PostScript: One shall tell another
Tell, tweet or text – passing on the Gospel call to ‘Come and see’ (John 1.43-51).
Context
Reflection
‘In the beginning was the Word’ – and it is our language ability, our words and especially our intention to communicate that makes us unique amongst God’s creatures. Hardly surprising then, that Jesus’ call to ‘follow me’ is spread through intentional communication; one follower seeking out a friend and passing the message on. We used to call this ‘gossiping the gospel’ but it’s not just trivia; in verse 51 Jesus affirms the momentous, surprising and life-changing nature of this message.
Continuing last week’s focus on environmental issues, we see words as well as tarpees used as a tool against power, as protesters in Washington call for action on climate change. We can use words to spread the gospel and to bring the kingdom closer through our care for this world.
The short soundbites from this week’s Gospel reading – come and see, follow me – are a gift in our texting, tweeting, messaging, emailing, Facebooking culture. The power of social media communications is recognised as a gift for good or bad, as the recent law against online hate speech in Germany demonstrates. This has proved controversial as one person’s incitement to hatred is another person’s freedom of speech. Are we called to challenge the offensive, the oppressive, the bad news as well as share the good?
One of this week’s good news stories is also all about speech: North and South Korea start talking again. Experts in conflict resolution, such as ‘Search for Common Ground’, have long promoted dialogue for mutual understanding and co-operation as the key building-block in peace-keeping. They also recognise the massive impact of the media to raise awareness, understanding and promote change. How do dialogue and peace-keeping feature in our response to Jesus’ invitation?
Oprah Winfrey paid homage to the power of words in her Golden Globe Awards acceptance speech as she said, ‘speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have’. When Ivanka Trump tweeted her support for Oprah, the president’s daughter drew attention to the contrasting messages and style of the former chat show doyenne and the tweeting president. Not just what we say, or how we say it, but whether our values and actions match our message are still important in today’s information saturated world. Do we ‘walk the talk?’ How can we ‘speak truth to power’?
Prayer
Pass it On – an idea for an active prayer, suitable for all-age worship, groups and families.
Everyone needs a sheet of paper and a pen. Today’s readings are about sharing news, messages to and from God. Our prayers can be seen like that – sharing our news and listening to God’s news for us. Jesus’ news was by way of invitations – come and see, follow me.
Write or draw on your paper a short piece of news you want to share with God, that you are happy to share with others too. It may be good news or something of concern; it may be something to ask God about. Perhaps it’s a message God has put on your hearts, how you hear God’s invitation.
Try to keep the message short, using just one quarter of the paper. Then, like the game of consequences, fold over the paper and pass it on. Write another prayer message – or the same one again – on the new sheet you receive. Repeat this up to four times, or as time dictates. Do a final passing on, so you end up with a piece of paper with just other people’s prayer messages. Take some time to read and pray from the messages you have received. Take them home and use in your private prayer time during the rest of the week.
Questions
- We are all called to pass it on – share the good news of the gospel. Each in our own individual way – through prayer, words, relationships, actions. What is your favourite way of sharing? What gets in the way of passing it on? What makes it easier?
- Whether you prefer to chat with a neighbour, text, email or write a letter, what is the good news you want to share?
All-age activity
As a gathering activity, sing or listen to a recording of Graham Kendrick’s song One shall tell another. As you do so, use a simple gathering movement, suitable for your group and meeting space: e.g. join hands in rows, stars or circles; process around the space and back to your seats; make a beckoning movement at the start of each chorus; two leaders link hands at the front and then beckon others to join until everyone is holding hands. You could finish by reminding people to pass the invitation on; can everyone ‘tell another’ and bring a friend next week?
Young people
Have a discussion about your favourite communication method with your friends – text, email, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Whassapp, Facebook, Facetime, blog, or whatever it is. Why is that your favourite? What are its pros & cons?
Jesus offers two great soundbite invitations in this week’s Gospel reading – ‘Follow me’ and ‘Come and see’. Your challenge is to create your own version of his message in your own words/images – to use in your favourite communication method. It could be based on his words, or whatever it is about Jesus’ invitation that is important to you. It may be, to quote Oprah, ‘speaking your truth’ – what do you want everyone to hear? If you are comfortable, go on to share your version with your friends during the week. Not everyone may feel able to do that, which is another good topic to discuss if you have time.
Jane Chevous can be found speaking her truth through her creative learning company, www.reshapers.org, and while sailing South along the Pacific coast of Central America.
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