Introduction
Here at the heart of his ministry, as Jesus makes the fateful choice to go to Jerusalem (Mark 8.31), he is revealed in his glory to three of the disciples and they hear the voice saying, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ As we approach the season of Lent, what might those words mean for us and for our world?
Context
Across the world seemingly intractable conflicts continue in: the Middle East; in the region where Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad meet; and elsewhere.
The defects of the market economy continue to make news as in the story of the way HSBC’s Swiss Private Bank helped people hide money and avoid tax.
The voice of Pope Francis calls us all to new thinking as he challenges the ‘invisible hand of the market’ (see also Evangelii Gaudium).
In Britain our news is increasingly dominated by the forthcoming General Election as party leaders set out their stall, seeking to offer us what the advertising industry calls their unique selling point or USP.
Is our culture getting too safe? Julie Walters has recently said that, today, a working-class kid like her would probably not be able to emulate her success www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/jan/24/julie-walters-people-like-me-wouldnt-get-a-chance-today and there are few current plays or films challenging the status quo.
Reflection
What lessons might be learned from the story of the ways in which at least one bank helped wealthy people to avoid tax? Was it just one bank or was it the culture of all banks dealing with so-called HNW (high net worth) individuals? Jesus answered a question about tax; he asked to see the ‘coin used for the tax’ (Matthew 22.19) and then said: ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s’. Do we listen to him on that subject? If you want to explore the tax theme further, I recommend Giles Fraser’s Thought for the Day for Wednesday 11 February which ends with the question ‘for whom is your money good news?’
Can we hear the voice of Jesus over the babble of the world’s noise? If we really listened to Jesus today, what might we do differently? ‘The Kingdom of God has come near,’ said Jesus as he began his ministry (Mark 1.15), ‘repent’, turn around, change your ways of thinking, and believe good news. What might that mean as we approach hard choices in our personal lives and as we exercise political choices?
In a fast-changing world, are we still clinging to old certainties or seeking to recapture a golden past? (see ROOTS Adult & All Age page 32, final bullet point). Much as I enjoyed The Imitation Game and The Theory of Everything, both are safely historical, as is Wolf Hall, now being serialised on TV. If our cultural life is being dumbed down, is it because audiences no longer want to face hard questions? Jesus frequently asked hard questions; are we all less willing to ask hard questions than we once were?
Can we imagine how we might challenge the wider world to listen anew to Jesus? What techniques might we use? Should we start with his stories? Should we update them? Or should we focus on his teaching? And which teaching? Or does listening to him mean seeking to emulate him in our everyday lives, meeting people, especially the excluded, where they are, even partying?
Prayer
In your intercessions remember to pray for the universal church and for all Christians, as we enter the season of Lent and as we follow Jesus on his road to Jerusalem.
A prayer which might be used to close a sermon or to end intercessions:
God of glory,
whose voice spoke from the mountain on the day
Jesus was revealed in glory to his friends,
help us to take seriously your words that day,
and to listen for the voice of Jesus throughout our lives.
May we be challenged as we hear again his hard words.
May we be strengthened as we hear again his promises.
May we be enabled to live our lives following his example.
For we pray in his holy name, now and always.
Amen.
Questions
- Consider the final paragraph under the ‘Reflection’ heading above:
- What would it mean for you personally to listen more closely to Jesus?
- What would it mean for your local church community to listen more closely to Jesus?
- How might you encourage others to listen to Jesus?
Action
Consider reading a whole gospel – perhaps Mark, this year’s lectionary Gospel – during Lent and ask yourself the question ‘What would it mean for me (and for my church community) if I (and we) listened more closely to Jesus?’
Young People
Ask yourself how you might listen more closely to Jesus. Share your ideas with at least one other person.
Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. As Lent approaches, ask yourself what you can do to make this Lent special. It might involve giving something up. But be imaginative: what about deciding to do at least one good thing for someone else every day?
Dudley Coates is a Local Preacher in the Yeovil and Blackmoor Vale Methodist Circuit and a former Vice President of the Methodist Conference.
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