This week's news
In a world in conflict, with Egypt deeply divided and something approaching a proxy war emerging in Syria, and after a week when the US President has visited South Africa (where the life of arguably the most courageous political leader in modern times, Nelson Mandela, seems to be drawing to a close) and Tanzania (where he and his predecessor laid a wreath in memory of those killed when the US Embassy was bombed in 1998) we reflect on the nature of the new creation about which Paul writes to the early Christians in Galatia (part of modern Turkey, another nation facing internal conflict).
The story of Edward Snowden and the information he has released about the activities of his former employer (the US National Security Agency) has divided opinion in his home country and around the world. He is both traitor and hero.
Whatever we may personally think about what he has done, there is here a story about personal courage in the face of enormous odds. But underneath the personal story, and numerous political claims and counter claims, are huge questions about the nature of our societies: are we open or closed societies? Are the secrets being revealed genuinely damaging or merely embarrassing to political leaders? Against the background of today’s readings, all that prompts for me questions about the nature of the new creation which is, for Paul, ‘everything’.
Reflection
In Galatians (with parallels in Romans 8) Paul writes of a new creation which is clearly central to his thinking. But what is a new creation? Might at least glimpses of it be seen in the here and now? And, if so, what might we see? Would a new creation still have governments? Would there be conflicts? In a new creation would secrecy have a proper place? Would there be spies and government agencies set up both to spy and to protect countries about spying?
Talk of a new creation implies a more perfect, perhaps entirely perfect, creation. It implies ‘new ways of being human’; and ‘Paul is under no illusion that this newness will be established without a struggle.’ (ROOTS AAA page 7). What sort of struggle is implied? Perhaps against ‘principalities and powers’ (Romans 8.38; Ephesians 6.12) and do those powers include the imperfect governments of competitive nation states?
Amongst the issues raised by the Snowden disclosures (and earlier disclosures by Wikileaks and others) is when, and where, and how it is right to keep secrets. The rebuilt Reichstag building in Berlin (with its Norman Foster glass dome – well worth a visit incidentally) and other new Government buildings in Berlin have lots of glass – designed to say loud and clear something like ‘this is an open government with no secrets’. Is open government a laudable aim? In church as in state? Might more open structures be part of God’s new creation and new ways of being human?
In today’s Gospel reading Luke tells the disciples to ‘carry no purse, no bag, no sandals’ and to look for a welcome as they enter houses. Are these further clues to the possible shape of God’s new creation?
Prayer
A theme prayer, for use in place of the collect or to sum up intercessions:
God, whose will for us is your new creation,
help us to understand what we can do and say
to make that new creation a reality.
Give us courage to be witnesses to your new creation
and the will to be part of making it happen,
that your kingdom may come and your will be done
now as well as in eternity. Amen.
In your intercessions remember to pray for:
• all who show courage in pursuing what they believe to be right;
• all who make decisions that affect other people; and
• all who work quietly and persistently for peace and justice across the world.
Questions
What might it mean for us today to work for the good of all (Galatians 6.10)?
What might it also mean for us today to work to bring in God’s new creation (Galatians 6.15)?
Action
Do we act openly in the ways we take decisions, in our family, in our church, in our community?
Discuss the circumstances in which it is right to keep secrets. Gossip can be demoralising and bullies can use information against their targets. When people confide in us, we owe them a duty to keep their confidences. Are there limits to this? Consider what action might need to be taken, for example in your church.
Young People
Is your school or workplace one where decisions are taken openly? Is the way that decisions are taken there helpful or unhelpful?
Dudley Coates is a Local Preacher in the Bridport and Dorchester Methodist Circuit and a former Vice President of the Methodist Conference.
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