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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.

Moses the advocate

There is suffering all around us. What will we do? (Exodus 17:1-7)

 

Context

• Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to the UN this week.
• The Republic of Ireland men's football team is deciding whether to go ahead with a match against Israel in the coming weeks.

 

Reflection & ideas for a sermon, talk or conversation

Many of us hate to ask for help. It’s much easier to be the one that others come to and ask for support but Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not had that luxury. Attacked by a larger, wealthier nation, Mr Zelenskyy has had no choice but to go to nations around the world to advocate for his nation. He has asked for financial support, for military support and for larger nations to apply pressure to Russia to end the conflict.

Occasionally this has led to awkward and embarrassing encounters, such as with President Trump last year, but Zelenskyy knows that his people will suffer unless he continues to press others to help them. He could seek refuge elsewhere but has chosen to stay and continue pushing for the freedom of his countryfolk.

In our bible reading, Moses is the one in the middle. He hears the complaints of his people and the easiest thing would be for him to walk away from them but, instead, he takes their problems to the one he knows can provide. Moses has no power but understands that water - and therefore life - comes from the hand of God and so he prays and advocates on behalf of his people.

When we hear people complain, do we walk away? Do we sympathise with their problems and wish them well? Or do we point them to the one who can meet all of our needs - either directly or by praying on their behalf. Life comes from God alone, but he invites us to call on him for those around us.

The conflict in Gaza has raised all sorts of questions for nations & religious groups. In the news this week, we saw musicians and footballers working out the role they should play or not in highlighting the tragedy playing out in the Holy Land.

The question today is not whether their politics are right, but how individuals use the public platform that they have to raise awareness of a particular issue. Should sport and politics be kept separate? Can they be kept separate? When we hear a group of people in pain and despair, what is God asking us to do? Moses spoke up on behalf of the Israelites. Who is God asking us to speak up on behalf of in the coming weeks?

 

Questions for discussion

• Have you ever been asked by someone to speak up on their behalf?
• When has someone else spoken up for you?
• What does prayer look like when we pray for people whose suffering we don’t share?
• What are the practical things we can do to make a difference for others who are having a hard time?

Steve Taylor shares the job of joint vicar of St Paul’s CofE Church, Harrow with his wife, Ali. They share their home with their youngest child, two cats, three chickens and a rabbit.

 

 

Check-in

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

Have you ever felt like something wasn’t quite right but you are not sure what?

Sometimes, something requires intervention but we ourselves may not know exactly what this is. This week it was announced that Martha’s Rule would be rolled out across A&Es throughout the NHS allowing parents to better advocate for their children when they feel something is wrong.

As a youth worker we can be in a privileged place to advocate for our young people when they feel they do not have a voice. As Moses spoke out in the desert on behalf of the Israelites, we too can speak out for the young people we minister to when their thoughts and feelings are not being heard. Sometimes, they may not even know what it is that they need, but we are able to see their lives through a different lens.

Is there somebody in your group that needs you to be their advocate? This could range from helping to encourage friendships and participation to speaking to parents on behalf of a young person’s wellbeing. Whatever the case may be, the role of the youth worker can play a key part in a young person’s life.

Ros Hardy is an assistant youth minister at Knowle Parish Church.

 

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