Paul speaks about a new community, which is both diverse and united (Galatians 3.23-29).
Context
- The race to become the next Conservative Party leader (and Prime Minister) hots up.
- Donald Trump formally launches 2020 re-election bid.
- A Vatican summit will discuss proposals to address a clergy shortage in remote Amazon areas.
- The war of words between US President, Donald Trump and London Mayor, Sadiq Khan escalates.
Reflection
This week’s chosen verses in Paul’s letter are largely concerned with juxtaposing the old with new. The ‘old’ is the law, with its myriad rules and regulations which its adherents failed to follow. The ‘new’ is linked to Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and putting one’s faith in him. For Paul, the new is far superior to the old in every way, and ushers in an age of grace, mercy and inclusion. For instance, in Galatians 3.27, Paul write about ‘all of you were baptized in Christ’ and goes on to mention male and female. For some scholars, the ‘old’ (testament) practice of circumcision, which epitomised Judaism’s patriarchy, was replaced by baptism, which relates to both genders.
Paul’s letter also explores the theme of a new community, which exists as a result of Jesus’ redemptive work. Bible scholars often make comparisons between Galatians 3.28 and Colossians 3.11; both make the case for inclusion and acceptance, which are features of this community.
We live in a society that struggles with issues such as community cohesion, identity and belonging. What’s more, the Church often reflects – rather than leads – society on thorny matters such as diversity, inclusion and equality. However, we see in Paul’s letters, especially this week’s verses, a blueprint of what a new community of believers should look like. It is a community that finds its identity in Christ and is rooted in love, mutual respect, honesty and integrity.
Saturday, 22 June 2019, is the inaugural ‘Windrush Day’ in Britain. It celebrates the contributions of the original Windrush generation of Caribbean settlers. These men and women, who arrived in the UK from 1948 onwards, helped (among other issues) to transform the spiritual climate of this country.
Moreover, Christians in this country are being encouraged to use the following day (23 June 2019) to celebrate ‘Windrush Sunday’, and to thank God for the contributions that Christians from other countries have made (and continue to make) to our churches and society.
Windrush Sunday also recognises that those who have chosen – or have been forced – to live in this country, are frequently overlooked or marginalised by a Church (and society) which prefers uniformity over diversity in its desire for unity. This week’s reading tell us that a unity in diversity is possible, if we recapture the radical, spiritual verve of the Early Church – a diverse community of believers ‘of one heart and soul’ who ‘had everything in common’.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
we thank you for the diversity that exists in our church,
for the men and women who are made in your image
and loved by you.
Your Word calls on us ‘to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6.8).
We confess our failure to welcome and affirm those
who have sought to be part of our community of believers.
Help us to acknowledge their pain in being rejected or ignored,
and to realise that such behaviours and attitudes have no place in your church,
and to change our ways.
May we love the stranger, in the form of the refugee.
May we help the one in danger, in the form of the asylum seeker.
May we stand up for those whose ‘difference’ makes them a target for hate.
And may we stand alongside those whose voices are ignored and opinions not valued.
This we ask in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Questions
- In his letters, Paul makes cogent arguments to demonstrate how, in a religious sense, the law did not bring freedom. However, can you think of instances in our culture/society where the law is inextricably linked to freedom?
- The US civil rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, used Paul’s words to encourage his country to become a ‘beloved community’. In our context or country, what would be the characteristics of a ‘beloved community’ within the Church?
All-age activity
One of the aims of Windrush Sunday is to celebrate the diversity that exists in our churches today. Many congregations include people of different races, or from various places, who are sharing the same space! In groups, encourage those who fall into the above-mentioned categories to tell their stories (e.g. how they (or their family) came to this country, or how they began attending your church). What is known as the ‘roots’ (ancestry/history) and ‘routes’ paradigm (how people journeyed to a new country) can be a wonderful way of hearing the stories of those whose voices are regularly silent in our church.
Young people
This Sunday is also Sanctuary Church Sunday, which marks the end of Refugee Week and aims to encourage churches to become cultures of welcome, hospitality and safety. Download the free Bible-based resource to prompt conversations and reflection among your young people the theme of hospitality and sanctuary.
Richard Reddie is the Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI). He worships at St James Church, West Streatham in London.
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