Introduction
Jesus tells a story about bridesmaids waiting for a wedding celebration where half of them are left outside in the dark because they weren’t ready. Amos warns that the ‘Day of the Lord’ that some worshippers are praying for (see Psalm 70), may not be ‘good news’ for them (Amos 5.18-24). Paul encourages the Thessalonians that what may seem catastrophic to those outside the church, is transformed by the hope that we have because of Christ’s resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4.13-18).
Context
- The mass shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs - a response from Max Lucado and the story of the man who confronted the shooter.
- It is the 30th anniversary of the Enniskillen Poppy Day bombing.
- Revelations from the ‘Paradise Papers’.
- The death of the recently sacked Welsh Labour minister, Carl Sargeant.
Reflection
- As people gathered for worship at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas last Sunday, they were probably expecting it to be a normal service on ‘The Lord’s Day’. Some, including the preacher, would have prepared beforehand. Some would be looking forward to it. But none would have expected what subsequently happened.
- Paul does not want those in the church at Thessalonica to ‘grieve as others do who have no hope’. But this does not mean they should not grieve, or will be spared grief. As writer Max Lucado said in a piece on Fox News this week, in response to this attack, ‘good people aren’t exempt from violence’.
- Thirty years ago Marie Wilson was among 11 killed in a bomb at a Remembrance Sunday Parade in Enniskillen. Her father Gordon famously said ‘I bear no ill will’ towards the bombers, and he subsequently worked for peace in Northern Ireland until his own death. The faith of Marie’s mother, Joan, continues to sustain her and she spoke recently of her hope of meeting Marie again.
- Jesus and Amos both speak into a context of outwardly religious people who are not ready for what lies ahead. Elsewhere Amos has said that they have been ignoring the plight of the poor and here he urges them to concentrate on justice rather than religious ritual. In Jesus’ story, bridesmaids are divided in terms of their readiness, while later (Matthew 25) Jesus suggests that people will ultimately be divided in terms of how they have responded to the needy.
- The word ‘paradise’ is derived from the Persian word for ‘garden’, and in Christian terms is seen as equivalent to the garden of Eden before the fall – and the perfect state that will be restored in the world to come. The ‘Paradise Papers’ in the news this week are named after the tropical ‘paradises’ that act as off shore tax-havens for some famous and wealthy people and organisations. This has resulted in billions of pounds in taxes being avoided. It may not be illegal, but is it right given that a proportion of such taxes go to resourcing the NHS, education and welfare programmes?
- Were those named in the Paradise Paper exposés prepared for the public scrutiny that their investments would bring? And are other public figures, including those in film, theatre and politics ready for the scrutiny that other past actions may bring in the wake of the Weinstein affair, which has led to public disgrace, loss of position and, it seems, at least one suicide?
- The ‘court of public opinion’, particularly in the internet era, can be ruthless and unfair. As well as exposing the guilty, those who are innocent or simply naïve may have their reputations ruined in both the Paradise Paper exposés and the post-Weinstein crackdown on sexual harassment and abuse of power. But this world is not fair. As with the shooting last week, the innocent are often injured and the unjust frequently escape unscathed. But nothing and no-one ultimately escapes the perfect justice of God.
Prayer
A prayer of preparation
Play a recording of the gospel song ‘People get ready’ and, while or after listening to it, encourage people to reflect on how ready they might be for ‘the day of the Lord’ or ‘the coming of the Bridegroom’. End with with this short prayer.
Lord, make us ready to share what you have given us.
Lord, make us ready to receive you, when and however you come.
Lord, make us ready to go where and when you will call us.
Amen.
An active prayer for justice
Read Amos 5.24: ‘ But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream’. Then give out pieces of paper, and pens. Invite people to write prayers concerning injustices and other things that are wrong in the world.
Now, lay blue material across the room to represent a river. Demonstrate how to turn the prayers into origami boats. Invite people to make boats and place them on the river.
Explain a little about the picture of paradise in the closing chapters of the Book of Revelation, with its reference to a bride and bridegroom, the ‘River of Life’, and Jesus’ invitation to ‘come’, End with this prayer:
Lord, we look forward to a time
when all wrongs will be righted, and justice will be done;
when all wounds will be healed, all tears wiped away,
and death and suffering will be no more;
when the river of life flows from your throne
bringing healing to the nations.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Questions
- Stephen Willeford, a former NRA instructor, chased and shot at the man who committed the massacre last Sunday in First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. He later said ‘I'm no hero. I think my God, my Lord, protected me and gave me the skills to do what needed to be done, and I just wish I could have gotten there faster, but I didn't know, I didn't know what was happening’. How does this resonate with the words of Psalm 70? Why did God not send him there sooner?
- We are encouraged to share what God has given us with those who do not have, yet in Jesus parable the ‘wise’ virgins do not share their oil with the unwise. Are those who have invested their money legally in offshore accounts not simply being wise with their money?
Action
As well as, or instead of the active prayer above, encourage people to sign a condolence card to send to the pastor and congregation of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs (c/o Pator Frank Pomeroy, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 115, Sutherland Springs, Texas, 78161, USA); or to others who you feel might value support at this time (eg. the family of Carl Sargeant); or, given that it is Remembrance Sunday, perhaps local injured veterans or those who have been bereaved through conflict.
Young people
Using green pipe cleaners, red tissue paper, black buttons and PVA glue, make poppy covered cards. These could be used for the above Action.
David Campton is a Methodist Minister, based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a background in theatre, community/political engagement and biology/psychology.
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