democracy a precious gift

Today I had a leaflet from the British National Party they claim to “say what you think”. Well they most certainly do not say what I think! I am not racist, nor homophobic; neither do I wish to see the return of the death penalty.

As someone who is politically active I take a keen interest in democracy. I am working on a campaign to get a friend elected as a county councillor. One thing that has become glaringly obvious to those of us following these county elections is that even though the BNP have candidates in every ward none of these people live in the ward they are standing in, on no leaflet are the home addresses or telephone number of the candidates recorded, we should ask ourselves what do they have to hide to be so secretive and inaccessible to their potential constituents. Hitler’s Nazi party behaved like this.

Another thing they have in common with the Nazis is the way they play on ordinary people “perceived” fears making it easy for racism or homophobia to appear reasonable and rational. As a Christian I am called upon to love and respect all people but these people tell me they are Christians, they’ve even formed their own church! I will not be joining this church I can’t learn to hate large chunks of the population. As a Christian I believe that II have a duty to use my vote to benefit the good of all people, democracy is precious and a right we should all exercise, but I would urge us all before casting our vote to remember the words of the English philosopher Edmund Burke, ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ DO SOMETHING AND VOTE WISELY EVIL MUST NOT TRIUMPH IN OUR LAND!

Faith in action

Last week I had a deeply moving experience. I have spent some time reflecting on it and I feel that God wants me to share it with all my Christian friends. I apologise if you get it twice as I will in part be using group address lists and some of you will appear on more than one.

Last Tuesday afternoon having some time to kill I found myself quite by chance in St James Church Piccadilly. There were some interesting things in there, architecture, stained glass all the usual stuff really. There was a Eucharist going on with about wenty attendees, not bad for a midweek afternoon. The really amazing thing though wasn't any of that. It was the awareness of the liturgy being punctuated by snoring! This is because on every pew in on the left hand side of the church a homeless person was asleep. They were so comfortable that they had even removed their shoes. Each person was covered by a pristine white blanket. These were clearly purchased for this purpose. I felt I wanted to take a photo of this to show people, but it seemed to intrusive to do so.
What a lesson for us this is, how many times have I walked past a homeless person not even bothering to look at them. Here are people who are saying "here is our place come in and make yourself comfortable". Jesus said “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would” have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 How literally were these words brought home to me seeing this very moving sight. I remember an outcry in a local paper once because a homeless man had slept in a church doorway, but here they were in our father’s home being treated as honoured guests.
How many times have I been asked for bedding that I don't need for the homeless but these people have brought blankets especially for them, and are keeping them in ‘mint’ condition.
What an example this praying, worshiping community are in living out the gospel as I type these words many references to the Gospel are coming into my head. I will however leave you with two.

John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Matthew 11:27-29: ²⁷"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

May we find God’s peace and have the grace to share it with others and may we come to know the father and learn to rest in him.

May we also learn the compassion of Jesus, and how to help people with dignity, to get alongside them rather than to do to or for them. As the people of St James have.

INSIDE A BIG FISH

We often use the story of Jonah as a warning of punishment for ignoring God. On a visit to Northumberland I was given a very different perspective on this tale.

The story of this place is straightforward. After his death Cuthbert was buried in the grounds of Lindifarne priory. Fearing desecration by Viking invaders the monks fled with their most treasured items (including Cuthbert's remains) and roamed in the hills for many years. Legend has it that on their return they found shelter on the last night in what is now called Cuthbert's cave; this place remains a place of pilgimage for many people and feels Holy.

On my last visit I was struck by the shape of the overhang. It looks like a giant fish. This made me think of Jonah. He too was given shelter inside a giant fish.

Like the monks Jonah was afraid and ran away, but God in his wisdom knew that Jonah would eventually become obediant and do his work. God gave Jonah protection from the elements inside a giant sea creature. I wonder if the monks in the ninth century thought of this as they too were given shelter inside a giant fish.

How often do we fail to recognise God's grace until after the event? It is unlikely that Jonah did as he spent three days inside his fish.

How often has or does God provided for us in ways we can't imagine?

Remember that God is gracious, and give thanks for this next time you need a giant fish!