Well our land is currently concerned with ULEZ (or LEZ for those in Glasgow), whether all genders are allowed in a hospital, shall we have 20mph speed limits and (is there) climate change. If the latter is important to us, we may need to change our lifestyle to allow our children a decent way of life. If we are concerned that the blob – mythical Whitehall civil servants – is out to get us, and impinge our very important civil rights to do exactly what we please, we might just protest at the impact of a government in Westminster or Holyrood has on us. When we get a chance to vote, and that’s not just on a Facebook post, but an election, what governs our vote?
Does our head make all of the decisions? If we are physical, mental and spiritual beings,
when do we allow the latter a look-in?
Choices
Today is about choices, not just what colour of clothing or brand of mobile phone, but about the way society needs to progress. We talk about the “cost of Living” when that very phrase suggests that it is vitally important as for those who can’t afford the “cost of living” will die. Wouldn’t we want to change that for everyone, not just ourselves?
Our current Westminster Government had five promises, at the time of writing, all equally important. You can probably recall some of them even now.
In Scripture there are 613 Commandments, leading from the 10 laws or really words that Moses was described as being given up a mountain a few years ago. The Decalogue or Ten Words explains what the Israelites should do. Now, they had a few issues even back then with following laws, as possibly we might also admit. Those ten words were written in those days, for that set of circumstances, for those people, at that time. Jesus seemed to summarise them with loving God (1-4) and loving your neighbour (5-10).
Who is my Neighbour? is a moot point currently with refugees, migrants etc. How do we react when we hear refugees and migrants in the news? Do we switch off, metaphorically, disconnect ourselves from that news clip, or consider the real impact on their lives of the country’s decision?
Let’s read from the Gospel according to Matthew (22: 34-40)
When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”
Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” (The Message)
The Sadducees are those who spiritually administer the Temple in Jerusalem, whilst the Pharisees are the ones who ensure the locals follow the Jewish law. Those Sadducees have been debating with Jesus who they should pay their taxes to, and whether there is actually a resurrection.
The Pharisees have joined in now, as the former group had been left speechless, and asked “What is the most important commandment?”
Well, which is it for you?… (answers on a postcard)
Are the 10 whatever’s even relevant today?
Perhaps we might feel that they are a bit old-fashioned now, not exactly relevant. Ok, fair point. So let’s turn the dial towards 2023…
What is the most important aspect a political party can offer for the next election?
Before we go off into potential political echo chambers, where we possibly fail to listen to the opposing side, what is driving us to make such a choice? Is it what our parents voted for? Or what might help us, personally? Or what might help society as a whole? Be careful with our choice here, that we are not trying to kid ourselves – when, in reality, it is about making us personally richer or more comfortable.
Did we mention the weak and the poor?
Jesus links a passage from Deuteronomy with Leviticus, to explain that we should use our heart, soul and mind (intelligence) in making decisions. That passage from Leviticus (Chapter 19) is all about a set of prohibitions that exploit the weak and the poor. When we hear of a tax break for the highest earning 2% of the population, do we consider the impact on the bottom 2%?
This is a Jesus that isn’t seen in the Disney films. No longer is he a fair skinned, blonde hair, wee lad, sweet and innocent, but a loving radical who gets under the skins of the authorities in so many ways. Is that the image of Jesus we see?
Can we confront that possibility that Jesus discerned that there are times that are worth getting worked up about, things worthy of arguing about, if they honour God and our neighbour, whoever they shall be?
Social Justice – a key aspect of Methodism
We have a choice.
(1) If love is an all-important aspect of our faith then this will lead us towards social justice for society, not just what affects us personally. It will provide that courage to challenge dangerous theology which we might hear or see on social media, or even in church. That’s not theology which we don’t just agree with, but after careful consideration and prayer, we are unable to find Jesus entwined within. So, believe in Jesus and you’ll be physically health and/or wealthy – consider? Believe in Jesus and there is hope in the love that God offers unconditionally – consider.
(2) Or is that love we have a shield or barrier to protect ourselves, to hide from the difficult issues, avoiding that conflict?
Offering love will impact upon us, it can do no other.
Let’s pray:
Creator God, the one that exists beyond our universe, within us, with us. We want to be part of that divine relationship, entwined in love, transformative leading to action wholly based upon love towards you and our neighbour.
When we hear of the path of migrants across from war-torn countries to the UK, what stirs in our hearts?
When we hear of people traded as objects, for sex, and they are seeking to live in our cities, what feelings rise up?
When we hear or see people seeking to find sufficient to meet the “costs of living”, not for healthy growth but merely surviving, what emotions are evident within us?
When we hear or see those addicted to alcohol, narcotics etc, how do we want to react?
How do I love my neighbour in 2023?
Speak to us Holy God…
Amen
If our faith is built upon a strong foundation of the love of God. And that love of God leads to the love of the neighbour, whoever that is – when shall we see the connection between our faith and loving our neighbour?
I found the dialogue interesting and I enjoyed it