Week beginning Monday 19th October

1 Corinthians 1 & 2

“…God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about him…” (1:21)

Here again is the upside-down God. By upside-down I mean what we think is appropriate God shows us that God’s way is just so different. Which is just as well as our ways are so limited – where as God’s ways open up possibilities for all. If God’s way was our wisdom then there would be no gift and it would be just our effort…and our efforts, no matter how lofty or well intentioned just can’t cut it. Because our efforts condemn where as God’s gift is just that a gift. God decided to be known through humanity…whereas every human efforted religion tries to be heavenly. It is a wonderful irony that we try so hard to be heavenly and God has put all of God’s effort into being human’ly. Why?

So that we would know God as gift. This is really important because no person can claim a gift as their own, as warranted, as earned, as achieved, as a right. A gift is freely given…like unconditional love. It is only unconditional love that can say – forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing – you without sin cast the first stone…no one condemns you and neither do I – rise up and walk your faith has made you well. All of these are a gift…and ANYONE can receive a gift…ANYONE!

Week beginning Monday 12th October

Mark 15 & 16

As I read this again I was conscious of the first followers of Jesus hearing and reading this story for the first time. The details, the graphic nature of Jesus’ death and I thought about how this would have been understood by the jews of the first and second century. How Jesus’ death was like so many others that had come across the evil of the Roman oppressors and at times their own religious ledaers. Jesus’ death was like so many others. And I see this is a significant point…Jesus died like many. His dying was what happened to people. What is incredible is the belief that this was God incarnate dying!

That the one God of all would suffer and die like all of us. This is a God who loves by not separating the suffering of humanity from Godself. This was no God on high at Mt Olympus watching from on high. This was no God vengence and wrath who spited humanity. This was a God who identifies with and embodies humanities worst. And in Jesus’ resurrection this God has given a way beyond suffering and death, showing us that God is all powerful and a redeemer and recreator of life.

What a story being told in this chapters of Mark!

And we finish Mark’s gospel with the invitation and mandate to share this story with all the world…and why wouldn’t we…the one God of all loves!!!

Week beginning Monday 5th October

Mark 13 & 14
The writer of Mark’s Gospel places this ‘end of the world’ conversation just before Jesus has his earthly life in the world comes to an end. We need to take notice of this as both a way to frame what is about to happen to Jesus and his disciples as well as a conversation about future events.

There is a poinant theme of dread, incredible suffering as well as hope. It is quite timely that we have this reading this week as people across our global region are in the middle of ‘world-ending’ experiences – floods / wars / earth quakes / tsunamis / bush fires. The story is that God gives hope and will bring victory in the end.

It has been significant that the media reports out of Samoa have expressed a real surprise at the way that this ‘religious’ country deals with the Tsunami tragedies – they are reporting an amazing peace and resilience that their faith is bringing. The expectation is anger but in its place is hope. I think this is what Mark invites us to receive as we read this text.

There is no doubt that more is yet to come in our lives just as more was to come in Jesus’ life and the lives of the disciples – in the face of ‘the end of the world’ through Jesus we can have hope. There is also the challenge to be ready…ready to run…ready to hope.

I am again challenged and encouraged by the story of hope that Jesus brings. Our world sure needs it!