Between the Contradictions and the Clichés

This month’s ‘Premier Christianity’ reflects on Artemis II’s moon voyage: ‘…Alongside the scientific milestones, the journey was marked by moments of faith.’

It describes pilot Victor Glover’s faith… Jeremy Hansen’s Easter message ‘…the teachings of Jesus were always a very simple truth of love…’ Reid Wiseman, despite not being a ‘religious person,’ concluding there was ‘no other avenue for me to explain.’

I’ve been in discussions where folks with rigid polarised views quote clichés, saying that science and faith contradict each other.

The article concludes: ‘Where matters of faith and science are usually framed as being in tension, this scientific exploration into space wove both together throughout the journey.’

In the Easter narrative Peter promises to follow Jesus whatever the cost… denies knowing him… runs away in shame… meets the risen Jesus… is restored. Preachers describe the contradictions in Peter’s character with well-rehearsed lessons that almost become clichés.

This morning’s Lectio365: The Greek word for charcoal fire ‘anthrakia’ occurs just twice in the New Testament. Peter warms himself by an ‘anthrakia’ when denying Jesus; Jesus cooks the beach breakfast on an ‘anthrakia’.

‘Jesus recreates the exact environment of Peter’s failure but this time he is not in the presence of accusation but in the place of restoration.’ At the anthrakia Jesus brings together contradictions and clichés with healing, forgiveness and restoration.

Yesterday morning my good friend John died. The writer, actor, director, was only 56. Conversations with John often contributed to my morning musings.

A tribute describes John: ‘…someone who gave so much of himself to the stage and the local arts community… a passionate friend and believer in the power of storytelling… Those who worked with him, knew him, and loved him will remember his warmth, his kindness, his thunderous laughter and the way he encouraged others to believe in themselves…’

In John’s passing we see contradictions – love, appreciation, gratitude… sadness, questions, grief. Clichés trip off the tongue about death, passing and a life well-lived.

Yet somewhere, between the contradictions and clichés, we remember John.