Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Messiah (8.29) proves to be a turning point. Jesus now sets his face towards Jerusalem. But first he presents his disciples with tough choices: dare you risk your life in order to save it? Abram and Sarai are also at a turning point in their lives, marked by a change of name.
This week's news
Young Muslims form a ‘ring of peace’ around Oslo’s main synagogue.
Three schoolgirls leave the UK to join Islamic State .
Self harm among children in Scotland is on the rise.
The IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Alpine Skiing World Championships are taking place in Panorama, Canada.
We are in Fairtrade Fortnight.
Reflection
Jesus is not calling on his disciples to embrace suffering for suffering’s sake. The ultimate aim is to enter into fullness of life. But that may involve renouncing worldly success. And it may entail facing up to our difficulties, rather than running away from them, or giving up in despair. Some of the British skiers competing in Panorama are ex-service personnel injured in Afghanistan. They have no doubt each been on a long journey from shock and despair to a determination to rebuild their lives. We need to be careful, however, how we use other people’s stories. Some disabled people object to what has been dubbed ‘inspiration porn’. Each of our lives is complex. Rather than marvelling at what other people have achieved, often ignoring inconvenient details, the challenge is to take up our own cross, and make a difference in our own situation. It may be as simple as being willing to pay that little bit extra for fairtrade produce.
Abraham is ‘the father of a multitude’. Jews, Christians and Muslims all look to Abraham and Sarah as their ancestors in the faith. At a time when anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are on the rise in Europe, and Christians are under threat in the Middle East, can we affirm our common heritage – belief in the one God, whose purposes are good? It is by acknowledging our common humanity that we keep the extremists at bay.
Whether by resorting to self harm, or joining Islamic State, some British teenagers are exhibiting signs of deep malaise. Society at large puts them under huge pressure to do well at school, but with no guarantee of jobs in the future, and, more importantly, little sense of a meaningful purpose to life. How do we, as the adult world, help teenagers feel wanted and valued, and provide constructive channels for their hopes, desires, idealism, commitment and sense of adventure?
Changes of name provoke strong feelings. There was public outrage when Thames Valley Police announced that it would rename a horse called Brian. We don’t choose our names – they are part of the ‘giveness’ of life; but we usually grow into identifying with them, and make them our own. Some changes of direction, however, warrant nothing less than a change of name.
Prayer
A personal prayer of commitment
O God, you who are closer to me than I am to myself,
and call me by the most intimate of names,
grant me wisdom to discern the path ahead,
courage to grasp opportunities,
and perseverance when the going gets tough,
trusting that you will accompany me every step of the way.
Amen.
Questions
- What have been the turning points in your life?
- Is it easier to make a decision or to see it through?
- Have changes of name/nickname made a difference to how you feel about yourself?
Action
Make sure that your church publicises Fairtrade Fortnight. Use some of the worship material provided or consider becoming a Fairtrade Church.
Young People
If you could choose any name for yourself, what would it be? Spend the rest of the session calling each other by the names you have chosen, or ask friends and family to use that name for a day. How did you feel?
Ann Conway-Jones is joint Honorary Secretary of the Council of Christians and Jews.
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