PostScript: The dead are alive
On Remembrance Sunday Jesus, Elijah and James Bond all encounter widows (Mark 12.38-44).
Introduction
Today we wait with breathless expectation to hear the tales of three widows. In Mark 12.38-44, Jesus’ fascination with people-watching enables him to draw everyone’s attention to the widow who encapsulates the vulnerable we all too often ignore. In 1 Kings 17.8-16, Elijah seems to bully our second widow, TV chef style, into baking for him. And James Bond seduces our third widow to further his mission. At first glance these don’t sound like the most positive stories.
Context
Daniel Craig returns as a world-weary 007 in James Bond’s latest outing, Spectre, that looks set to eclipse its predecessor, Skyfall, both in terms of viewing popularity and as the highest-grossing British movie of all time.
International intrigue sits alongside the great sadness of widows and their families, as the world watches in anticipation following the Russian airlines plane crash in Sinai.
Reflection
‘The dead are alive’ are the opening words to appear typed on-screen of the 24th film in the James Bond franchise, Spectre. So begins the traditionally dramatic pre-credits sequence that finds Bond in the midst of the excitably morbid Day of the Dead festival, in Mexico City. The date of this festival ties in with the Western Christian celebrations of All Saints Day, alongside its less meaningful counterpart, Halloween. Perhaps more significantly for us a week later is that we remember the dead and consider widows, orphans and survivors of two world wars, as well as of all military conflict since, as churches and communities mark Remembrance Sunday.
In Spectre, James Bond has to face the ghosts of his past and the shadow that has been stalking him since his childhood, following the tragic death of his parents. Although the film may be wonderfully crammed full of glamour, great gadgets, dazzling stunts and witty one-liners to create an outrageous adventure story, there is also a stark reminder here for us this week, that how we deal with death is as important as how we deal with life. On Remembrance Sunday, how do we respectfully honour those ‘foot-soldiers’ whose lives were sacrificed for the freedom of others? Do we forget our duty of care to the widows and orphans created as a result of military interventions the world over? Whilst speculations are rife as to the cause of the crash of the Russian airliner, causing the death of 224 people, we are urged to pray and care for the families left behind by this disaster.
We do not know the reasons as to why the women Jesus and Elijah meet are widowed, yet we are reminded of our duty of care for them and for all the most vulnerable members of society. James Bond searches out a widow (who’s husband died by 007’s hand), scared for her life, knowing that the powerful associates of her husband will not let her live. These are the hidden and corrupt leaders of society, members of Spectre, the ghostly ruling classes of the underworld, who operate above the law. Like Jesus denouncing the scribes, Bond would see these people, who have controlling powers over world governments, exposed for what they are, and judged for the sake of those they abuse. In Spectre, the formation of a new world intelligence network comes with the Orwellian moral dilemma that surrounds such surveillance at a global level – big brother is watching you! (Or someone else has hacked into their system?)
Like James Bond, Elijah’s methods may seem demanding and harsh on the widow, but in both cases their end-goal is a world view. Elijah was not an easy-going individual, so to liken him to prophets’ equivalent of 007 is not unreasonable. Like Bond, Elijah may seem to be taking advantage of the widow to satisfy his own hunger, except that Elijah’s mission is done in the knowledge of God’s promise to save such people as this widow.
For Jesus, the widow represents the most vulnerable members of society. The scribes are those who should be caring and supporting them. Yet, as in any Bond story, the powerful have abused their power at the expense of the vulnerable. Whilst we might not condone Bond’s methods or actions, as Q once said: ‘Sometimes a trigger needs to be pulled.’ On this Remembrance Sunday we may not condone the taking of any life, yet neither do we condemn those service men and women who have had to pull a trigger under orders to defend the lives of others. So we remember the dead, and live in the hope that a time will come when we do not need to pull triggers anymore.
Today’s biblical themes urge us to respect vulnerability, live generously and challenge greed – a triune mission statement to rival Micah 6.8 (echoed in the sending out prayer in ROOTS Adult & All Age magazine, issue 80, page 11). The dead are alive! In faith, in Christ and in the hearts of all those who have known and loved them. We might honour the dead by living our lives as best we are able, by the grace of God.
Prayer
This personal prayer might be used either in private or as part of a congregational time reflective remembrance and acceptance of responsibility.
Mysterious God,
sometimes I struggle to see your hand at work in my world today.
This world with so much greed, abuse and war.
Where is the justice?
Where is the hope?
It seems the writing is on the wall.
Scribed.
Chiseled.
A memorial.
A wall of remembrance.
How can my life be worthy of the ultimate sacrifice of others,
a price paid that I might draw breath today?
Or, how do I even begin to remember those whose names no one knows;
the forgotten victims of greed, abuse and neglect?
Help me to honour the dead with every breath that I breathe:
to challenge greed;
to respect the vulnerable;
and to live generously.
Help me to learn their names
and to write their names on the wall of my heart.
Help me to take the risk of reaching out to others,
trusting that you will catch me if I fall.
May I give all that I have
for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Questions
- In what ways do Bond, Elijah and Jesus enact the motto ‘cruel to be kind’?
- Jesus reminds his listeners to remember the most vulnerable members of society, such as the widow. Who in your local or church community gets overlooked or forgotten?
- Who are the most vulnerable at times of war, and what should be done to support them?
- How might we more generously remember service men and women who have made great sacrifices for those they defend – these are the people who pull the trigger in times of war?
Action
Listen to ‘Writing’s on the wall’, the theme tune to the new James Bond film, Spectre (available as a CD single or to download from online music stores). Reflect on the vulnerability of the widows, and those they represent, in this week’s lectionary Bible passages from 1 Kings 17.8-16 and Mark 12.38-44, as well as the abusive greed and subsequent neglect of the ruling classes of their day. What does this say of the gap between the ruling classes and poorest members of society today?
It may be helpful to be able to see the words of the song as you listen. If you have the facilities you might like to also show appropriate images for Remembrance Sunday, reflecting the vulnerable, generous sacrifice and challenging unjust systems of society.
Young people
Discuss how James Bond might be considered an appropriate or inappropriate role model for young people today. In what ways might his driving motives be similar to those of Jesus (or Elijah)? What might Jesus do differently?
Tim Lowe is a minister of the United Reformed Church, serving churches in the north west of Coventry, and is particularly interested in varied visual art forms as expressions of faith.
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