect calls for mental health first aid. Inviting people to become trained much in the same way as people can be trained to deal with any physical trauma.

Consistently The Farming Community Network’s Helpline relates predominantly to mental health issues. (Currently finance is the top presenting issue, but I would argue that there is a correlation between those two and that one leads to other) Farming Community Network - Farming Community Network (fcn.org.uk)

 I recently raised the question about mental health when in a conversation recently and asked whether there has been an actual increase or is there more awareness and more reporting that have inflated the number. I was assured that when all those factors have been considered there is a statistical rise in mental health issues.  I mentioned a few weeks ago about ‘doom scrolling’ and the damaging effect that this can have.

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-doomscrolling-5088882

For those Churches that follow the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, today they would have read from Mark 3.20-35. (This is a ‘Markan Sandwich’, a device peculiar to Mark.  SANDWICHES - Enhance Your Reading of Mark's Gospel (simon-phipps.com)

This is interesting because we read…

^‘Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.  When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

The story continues with some ‘teachers of the law’ accusing Jesus of being in league with Beelzebul.  Or, in other words, with Satan or the Devil. Mental health and ‘demon possession’ have a long history of being placed together.  For Christians, we accept both as a reality, but we need to tread with the utmost caution in attributing demonic activity to those struggling with mental health or illness.

A key to understanding this passage is in verse 31, ‘Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him.’  Link in this verse with verses 19/20 and the inference is that Jesus and ‘the crowd’ are inside, or at least some of them are.  And in the ensuing dialogue we see Jesus redefine ‘family.’ 

And this at a time and a place when the family was the most important unit, and not just the nuclear family, but broadening out to include many relatives.

Into this culture this is what we read…

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.  A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”  “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.  Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!  Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

“Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” – and by inference this means those who seek to do God’s are related, part of God’s new family.

And here I want to suggest lies hope for those in our prisons and those in the farming community, indeed for everyone who struggles with mental health.  Because there is an invitation to become part of God’s family. To be part of a community. In prisons that can be made manifest through the Chapel guided by the Chaplaincy. Outside of prison it would be through the local Church, and this is where the work of the Welcome Directory can play a huge part. The Welcome Directory

Note that in this section of Mark we have those inside and those outside. (Not referencing prison now) Simply put those outside ‘blaspheme the Holy Spirit’ calling what is of God, to emanate from the Satan. Those on the ‘inside’ are those who do the will of God. (I will be exploring this a bit more when I preach on Tuesday 11^th June, and the sermon transcript will be put up on this blog)    

The hard work is to ensure that our ‘Faith Communities’ are committed at the core and yet open at the edges. Everyone is welcome, but they are welcomed into a journey, a journey where together we seek to work out what it means to do the will of God. That will set parameters and if some do not want to abide by those parameters, they set themselves on the outside, although I would also hope that there is always a prodigal son/daughter welcome ready and waiting for them.  

 

 

 

 

Plodding or Purposeful - Weekly Reflection 2nd June 2024

 Plodding along or purposefully and carefully walking through the world?

Jesus one day went into the area by the Sheep Gate known as the Pool of Bethesda, a story recorded in John’s Gospel, chapter 5…

‘Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

Jesus saw, noted, and then asked what at a surface level seems a strange question.

Allegedly, there is a sign along an Alaskan highway that reads, "Choose your rut carefully....You'll be in it for the next 150 miles."

Patterns, routine, habits – we all have them.  And they are not a bad thing as they help us navigate our way through the world and can help conserve energy.

A study undertaken some years ago confirmed that very often the routes that we take regularly we often do so without being fully conscious of having done so. ¹ I am sure, like me, you have arrived at a familiar place, maybe arrived home, and you have no clear memory of the journey, you have gone into ‘auto pilot.’  This is a common trait amongst most animals, and humans, to help conserve energy levels.

Do you want to get well? Do you want to live a different way? Do you want to maybe find work and live a different life, Jesus asks this man who had been lying there for nearly four decades. Nearly forty years following the same pattern, habit and routine.

Do you want to live a different way is a very pertinent question to ask those in prison.  That’s the type of question that the Prison Fellowship Sycamore Tree Course asks. ²

And we also do well to ask ourselves those types of questions from time to time.

Have we settled into a life sat by the pool – and maybe, just maybe, become paralysed?  

(Not making any negative comment about those who live with various types of disabilities)

Patterns, routine, habits are not bad in themselves, but we need to check out what are our patterns, routine, habits.

 Are we living as Jesus would want us to? Are we reflecting the life of Jesus in our lives?

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5.16

Note carefully, “bring glory to your Father in heaven,” not to you!

I remember some years ago going through a time management exercise. For a week you were asked to log what you were doing at various time throughout the day.  This was then analysed, and it gave an overview of how much time was spent doing various things.

My phone tells me each week how much I have spent doing various things, and that, I can tell you, is sometimes quite alarming.

John Mark Comer in his book ‘Practising the Way’ suggests that we may have lost the idea of what it means to be a disciple and offer instead the idea of becoming an apprentice to Jesus. As an apprentice we embark on a life-long training course, to follow Jesus, to become like Jesus and to do the things that Jesus did. And to cultivate habits that would help us on this journey – ‘until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.’  Ephesians4.11-13

1)      ‘A Geography of the Lifeworld’ – David Seaman 1979

2)      Prison Fellowship – Sycamore Tree Sycamore Tree -Prison Fellowship