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

Teachable moral travelling methods

Summertime is when people hit the road for holidays. So does Jesus (Matthew 14:13-21). Kind of.

Context

• Renewable road trip. As thousands of people travel around Galilee to find Jesus, thousands more of us will be travelling on holiday this summer. Do we stop to consider the environmental implications of our recreational road trips? The August edition of Top Gear magazine contemplates various sources of energy for our cars as with a road trip of discovery in a Renault Megane Electric.
• Teaching transportation ethics. The Guardian reports that Ulez has become a growing political issue as London’s mayor continues to argue that our personal transport demands should not take priority over reducing air pollution and doing something serious to tackle the climate emergency.
• Taking moments to travel alone. Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who has been criticised for his use of a private jet while he challenges green issues and traffic schemes, is apparently about to travel on his first proper holiday in a while.

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

In Matthew 14:13-14 we read that Jesus ‘withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.’ Jesus’ green credentials can hardly be challenged with his use of a wind- or rowing-powered boat, nor the crowds judged for taking the environmentally sound option in walking to follow Jesus. Of course, we are well aware that an environmental crisis did not exist in an era that predates the invention of the internal combustion engine by nearly 1,900 years! Yet, if we are to take a moment to learn from Jesus’ example through what follows in the rest of this passage, as he provides healing and sustenance for those who seek him out, let us take note that Jesus sets aside his own personal needs as he grieves the loss of his cousin to show compassion to others who are in need.

If, like me, you are a self-proclaimed ‘petrol-head’ (a label that seems increasingly inappropriate in the current climate!) with a love of cars and motorbikes, or anything to do with them, then you too might struggle to set aside your own personal needs at a time when all God’s created earth is calling out for us to show it a huge dose of compassion. Yet, as much as some of us might find it difficult to get enthusiastic about making a conscientious shift to electric cars, showing compassion for our sick world and the plight of all its inhabitants should drive our internal moral compass to take the issues seriously. This is especially relevant at a time of year when we might see our average mileage increase dramatically over a two-week summer break, with our means of travel reliant on some form of oil-burning engine. Again, Jesus in a wooden boat and 5000+ people walking the route rubs the moral dilemma in.

Paul Horrell is a motoring journalist who writes for Top Gear magazine, as well as the Institute of Advanced Motorists (now IAM RoadSmart) but, because of his academic background in science, he has a particular interest in the developing technologies for environmentally sound forms of transportation. In the August issue of Top Gear, he took a 750 mile road trip in an electric car to discover where the electricity that powers our EVs really comes from: a solar farm in Easingwold, Yorkshire; a power station which turns rubbish into electricity at Ferrybridge; a wind farm near Bolton; a hydroelectric power station in Wales; along with a drive-by past coal, gas and nuclear power stations. It wasn’t that long ago that most of the electricity for EVs was produced by coal and gas power stations, in many ways defeating the point of their greed credentials. So, it’s encouraging to see the balance shifting towards more electricity being produced by renewable resources by 2030, even if we are lumbered with the long-term legacy of nuclear power stations too. For those of us who have oil running through our veins, the shift of mindset from ICE to EV is a big one. But the benefits are increasing with every passing moment. And maybe there is hope for us all to change? After all Jesus has been shifting people’s mindset for millennia!

Sadiq Khan wants to drive through his plans to expand London’s ultra low emissions zone, despite political opposition. Being quizzed by the Guardian he said, ‘Clean air is a human right not a privilege … We wouldn’t accept dirty water. Why dirty air?’ He went on to highlight wildfires and soaring temperatures across Europe this year as issues that urgently need dealing with now. Many environmental groups have supported the mayor’s stubbornness. Greenpeace UK’s policy director, Doug Parr, said: ‘As we enter an era of global boiling, now is not the time for political point scoring over measures to tackle climate change and protect the health of our children.’

If we are to take this week’s Bible passages on board and follow Jesus’ example, even looking beyond our own immediate needs or wants, we need to accept responsibility to make this planet hospitable for all humanity and all life forms. Isaiah 55:1-5 teaches us that all nations should receive abundant life. Yet this is not just for the benefit of future generations. We know that, in many parts of the world, the people and places who are feeling the worst effects of climate change are not the ones who have created (and go on sustaining) the problem! Psalm 145:8-9 reminds us that God has been so generous to us through creation. As God’s servants and Jesus’ disciples in the world today we should exercise compassion, mercy and grace to all creation. And verse 14 onwards reminds us to especially look out for those who are struggling the most.

At the end of an exhausting boat journey Jesus, in Matthew 14:13-21, despite his own need for solitude, recognised the needs of everyone else. He felt compassion for them, offered some people healing and blessed all 5000+ with the sustenance they needed to keep going. So might we echo his radical hospitality as we break and share bread with others, as we travel new roads together. This planet we call home has been offering the human race hospitality for millions of years. So, too, might we show compassion for God’s creation: start giving back; restore what is broken; and make amends. Now.

(Eco travel tip and spoiler alert for next week: try walking on water).

 

Questions for discussion

• Consider the travelling you might be doing over the summer holiday period. How might you offset the carbon footprint of the miles you cover or consider greener methods of transport?
• What were the benefits of travelling in the manner of Jesus or the 5000+ people in today’s Gospel reading? What can you learn from them or adopt into your own daily travel routines.
• Planet Earth has been offering hospitality to humanity for millions of years – you are an honoured guest. In your house, local church or community, think about what compassion you might show to the world that is your home. What can you do to redress the environmental imbalance?

Tim Lowe is a minister of the United Reformed Church, serving in the Leeds URC Partnership. He loves cars and road trips, but not electric washing machines.

 

Check-in

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

The Guardian reports that ‘Millions of families are borrowing to cover basic bills and expenses, according to analysis that warns Britain is entering a dangerous new phase of the cost of living crisis.’

How does this news affect us? How are you experiencing the current economy? Less holidays? Less shopping sprees? Less food?

The hunger for food and warmth and safety has always been a need throughout time. Indeed, our passage this week echoes this. The people were hungry. So, Jesus fed them.

It sounds simple, doesn't it? But today can we turn five loaves and two fish into a feast to fill a nation? Possibly not, not physically anyway.

Jesus performed miracles when people had faith. So, what can that teach us today? How can we turn to Jesus during the pressures we face today?

Jesus took a small boy’s offering and did something amazing with it. Surely we too can do our small part to help improve the bigger picture.

This week, could you bring your offerings to God by donating (food or time) to a food bank? Or turn lights off to save energy? Small things can make a big difference. And the most powerful of all? Praying for those in need, and indeed ourselves.

Let's not forget that these people who came to Jesus were not physically hungry to begin with, but spiritually hungry. Jesus is the bread of life, the living water. Whoever turns to him will never thirst and will always be fed.

Natasia Bullock is director of Christian theatre company The B Tales.

 

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