Stuart's Thought for the Day
Almost a year now since the word ‘pandemic’ started to
resonate through everyone’s general vocabulary. ‘Lockdown’, ‘social distancing’
and ‘self-isolation’ soon followed it into everyday use. We’re almost
unfamiliar now with the routines of travel, and ‘journeying’ doesn’t extend far
beyond the Pharmacy or wherever we take our daily walk. I’m hearing of a few
people who’ve booked time away in the sudden post-roadmap rush, but many of us
are still rather wary of making seemingly risky plans. Today Heather and I were
reminded of a journey we made 8 years ago and would love to revisit – but more
of that in a moment. Whether you’re thinking of journeys past or looking
forward to future travel, take a few minutes now to reflect on that as we light
our candles and settle down with a drink in God’s presence.
One Way Ticket
Jesus started to teach that the ‘Complete Person’ would have to endure great suffering, be rejected by various religious groups and be killed, then be raised from death again after three days. Jesus was quite clear, but Peter took him aside and contradicted him crossly. Jesus turned to face his other friends too and said, “Peter get away from me, you’re a bad influence! You get your ideas from other people, not from God.” Then Jesus called his friends and the crowd together and told them, “If you want to be my followers, forget about yourselves, shoulder your cross, and follow the way I do things. Those who try to save their lives will lose them, while those who lose their lives for me while sharing the Good News will make their lives complete. What’s the use of having everything if you’re never true to yourself? You can’t put a price on that.” (Mark 8:31-37)
12 years ago Heather and I first met the Bishop (later Archbishop) of Keewatin and his wife. Another colleague nominated to look after them during the 2008 Lambeth Conference had had to drop out, so we welcomed them to Epsom instead. It was the start of a friendship with David and Penny that continues to this day despite the distance between us. In 2012 we were able to visit the Diocese of Keewatin ourselves (if you’ve never heard of it, it’s in the middle of Canada) and one of many places we visited was Emmanuel Church in Ignace, a small ex-mining community 5 hours east of Winnipeg on the Trans-Canada Highway. We did much travelling that week, but learned so much too, and friendships begun then have continued ever since. Thus it was that we joined the Christian community and their priest Jeanne in Ignace this afternoon for their 10.00 am Zoom service – at 4.00 pm GMT!
We won’t forget arriving at Winnipeg in a blizzard in the first winter storm on 4 October! Despite the hospitality of our wonderful hosts (the freshly smoked trout in Ignace was unforgettable!) real travelling always makes demands on our energy and time. We have a few accounts of Jesus enjoying hospitality, but his journey to Jerusalem was more than challenging. He knew it would take him to a certain death sentence and tried to explain this to Peter and his other close friends, but they weren’t having it and became quite stroppy at the thought of their Lord and Teacher putting himself at risk of such a fate. Heading to Jerusalem made no sense from their point of view, and they struggled to see how it could be central to the whole purpose of Jesus’ mission. Jesus’ riposte to Peter may seem harsh to us, though of course he wasn’t suggesting his close friend had been possessed in some evil way. Rather, he recognised how easily even the most well-intentioned remark could deflect him from the mission God had given him to bring about salvation for all people. Peter was seeing things with solely human eyes, swayed by secular thinking instead of understanding God’s purposes.
As we journey on towards the end of this lockdown and beyond, we can be sure it won’t be easy. Voices all around will try to shift us this way or that, and maybe ask niggling questions about where God fits into this picture. Everything may feel rather strange as we start to gather again after such a long period of feeling isolated and forgetting about our calling and mission could prove too easy. But looking after number one is never God’s way (though for sure you should have your vaccination!). Following the way of Jesus as we live out our faith every day in our community takes priority over all else, however demanding the journey might seem. And we‘ll always be enriched by wherever it takes us and whoever we encounter.
Take some time to reflect on your journey, not only places you’ve seen but experiences of God’s love en route. What have you learned as you’ve made your way to today? Thank God for all those who’ve been part of that and pray that we’ll continue to be a blessing to others whose journey we share.
Prayer for today
Loving God, when we fell tempted
to prioritise creature comforts,
when we pull back from the risks we see on the path ahead,
when we find the cross we carry unbearably heavy,
help us to remember that you have been there too,
and will strengthen us to keep going
and stay committed to your way. Amen
Download:
Pause for Thought:
081 (This Message)
080 079 078 077 076 075 074 073
072 071 070 069 068 067 066 065 064 063 062 061 060 059 058 057 056 055
054 053 052 051 050 049 048 047 046 045 044 043 042 041 040 039 038 037
036 035 034 033 032 031 030 029 028 027 026 025 024 023 022 021 020 019
018 017 016 015 014 012a 012 011 010 009 008 007 006 005 004 003 002 001
Lighting Up Time:
129 128 127 126 125 124 123 122 121 120 119 118 117 116 115 114 113 112 111 110
109 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 100 099 098 097 096 095 094 093 092
091 090 099 088 087 086 085 084 083 082 081 080 079 078 077 076 075 074 073 072
071 070 069 068 067 066 065 063 062 061 060 059 058 057 056 055 054 053 052 051
050 049 048 047 046 045 044 043 042 041 040 039 038 037 036 035 034 033 032 031
030 029 028 027 026 025 024 023 022 021 020 019 018 016 015 014 012a
012 011 010 009 008 007 006 005 004 003 002 001