Winners and Losers

We’re approaching the last lap of the Olympic Games. There’s been great competition in the pool, in the velodrome, on the track. I’ve enjoyed the variety of sports, the celebration of medal winners, successes from many countries. Yesterday I enjoyed watching Ellie Aldridge become first ever gold-medal winner in kitesurfing.

We all like winners; we celebrate success. We encourage our children and are rightly proud of their successful activities. At the other end of the scale I’ve attended many funerals where we’ve celebrated the achievements of a good life well lived.

Our children and grandchildren came for a meal last night. All five had had busy days. We were really interested to hear what they’d done… I valued their visit not because of their activities but because of who they are. To me they’re winners whatever they do.

I reflected on friends who… struggle with addictions… have failed marriages… haven’t spoken to their children/parents for years… are out of work… are confined to a life of inaction through disability…

Sadly, too often people’s value is judged by whether they’re seen to be ‘winners’ or ‘losers’.

This morning I read Isaiah’s words that Jesus took as his mission statement:

^‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?’

It’s advocating looking out for, providing for, those considered to be losers… challenging attitudes to immigrants and refugees, the criminal justice system, social care…

I remember the old Sunday School definitions: Justice is getting what we deserve; Mercy is not getting what we deserve; Grace is getting what we don’t deserve…

So where does grace fit into my view of winners and losers?