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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

Doing the right thing

Practising doing right by loving our neighbour daily (Luke 10.25-37).

Context

• Boris Johnson is under huge pressure in the aftermath of his deputy chief whip’s resignation as both the chancellor of the exchequer and health secretary, among many others, have resigned in protest at his leadership.
• An Independence Day parade in America became a scene of tragedy as a man opened fire on those gathering for the celebration.
• Activists from the campaign group, ‘Just Stop Oil’ campaigning against climate change caused disruption and anger when they glued themselves to a painting of the Last Supper at a gallery in London.

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

Boris Johnson is on his way out of the office of Prime Minister – and may be so, by the time we worship together on Sunday. Why? Because the personality and skill set which led to such electoral success have produced the same mistakes again and again. As Prime Minister he has been found to have manipulated and skirted around the truth in a number of situations and, increasingly, asked his colleagues to do the same on his behalf. When the truth emerged, their growing embarrassment has led to the resignation this week of (at the time of publication) 37 of his colleagues.

A number of commentators have spoken about the link between Mr Johnson’s success on the campaign trail – being simple, direct and focussed on what his listeners want to hear – and his struggles in office. Jesus’ parable is not about how we react in a one-off situation but about the daily decisions that we all make every day about how we react to the needs of those we encounter. Loving our neighbour is an attitude that we are called to practise and grow in, rather than a task that we tick off and then forget about.

The tragedy of the shooting in Chicago at an Independence Day parade will renew the calls for gun control laws in America. In the light of our reading, however, we are challenged as to how we would react in such a life or death situation. Stories are emerging of parents hiding their children from danger despite that action putting them more at risk, while others simply ran for their lives. We all have ties that enable us to put ourselves at risk for those that we love. Jesus’ parable challenges us to build such care for all people that we will take action for those we have no connection to – or even an active dislike for.

One of the five marks of mission is care for God’s creation and that is clearly what was in the minds of the members of ‘Just Stop Oil’ as they glued themselves to the copy of Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ at the Royal Academy in London. This is a less dangerous protest than those who walked onto the track at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix last weekend. The need to take action over climate change is widely recognised but opinions vary about how much action should be taken and how quickly it should happen. Is polite discussion and petitions making enough impact or is it right to disrupt the day-to-day lives of people in order to advance your position? What would Jesus do in our position?

 

Questions for discussion

• When was the last time you felt like the characters in Jesus’ parable - encountering a situation which demanded you help someone - or turn away? What ultimately led to the decision you made?
• What holds us back from helping others?
• How can we practise kindness towards others? What would help you to respond well to each situation you encounter?
• How far would you go to achieve a positive aim like effecting a reduction in our national use of fossil fuels? Is it right to disrupt other people’s lives in order to achieve a greater good?

Steve Taylor is joint-vicar of St James Alperton CofE church near Wembley. He shares the job with his wife, Ali, and shares his house with their two daughters, two cats and a few fish.

 

Check-in

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

My girlfriend often remarks that the news is negative and upsetting to read. After all, just this week there have been deadly attacks in Denmark and America, and politicians in the UK have been arguing and disagreeing very publicly on the questions of Scottish independence and Westminster leadership.

With this in mind, I was pleasantly surprised when reading the Metro on the train yesterday. There was a story of 40 geese who had become stuck on a busy road – which must have been very scary for them. What would you have done if you saw this dangerous scenario? Well, one man who was in a house nearby came to their aid and walked them over a mile to the safety of the nearest canal.

This was a rare occasion where the news brought a smile to my face – I was pleased that the geese were safe and heartened to see the selfless action of their human helper. Moreover, this story spoke powerfully to me of the message of this week’s gospel and the question of the right way to act and behave. Helping out our ‘neighbour’ and the environment around us can be difficult. It can involve stepping out of comfort zones to perhaps ask someone if they’re okay, or it might mean we run a few minutes late meeting up with friends. But the minor inconveniences we might face are nothing compared with the positive effects we may produce if we show bravery and have the confidence to be outgoing and helpful. In the days and weeks after you read this week’s gospel – try to be that good Samaritan – who is selfless in their charity and whose example Jesus calls us to imitate.

Joe Allen is a postgraduate at the University of Exeter, studying for an MA in Theology having graduated with a BA in Theology and Religion in 2021. He is also a Trustee for the charity ‘Action for Stammering Children’. The son of an Army Chaplain, he was born in Lancashire and has lived across the UK.

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