Introduction
Since the Paris attacks two weeks ago, violence and the threat of violence seem to be escalating. Jesus warns that there will be trouble ahead, and encourages us to respond with hope, wisdom and discernment, watchfulness and prayer.
Context
Over the last couple of weeks, responses to the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November have dominated the news. The Pope has said that WW3 may have already begun, ‘fought piecemeal with crimes, massacres, destructions’. The British government is gearing up to vote on airstrikes in Syria.
There has been much less discussion about the suicide bombings in Beirut and Mali.
Tuesday saw Turkey shooting down a Russian war plane, which added to the anxiety about escalating violence.
The Climate Change Conference begins in Paris on Monday (30 November), with the aim of securing universal and binding agreements, particularly in relation to preventing escalation of global warming.
Church news has been about the advertisement by Justpray.uk to encourage people to pray, which was designed to be shown before the new Star Wars film. Digital Cinema Media said that the ad did not meet their policy not to show advertisements with religious or political content which could offend or upset audiences.
Blogs and tweets flared on all sides of the argument; for example, David Walker (Bishop of Manchester), Michael Sadgrove (recently retired Dean of Durham), and Church Mouse. And then there is the inevitable and funny spoof.
Reflection
Jesus uses the image of the creation retreating into chaos as a metaphor of the trouble that each generation experiences, the turbulence of the heavens reflecting the troubles on earth. This metaphor works at a number of levels today, as we think about the violence in the middle east and the recent bombings, but also as we think about the environmental threats to creation itself.
There is a lot of fear around in the wake of the Paris attacks. Fear makes people think that the only way forward is more violence.
Pretty well every generation has looked at the signs of the times and interpreted the wars and disasters of their age as evidence that Christ would return again very soon. The violence in the middle east, spreading out into Europe, and at risk of escalating serves only to heighten fears about the future. The reality is that wars come and go, peace breaks out and is shaken again. We have to keep our nerve.
The language of signs in the cosmic bodies, and the turbulence of the great waters, in Luke 21.25 also speaks into concerns about our world, and the impact of the human causes of global warming. Environmental concerns are another source of fear for our future.
Jesus calls us to observe the fig tree as a metaphor and means of discerning the kingdom of God. This is not necessarily as easy as it first sounds. Two people can see the same ‘signs’ and interpret them in different ways. How do we learn wisdom and discernment in the face of fear?
In times of fearfulness, such as we are experiencing now, we need perception, perseverance and prayer: perception to watch and understand the world and what is going on; perseverance to wait on God to act, and Christ to come again; and prayer to put all things before God, and remain in God’s presence.
Prayer
The version of the Lord’s Prayer used in the prayer below is the one used on the Justpray.uk video; it includes phrases from different versions. It could be used in a home group or prayer group. You could use it as a meditation for two voices.
Our Father in heaven,
I look at the sunrise and I see your glory.
I watch the sunset and my heart sings your praise.
hallowed be your name.
You are holy, unique, special.
We can never wholly comprehend.
Thy kingdom come.
Your world, here, now.
Help us to make it. Help us to live it.
Thy will be done
Doing it your way. Always.
on earth as it is in heaven.
Help us to live heaven on earth.
In our day.
Give us this day
This day which you have made.
our daily bread.
The food we need for today.
The things that nurture our souls.
For us, for our neighbours, for all those who need you.
Forgive us our trespasses
All the stuff we do that we shouldn’t.
All the things we should do, but don’t.
as we forgive those who sin against us.
This is hard, Lord.
Help us to let go of resentment.
Help us to forgive.
Lead us not into temptation,
Help me to live more lovingly,
With you at the centre, not myself.
but deliver us from evil.
From violence, destruction, hate.
Thine is the kingdom,
I want to live with you in charge.
the power and the glory,
You are the ultimate.
for ever and ever.
Always. Always.
Amen. Amen.
Amen. Amen.
Amen. Amen.
Amen. Amen.
Questions
- What are the things that cause fear in our world today – at a personal level and at a national level?
- What is the best way of responding to these things?
Action
Organise a prayer vigil during the climate conference – i.e. during the week beginning 30 November – all you need is a couple of friends, and some newspaper reports to inform the prayers. Post your prayers on Justpray.uk.
Young people
Watch the video of the Lord’s Prayer. Then discuss together:
- Where would be the best places to show it?
- Who might find it offensive?
- What does it say to you about your own prayer life?
Put together a video of your own of the Lord’s Prayer, with different people saying the lines. Or choose another prayer, or Psalm 23.
Meg Gilley is an Anglican parish priest in Gateshead. She tweets at MegGilley1 and blogs sporadically at ramblingrectorbensham.wordpress.com
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