Comments, prayers, questions and discussion on the week's news.In Luke 13: 31-35 Jesus speaks of the significance of wings.
Context
MPs reject PM Theresa May’s Brexit proposal.
Europe and India join the wave of countries grounding the Boeing 737 Max jumbo jet after the Ethiopian Airlines crash.
Cardinal George Pell jailed for child sex abuse in Australia.
The British lawyer of “Isis Bride” Shamima Begum, who currently resides in a Syrian refugee camp, is asking the Home Office to show mercy toward the teenager.
Reflection
In response to the Pharisees’ suggestion that he faced imminent danger from a murderous Herod, Jesus described his would-be assassin as a ‘fox’, and then turned his attention to those he came to save. In his lament over Jerusalem, Jesus used the metaphor of a ‘hen gathering its chicks under its wings’ to highlight his concern for those in that great city.
The notion of the ‘wing’ being a place of protection is a common one in scripture: Psalm 91:4 says: ‘…. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.’ And in nature, one only has to look at a David Attenborough wildlife documentary to see this in action.
Aside from shelter, wings have other practical purposes which also lend themselves to spiritual and worldly metaphors. Wings are synonymous with flying and, while most birds and all airplanes use them to get airborne and take them from one place to another, they are also a metaphor for freedom and independence. Migrating birds are not subject to a country’s passport controls or border security, unlike human beings; they are free to come and go wherever they please. In Psalm 55:4 David wishes he had the wings of a dove to fly away…’ The desire to be free and independent (from Europe) were two of the many rationales of those who primarily voted for Brexit back in June 2016.
However, any migrating bird, or pilot of a plane, needs to know their direction/route and destination point before taking off. There is little doubt that lives would be put at risk if they opt to ‘wing-it’. Intriguingly, those who still want Britain to remain in the EU argue that Brexit is akin to a plane journey into the unknown - one that will end in a terrible crash.
Wings also symbolise strength and majesty. The United States of America (USA) has the bald eagle as its national emblem as it purportedly represents the potency and magnificence of that country. In Isaiah 40:31 the prophet says, ‘those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…’
Interestingly, Jesus encompasses all these wing-related metaphors: in him there is freedom, strength, protection, assurance and direction and, if we put our faith in him, we will end up at the right destination. Moreover, he is as majestic as an eagle, but as peaceful as a dove. Jesus is the servant king – the one in whom we should ultimately place our hope.
Prayer
Dear heavenly father,
Under your wings of love, we find protection and shelter;
In your loving arms, we find peace and rest.
In the nail-torn hands of our Lord Jesus Christ
we find forgiveness for our sins, and the offer of new life.
In the power of the Holy Sprit, we have the strength and wherewithal
to face the many challenges that life throws our way.
As we consider your lament for Jerusalem,
give us the compassion to weep with the last, the least and lost in our world,
as well as the motivation and desire to work for a world
that is transformed by your love, justice and mercy.
This we ask in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Questions
- Was the Pharisees’ concern for Jesus’ well-being sincere (Luke 13:31)? Did they want him to ‘leave this place and go somewhere else’ to make sure he was not killed by Herod, or were they more interested in getting a “troublesome” presence out of their midst?
- If Jesus is like a ‘mother hen’ in terms of protecting us, who or what are the foxes that threaten us?
All-age activity
In today’s reading, Jesus compares himself to a mother hen. Elsewhere he is described as a lamb. Split the congregation into groups and get them to find other instances in the Bible where the Godhead is ascribed either the characteristics of the creatures they created, or forms linked to nature (wind, water etc;).
Young people
In today’s reading, Jesus spoke about providing shelter to the vulnerable. This week marks the eighth anniversary of the Syrian uprising against the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The resulting conflict (and chaos) has seen millions displaced in neighbouring Lebanon, and in numerous refugee camps and settlements in various part of Europe. While this situation is no longer headline news, the need remains urgent. Find out how you can (continue to) support those in need, via the various Christian international development organisations working with Syrian refugees.
Richard Reddie is the Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. He worships at St James (Church of England) West Streatham in London.
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