Advent

Advent 1 2024: Hope

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The first week of Advent is traditionally about hope. Last year I wrote that right now, when we look at the world, hope feels like a bit of a challenge. Some of the detail has changed, but I feel pretty much the same as I write this in 2024.

Refugees are crossing continents as the effects of economic collapse and climate change start to bite. There is no end in sight to the wars in Ukraine and Palestine. Religious violence continues across Africa and Asia. US Politics seem to be charging into uncharted waters and there is the sense of, or at least the potential for, massive geo political change occurring all around us.

Perhaps it’s not so surprising that people around us, and across the world, are discouraged. Hope, if it can be found at all, is in short supply right now.

Advent is about looking forward. It is about living in anticipation of the arrival of something. If we feel that we’re short of hope we need to lift our sights and remind ourselves what it is that we are supposed to be looking forward to.

One of the greatest themes of Scripture is the faithfulness of God to his people. I’ve seen his faithfulness in history and it has been part of my own life and experience. Knowing that He has been faithful in the past enables me to trust God for the future.

Advent is about looking forward to his continued faithfulness and love for humanity.  We are reminded of his faithfulness through the fulfilment of prophecy in the coming of the Christ child. We look forward to the fulfilment of prophecy in the return of the Messiah and the restoration of the Kingdom of God. Such is his past faithfulness that we can live in anticipation of his ongoing faithful presence. It’s about encouragement. It’s about hope.

Take Jesus out of the picture and it’s not surprising everyone feels discouraged. Put Jesus in the picture and there’s one major difference. Hope.

Of course we’re praying for peace and justice across this troubled world and for the restoration of hope in our communities. But the true hope for us all in this first week of Advent is Jesus.

Romans 15: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Who is the Greatest? Mark 9:33-37

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Who is the Greatest?

33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Mark 9:33-37

29th November 2024: Horsham

First, I want to focus on the argument which had been going on as the disciples walked along the road. When Jesus asked what they had been talking about, they didn’t answer. We’ve seen this response from the disciples before. Maybe this time they were just embarrassed because of what they had been talking about. Perhaps they were anxious of an uncomfortable response from their teacher.

Jesus knew these guys well. He knew exactly what they were talking about.

When he has a lesson to deliver, a rabbi sits down. Jesus sits down.

“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” v35

In a world where power and strength rule, this is a paradox. ‘These words.. show that the maxims of the world are contrary to the mind of Christ.’ (JC Ryle,   p139). From the perspective of the world the very idea seems upside down. We need to remind ourselves that it is the world, rather than the gospel, which is upside down.

Wanting to be the greatest, wanting to be the best, is a prideful ambition. Jesus discourages pride and encourages humility. Scripture is big on humility. Moses was praised for his humility (Numbers 12:3). ‘What does the Lord require of you?’ asks the prophet Micah? ‘To act justly, love mercy , and walk humbly with God.‘ (Micah 6:8)

“He mocks proud mockers, but shows favour to the humble and oppressed.” Proverbs 3:34

Christ’s whole life is about humility. His attitude is to serve, not to have the place of honour and to be served. Not for nothing is he called the Servant King. Jesus knows that we all suffer from pride, but he encourages his followers to aim for humility.

Children have always been precious to their parents. However, we need to touch base with the fact that in ancient times, the view of small children was significantly different to ours. The risk of infant mortality was very high. Small children were seen as being of little value. The child has no rights. No possessions. They are a mouth to feed, yet they cannot contribute usefully to the family. Their value is lower than that of a servant. In context, pride looks at a child and says ‘this child is of no value at all.‘

I imagine that in the room or the yard in which Jesus was teaching, there may have been a couple of toddlers, playing in the corner. Jesus calls one of them over and sets it on his lap. ‘Look at this child,’ says Jesus, ‘If you welcome one who might seem worthless in my name, you welcome me.’  If we restrict our interpretation to a reaching out to small children we miss the point. Christ, the servant King, is showing us that His way is to look on the one who the world sees as having no value with the deepest compassion and love. In His sight they matter. He directs that the follower of Jesus should welcome them with an open heart.  ‘If you reject one like this,’ he continues, ‘you reject me.’

The End Piece..

‘Let your attitude be as that of Christ.’ Never forget that Christ is the Servant King. Aim to live in humility.

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

(Philippians 2:3-5)

Now, just take a walk. Look around you. Look at the people you see or meet. Look for the one who is weak, vulnerable or alone in your town, your school, your workplace, your Church. Jesus says “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” (v37)

Gospel of Mark

Jesus Predicts His Death 2: Mark 9: 30-32

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Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

Mark 9:30-32

Horsham: 28th November 2024

In Mark Chapter 8, Jesus and the disciples were in northern Israel, close to the city of Caesarea Philippi. In verse 28 we read about a conversation in which Peter recognised Jesus as the Messiah. This was a turning point in Christ’s relationship with his disciples. At that moment, we might argue that his teaching style changes. Gone are the careful, coded lessons of the parables. Jesus knows that his death is coming soon and he is determined to prepare his disciples for what follows.

Jesus told the disciples directly not to tell anyone else that he was the Messiah. Then, for the first time, he spoke to them about his coming death. On that occasion the Peter argued with Jesus. To the disciples, the idea of the Messiah being put to death in this way was absurd. Peter drew a strong rebuke from Jesus.

By the time we reach todays passage, the disciples have continued their journey, walking south, back to the Galilee area where Jesus had spent much of his time and performed many of his miracles. Once more, he teaches them about his coming death. His return to this affirms the importance of this lesson. It is, perhaps, the most important thing they have to learn. Jesus knows what lies in store for the disciples after his death, and he needs to prepare them. Once more, he is really direct.

‘He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” ‘ (v31)

Once more, they don’t get it. The Messiah? Killed? Resurrected? To the disciples, none of this makes sense. They can’t get their heads around it. This time, no-one’s going to argue with the teacher.

  • Perhaps they are remembering Christ’s response to Peter when they were in Caesarea Philippi.
  • Perhaps they are still struggling with the idea that Jesus isn’t measuring up to their expectation of the Messiah.
  • Perhaps to them, the idea of resurrection didn’t make sense.
  • Perhaps they are embarrassed that they just don’t understand.

Whatever they thought, no-one was going to ask questions.

They say nothing.

‘They did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.’ (v32)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Advent, Contemplative

Anticipating Advent – Feast of Christ the King

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27th November 2024, Horsham
Feast of Christ the King

Last Sunday, many parts of the western Church celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. This may sound like an ancient festival, but actually it was initiated in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. In 1969 it was moved by a few weeks from its’ original date in October and is now celebrated between 20th and 26th November, placing it immediately before the start of Advent.

‘Feast Days’ don’t get high priority in my calendar, but having been reminded of its existence, it seems to me that there is something rather special about this one. The 1920’s were a time when people were struggling. Europe was falteringly recovering from the misery of World War. Secularism and nationalism were on the rise. The introduction of the Feast of Christ the King was an attempt by the Catholic Church to respond to these cultural developments by restoring the sovereignty of Christ in a troubled world. As followers of Jesus, living in a troubled world where secularism and nationalism are on the rise, that should catch our attention.

Looking back…

Let’s face it, this hasn’t been a great year. Violent conflicts in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere. Appalling violence in Nigeria, Yemen and so many other places. Violent and damaging weather patterns bringing hurricanes, floods and drought. Rapidly changing global political landscape, including a surge in right wing nationalism. It’s easy to look back with a sense of despair and disappointment.

The follower of Jesus is called to be God’s light in a this troubled world (Matthew 5:14-16), Christ belongs in the centre of my world, the centre of my life. Christ is the King of Kings (1 Timothy 6:15). We are his ambassadors, (2 Corinthians 5:20 )and he speaks through us. This celebration leads us to reflect on the fact that in the trials of the last 12 months, Christ has not been absent from the world. Though we don’t always see it, he, Christ the King , has always been there, in the centre of all this, filled with compassion and ready to pour out his love in the midst of the challenges and suffering. The Feast of Christ the King reminds us of that.

Looking Forwards

In a few days, the celebration of Advent begins. A wonderful reminder of the coming of  Christ. The child, Immanuel (which means God with Us) (Matthew 1:23). A child, born into a desperately violent and challenging world.

Of course this year will bring it’s own uncertainties, challenges and trials. But with Christ at the centre of our lives, we can look forward in anticipation of the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, as we step into this new season with hearts filled with faith, peace, joy and love.

The end piece..

The Feast of Christ the King. The sovereignty of Christ, Messiah, even in the desperate struggles in the year which has passed.

Advent. A message of hope, peace, joy and love. The sovereignty of Christ, Messiah, even in the face of desperate struggles and challenges of the year to come.

Together, a reminder of the eternal presence of God at the heart of his creation. Yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Immanuel. God with us.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

 

 

Gospel of Mark

Only Believe! Mark 9:14-29

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Jesus heals the boy possessed by an evil spirit

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.[a]”

Mark 9:14-29

See also Coming Down from the Mountain: Mark 9:14-18

Horsham: 20th November 2024

The story is simple. There is a young man who is suffering from what looks rather like epilepsy. Everyone believes that the boy is possessed by a demon. The disciples had tried to exorcise the demon, but they had failed. An argument developed. It attracted a crowd. I wonder whether the Jewish leaders were goading the disciples for their inadequate attempts at healing.

Jesus appears on the scene with James, John and Peter, ‘What are you arguing with them about.’ Is this question aimed at the Teachers or the disciples? The answer comes from neither, but from a man in the crowd who had brought his son to be healed. He speaks of possession by a mute spirit, and describes symptoms which sound like severe epilepsy. The effect is devastating and dangerous. He has been like this for years. ‘Bring him to me!’

The instant that the boy sees Jesus he fits. He’s on the floor, thrashing about. The father is desparate. ‘if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ This man lives in fear of serious harm to his son. He has watched him suffer over and over again. 

3 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus.  This is spoken in the midst of a medical emergency. This is the voice of compassion. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Misunderstanding of this instruction is problematic. I have seen people pray for the sick and then, when it doesn’t work, they blame the victim for their lack of faith. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” I do believe, but I’m not sure I have enough faith for this! The integrity of this poor man is humbling. Jesus can take a mustard sees size faith and amplify it for his glory.

Jesus rebukes the spirit. Accept the demonic explanation or not, something extraordinary happens here. There is a scream before the man becomes deeply unconscious. These people are familiar with death. They think the young man is dead.

He is not dead. He is healed.

18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

Matthew 17:18

Jesus quietly bends down, touches his hand, and helps him to his feet. He is given back to his father (Luke 9:43)

The End Piece

Being the victim of something like epilepsy is unspeakably horrible. To watch the effects of a fit is frightening, and when the victim is someone you love, it is devastating. One feels boundless anxiety and utter helplessness.

Something of the father in this story really moves me. He’s lived with a very sick son for many years. For me, his complex and painful emotions leap out of the story. His love for his son. His desperation for him to be released from the grip of whatever has a hold of him. I have huge empathy for this man.

And then he meets Jesus.

So often I have faced a challenge and I have sense Christ saying ‘trust me,’ ‘have faith,’ ‘only believe’. So often I lack faith, or at least I lack confidence in my faith. So many times, he has taken my ‘mustard seed faith’ and done something with it.

I have been spared the challenges faced by this man, but I deeply identify with him. Time and again, I say the same thing to Jesus.  I pray the same prayer.

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Epilepsy – First Aid advice (Red Cross)

Epilepsy Action UK

Gospel of Mark

Coming Down from the Mountain: Mark 9:14-18

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Coming Down from the Mountain

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

Mark 9:14-18

See also ‘Only Believe’ Mark 9:14-29

14th November 2024: Horsham

We join Peter, James and John, walking down from the mountain where the transfiguration of Jesus has just taken place. They have just witnessed the most extraordinary scene where, on the mountain, Jesus met with, and talked with, Moses and Elijah. They heard the voice of God affirming Jesus as His Son. It is difficult to imagine a greater ‘spiritual high’ than being present at that moment. Why would you ever want to come down from such a place.

‘But it is the very essence of life that we must come down from the mountain top.’
Wm Barclay: New Daily Bible Study, Gospel of Mark Kindle Ed Loc 4385

Jesus leads the way to this encounter with a child suffering from what looks very like epilepsy.

There is no greater example in the Gospels to demonstrate that, however attractive it might seem,  the spiritual high which will come from a prayerful encounter with Christ is not intended to bring us a permanent state of ecstasy.  We should hope that it is a moment through which the Holy Spirit will encourage, empower and energise us to continue in his service. Like every generation of his disciples, we are called to serve. We are called to follow in the steps of our Leader into the situation to which He has directed us, on the path which He has prepared for us, confident that He goes before us.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Transfiguration: Mark 9:2-12

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The Transfiguration of Jesus

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?

Mark 9:2-12

6th November, 2024: Horsham

Mark is giving an account of the progress of Jesus towards Jerusalem. Having been in the north, near Caesarea Philippi, he has led his disciples back to Galilee. After spending time in and around Capernaum, they continue south on the journey which will take them to Jerusalem.

The event which we call the transfiguration is, as far as we know, unique. It is certainly extraordinary. It is unlike any waking experience to which we can relate today. We can’t be surprised that a sceptic might assume this to be an account of a dream or hallucination, and so the presence of three named witnesses is important. They are the three disciples who are closest to Christ, James, John and Peter. It is a good moment to remind ourselves that the key source of the narrative of Mark’s Gospel is Peter himself. In that context, we can and should regard this scripture as a first hand witness account of the transfiguration.

The story appears in almost identical form in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

The location of the transfiguration is widely debated. You can read the chronology of the journey to Jerusalem in two different ways. If Jesus was still near Caesarea Philippi it was probably Mount Hermon. If he had already moved south, it is likely that this was Mount Tabor, a few miles south west of the Sea of Galilee, not far from Nazareth.  We’ll never be sure and it’s not particularly important.

This extraordinary event shows Jesus, the former carpenter from a backwater town in Israel, is before our eyes transformed into the majestic Son of God, comfortable in the company of Moses, through whom the Law was given, and Elijah, chief amongst the prophets. Having taught his disciples about his impending suffering and death, their presence to witness this event on the mountain top gives them a foretaste of future glory.  It speaks to the glorious return of the Messiah at the second coming of Christ.

‘The first thing which demands our notice in these verses is the marvelous vision they contain of the glory which Christ and His people shall have at His second coming.’

Ryle: Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark: .129

The fear of the disciples is evident and understandable. Peter’s desire to build shelters reflects both his inadequate understanding of what was before him (we can’t blame him for that!) and perhaps speaks to the desire that this moment of glory would continue. Yet that is not to be.

‘Discipleship demands denying self, taking up a cross and following Him, and you cannot do that by selfishly staying on the mount of glory. There are needs to be met in the valley below.’

Warren Wiersbe: Be Diligent (Mark) Serving Others p107

In the same way, whilst we might hopefully experience moments of spiritual excitement, we must not forget that the ‘ high’ is not a permanent state. We need to be ready to come down from our personal mountain and get on with the task in hand.

The drama ends with the affirming voice of God, commanding that His disciples listen to Him. As quickly as it started, the scene is over. ‘Tell no-one,’ says Jesus, ‘until after my resurrection from the dead.

These three men could have little understanding of what they had witnessed, yet for them it was life changing, leaving them no doubt that Jesus was indeed the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Messiah. Like them, there is much here that we cannot rationally explain. Yet if we, like generations of disciples before us, pause and reflect, we too will see Jesus the man, transfigured, in dazzling white. We will sense the wonder of Moses and Elijah talking to the one we follow. We will recognise the awesome majesty of Jesus, and we will hear  the voice of God saying to us and all mankind, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” .

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Personal

Today’s the Day – US Election 2024

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5th November 2024: Horsham
Today’s the Day

5th November 2024. Potentially the most portentous days of my lifetime. Today’s the day. 164.3 million voters will determine who is to be the 47th President of the United States of America. The Senate and Congress are also up for grabs. This is a big deal. I am not American. This is a huge moment for us all.

In 2016, Donald J Trump pulled off an extraordinary and unexpected victory in the presidential elections. Back then, I wrote that the people of America are entitled to make their own choice. As  Britons and Europeans, I suggested, it is not our business to express a view on who they should elect as leader. I held that position in 2020. I still do so today.

However, we all have  a vested interest in the result. For generations, America has built and sustained a position of influence and leadership of the so called ‘free world’. As President, the winner of this election will wield extraordinary power at home. They will also  have a powerful influence on international politics and diplomacy across the world. That’s why the outcome of this election is momentous for us all.

In 2020 I reflected that the political elite in America have the responsibility to put forward candidates for President who will uphold the Constitution, serve as strong and effective leaders at home, and provide positive influence on the world stage. Again, I stand by those comments in 2024. Therein lies the problem. In 2024, as in 2016 and 2020 they have abjectly failed to do so.

The Reject – Biden

After the uncertainties of the 2016 – 2020 Trump presidency, the appointment of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States brought some reassurance to the world stage, but after 4 years he has become an extraordinarily unpopular leader at home. I think it’s difficult to overstate the level of his unpopularity amongst his electorate. His pubic persona is weak. His grasp on leadership is shaky. His health is visibly in decline. He has failed to adequately address the issue of the southern border. His performance on the world stage has done little to boost him at home or abroad. He has built a strong economy, yet seems unable to capitalise on that. Most Americans blame him for price hikes and inflationary pressure on household budgets. From outside America, his determination to stand for a second term of office looked like disastrous misjudgment, gifting the Trump campaign an undeserved and massive early boost.

The choice 
The choice facing the American people is stark.
Trump

Let’s be honest, Donald J Trump is a pretty easy target. He was not, is not and never shall be fit for the role of President. He is a habitual and brazen liar. He is a narcissist. He is a manipulator. He is a convicted felon. He is a misogynist. He is a failed business man.  He has polarised the nation. He is visibly cognitively challenged. These things are, or should be, disqualifying. Seen from anywhere outside the MAGA bubble which he inhabits in the US, his continued hold over American politics is inexplicable. His place as Republican candidate in this election is nothing short of obscene. He is not fit to lead America. I could go on, but frankly he doesn’t deserve further attention. He is dangerously unqualified to wield influence on the world stage.

Harris

In the US, Vice Presidents are not intended to make any particular impression on domestic politics. They are expected to remain in the background. They have little public profile. Biden’s withdrawal from the race opened the door to the somewhat bizarre insertion of Kamala Harris as candidate (completely setting aside the system of Presidential primaries which had nominated Biden – not Harris). Harris was largely unknown at home and abroad. There’s no doubt that her arrival transformed and energised the Democrat campaign. As a highly experienced politician and a black female candidate she should be a great option. There was a huge ‘honeymoon’ bounce in her favour (driven as much as anything by a huge sigh of relief that Biden had stepped down), but it hasn’t been sustained. There is, or should be, much to recommend her, but perhaps not surprisingly, she has struggled to distance herself from what is views in America as the toxic political legacy of the Biden administration.

The End Piece

So here we are. 5th November 2024.  My views are largely as they were in 2016 and 2020. The fate of America rests with the American people and it doesn’t really matter what I think.

The failure of the American political elite to produce candidates who can serve as strong and effective leaders of America, and as positive influencers on the world stage, is consequential. The choice is bleak.

On one side, there is a disfunctional convicted felon with an appalling track record who appears to be in cognitive melt down. On the other,  a relatively unknown Democrat who is doubtless a person of great integrity but whose best known quality at home and abroad is that she is not Joe Biden. Sadly, that is a quality which she shares with her opponent.

The outcome of the election is uncertain. American or not, we have reason to be concerned. This is a potentially momentous day. Optimism is in short supply.

Of course, Kamala does have one additional quality which might yet save the day. She is not Donald J Trump. That may just be enough. Perhaps there is a small opportunity for optimism after all.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Contemplative

Halloween – Samhain

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31st October 2024: Horsham

It’s that time of year again. Many of my Christian friends are grumbling. It’s Halloween.

There are probably one or two reasons for Christian’s to be uncomfortable about the way people celebrate Halloween – although many of my Christian friends struggle to articulate them. They make vague references to evil. Spiritual darkness. Meddling in the dark arts. I’m sure that there is a grain of truth here, but when we look at ‘mainstream’ Halloween practices in the UK, are things really that bad?

I have a ‘pagan’ friend (that’s how he identifies) who loves Halloween, although he prefers to call it Samhain (pronounced Sow-in as he reminds me). He loves to accuse the Church of hijacking this ancient Celtic festival.  For him, Halloween encourages a step back to our roots. It connects us to something which was celebrated in antiquity. It reminds him of the ‘old ways’ before Christian’s came along and imposed change on everyone and everything!

Again, there’s probably a grain of truth there somewhere. Be in no doubt, there is evidence to suggest that Samhain was a thing and was practised in many forms across Britain long before Christianity was introduced here. The Catholic festival of ‘All Hallows Day’ or ‘Allhallowtide’ from which the word ‘Halloween’ is derived, seems to have appeared on the scene in 7th Century Rome, and was celebrated on 13th May. It seems that in the 8th Century it was extended across the Catholic world (which would have included Britain) and the date was moved to 1st November. I’ve heard several theories, but perhaps not surprisingly, the reason for this change is uncertain and lost in antiquity. However,  it clearly did bring Allhallowtide into a space which had, for generations, been filled by the festival of Samhain. I haven’t actually seen any reliable evidence to suggest that the purpose of the change was to disrupt Samhain, but I have no doubt that it was used with enthusiasm across the country for exactly that!

I’m far from convinced that modern Halloween is, for most people, a return to ancient tradition. Pumpkins and trick or treat (as practised today) are recent innovations which owe more to American commercialism and the film industry than anything else. It seems to me that modern interpretations of Samhain culture and practices, on the other hand, owe more to nineteenth century romanticism and fantasy than they do to reliable historical sources.

So, let’s just take a breath. Small children in fancy dress. Decorated homes. Spooky fancy dress parties. Small children ‘trick or treating’. Gnarled and warty squashes or carved pumpkins on doorsteps and windowsills.  Ok, I abhor the use of single use plastics and the wasteful cultivation of millions of pumpkins to be casually discarded in a world where people are starving, but the pumpkin face in my coffee did make me smile (thank you #CostaHorsham), and none of these things seem to me to be inherently evil.

I’m not speaking up for Halloween, it seems to me that it is part of our culture and I wonder why we don’t embrace it more readily. This is, after all, the world into which we, as Christians, believe we have been called.

Halloween. Samhain. These festivals point towards the stuff of life.  Life. Death. Mortality. The supernatural. These things are part of life. People have questions about them. Surely this is fertile ground for the evangelical. Rather than looking as if we just want to stop people having a bit of fun, perhaps we should be looking for ways to help people to engage with these issues. We have a perspective to share, and we struggle to find the opportunity to share it. Maybe we should be a bit more grateful for a season which just might be the conversation starter we’ve been waiting for.

Just a thought.

Information links you might find helpful

Council for British Archaeology website

Halloween and Samhain  on the BBC website

History.com review of Samhain is here

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Truly I tell you: Mark 9:1

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And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

Mark 9:1

28th October 2024: Horsham

This passage is commonly misunderstood as implying that the end of time – the end of the world – would take place during the lifetime of some of the disciples. Jesus, some would like to say, got this bit wrong.

Not a bit of it! I want to suggest that this is a complete misreading of the words of Jesus.

I’m going to let NT Wright explain!

‘Jesus thinks, it seems, that the kingdom of God will come during the lifetime of some people present. It has been fashionable to take Mark 9:1 as a classic example of misplaced hope, with Jesus and the early Christians looking for the end of the space-time world and the establishment of a totally different existence. But that’s not what Jewish language like the good world that God made and loves.  Jesus seems to think that evil will be defeated and the kingdom will come, precisely through his own suffering and death.’

NT Wright: Mark for Everyone; p111

I read this passage as a prophecy in the words of Jesus. It is seen to come to pass in the lifetime of many who were present at the time it was given. With the death and resurrection of Christ, and following the death of one of the disciples (Judas Iscariot), we see the power of God break out in amazing and extraordinary ways, empowering the remaining disciples, exactly as prophesied by Jesus.

‘Till they see the kingdom of God coming with power – So it began to do at the day of Pentecost, when three thousand were converted to God at once.’

John Wesley: Ultimate Commentary on Mark, p2464

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK