Introduction
The Gospel passage shows us the power of Jesus’ words. The news this week has a number of examples of the power of people’s words, both positive and destructive. We are called to consider the power of Jesus, the Word of God, and the impact our own words can have.
Context
This week saw Louis Van Gaal sacked as manager of Manchester United football club after intensive speculation. The club were pushed to confirm what they were trying to arrange behind the scenes by the manager’s frustrated words, ‘it’s over’ to a cameraman on his way to his car. Beating these two words for brevity, Pope Francis met with a high-ranking Sunni Muslim cleric in Cairo this week and said simply, ‘Our meeting is the message’.
The debate about whether Britain should stay within the EU or leave has continued to intensify with arguments and evidence from both sides of the debate hotly contested, and brought into sharp focus with a close contest between a green party candidate and one from the far-right in the election for the Austrian presidency.
Clearly, words have power. Jesus’ authority is recognised by the Roman centurion who asks Jesus simply to ‘say the word’ for his slave to be healed. The case of Louis Van Gaal and Manchester United show how two words are enough for our media to kick a story on to the next level and, ultimately, force the club to act before they had wanted to – and with a dent in its reputation to boot. Our words can have a huge impact on those around us, both to heal or to hurt. It is important that we take this seriously and think carefully about the words we use.
Jesus’ words have power, but the way the centurion seeks him out is testament to the way Jesus was seen not just as a teacher but as someone who delivered on what he said. Pope Francis, in wanting to improve links with his Islamic counterparts, chose words but also backed these with his actions in bringing three refugee Syrian families from Lesbos back to the Vatican. We are judged by the world around us on the gap between our words and our actions. When the two are aligned we can speak with greater confidence and authority.
Finally, the Brexit debate, as conducted in our media, shows what those in positions of power think is important to everyday people in Britain. Generally, the arguments have focused on the economic impact – how much money we stand to gain or lose – or on concerns about immigration and community cohesion. The Gospel story stands out because of the background fact that the centurion (and by extension the Jewish elders approaching Jesus) are trying to secure the healing of a slave, someone who could, if he died, be replaced fairly cheaply. The elders and the centurion give value to someone who is otherwise of very low value and status. As we think about how we should vote, we are encouraged to give consideration to how it would affect others – to people who struggle to make their voices heard – and not just to how it affects us.
Reflection
- People speak of the ‘ripple effect’ – where something we say or do sends out ripples of consequences, causing things to happen regardless of what we first intended. The centurion’s interaction with Jesus is one such event. Jesus’ work and words elsewhere have touched the people in Capernaum, and so the centurion recognises in Jesus someone who can help him. He initiates contact on that basis. As individuals and churches we will, inevitably, create ripples in the communities around us. Are we aware of the ripples we are causing? Are they positive or negative? Do those around us see our words and actions in alignment?
- Imagine squeezing all the toothpaste out of the tube – how quickly could you do it? Now imaging trying to put it all back in the tube – how much longer would that take? What if the toothpaste represented words? Our society is very quick with words, and pundits are often rewarded for saying shocking things. Once spoken our words cannot easily be taken back, and it is worthwhile reflecting how quick we can be to speak in situations where silence and listening are far better first responses.
- How can we use our words to bring Jesus’ truth and power to bear on situations in the world around us? Parliament now has to respond to petitions that have 10,000 signatures, and to debate petitions that reach 100,000. Are we contacting our MPs about issues that matter? Do we use social media only to comment on our family or our diet? Could we help people to engage with issues that really matter?
Prayer
This prayer could form part of your confession or act as a response after the sermon.
Almighty God,
we are sorry for the times when we use words wrongly –
to hurt, to deceive or to discourage.
We are sorry for the times we have failed to speak
on behalf of those who are suffering or struggling.
Forgive us,
and fill us again with your Spirit of truth,
that we might serve you in all that we say and do.
Amen.
Questions
- How do we demonstrate that we have faith in Jesus? What actions in our lives show others that we trust in him as our Lord, our provider, our healer, our redeemer?
- How often do we regret something that we have said? What are the consequences we have faced and how have we put that right?
- Whose voices are not heard unless someone speaks for them (in the way that the slave found healing only when his master spoke to Jesus on his behalf)? How can we help them to be heard?
Action
Prepare a range of newspaper headlines from this week, and distribute them among the congregation. Put two large sheets of paper at the front of the worship space, one headed ‘Challenge’ and one headed ‘Champion’. Ask people to look at the headlines and to decide if those headlines represent views or interests which we should challenge as Christians, or views or groups that we should champion and support in our role as Christ’s body on earth. Invite people, if they wish, to speak about any headlines that are of particular interest, and encourage a discussion and/or time of prayer (all together or in small groups) for the situations they have identified.
Young people
Ask the young people to look for information about people currently struggling against religious or political persecution using website such as Amnesty International, the Barnabas Fund, and Release International. Invite them to pray, in their own words, for some of these situations they discover, and to consider which ones they could take some practical action to make a difference.
Steve Taylor is joint-vicar of St James Alperton Church, near Wembley. He shares the job with his wife, Ali, and his house with their two daughters, two cats and numerous fish.
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