Sunday 22 August 2010

Background

This passage comes in the middle of a section in Luke's Gospelthat is full of challenge for those who have ears to hear and eyesto see. The Law of Moses prohibited Jews from working on theSabbath day, but Jesus saw freeing the woman from her bonds ofillness as more important than upholding old fashioned laws. Christis challenging his listeners with truth - particularly thosereligious leaders who legislate for the masses in a way that keepsthem at a distance from normal worshippers and allows them tocontinue to hold on to their power base. So, from a defensiveposition, the Pharisees (including the president of the synagogue)are waiting and watching to catch Christ out.

Jesus' response and direct actions, however, make them confused andcause them to feel ashamed at their initial criticisms.

Sometimes we behave as though our faith is full of certainties; asthough our convictions are everyone's. Often, we in the BritishMethodist Church can act as though other expressions of church andMethodism are somehow not quite right, and we try to legislate tomake us all the same, or siblings of the parent Church, bysubsuming difference into our model.

For instance, in one of my local churches some people from anAfrican background wanted to take the collection in the manner inwhich they had been used to back home. When it was suggested thatwe sang, clapped and danced around the church when we got to thispoint in the service the stewards told them this was not the way wedid things here! It is human nature to join with those who aresimilar or like-minded and when we join a church community that isusually what we are doing. But when we are challenged from outsideour comfort zone or community of choice, we might become confusedand may lose our sense of identity and belonging.

Today's passage describes those who are perceived as Christ'sopponents as being in confusion and shame after Christ had spoken,and yet the people were delighted with all the wonderful things hewas doing.

To Ponder

Would you be with the confused and shamed or withthe delighted if you looked from the 'outside in' at thecontemporary Church today?

To what extent does our confusion about our faithand Church doctrine deny other peoples' experience or beliefs?

Consider which Church laws or styles ofleadership prohibit the Church from taking liberating action. Whatwould you do in this case?