This Month's Letter...
There were about 24 people who attended the various groups that we ran during Lent, ages ranging from those in their 20’s to their 90’s. This year we tackled a tricky series of subjects, basically summed up in the way we Christians see human beings created in the image of God, and then living our lives reflecting that image.
The Psalmist, David, makes it clear in his understanding that even before a child is born, even as it is being created in the mother’s womb, it is known and loved and cherished by God. Psalm 139 rather swiftly puts paid to the view that a baby is only a human being after birth.
We looked at our own roots, whether family or location. We thought of what helps us accept each other and those things that divide us, or at least makes things more difficult to feel we belong. Our different educational backgrounds was one (these days it can be seen in terms of coping with and using modern technologies). Another was the big barrier of language. In a country where literally hundreds of languages are spoken, communities are isolated if there is not at least basic common language skills – and many would say we overlook this to our peril. We also looked at Jesus’ roots, His own claims as to who He was and those of the early Christians; St. Paul describes Christ as “the image of the invisible God”.
Further we realised that Jesus’ life was not a happy-go-lucky nothing-goes-wrong life. In fact, just about the opposite. He knew pain, rejection and the range of emotions, and then as the end drew near, He went from being acclaimed as King on the road to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to being utterly forlorn on the days leading up to Good Friday. And that day seemed to be total failure, especially as Easter Day hadn’t come. This begins to give us insight into the fact that if we are in the image of God, then that does not mean a life of bliss and an easy way.
Our final sessions tackled the biggest issue of all. What hope do Christians bring to the world? What is it about them that is really significant, that makes people sit up and take notice? Of course, if you are reading this and have no sympathy with the Christian faith in the first place, you may be able to answer this better than I can.
I venture to suggest it is not that Christians have a high moral standard – though I hope they do. It is not that they go to church or even have a clearly defined set of beliefs. It is the fact that they know the presence of Jesus Christ with them, near them and in them in their lives. They know He’s there to talk to, i.e. pray to, and that somehow He’s always alongside. In this world of fear, trauma, tragedy and terror, or families split, of loneliness and grief, that knowledge of a presence alongside is a key thing that many in the world would long for – religious or other.
If you are a Christian, then take to heart that sense of His presence and value it – and if not, perhaps you should reconsider life and begin to reflect on what you are missing.