Sunday Worship
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Second Sunday before Advent, which is also St Hugh's Day. Today we will be having a Parish Eucharist at the Worship Centre in St Hugh's School, Wildmoor Avenue, Holts, OL4 5NZ at 11 am, and there will be no services at St Thomas' or St Agnes'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Beauty for Brokenness (God of the Poor)"
Today's Gospel
Luke 9:51-56 Samaritan Opposition
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them. But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.
Reflection
Most folk, even those who don’t go to church regularly, are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The fundamental message being that we should love our neighbour irrespective of who they are or what you may think about them. Conversely we should not reject help from someone just because we don’t like them or the people they relate to.
When Jesus told the parable, he deliberately chose the example of a Samaritan being the one to offer help because He knew how much his Jewish audience reviled and despised the Samaritans. Similarly, the Samaritans had no time for the Jews who viewed them with equal enmity. It is fair to say that the level of hostility and religious intolerance between them at the time was very strong.
It is probably not by coincidence that Jesus tells this parable not long after the events in today’s passage took place, and it could be argued that He was driving the message home as much to His disciples as to the rest of those assembled around Him, because of what had happened and their reaction to rejection.
Let’s look a little closer at the events. The messengers who went on ahead had mentioned that they were looking for somewhere to rest on their way to Jerusalem. The villages would have assumed that they were Jewish pilgrims heading to worship in the Temple. They were clearly not overjoyed with the prospect of entertaining Jews and we hear that ‘they did not welcome them’.
That is as much as we are told. There is no mention of aggression or violence. They might just have said words to the effect, ‘we don’t want your sort around here corrupting our children and families with your Jewish ways’.
I remember many years ago when I was a child, a group of travellers decided to set up camp on some nearby common land. They were made to feel extremely unwelcome and whilst there was no violence or fighting, they were shunned by the locals who refused to serve them in the shops and cafés or even to talk with them other than to shout abuse.
As children, we were told to keep well away from them because they were dirty and would carry diseases as well as being dishonest and thieves.
The reality was that no one in the village knew a single one of the travellers, but nevertheless they ostracised them because of ingrained beliefs, however unjustified that may have been.
It would appear that the Samaritans behaved much in the same way to the messengers of Jesus. Yes they were intolerant and possibly even racist in their actions in much the same way as the Jews would have behaved to them if circumstances were reversed.
Next, let’s look at the reaction of James and John in the face of this snub; “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them? ”
Wait a minute! Did I read that correctly? Here are two of Jesus’ disciples, who in the face of inhospitable behaviour want to call on the wrath of God to obliterate them and their village!
Luke says that Jesus rebuked them – I think they rightly deserved a proper talking to. Had they learned nothing from travelling with Jesus?
Yes they were right to have been offended and even to feel a degree of anger, but their reaction was way over the top. That is how people sometimes behave, especially if they are dealing with groups they have been brought up to be wary of. In these circumstances, the actions of an individual or a few individuals are blown out of all proportion because they are seen as indicative of the view of all Samaritans. When we have prejudices we can become biased, consciously or unconsciously, and make false assumptions.
We see that in the world today, where, despite what people believe personally, they are all, to use an idiom, ‘tarred with the same brush’.
It is sometimes too easy to generalise and define everyone in a group as having the same philosophy, views and beliefs. That is why it is so important to look at one another inclusively. Despite what race, religion, gender orientation or any other collective we may identify as, we are all individuals with disparate views and we are God’s children. If I choose to disagree with your opinion, that does not mean I should assume everyone you know and associate with holds the same view. It is never right to judge one person because of the actions of another person.
Jesus showed how we should not blow things out of all proportion. The minor setback of not being welcomed in one village was easily overcome by just going to another village.
Revenge has no place in the heart of Christians. When we waste our energy on anger and revenge, we are holding God at arm’s length. Inclusivity, love for our neighbours, patience and forgiveness are the foundations of how we need to behave as true Christians. Paul
Our Prayers
Eternal Father,
Hear our prayer for tolerance and inclusivity in our hearts.
Grant us patience and understanding,
that we may find inner calm at times of indignation,
to put aside our fury and anger and let the moment pass.
Amen
Our final hymn today is "Lord of all Hopefulness, Lord of all Joy"
