Are we Anxious

I recently called into one of the local hospitals to visit a Church member. I recall starting a prayer with Do not be anxious… Of course being in the hospital itself, unaware of the full prognosis, anxiety walks the corridors, especially at night. We may even find this outside of the hospital, throughout our lives. But Paul’s letter to those in Philippi reads

Rejoice. Be Glad. Show gentleness. Do not be anxious. Pray.

Phil 4:4-7

Given the context of the author, Paul, who was in jail, and the readers who were being persecuted, perhaps they do apply. However, in recent months nay years we might have heard this phrase:

“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of _________.” Perhaps we could fill in the last word wherever we live.

How might we bring hope and justice to those we know? Are we Anxious…no!

You brood of Vipers!

In our Gospel reading for today (Luke 3: 7-18) it starts so warmly and with great encouragement: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” It is John the Baptist speaking : it certainly gets their attention I suppose – not great for a Coffee morning perhaps.

Context Context

In the previous Chapter we have the description of the birth of Jesus aka typical Nativity scene. Then the ‘proclamation of John’ arrives with a screech of brakes. Perhaps it does intrude upon our sweet scenes of Christmas; perhaps Christmas isn’t all rose tinted spectacles and angelic choirs serenading us: Life is pretty messy at times, and Jesus isn’t arriving at a serene time for those in Judea. John has had it pretty rough, unless you are into locusts and honey (or was that pancakes?). The wrath to come may well have been the destruction of the Temple – given when the Gospel was written, and its link to the soldiers.

John speaks about his gift, that of baptism.

Perhaps people felt that once baptised we were vaccinated from sin?

Was this baptism a one-off anointing which made people feel that they didn’t have to change? We may see that within our Church as many of us might struggle to maintain that eager desire we once felt after baptism. God is seeking a constant anointing, a constant change seeking to be a deliberate intentional permanent change. Wesley may have called this sanctification, but I’ll leave that explanation to the Methodist scholars.

When we look back at the family lineage of Jesus, in Luke it goes back to Adam, not Abraham as with Matthew. Does that suggest that all people are linked intrinsically to Jesus – not just Jews? Is this really inclusive? Does that leave us Anxious…no!

What then, shall we do?

Ah great question says John. Given that he is coming out of the wilderness, let’s start there. The wilderness today is vast, not merely set with geographical boundaries. It traverses the mental horizon. Everyone can experience that wilderness experience, especially with the isolation of Covid19. Let’s not constrain the wilderness to a desert. It can start on our doorstep.

With COP26 we have seen that the climate in climate has caused a food problem across the world. Not only in production but in the actual distribution of this essential commodity. A slight hiccup in the world’s economy and we have headlines about food shortages. And this impact upon Food Banks, just as the cut in Universal Credit also bights. Are we anxious or angry?

The Migrants Problem

In the UK we do not have a migrants problem, we have a problem in perceiving these folk as humans. We treat them as commodities being exported, trafficked and dumped on our shore. When humans draw a line in the sand we divide ourselves into countries – we are all human. Perhaps we need to stop creating the initial issue of bombing other countries which have created the conditions for people to seek refuge. As one person said: No one enters the water if they think it is safer on the land.

How is John received?

A bit like Jesus. Badly. The good news to the poor is bad news for the powerful. It always has been and will no doubt continue to do so. It affects their income stream. Income does equate to humans sadly.

How do we receive this?

Can we seek a change in our own perceptions, so that focussing upon justice we can be the conduit for change elsewhere. Perhaps locally at first, but then wider still.

What if justice was our calling card for 2022?