PostScript: More than bit-part players!
Jesus' earthly ministry, which transformed the world, also involved fallible men and women (Mark 1.29-39).
There is a general tendency in our society to portray or sum-up an event based around the life of one individual. From a British perspective, the Second World War tends to be all about Winston Churchill; Indian independence revolved around Mahatma Gandhi; and South African democracy was a result of Nelson Mandela’s efforts. While this shorthand approach helps to simplify often complex historical events, it invariably overlooks those individuals whose efforts were vital in the shaping of events. In today’s reading, we see Jesus beginning his earthly mission – ably supported by several of the disciples who accompanied him throughout his three-year public life. We also read about Peter’s mother-in-law, who while not named, was one of several women who helped Jesus in his ministry.
This week's news
This week MPs voted yes to ‘three-parent’ babies.
The woman who inspired the Dr King-led Selma civil rights campaign recalled the events of 50 years ago.
Strasbourg judges back-tracked on a 'whole-life' tariff human rights ruling.
The spread of unusual first names for babies continues.
One in four families are buying organic milk.
Reflection
The US film Selma, which depicts the civil rights campaign in Selma, Alabama (USA) in 1965, opens at UK cinemas this week. While a lot of the talk has been about the film being ‘overlooked’ at both the US Oscars and the British Bafta nominations, there is little doubt that this movie stunningly depicts events that changed America 50 years ago.
Apart from the fact that the vast majority of the leading actors are British, the other fascinating aspect of this film is the way it portrays those brave men and women (black and white) who worked alongside the Revd Dr Martin Luther King Jr in the successful voting rights struggle. Selma was one of the US’s most violent, segregated cities at the time, and these campaigners, the vast majority of whom were Christians, used non-violent direct action to fight for change.
Akin to the aforementioned wars and campaigns, there has always been a tendency to characterise the entire US civil rights movement as the work of one man, Dr Martin Luther King. While Dr King was pivotal in this struggle, he was working alongside a number of capable men and women, and he was also supported in his efforts by many unsung heroes and heroines. Many of these folks are only known to the cognoscenti, but were it not for their efforts, we would probably not have known about Dr King.
In today’s Gospel reading we see Jesus naturally taking centre stage in the story. However, Mark, like the other gospel writers, presents a cast of individuals who helped the Lord in virtually every aspect of his ministry. Although many of his disciples were flawed individuals, they provided him with support and company throughout his earthly ministry, and were primarily tasked with disseminating the gospel after Jesus delivered the great commission (Matthew 28.16-20).
Moreover, Scripture also reveals that women played a role in Jesus’ ministry. Sometimes the women remained unnamed: we are never told the name of Peter’s mother-in-law. (Indeed, we only know that Peter was married on account of him having a mother-in-law!) In Luke’s Gospel the women who assisted Jesus are named, and we are given an idea of how they assisted Jesus. While in John’s account, we see how Jesus’ mother Mary’s intervention precipitated his first miracle or sign.
Today’s Gospel reading reinforces the point that we all have a role to play in the furtherance of God’s kingdom. While we may be flawed like the disciples, we serve a perfect Saviour who is both willing and able to equip us to do his service.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
we come before you aware of our fallibilities
and conscious of your greatness.
We consider the life of Jesus, and his love for the last, the least and the lost;
knowing that we fall into one,
if not all, of those categories.
So,
for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour:
we give you thanks.
For giving us the opportunity to tell others about your love:
we give you thanks.
And for equipping us to do this work:
we give you thanks.
Amen.
Questions
- Why is there a tendency to single out particular individuals with regard to events or movements?
- Why do you think Jesus choose Peter, James and John to accompany him on key occasions?
Action
While we pride ourselves on being egalitarian (an outworking of our faith in a God of justice and equality), congregations often take more notice of some than of others. There are undoubtedly some in the church whose talents are ignored, or forced to be ‘bit part players’ for the kingdom. Carry out a ‘skills audit’ or some similar activity in your church that ensures you can make full use of the array of talent at your disposal.
Young People
Encourage the young people to see the film Selma. Afterwards, have a discussion about the movie, exploring the depiction of Dr King, the women (Coretta Scott-King, Diane Nash and Amelia Boynton) and the other civil rights campaigners. Do you think the women received enough credit for their campaigning? Can films such as this inspire young Christians today to take up the fight against injustice?
Richard Reddie is a writer and researcher. His latest book, Martin Luther King Jr: History Maker is published by Lion Hudson. He worships at St James Church (CofE), West Streatham, London.
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