PostScript250813

PostScript: True holiness

True holiness is affirming and welcoming, as Jesus was (Hebrew 12.24)

This week's news

Rather than ‘scenes of devastation’ showing some of the wonder of creation, as mentioned in the magazine, the recent Perseid Meteor Shower provides amazing and beautiful images from the remnants of a comet. It was a sight which invited viewers to look long into the night at all the wonder displayed.

When we look at what is happening in the Middle East, there are illustrations of the struggles alluded to in today’s readings.

• A release from slavery in Egypt or captivity in Babylon has parallels with the longings of people in the Middle East for freedom of self-determination which began with the ‘Arab spring’ in Tunisia.

• But the overthrow of one power makes a new kind of tyranny possible. Hebrews 12.20-21 alludes to a new terror after escaping from the privations of slavery.

• The search for an ‘exclusive holiness, terrible to touch’ (notes and Hebrews 12.20) can set Muslim against Christian, Sunni against Shia, secular Alawite leadership in Syria against religious groups. The democratically elected president of Egypt was toppled because he was seen as promoting the interests of one religious group rather than promoting the welfare and prosperity of the whole country.

• ‘Exclusive holiness’ had led to ethnic cleansing as the Israelites entered the promised land (Joshua 6.21; 8.26; 10.32.). The struggle for freedom in Syria has been muddied by a conflict between religious groups.

The vision of the writer of Hebrews is vividly illustrated in the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech in Washington.

Reflection

‘The blood of Abel’ (Hebrews 12.24; Luke 11.49) has been a powerful symbol throughout time. The trigger for the ‘Arab Spring’ in Tunisia was the self immolation of a street vendor who was protesting against harassment and the confiscation of his wares.

In death he was publicly commended for his actions, but since then new tyrannies and exclusivities have emerged, without giving the freedom people wanted. In Egypt a similar act provided the trigger for the overthrow of Mubarak after protests which, by today’s standards in Egypt, seem mild. Now Mubarak is likely to be released as the military carry out greater atrocities than those which he ordered.

But who is right? The Egyptian ambassador claims that the police are only doing what police did in Britain after the 2011 riots.

As ‘peace talks’ between Israel and Palestinians resume, and Israel starts new settlements in Palestinian territory, there is little doubt that the ultimate aim of Israeli policy is an exclusive Jewish state.

The vision of the writer of Hebrews is of God’s welcome to all; ‘you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,

(Hebrews 12.22). The hallmark of the new Christian religion is joy for all in God’s presence rather than exclusivity. The challenge to us today is to be true to that vision. For example, former Archbishop Rowan Williams has told Christians who claim to be ‘persecuted’ that they need to grow up.

What a contrast there is between the humble gatherings of the first Christians, who are told ‘you have come to Mount Zion, and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem’ and the gatherings at the temple in Jerusalem. And how many humble chapels were graced with the name ‘Zion’

28th August marks the 50th anniversary of the great peaceful march on Washington led by Martin Luther King and others. It was feared that it might be violent, but the opposite proved to be the case.

For many, the dreams remain unfulfilled, but it marked the beginning of a major cultural change.