In touch	Check-in	Intercessions
In touch begins immediately below	Scroll down or click for Check-in	Subscribers only: see intercessions

 

In touch

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

Changes of Direction

Four fishermen abandon their nets to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22)

Context

• Extinction Rebellion has announced a change of tactics, saying that it will ‘prioritise relationships over roadblocks’.
• The Church of England has pledged to set up an impact investment fund worth £100m to compensate for its historic links to the slave-trade.
• Holocaust Memorial Day is on Friday 27 January. 

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

• Changes of direction are many and various. They can be instinctive and sudden – as seems to be the case for Simon, Andrew, James, and John in our Gospel reading. Or they might follow from much soul-searching. Or they could be the cumulative result of a series of small decisions. Sometimes we choose to embark on a new adventure; sometimes we are forced to change tack by external circumstances. And sometimes we need to repent – taking responsibility for past mistakes and finding ways of repairing the damage.
• The central conviction of Extinction Rebellion that climate change is an emergency which requires immediate action has not changed. But it is pledging to focus on ‘a transition to a fair society that works together to end the fossil fuel era’, recognising the need to bring ordinary people on board, rather than alienating the public by extreme disruptive action.
• The Church of England has had to face up to what Archbishop Justin Welby has called its ‘shameful past’, after an investigation by the Church Commissioners exposed the extent to which its investment fund had profited from transatlantic chattel slavery and the plantation economy. The compensation fund is a step forward, acknowledging that inheriting wealth involves taking some responsibility for the source of that wealth; but questions remain over whether it is an adequate response.
• This year’s theme for Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘Ordinary People’, inviting us to consider how ordinary people, such as ourselves, can play a part in challenging prejudice. In every genocide, ordinary people have been perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers, witnesses, and victims. Those targeted had little choice, but others faced decisions over whether to participate, to ignore what was going on, or to stand up for their fellow human beings. The Council of Christians and Jews offers A Resource for Churches, with accounts of ‘ordinary people, extraordinary faith’, alongside reflections, prayers and practical advice. Clare Amos prays that we might repent of the centuries of Christian hostility and hatred toward Jews, fostering a new spirit of mutual understanding. Take a look at [Extra]Ordinary Portraits, a digital exhibition created by young people across the UK, revealing the ‘extraordinary elements of seemingly ordinary people’.
• Sunday’s reading from Isaiah, quoted in Matthew, speaks of people in darkness seeing a great light. The symbolism of light in the darkness is universal. One way of observing Holocaust Memorial Day is to Light the Darkness. At 4pm on Fri 27 January, people are asked to place lighted candles in their windows, to remember those murdered just for who they were; and to stand against prejudice and hatred today. Iconic buildings and landmarks will light up in purple in a moment of commemoration and solidarity.

 

Questions for discussion

• Have you ever decided to change direction in your life? What prompted you?
• Have you ever had a change of direction forced upon you by external circumstances? How did you cope?
• What are the best tactics to persuade people that a change of direction is needed?

Ann Conway-Jones is Chair of Birmingham Council of Christians and Jews.

 

Check-in

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

Across the country this week there’s been plenty of snow. It’s caused schools to shut, cars to reduce their speed to a careful shuffle and probably a fair few slips and falls as people try to get around. Snow is not the easiest of weathers to deal with and yet, when most people look out the window at a snowy scene, they find themselves enjoying the dazzling whiteness; a dusting of snow can make the blandest view a little bit more magical.

The thing with this magical snowy whiteness is that it’s fleeting. It doesn’t take much for it to get ruined. People walk up and down pavements, cars inch along the road and suddenly the pure, crisp snow has turned into sloppy, muddy sleet. And once the snow has been ruined, there’s no fixing it.

Sometimes when we make mistakes it can feel a bit like that. It can seem as if our words or actions have left a mess that can’t be cleaned up.

In Matthew 4, we read about Jesus starting his ministry. He is walking along a beach in Galilee and, at this stage in the journey of the people of God, it’s clear that their mistakes have messed up their relationships with God and with each other. Things are messy, but Jesus’ message is clear, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

When he says repent, Jesus means, ‘Turn your life around - look to God.’ This isn’t the first time in the Bible that people have been told to repent, but there is a difference this time – Jesus’ ministry, his death and resurrection mean that now when they repent, turning their lives towards God, their sins are forgiven and their lives are changed.

We can’t clean up snow but, when we repent, God forgives and changes us.  

Chris Neilands is the co-founder of Play it by Ear drama company, based in Belfast.

 

Hypertext links to other websites are for the convenience of users only and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by ROOTS for Churches Ltd.

The week in focus is also available via Twitter and facebook.

ROOTS publishes weekly lectionary-based worship and learning resources online and in two magazines. FIND OUT MORE.