PostScript: Hang on in there
Jesus’ advice for tough times: seek wisdom and resilience (Luke 21.5-19).
Introduction
It’s Remembrance Sunday, and Jesus is warning the disciples in the Gospel about trouble to come: war, violence, persecution of Jesus followers, things you just don’t expect. How we respond to all these things matters.
Context
Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, and we remember all those who have died as a result of war. We remember particularly the events of a hundred years ago, in the First World War. The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916 and ended on 18 November, so this week we are a hundred years on from the last week of the Somme offensive. It was one of the bloodiest battles in human history, with over one million men wounded or killed.
Meanwhile, in 2016, the Mosul Offensive in Syria has killed 2,000 Islamic militants and pushed back ISIS control over towns and villages. There is still great fear among Syriac Christians:
The dominant news this week has been the election of the 45th President of the United States, a most bitterly contested presidential election, with Christians arguing for Clinton and against Clinton; for Trump and against Trump. Some commentators used almost apocalyptic language about the implications if the wrong candidate were to be elected. There was tension all through the night until Donald Trump secured the requisite number of votes, and running mate Mike Pence gave thanks to the grace of God. And now the world is trying to make sense of the result.
Reflection
Every now and then someone sidles up to me and tells me how they have been reflecting on what’s going on in our world, and how they are convinced that all the conditions that are predicted as preceding the last days are being fulfilled. Every generation experiences wars and insurrections, earthquakes, famines, plagues and portents and all the rest of it. A hundred years ago, I can imagine that many people felt that the overwhelming losses from the Somme were a sign of the end times. And yet, as we look back over the last hundred years, not only did the world not come to an end, but we have seen tremendous recovery from devastation, new life, new hope and amazing new developments. The hard times are never the end of the story. That’s not to belittle the suffering that such terrible times bring – the agony is real and it is great, but it is never final.
Jesus tells the disciples that these things will happen. He tells them to hang on in there, remaining faithful even when things are tough. And for those who find the outcome of the American election devastating, overturning the world as we know it, that is the message – hang on in there, remain faithful, hold on to your principles and values. God can work through all circumstances, all manner and condition of humankind. God will provide the words and the wisdom. And those who see in this result the hand of God’s sovereignty will also need self-restraint, because this is not the end of the story.
Jesus promises the disciples that they will not be harmed when they are tyrannised as followers. How hollow this must sound in the light of the experience of Christians in Syria and the middle east who are persecuted, driven from their homes or put to death! There is no easy answer to this dilemma – just the trust that God cares for those who are suffering and is with them in the suffering. It doesn’t make sense to us, but we trust that it will all work out in the end. We have a responsibility, as the western, generally unpersecuted church, to care about the plight of our persecuted brothers and sisters and respond in some way.
Prayer
A meditation/prayer to use in a group or a reflective service. It would be very effective said in different voices.
We will remember:
those killed as a result of war,
so many wars, so many battles, so many conflicts.
Lord, have mercy.
We will remember:
the dead of all sides,
the weeping brides and mothers, the orphaned children,
the same loss whatever the politics, whatever the cause.
Lord, have mercy.
We will remember:
those who were maimed,
carrying injuries that change their lives, their futures, their hopes.
Lord, have mercy.
We will remember:
those left homeless, without jobs or livelihood;
those left stateless, and those left bitter and empty.
Lord, have mercy.
We will remember:
that war doesn’t usually bring peace,
but generally creates more hurt and division.
Lord, have mercy.
We will remember:
that we are all in this together,
that what I do affects my brothers and sisters on the other side of the world,
that my choices make a difference.
Lord, have mercy.
We will remember:
that we don’t all agree, and we don’t have to agree;
we see life differently and that difference enriches us.
Lord, have mercy.
We will remember:
that our God is a god of peace,
who longs for us to live in peace.
Lord, have mercy.
We will remember:
that God rules, God is king,
and he has told us how we can live his way.
We pray that he will give us strength to live it.
Lord, have mercy.
Questions
- What historical events have made you feel fearful for the future? Have those fears been realised?
- The signs of danger and trouble around us are often all too clear. What signs of hope do you see in our world today? How should we celebrate them?
Action
- Former service personnel often struggle in civilian life. Where can they be found in your area? And in what ways do they need help? How can your church be more open to assisting them?
Young people
Research the experience of Christians who are persecuted. A good place to start is the Open Doors website.
- Where are Christians most likely to be persecuted?
- How are individuals affected?
- What can be done to help them?
Meg Gilley is an Anglican parish priest in Gateshead. She tweets at MegGilley1 and blogs sporadically at ramblingrectorbensham.wordpress.com
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ROOTS publishes weekly lectionary-based worship and learning resources online and in two magazines.