In touch |
Check-in |
Intercessions |
| In touch begins immediately below |
Scroll down or click for Check-in |
Worship Together 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.
Wake me up!
Lord, he whom you love is ill. (John 11:3)
Context
This week, there has been considerable concern about an outbreak of meningitis in Canterbury, Kent in which at least two young people have died. The outbreak seems to be centred on a popular student-frequented club. Antibiotics are being given to people who think they may be at risk and the Health Secretary has made a statement to update MPs about the outbreak. Some students are worried they are getting antibiotics too late and about not being vaccinated against the disease.
We can imagine that the disciples must have felt the same panic when they heard that Jesus’ friend Lazarus was gravely ill. They expected that Jesus the healer would drop everything and rush to his bedside. They cannot understand why Jesus delays. In a world without antibiotics, or ambulances, Jesus seems to be sure to be too late.
Reflection
The family of an 18-year-old who died in this meningitis outbreak have said they are ‘beyond devastated’. Everyone involved must be feeling fear and a sense of urgency to do something about the risk of infection. Covid will still linger in people’s minds. All will be scared and those families by bedsides where their loved ones are in a medically induced coma will hope desperately that they will wake up, be healed and whole.
In the story of Lazarus, Jesus takes us to the edge. His heart breaks, and he weeps as we all do in fear and distress at the suffering and death of those we love. Yet he delays for a greater reason and bigger joy. Lazarus wakes to life. God holds us when all hope is gone and only that ‘devastating loss’ remains.
Ideas for a sermon, talk or conversation
The story of Lazarus can help focus our emotions and sense of powerlessness when frail bodies meet serious illness. Imagine how Mary and Martha sent that message to Jesus and what the wait was like for him to appear. What did they hope for? Or think would happen? And how would they make sense of what Jesus does to glorify God in their home? And what on earth was it like for Lazarus to wake up at God’s command? What does it take to know that Jesus has received the message of our prayers and that he will come to save, even if we don’t know how, when or why?
Questions for discussion
- When have you experienced, or heard about, delay in getting help from doctors or hospitals? How can we use our Christian faith to support us through anxiety and frustration when things are slow?
- Outbreaks like this are thankfully rare. What do you think the government could do to better protect people from serious diseases like meningitis?
- Why do you think Jesus still wept for his friend?
Dr Anne Richards is part of the National Public Policy Team at the Church of England, focusing on modern society, popular culture, contemporary spirituality and apologetics
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
Wake me up! - a message of hope, of resurrection and new life, even though first we must go through the pain of the cross. For many of our young people, the place of darkness may feel rather more immediate than the joy of resurrection:
- The outbreak of war in the Middle East has myriad implications:
- there will be those with loved ones in the region;
- the inevitable rise in the cost of living due to the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz will be creating financial pressure for families;
- others may be concerned about the impact this war is having on Ukraine.
- The tragic deaths in the meningitis outbreak in Kent;
- The approaching exam season.
It is likely our young people are experiencing disquiet at best. How do we help our groups to process their anxiety so they can genuinely look towards the joy of Easter Sunday?
The human brain is wired to attend to the negatives, or perceived threats, so we must consciously look for the joys in life. Glimmers of joy have the power to calm our nervous system, and we can notice them even in times of darkness. Such things as a rainbow, the buds on the trees, or a favourite meal can all bring micro-moments of joy.
This week encourage your group to notice the small joys, and to share these with one another as we journey towards the cross.
Victoria Etherington is University and Young Adult Chaplain in the York Methodist Circuit.
Views expressed are the authors' own. 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 facebook and Instagram.
Roots publishes weekly lectionary-based worship and learning resources online and in two magazines. FIND OUT MORE.