Introduction
Jesus provides a role model for individual care for others, but we are challenged to show care more indirectly as well. Caring for people face-to-face can be a challenge, but sometimes we need to offer care and support more widely. Around the world there are many situations that need our care, support and prayers.
Context
The Greek financial crisis continues and a bailout has been agreed.
What is described as an historic agreement is reached in the Iran nuclear talks.
The Royal College of Surgeons issues a report on the state of children’s teeth that describes the parlous implications of consuming too much sugar.
The NASA spacecraft, New Horizons, finally reaches Pluto after a nine year voyage.
All of these news stories remind us of the responsibilities that we have to care for each other and for ourselves. They remind us of the opportunities that are available for care and we see the context of some of our own little concerns in the context of a vast universe.
Reflection
The idea of care can be considered in relation to many of this week’s news stories. In the passage from Mark’s Gospel Jesus shows his care and support directly; first, for his disciples, and then more widely within the community as he travels round. However caring is about more than support for those we know. The news reporting of the Greek economic crisis has ranged from showing those with real individual need, to those who make angry demands. Did the way that people responded to Jesus affect the way that he offered care? Does it and should it affect the way we care?
In Mark 6.30-31 we read of Jesus’ response to the disciples who had returned from their mission. He recognises their need for peace and reflection. Although it is three weeks since the shootings in Tunisia, their impact is still being felt. Holidays are being cancelled. People have been flown home early. Many will still be in shock. These are people for whom prayerful support can be offered.
God is creator of the whole universe. Consider some of the statistics relating to the Pluto space probe: it has been en route for nine years, travelling more than three billion miles. At the same time, Psalm 23 reminds us that God enters into a personal relationship with each human, and Mark 6.53-56 provides evidence of this relationship, and of the care the divine has for the human.
News now spreads in a different way. Contrast the news spread in Mark 6 with the way that news of the activity of New Horizons has found its way to us. New means of communication and technology, that allows news to spread more quickly, present us with both challenges and opportunities in our mission activities. Part of the mission of twenty-first century Christians is to respond to these challenges and seize these opportunities. However, there is a risk that some people are left feeling deserted and lost. Jesus responded to the particular needs of each individual.
Prayer
A prayer of adoration that can be used as a call to worship or as an opening prayer.
Your creation and creativity is immense and individual;
macroscopic and minute;
infinite and intricate.
You hold the whole universe in the palm of your hand.
Your love reaches beyond our imaginings and into our hearts;
you hold the whole universe in the palm of your hand;
you are majestic creator and caring companion.
You hold the whole universe in the palm of your hand.
To you we come in awe and wonder;
to you we bring thoughts and feelings;
to you we offer praise and adoration.
You hold the whole universe in your palm.
Amen.
Questions
- Jesus showed compassion and concern for the disciples. Thinking in particular about the response of European leaders to Greece, when and how should nations show compassion to other nations?
- Jesus travelled around healing, but do we also have a responsibility to look after ourselves by managing what we eat?
Action
Jesus encouraged the disciples to take space in order to look after themselves. In the light of the report by the Royal College of Surgeons, encourage people to take the opportunity to review both their sugar intake and their teeth cleaning.
Young People
NASA have organised Pluto-paloozas to celebrate New Horizons reaching Pluto. Plan a prayer-palooza to celebrate God being near to us in prayer. The Pluto-palooza includes hands-on activities (educational aspects and a planetarium show). Use your imaginations to decide what a prayer-palooza might include. Make it as inclusive as possible.
The Revd Stuart Wild is Superintendent Minister of the Manchester Methodist Circuit.
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