Context

This week, politically speaking, we are seeing the repercussions that occur when people feel that politicians are not putting other people’s interests before their own both in both the Home Office and in local election battles.

The story of Alfie Evans shows the lengths parents will go to, and the sacrifices they are willing to make, in order to prolong the life of their child.

On the world stage, we see examples of politicians taking decisions which sacrifice profit but contribute to greater peace and stability.

On a local level, this story from a London kitchen shows how, even with very little, someone can make a real difference to the lives of others.

Eman El-Deeb, an Egyptian woman has taken the radical step of moving country in order to be somewhere her curly hair is accepted, rather than continue to straighten her hair to fit in with the generally accepted ideal in Egypt of straight hair. Kadian Pow describes her similar journey.

As we think about sacrifice, prompted by this week’s Gospel reading, it is worth thinking about those preparing to take exams and the stress they are under, the sacrifices they are asked to make, and how we might show them love at a stressful time.

And finally, some scientific evidence about the consequences of our actions. Even horses can remember if a person has smiled or frowned when they saw us last and react accordingly on the next meeting.

 

Reflection

The news is full of stories that detail the implications of us loving or not loving each other. This week saw huge optimism over the possibility of detente between North and South Korea, as the respective leaders met and symbolically stood together on both sides of the border before beginning discussions about dismantling the North’s nuclear capabilities. The dividing of North and South Korea split families apart and has kept them apart for decades. Jesus’ encouragement to his disciples is that love is a commandment, not an optional extra. It is to be hoped that this first visit of a North Korean leader across the border to the South is followed by further compromise and reconciliation, which would benefit families as well as the wider region.

The other side of this, however, is shown in the resignation of Amber Rudd as Home Secretary as a result of the treatment of ‘Windrush generation’. and the anger in the borough of Kensington (where Grenfell Tower still stands) ahead of this week’s local government elections. In both cases, there is political fall-out from a perceived lack of love, and the feeling that individuals’ needs have been put second to political expediency.

The internet is full of stories of people who are trying to change an aspect of their physical selves or their personalities. It is also fairly full of stories of people who have reached the end of their tether with efforts and procedures to change themselves. and have decided to accept themselves as they are (such as Eman, as noted above). The quoted articles about curly hair are a reasonably trivial example, but they highlight a struggle in the world around us – namely, the struggle to love ourselves.

Jesus is really clear that he is loved by his Father, and that he in turn has loved the disciples in the same way. He tells them that they are friends and not servants, to help them realise the relationship they are called to. For many of us this can be the most difficult part of the gospel to accept – that God deems us worthy of love. When we don’t accept that we are loved by God we can find ourselves looking to our appearance, our education, our good works, our families for affirmation and validation. Jesus wants all who follow him to be free of such pressure. We are loved, as we are and for who we are. Our calling is to simply receive that love and to then share that same non-judgmental, unconditional love with those around us - just as Jesus did.

 

Prayer

Lord in our world:
let your love flow.

Lord in our government:
let your love flow.

Lord in our friendships:
let your love flow.

Lord in our families:
let your love flow.

Lord among the suffering:
let your love flow.

Lord among the bereaved:
let your love flow.

Lord in this church:
let your love flow.

Lord of all love,
help us to know and to receive your love
and to share this love wherever you send us.
Amen.

 

Questions

• Jesus says he loves us in the same way that the Father loves him. How comfortable are you in talking about God’s love for you? What reasons do people give for why God wouldn’t love them?
• What are some of the sacrifices we make for our friends and family? Do we make them willingly? What do we expect in return?

 

All-age activity

Ask, What do we expect of our friends? On a large piece of paper or the back of a roll of wallpaper, draw round a young person. Invite people to write attitudes and actions they would expect of a friend inside the outline. Display the resulting image where everyone can see it, and invite people to reflect on the extent to which they fulfil these aspects to their own friends. Pray for strength to be good friends to those with whom we are in relationship.

 

Young people

Ask the young people to name a part of their body or their personality that they would change, if they had the opportunity. Write these on a large sheet of paper, or on sticky notes and put them on a wall or board. Looking at these things together, and discuss how they might happen (if at all) – e.g. plastic surgery, therapy, dieting. Ask, Will making those changes would change God’s feelings towards them?

 

Steve Taylor is joint-vicar of St James, Alperton (CofE) near Wembley in London. He share the job with his wife, Ali, and shares his house with their two daughters, two cats and numerous fish.

 

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