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In touch

Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

Who’s the monster?

Who or what influences us in deciding which people are ‘wrong’ or ‘monsters’?
(Mark 6.14-29)

Context

• Luca, the latest film released by Pixar (available through Disney+), tells the story of two young sea monsters who discover they can take on human form. Their journey onto dry land leads them to explore a human fishing village and raises questions about what people or traditions influence our ideas about who is actually a monster?

• Matt Hancock, following a trial by media, resigned from his post as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care a few weeks ago. He might well have been labelled as a monster by some, for not sticking to the rules he set for us! But who shapes our judgement of others in such situations: ‘unbiased’ members of opposing political parties; or ‘neutral’ ex-governmental advisors?

• Face masks are the next big question in a when to wear, or when not to wear, debate. In a broadcast on Monday the prime minister and his advisers, Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance, were asked in which situations they would continue to use face coverings? Who really helps us decide what is safe? Are we sympathetic to the differing views, needs and worries of those around us?

• Football and tennis approach the conclusion of big tournaments in the shape of the Euros and Wimbledon. They will be followed by the inevitable post-mortem judgements of players and managers, as we see whose head is on the block.

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

• Who is ‘the monster’? Maybe it’s us, when we decide someone else is a ‘monster’? Or, maybe, it’s the person(s) or tradition(s) which have picked someone out as different from us, and therefore labelled the other person as ‘The Monster’? Human history is littered with those who are labelled as ‘other’ and turned into some form of pariah. Who is it that influences our opinions of others; who do we really listen to; and do we feel able to be objective about traditions or opinions which have surrounded us our entire lives – to ask ourselves: ‘Is this what I truly believe about someone?’ Do we interpret Amos’ vision of a plumb line as justification of our critical judgement of others, or can we be more objective and allow room for God’s Spirit to guide us?
• John the Baptist judges Herodias; Herodias criticises John; John pronounces judgement on Herod’s choices; Herod’s stepdaughter is given the role of passing judgement on John; and Herod, who has a public political reputation to uphold, is forced into making a decision about more than just someone’s political career! We will all be judged in some way at some point in our lives, but sometimes that judgement is more final than others! Politicians, sports persons and mask-wearers will all be judged for their choices, but who influences the decisions of those of us who feel able to judge others? And how closely are we listening to what these influencers are saying, as well as being aware from what standpoint they are sharing those opinions? Do we, like the people of Israel in Amos 7.7-15, assume that we are in the right and are therefore in a lofty enough position to pass judgement on others?
• Luca, a new film about the relationship between two merboys as they explore the adventure of the human world above the surface of the water, was described as a ‘gorgeous parable’ by Kevin Maher in The Times. Set on the Italian Riviera, Luca and Alberto break through the barrier that is the surface of the water, along with all that is taboo or forbidden by most of their own kind, to live the Italian dream of owning a Vespa motor scooter and seeing the world. Although based in one small fishing village, it is a full-on road trip journey of discovery for these two boys from under the ocean – to enjoy life on land while keeping who they truly are hidden – because at some point in time someone decreed that those who come from the sea are ‘monsters’! This is a truly gorgeous story, well told, a story which touches the soul. Although the moral is hardly original, the relationships between all the characters urge us all to ask who is the ‘monster’ within us, where does it come from and is it dangerous?
• In Mark 6.14-29, Herod is obviously troubled by his conscience as others have forced him to execute judgement (literally) on John the Baptist. He comes across as a weak puppet of a ruler! Somewhere along the way he lost sight of his own principles and values, to have them replaced by the passionate views of others. If we were to judge him harshly, one might tell him to grow a backbone – an instruction which could also be levelled at some of our own government’s leaders, when it comes to leading by example!

 

Questions for discussion

• If you were to look at news reports from this past week objectively, who might you say is influencing us when we label some individuals as ‘monsters’?
• To what extent, and in what situations, might you feel torn or trapped like Herod into passing judgements on others that are not really based on your own true values?
• How does your faith influence your judgement of other people?

Tim Lowe is a minister of the United Reformed Church, serving with St Andrew’s Roundhay, in Leeds. Tim’s other interests include visual arts, motor vehicles and trying desperately not to judge people who don’t share his interests!

  

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

You may have noticed that there have been a few international football matches being played over the last few days! Have you enjoyed the matches? What emotions have you experienced?

Love it or loath it, it’s hard to avoid the Euros and hard not to get caught up in the excitement of it all. As well as the tackles, goals, yellow cards and penalty shoot-outs, one of the most interesting things about this contest has been the behaviour of the England team just before the games start. Their decision to ‘take the knee’ has been controversial, but whatever you personally think, the actions of the team have certainly had an impact. The players know they have some power at the moment. They’re the national side, 20 million people watched the England match against Denmark – whatever the players do is noticed. In that sense the team have a lot of power. Which is what makes their kneeling – an action to show they are siding with those who are powerless – so powerful. They are using their power to highlight the lack of power some people have. In this week’s Gospel passage we also see an example of power, here used not to support others but to oppress and control. We often say that with power comes responsibility – who uses it well? Who abuses it? 

• Can you think of other examples of powerful people using their power?
• What are the differences between earthly and heavenly power?
• How can you use the ‘power’ you have in the service of God’s kingdom and/or to support those with less power?

Fiona Dorman taught English in secondary school for 20 years and is currently working as Bristol Cathedral education officer and as an educational consultant.

 

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