Rev’d Caroline - [email protected], 01285 712467

From Rev’d Vicky - 07356 234248 – [email protected]

Readings for Sunday: Exodus 19.2-8a; Romans 5.1-8; Matthew 9.35-10.8

There are many deep and complex things about human beings, but there are at least two facts about the nature of being human that are simple, straightforward and desperately important.

Firstly, human beings are fundamentally social. We are meant to be in communities, not alone. All our sources of knowledge agree on this. Science tells us about the social needs that are ingrained into the fact of being human. We suffer and fail when we are isolated. Solitary confinement of prisoners is literally torture. We know that isolation and loneliness can be as devastating for our health as smoking. Scripture tells us the same! Adam wasn’t complete until he had Eve alongside him. We are told that God, who is Trinity, the ultimate relation, created humans in God’s own image – made to be in loving relation with others.

Secondly, our social nature is our greatest strength. Other creatures on this earth may be stronger or faster. You may think you could fight a bear, or a lion or a leopard solo, but you would be wrong in 99.9% of cases. But when we work together, nothing is impossible. We survived so well across the millennia because we form communities and can speak with, understand and work together.

Communities can and should be fantastic and life-giving. But there is a down-side. A good and well-led community can do enormous good in the world. One that is led towards violence and hate can do untold damage. Jesus, in our readings this Sunday, sends his disciples out to the ‘lost sheep of the house of Israel’ – those who have been led astray, and are no longer living as God intended. If a community goes wrong it can easily move from being a ‘priestly kingdom and a holy nation’ as God names his people in Exodus, and instead become a source of pain and suffering.

I think we are seeing something of that today. So many people in the world, and in our nation in particular, feeling lost and rudderless, grabbing hold of someone who tells them they have all the answers, and being led into darkness and violence. We saw it in Southampton a few days ago. We are seeing it in Belfast over the last few nights, and in so many other places. Have ever communities been so lost and wickedly transformed?

The task of the disciples back in Judea, and the task of Jesus’ disciples today is the same. People need to be called back, back to the leadership of The Good Shepherd, whose teachings are life and health. And there is much work to be done! Indeed, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. May God give us strength and grace to live out his Word and build those good communities today.

Rev’d Caroline

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