conversations

From the crowd, a voice asks a question about inheritance and sharing and how to divide fairly. 

As so often happens in the gospel, Jesus answers a question with a question. Then tells a story.

As people we often say we want fairness, justice, we want to live in an equitable society; that Aussie sense of a fair go, of mateship, those qualities that come to the fore in times of national disasters.

But I wonder how many of our decisions are made from the basis of a fair go for all, or just a fair go for ourselves, or maybe people like us?

This morning I am wanting us to reflect on the conversation the person in the story has, it is a conversation with themselves. There are times when I talk to myself, and times when it is helpful to do that.

It isn’t  a conversation that shows gratitude to God or the workers of his fields; it isn’t a conversation that looks at the community; it is a conversation that is totally focused on himself.

I wonder what happens when we separate ourselves from the community around us?  It may not be a physical separation, but a separation shown in our behaviour, our words and our actions. 

I wonder what happens when the focus of our decisions making is one’s self?

I wonder what happens when individuals are motivated by greed?

What do you see happening in Australia?

I see young people being sidelined, by lack of job opportunities and exclusion from public places as people express ‘fear’ of groups of teenagers.

I hear the comments about people of different race and culture and religion; language that perpetuates myths, that puts people into boxes, defined by colour, language and faith, rather than being treated as individuals.

I read the newspaper, where politicians are quoted fanning the flames of fear, trying to outdo each other in terms of stronger law and order, and stronger borders; as if we are living in a terrorist state under threat from an invading army.

What happened to the Aussie fair go?

What happened to the Christian gospel?

Over the past few weeks and months we have seen greed played out on the nightly news as the ICAC inquiry has looked at the behaviour of some former politicians in relation to a certain coal mine and lease.

We may not act on that scale, but how often is our decision making based on what I want, rather than what is best for all?

 

The gospel reading in last week’s lectionary was the section on the Lord’s prayer from the beginning of chapter 11 in Luke; can you remember how the prayer goes? 

And Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say:

‘(my) Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
 ‘Give me each day my daily bread.
 ‘And forgive me my sins,
For I myself also forgive everyone who is indebted to me.
And lead me not into temptation.’”*

Does that sound right?

And He said to them, “When you pray, say:

‘(our) Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
 ‘Give us each day our daily bread.
 ‘And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’” **

The Lord’s prayer, the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples is plural, it is not individual, it is communal. Christianity is not just about me and God, it is not even primarily about me and God; the gospel is the good news that God loves the whole of creation, including each person. Our response is just that, a response; a response to God’s love and graciousness towards us.

A question came from the crowd, a question about making someone share their resources; and Jesus answered with a question and a story.

I am now going to read you a statement the Uniting Church made to the nation in 1977, at the first Assembly meeting.

…………

Statement to the Nation: Inaugural Assembly, June 1977

Read the inaugural statement made at the time of union in June 1977.

People of the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches have united. A new church has been born.

We, who are members of the first Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia address the people of Australia in this historic moment. The path to unity has been long and at times difficult, but we believe this unity is a sign of the reconciliation we seek for the whole human race.

We acknowledge with gratitude that the churches from which we have come have contributed in various ways to the life and development of this nation. A Christian responsibility to society has always been regarded as fundamental to the mission of the Church. In the Uniting Church our response to the Christian gospel will continue to involve us in social and national affairs.

We are conscious of our responsibilities within and beyond this country. We particularly acknowledge our responsibilities as one branch of the Christian church within the region of South-East Asia and the Pacific. In these contexts we make certain affirmations at the time of our inauguration.

We affirm our eagerness to uphold basic Christian values and principles, such as the importance of every human being, the need for integrity in public life, the proclamation of truth and justice, the rights for each citizen to participate in decision-making in the community, religious liberty and personal dignity, and a concern for the welfare of the whole human race.

We pledge ourselves to seek the correction of injustices wherever they occur. We will work for the eradication of poverty and racism within our society and beyond. We affirm the rights of all people to equal educational opportunities, adequate health care, freedom of speech, employment or dignity in unemployment if work is not available. We will oppose all forms of discrimination which infringe basic rights and freedoms.

We will challenge values which emphasise acquisitiveness and greed in disregard of the needs of others and which encourage a higher standard of living for the privileged in the face of the daily widening gap between the rich and poor.

We are concerned with the basic human rights of future generations and will urge the wise use of energy, the protection of the environment and the replenishment of the earth's resources for their use and enjoyment.

Finally we affirm that the first allegiance of Christians is God, under whose judgment the policies and actions of all nations must pass. We realise that sometimes this allegiance may bring us into conflict with the rulers of our day. But our Uniting Church, as an institution within the nation, must constantly stress the universal values which must find expression in national policies if humanity is to survive.

We pledge ourselves to hope and work for a nation whose goals are not guided by self-interest alone, but by concern for the welfare of all persons everywhere — the family of the One God — the God made known in Jesus of Nazareth the One who gave His life for others.

In the spirit of His self-giving love we seek to go forward.

……………

A question came from the crowd, a question about resources; and Jesus answered with a question and a story.

Silence

* Luke 11: 2-4 NASB amended

** Luke 11: 2-4 NASB

http://assembly.uca.org.au/resources/introduction/item/134-statement-to-the-nation-inaugural-assembly-june-1977