Introduction
Jesus appeals to our curiosity and invites us to come and see, to hang out with him. Today, journalists invite us into the key stories of today’s global society. John and Andrew respond by telling others; they become people who speak out about big issues. Where do we hang out with Jesus? What do we have to show and tell?
Context
After searching for decades, Japanese scientists announce they believe they have discovered the missing element at the earth’s core.
Clare Hollingworth, the reporter who broke the news of the Nazi invasion of Poland, dies aged 105.
Many people are killed in multiple bomb attacks in Afghanistan.
Campaigners and journalist reveal NHS crisis at a London hospital.
Tributes are made to the late Jill Saward, the Ealing Vicarage rape victim who became a tireless campaigner.
Meryl Streep’s rebuttal of Donald Trump becomes the talk of the Golden Globes.
An inner-city London school is getting good results with a radical approach – pupils choose their teacher.
In their 10th anniversary report, Doing Good, think tank Theos argue for a liturgical approach to social action, which they call Social Liturgy.
Reflection
- Scientists’ curiosity and persistence leads them to extraordinary discoveries about the make-up of our earth. Jesus appeals to our curiosity in his invitation to ‘come and see’ for ourselves.
- Journalism allows us to see for ourselves the events and stories that shape our world, other places to meet Jesus. Clare Hollingsworth was in the right place at the right time to spot the tanks on the Polish border and tell her contacts ‘the war has begun’. Al Jazeera provides locally informed reporting on the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle Eastern region.
- Whistle-blowers and activists also invite us to come and see, to witness the insider experience, such as the recent reports inside a London NHS Trust hospital.
- John, the witness, lost no opportunity to ‘show and tell’ his followers that here was the ‘Chosen One’. Campaigners such as Jill Saward, and stars such as Meryl Streep, also witness (to injustice) using their exposure to show and tell.
- It is interesting that John and Jesus didn’t tell the disciples what to do. It was an invitation to come and find out, work it out for yourself, make a choice. Allowing people, especially young people, choices seems a risky strategy but it produces great results as the London Nautical School discovered when it allowed pupils to choose the English teacher who would best inspire them to learn (not just 30% above national average GCSE results but empowered learners and inspired colleagues).
- After they chose to come and see, Andrew and his companion immediately went to show and tell others about Jesus. In their Doing Good report, Theos argue that the future of Christianity in the UK lies in social liturgy: combining social action, showing the gospel, with witness and evangelism, telling the gospel.
Prayer
Jesus said: ‘come and see’. Instead of words, try a prayer technique that is focussed on seeing. Simply meditate on the visuals and allow God to speak to you through the images. Afterwards, you might like to choose an image and share your response to it with others.
Good sources of images are:
- Could there be peace? A film based on today’s reading by ‘The Work of the People’.
- Images of Jesus from the Christ we Share pack.
- Faces of Jesus module on the rejesus website.
Questions
When was the last time you invited someone to join you at church or a Christian event, and what was their response? What are the barriers to inviting people? What would make it easier?
Action
The start of a new year is a good time to review the balance between being and doing in our lives. Is there space in your life for you to both ‘come and see’ (hang out with Jesus) and ‘show and tell’ - do social liturgy?
‘Come and see’ examples:
- a quiet time with God at the beginning or end of each day.
- popping into a place of worship, park or sacred space for peace and reflection
- making a point of spending time with others who are isolated or silenced – e.g. an elderly neighbour, refugees, people with mental health issues.
‘Show and tell’ examples:
- inviting a friend to a Christian community event.
- speaking out to colleagues, friends or through social media about injustices you are witness to.
- sharing your ideas about how the gospel applies to your life with your family and friends.
- volunteer at a social action project.
Young people
When Jesus invites you to come and see, to hang out with him, what do you see? What is your picture of Jesus? Spend some quiet time reflecting on the Gospel story then use photos, words, art, rap, blogs, poetry to create your own picture of Jesus. Share with your friends and if you are feeling bold, on social media. If you need inspiration, see the suggestions in the visual prayer activity above.
Jane Chevous hangs out with Jesus and practices social liturgy through her creative learning company, Reshapers CIC, and while sailing the Pacific coast of Mexico.
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