Does hope carry much meaning for us today? Is it a real and tangible thing to grasp onto and look forward to? Or is hope the kind of thing reserved only for fairytales.? How important is it for us to place our hope in something? Do we really need it?
I guess the answer to that question needs to be placed within context. Hope looks so much different through the experience of an asylum seeker with no country and no identity, than it does through my own. While one child hopes for a new bike this Christmas, another hopes to live to see tomorrow. So what use is hope? Is it real? Is it beckoning something on to be realized in reality? While I could so casually hope for a particular gift for Christmas, another might invest all their faith and energy into the hope for life. What does that glimmer of hope look like?
Verity and I had the opportunity to attend a preview screening of ‘The Nativity Story’ on Wednesday night. I will say from the start, ‘what a fantastic film! Go and see it’. This movie will help you engage the Christmas story all over again with fresh new eyes. One very strong theme that came through the movie for me was the message of hope, hope for a generation who had nothing left except hope.
One of the many prophets of Israel, Jeremiah, is one who is responsible for instilling this hope in the people of Israel. He writes (among many things like this):
“”The days are coming”, declares the Lord, “When I will raise up to David a righteous branch, King who will reign wisely, and do what is right and just in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety…”” (Jer 23:5-6)
This was written in a time when the small nation of Judah was located in the middle of 3 big nations at war. They still dwelt under the shadow of the Babylonian super power. In the years leading up to the revelation of prophecies such as Jeremiah’s, the people of Israel lived under the extremely tough and oppressive rule of Caesar.
Yet into this world God broke through, a glimmer of hope in the form of a baby born in the humblest of places to the humblest of parents. Those who were alerted to his birth were not the prominent and the powerful but the helpless and near hopeless.
There are millions in our world today who hold on to hope in a million different ways. What will this hope look like to them. As followers of Jesus 2000 years after his birth, we celebrate the glimmer of hope that has broken into our lives. We don’t have blind hope, we hold onto a hope which has already been and is still yet to be. We have received a special and unique gift.
Christmas is about giving. You have received a glimmer of hope in Jesus, now in turn share that glimmer of hope with those you encounter in your week. Lord knows, there are a million reasons why you should.
Shalom
Mark
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Wherever the wind blows
This past week has been a very profound one full of significant events and a range of emotions. My two all-time favourite band front men, Bono (U2) and Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), stood together at the Make Poverty History concert for a cause I believe in on the day the G20 summit met in Melbourne. The following day was a sad day to remember with violent protests in Melbourne. Vox Congo played at another MPH concert in Melbourne that day. What a weekend of action, filled with massive political statements by some of the biggest bands to visit Melbourne, lots of pleas from many sympathisers to make poverty history and opportunities to actually make a difference.
All the while I was across the border in South Australia missing out on the action, but gaining appreciation for a different kind of action, learning how to be an uncle. My sister gave birth to the first of a new generation of my family and I was in Adelaide to be a part of the ‘moments’.
It seems that when significant things happen in life it gets me thinking quite deeply about life, purpose for being, etc. Tim Costello spoke at the Make Poverty History concert and said something I had heard him say before. From what I can remember he said, when politicians make decisions they lick their finger and put it into the air to see which way the wind is blowing. His purpose for this example was to say that we have the power to change the direction of the wind and influence the decisions politicians make.
Last year at the global launch of the Make Poverty History campaign Nelson Mandela said ‘all it takes is for a generation to be great, you can be that generation, you can be great’. There were threads of this quote in the movie ‘the Girl in the café’ when Gina gave that famous dinner table speech.
And so this has prompted me once again to consider, will this current generation of leaders and citizens decide to be great? Or will we just coast along and ride with the wind wherever the voices of influence dictate the direction of its breeze; whether we think it’s just or not?
I wonder what my niece, Samantha Grace, now 10 days old, would think when she grows up and begins to engage with the world? I really hope she never has to see a current image or hear of another human being who is dying in senseless poverty that we have the power to prevent. Yet I fear she will, and she’ll wonder why we didn’t do enough to address a problem we could quite easily have tackled if only we had the will. We certainly have the way and the resources to do so.
So will you be part of a generation who will be great? Not only great for those who currently need our immediate help, but great examples to our future generations. Will you use your influence to help change the direction of the wind? Or will we leave it for another generation to be great? Hang out another 20 years and wait for people like Samantha to pick up the baton?
Jesus wasn’t one to sit back and go wherever the wind blows, in fact he (one person) set the direction of the wind. At times it became a wind storm and today has powerful influence. The Holy Spirit moved in like a violent wind among the disciples on the day of Pentecost and amazing things happened. When the disciples allowed it to move them freely, no one in the community was in need and they shared everything in common.
Let us be finely tuned to the direction of the wind that blows Jesus’ way. Be a great generation of influence. Set the direction of the wind.
Shalom
Mark
All the while I was across the border in South Australia missing out on the action, but gaining appreciation for a different kind of action, learning how to be an uncle. My sister gave birth to the first of a new generation of my family and I was in Adelaide to be a part of the ‘moments’.
It seems that when significant things happen in life it gets me thinking quite deeply about life, purpose for being, etc. Tim Costello spoke at the Make Poverty History concert and said something I had heard him say before. From what I can remember he said, when politicians make decisions they lick their finger and put it into the air to see which way the wind is blowing. His purpose for this example was to say that we have the power to change the direction of the wind and influence the decisions politicians make.
Last year at the global launch of the Make Poverty History campaign Nelson Mandela said ‘all it takes is for a generation to be great, you can be that generation, you can be great’. There were threads of this quote in the movie ‘the Girl in the café’ when Gina gave that famous dinner table speech.
And so this has prompted me once again to consider, will this current generation of leaders and citizens decide to be great? Or will we just coast along and ride with the wind wherever the voices of influence dictate the direction of its breeze; whether we think it’s just or not?
I wonder what my niece, Samantha Grace, now 10 days old, would think when she grows up and begins to engage with the world? I really hope she never has to see a current image or hear of another human being who is dying in senseless poverty that we have the power to prevent. Yet I fear she will, and she’ll wonder why we didn’t do enough to address a problem we could quite easily have tackled if only we had the will. We certainly have the way and the resources to do so.
So will you be part of a generation who will be great? Not only great for those who currently need our immediate help, but great examples to our future generations. Will you use your influence to help change the direction of the wind? Or will we leave it for another generation to be great? Hang out another 20 years and wait for people like Samantha to pick up the baton?
Jesus wasn’t one to sit back and go wherever the wind blows, in fact he (one person) set the direction of the wind. At times it became a wind storm and today has powerful influence. The Holy Spirit moved in like a violent wind among the disciples on the day of Pentecost and amazing things happened. When the disciples allowed it to move them freely, no one in the community was in need and they shared everything in common.
Let us be finely tuned to the direction of the wind that blows Jesus’ way. Be a great generation of influence. Set the direction of the wind.
Shalom
Mark
Monday, November 13, 2006
G20 - Melbourne
This week the eyes of many across our world will be on Melbourne. Representatives from the 20 most economically influential countries in the world will gather in Melbourne for the G20 summit. While the G20 gathers where will also be many other happenings in Melbourne trying to draw your attention towards this summit.
Bono being the front man for U2 has come out with guns firing. U2’s first concert for their Australian tour in Brisbane was laced with strong political messages (what else would you expect from a rock band) highlighting the plight of the poor and disadvantaged. U2 will hold concerts in Melbourne during the weekend of the summit and no doubt this is deliberate to coincide with the summit.
You’ll also see Make Poverty History slogans everywhere as they have named this Make Poverty History Week and focus on the Millennium Development Goals which are a commitment to halve poverty across the world. Festivals and concerts will be held in the city over the weekend of the 18th & 19th of November. There will be protests, outspoken celebrities, differences of opinion and lots of talk about our combined effort to make poverty history.
My question to you as followers of Jesus is this: Will you shut all knowledge of these events out of your mind and lay low until it all blows over, or will you engage with the issue, provide a voice and contribute to making a difference?
Last Sunday night we gathered for a nice movie night in the chapel. We kicked back in the couches with our popcorn ready to be lightly entertained by a romantic comedy about a guy who meets a girl in a café in London.
While the movie ‘the girl in the café’ is light hearted and funny at times it hosts a mixture of disturbing messages that we cannot ignore. Lawrence meets Gina in a café, two lone unassuming strangers. Lawrence is the financial advisor to the Chancellor and Gina is just a regular everyday person. As their relationship develops the very nervous and shy Lawrence invites Gina to accompany him to Iceland where he will be part of the 2005 G8 summit – the gathering of the 8 most powerful leaders to discuss issues including the Millennium Development Goals.
Lawrence and Gina’s characters represent such powerful parallels to the way our society operates. Lawrence is the polite people pleaser however Gina is not afraid to say what she thinks. As Gina learns of the issues facing the poor and the agendas of the world leaders she begins to develop a deep personal conviction for making poverty history. Because of her relationship with Lawrence she rubs shoulders with some of the most powerful influences in the world. While it is social edict to smile and be polite Gina begins challenging the consciences of those who have power to make decisions that can change our world.
While many are disgusted at Gina’s unorthodox behaviour, I find that there is a bit of Gina in me that’s just busting to come out but the Lawrence in me may be afraid of what people think. Gina exchanges social grace for standing for what she believes in. She is just one ordinary person with one voice yet she had the guts to use it.
We are in a climate of change in many different ways and in the words of Tim Costello we have the power to change the ‘direction of the wind’. If Jesus is any example to go by, one man, with one voice who’s actions changed the world. Surely Jesus’ followers have no other option but to do the same.
Never think you can’t make a different, knowledge on these issues is not hard to come by and your federal MP’s are always open to conversations and letters, they just need enough voices to bring these issues to the front of the agenda.
Nelson Mandela said that ‘all it takes is for a generation to be great, you can be that generation, you can be great’. This week seize the opportunity to be great for the Kingdom of God.
Shalom
Mark
Bono being the front man for U2 has come out with guns firing. U2’s first concert for their Australian tour in Brisbane was laced with strong political messages (what else would you expect from a rock band) highlighting the plight of the poor and disadvantaged. U2 will hold concerts in Melbourne during the weekend of the summit and no doubt this is deliberate to coincide with the summit.
You’ll also see Make Poverty History slogans everywhere as they have named this Make Poverty History Week and focus on the Millennium Development Goals which are a commitment to halve poverty across the world. Festivals and concerts will be held in the city over the weekend of the 18th & 19th of November. There will be protests, outspoken celebrities, differences of opinion and lots of talk about our combined effort to make poverty history.
My question to you as followers of Jesus is this: Will you shut all knowledge of these events out of your mind and lay low until it all blows over, or will you engage with the issue, provide a voice and contribute to making a difference?
Last Sunday night we gathered for a nice movie night in the chapel. We kicked back in the couches with our popcorn ready to be lightly entertained by a romantic comedy about a guy who meets a girl in a café in London.
While the movie ‘the girl in the café’ is light hearted and funny at times it hosts a mixture of disturbing messages that we cannot ignore. Lawrence meets Gina in a café, two lone unassuming strangers. Lawrence is the financial advisor to the Chancellor and Gina is just a regular everyday person. As their relationship develops the very nervous and shy Lawrence invites Gina to accompany him to Iceland where he will be part of the 2005 G8 summit – the gathering of the 8 most powerful leaders to discuss issues including the Millennium Development Goals.
Lawrence and Gina’s characters represent such powerful parallels to the way our society operates. Lawrence is the polite people pleaser however Gina is not afraid to say what she thinks. As Gina learns of the issues facing the poor and the agendas of the world leaders she begins to develop a deep personal conviction for making poverty history. Because of her relationship with Lawrence she rubs shoulders with some of the most powerful influences in the world. While it is social edict to smile and be polite Gina begins challenging the consciences of those who have power to make decisions that can change our world.
While many are disgusted at Gina’s unorthodox behaviour, I find that there is a bit of Gina in me that’s just busting to come out but the Lawrence in me may be afraid of what people think. Gina exchanges social grace for standing for what she believes in. She is just one ordinary person with one voice yet she had the guts to use it.
We are in a climate of change in many different ways and in the words of Tim Costello we have the power to change the ‘direction of the wind’. If Jesus is any example to go by, one man, with one voice who’s actions changed the world. Surely Jesus’ followers have no other option but to do the same.
Never think you can’t make a different, knowledge on these issues is not hard to come by and your federal MP’s are always open to conversations and letters, they just need enough voices to bring these issues to the front of the agenda.
Nelson Mandela said that ‘all it takes is for a generation to be great, you can be that generation, you can be great’. This week seize the opportunity to be great for the Kingdom of God.
Shalom
Mark
Friday, November 03, 2006
On the edge of the Kingdom
I may have mentioned this before but I quite enjoy Mark’s Gospel. It so happens that this year has been the year of Mark and although my preaching doesn’t always follow the lectionary themes, I thought I’d reflect on the reading from this week.
I enjoy Mark’s Gospel not because it has nice stories that suit my agenda, but because the Jesus of this Gospel is particularly earthy and gutsy. Mark’s Jesus confronts me in a particular way and gets straight to the point. I enjoy each Gospel for what it is.
In this reading from Mark chapter 12, Jesus is set up in a question time by nearly every different group that represents the Jewish faith. As each take their turn in trying to trick Jesus, a teacher of the law speaks up and asks Jesus what the greatest commandment is.
It’s almost like you can see Jesus rolling his eyes as question after question is fired at him. It seems that the most important outcome each faction of the faith are looking for from Jesus is that he believes the right stuff and delivers the right answer according to their system of belief.
I find it entertaining to read because after reading it a number of times I can then step back and check myself and say ‘hang on, I’m just like them’. It is true isn’t it, look at how many arguments, divisions and wars are caused over ‘believing the right stuff’. Every religion including the Christian movement has a copious amount of division that form into denominations mainly because of difference of opinion over fundamental beliefs that make the religion what it is.
Jesus’ response to all of this is, ‘you’ve all completely lost the plot – missed the mark’. Belief is only part of the equation. We can debate what we believe all we like but what good is our belief if it does not inform our action? In the case of the teacher of the law and Jesus, they both believe the same thing, to love God with all your heart mind and soul and love your neighbour as yourself. This is the greatest commandment. Then Jesus says this really strange thing, “You are not far from the kingdom of God”.
So what’s all that about, I thought if I believed the right stuff I was ‘in’, but Jesus says ‘you are not far…’.In fact he’s basically saying ‘you are right on the edge of the kingdom yet there’s just one more thing you require. Our lectionary reading only includes vs 28-34 but if you read beyond this you’ll find a stern warning.
Those who claim to believe all the right stuff, the religious types who pray the waffling prayers and hold prominent positions in their community and let everyone know about it, they think they’re in but are actually far from the Kingdom of God. Yet the one thing Jesus requires to step into the Kingdom is that what you believe translates through your actions. Your love for God is displayed through your love for your neighbour, your love, care and service towards the disadvantaged, broken hearted, outcast and poverty stricken.
Here’s what it means to believe in Jesus, that you embrace Kingdom values as the theme to live your life by.
Shalom
Mark
I enjoy Mark’s Gospel not because it has nice stories that suit my agenda, but because the Jesus of this Gospel is particularly earthy and gutsy. Mark’s Jesus confronts me in a particular way and gets straight to the point. I enjoy each Gospel for what it is.
In this reading from Mark chapter 12, Jesus is set up in a question time by nearly every different group that represents the Jewish faith. As each take their turn in trying to trick Jesus, a teacher of the law speaks up and asks Jesus what the greatest commandment is.
It’s almost like you can see Jesus rolling his eyes as question after question is fired at him. It seems that the most important outcome each faction of the faith are looking for from Jesus is that he believes the right stuff and delivers the right answer according to their system of belief.
I find it entertaining to read because after reading it a number of times I can then step back and check myself and say ‘hang on, I’m just like them’. It is true isn’t it, look at how many arguments, divisions and wars are caused over ‘believing the right stuff’. Every religion including the Christian movement has a copious amount of division that form into denominations mainly because of difference of opinion over fundamental beliefs that make the religion what it is.
Jesus’ response to all of this is, ‘you’ve all completely lost the plot – missed the mark’. Belief is only part of the equation. We can debate what we believe all we like but what good is our belief if it does not inform our action? In the case of the teacher of the law and Jesus, they both believe the same thing, to love God with all your heart mind and soul and love your neighbour as yourself. This is the greatest commandment. Then Jesus says this really strange thing, “You are not far from the kingdom of God”.
So what’s all that about, I thought if I believed the right stuff I was ‘in’, but Jesus says ‘you are not far…’.In fact he’s basically saying ‘you are right on the edge of the kingdom yet there’s just one more thing you require. Our lectionary reading only includes vs 28-34 but if you read beyond this you’ll find a stern warning.
Those who claim to believe all the right stuff, the religious types who pray the waffling prayers and hold prominent positions in their community and let everyone know about it, they think they’re in but are actually far from the Kingdom of God. Yet the one thing Jesus requires to step into the Kingdom is that what you believe translates through your actions. Your love for God is displayed through your love for your neighbour, your love, care and service towards the disadvantaged, broken hearted, outcast and poverty stricken.
Here’s what it means to believe in Jesus, that you embrace Kingdom values as the theme to live your life by.
Shalom
Mark
What do you see in the journey?
Over the years I have written a number of reflections about ‘journey’, the journey of following Jesus (you can check these out in my blog archives). One of my favourite passages of scripture about journey has popped up in the lectionary this week – Mark 10:46-52 the story of Jesus healing Bartimaeus the blind man. While it has been my tendency to focus on the end result, Bartimaeus follows Jesus on the ‘journey’ into Jerusalem this pericope has read me differently this time.
What I find interesting about the discipline of ‘dwelling in the text’ is that we don’t just look up our favourite bible passages, take them at face value and use them for our own purposes. A dwelling means just that, sitting and being with the text, allowing it to read into your life and ministry experience, what does it uncover about the stories you bring to the text? What does it tell you about you as a Jesus follower? How is the living Spirit calling you to respond out of the text?
So now you’ve grabbed your bibles and have read these 7 basic verses what did you see? Just a story about Jesus healing a blind man? Is there something more? Did you bother to read the stories around it that give this pericope context and meaning? The Gospel of Mark is fascinating, particularly the theme around what it means to see the way of Jesus.
Here’s some things that stand out to me in this passage. You notice Bartimaeus is shouting out to Jesus. Those who were part of the large crowd following Jesus into Jerusalem rebuked Bartimaeus and told him to be quiet. I wonder who was in that crowd? Could it be that even the disciples were among disapproving the voices of Bart’s yelling? It wouldn’t be the first time, earlier in chapter 10 the disciples rebuke the children that are brought to Jesus. Yet children and blind men are overlooked all the time, they’re not important, in fact they’re a nuisance, they get in the way. Yelling beggars on the side of the road are a dime a dozen. Even with their yelling at the top of their lungs they blend into the background. Yet just as Jesus embraces the little children, he stops and hears Bart’s cry.
One of the questions I ask in my dwelling in the text is ‘where is the church in the text?’ I have heard reflections from the overlooked people in our community say the church is in the crowd! Surely not!
As the story goes, Bartimaeus is healed of his physical blindness and follows Jesus on the journey. Yet a question remains with me, ‘who in this text is really blind?’ I wonder, as we are on the journey with Jesus what do we discover along the way? How many people do we stumble across and actually notice? Do we see those who are otherwise overlooked or do we look the other way? The way of the Kingdom of God in folly to many of us yet is profound Good News to others. On the journey we are called to see what Jesus sees, to stop in the crowd, and respond to the other against the grain of society and expectations and out of love and compassion.
May you be blessed with Kingdom eyes
Shalom
Mark
What I find interesting about the discipline of ‘dwelling in the text’ is that we don’t just look up our favourite bible passages, take them at face value and use them for our own purposes. A dwelling means just that, sitting and being with the text, allowing it to read into your life and ministry experience, what does it uncover about the stories you bring to the text? What does it tell you about you as a Jesus follower? How is the living Spirit calling you to respond out of the text?
So now you’ve grabbed your bibles and have read these 7 basic verses what did you see? Just a story about Jesus healing a blind man? Is there something more? Did you bother to read the stories around it that give this pericope context and meaning? The Gospel of Mark is fascinating, particularly the theme around what it means to see the way of Jesus.
Here’s some things that stand out to me in this passage. You notice Bartimaeus is shouting out to Jesus. Those who were part of the large crowd following Jesus into Jerusalem rebuked Bartimaeus and told him to be quiet. I wonder who was in that crowd? Could it be that even the disciples were among disapproving the voices of Bart’s yelling? It wouldn’t be the first time, earlier in chapter 10 the disciples rebuke the children that are brought to Jesus. Yet children and blind men are overlooked all the time, they’re not important, in fact they’re a nuisance, they get in the way. Yelling beggars on the side of the road are a dime a dozen. Even with their yelling at the top of their lungs they blend into the background. Yet just as Jesus embraces the little children, he stops and hears Bart’s cry.
One of the questions I ask in my dwelling in the text is ‘where is the church in the text?’ I have heard reflections from the overlooked people in our community say the church is in the crowd! Surely not!
As the story goes, Bartimaeus is healed of his physical blindness and follows Jesus on the journey. Yet a question remains with me, ‘who in this text is really blind?’ I wonder, as we are on the journey with Jesus what do we discover along the way? How many people do we stumble across and actually notice? Do we see those who are otherwise overlooked or do we look the other way? The way of the Kingdom of God in folly to many of us yet is profound Good News to others. On the journey we are called to see what Jesus sees, to stop in the crowd, and respond to the other against the grain of society and expectations and out of love and compassion.
May you be blessed with Kingdom eyes
Shalom
Mark
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