Minister-Lou preached on ‘Embracing Adventure’ yesterday morning at church: Jesus’ disciples are in a boat… there’s high winds and rough water… Jesus walks on the water towards them… Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water to Jesus…
It was about the bold and courageous, taking risks, attempting the apparently impossible… relinquishing control and trusting Jesus… stepping out in a big, dramatic, public demonstration of faith.
In contrast… Yesterday’s ‘Songs of Praise’ celebrated St David’s day. David, the patron Saint of Wales, was a bishop, preacher and teacher, establishing 6th-century monastic settlements and churches across Wales, England, and Brittany.
David and his monks lived a simple, disciplined life, ploughing fields by hand, following a strict vegetarian diet, refraining from drinking beer. His final words were: ‘Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.’
We watched ‘Lord of the Flies’ – the final episode – yesterday evening. Following Simon’s brutal death most of the boys have moved from Ralph’s reasonable leadership to follow powerful Jack’s hatred and violence… Ralph’s badly injured, Piggy’s killed, the island’s chaotic…
The weekend news included the US attack on Iran; Iran’s retaliated, firing missiles at US assets and allies across the Middle East. Domestic news includes reports of murders and violence… We’ve ignored Lord of the Flies’ 1954 warnings.
In contrast… Macarius of Egypt was featured in ‘Lectio 365’ this morning. 4th-century Macarius married young but was soon widowed. His parents died; he distributed all his money to the poor, becoming a hermit, then a priest.
…A pregnant woman accused Macarius of fathering her unborn child. Macarius didn’t attempt to defend himself, instead accepting the accusation and subsequent punishment in silence. Eventually the woman confessed to Macarius’s innocence…
Peter, David, Jack, Macarius all have lessons to teach me. Peter’s dramatic faith adventure walking on water contrasts with David’s ‘Do the little things in life.’ Jack’s hatred, power and violence contrasts with Macarius’ humility and prayer.
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