I’m no Billy Graham
Many of us flocked to the MCG in 1959 to hear American evangelist Billy Graham. A Grand Final-sized crowd heard wonderful singing and a simple, challenging message. Many came forward to make commitments and were directed to a faith community.
Later, a Punch cartoon pictured a rather ancient and balding clergyman mounted in his pulpit, looking towards his flock. The caption read: ‘Of course I’m No Billy Graham!’
There is a place for the evangelist and listening crowds. But also room for disciples like Andrew the Apostle.
John tells us that when Andrew met Jesus by the lake, he wanted to share this with his brother Simon, whom we know as Peter. “We have found the Messiah,” he said (John 1:40) and he took Peter to meet him. What an initiative that was!
Later the crowd, who had followed Jesus to the other side of the lake, were tired and hungry. Andrew found the boy with the loaves and fishes and brought him to Jesus. He knew nothing was impossible for Jesus, the Messiah, and 5000 were fed that day.
There surely is a place for followers like Andrew who take people to meet Jesus. You and I can be effective Andrews in our church, our family, our community – one-to-one evangelists. How people need, and long, to meet someone like him!
Reflection: If you know a special Andrew, praise God and encourage this practical discipleship and witness. Read and consider the message of TIS 589.Perhaps suggest its inclusion in a worship service.
Bill Pugh
Image by Paul Walsh via Flickr
A place to call home
I met Tom on the steps of a public square. A young man sporting a cap, he defied the traditional image many people associate with homelessness. After a short conversation, I learnt he had been sleeping rough on the streets for the past month.
“I’m not asking for charity,” he said to me. “I just want a place to call home.”
This sombre conversation made me realise how many people struggle to find a place to call home.
Many of these people are hidden in plain sight. We are often guilty of turning a blind eye to them. Perhaps the sight of people sleeping rough on the streets makes us uncomfortable.
But it is not just rough sleepers who look for a home. There are mothers and children escaping violent households. Exploited migrant workers forced to live in shabby accommodation.Refugees who live in camps the size of cities.
There are also those in our community who cannot be reunited with their families. For them, their home is nothing without their loved ones.
As followers of Christ, we are called to extend hospitality to our neighbours. For those of us lucky enough to have a roof over our heads, we should be generous in sharing our time and wealth to support people in need.
Reflection:
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
Pauline Murphy
CRUISING
Seems if you ask anyone these days, they have either just come back, or are about to go on, a cruise.
The trip my wife and I went on took us to Hobart and back from Port Melbourne. The liner had about 1100 staff to look after us and 2600 other passengers who are pampered and encouraged ‘to live it up’ or have it low-key – whatever ‘floats your boat’.
The food is ‘wall-to-wall’with numerous entertainment scheduled from dawn to dusk and beyond. The onshore options seemed expensive but convenient in the short time available and getting on and off the cruise ship was seamless.
A cruise is a great time to make friends. In his bookCross Purposes, Eddie Askew described six scenes from the Gospels where Jesus is interacting with his friends over a meal, including a picnic in the park and breakfast on the beach.
We were on board the cruise for a total of six nights and dined at the same table six times with four strangers. I believethose friendships will last the rest of our lives.
Dining with friends in a convivial atmosphere such as a cruise ship is a way to share oneself with others, make friends, and share one’s faith and outlook on the wonders of our beautiful world we have been given us by God.
Reflection:
There are many stories in the Bible where Jesus shares a meal with a stranger. The simple act of breaking bread with our neighbour can be the start of anunexpected friendship.
Geoff Serpell
Image by Geoff Serpell
THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE
In the 1950s, we 18-year-olds were called up for National Service Training. Army recruits were transported to Puckapunyal.
On arrival we were given all kinds of gear. Same khaki uniform, same rank, same duties, same training. We were one in every sense. Except on Sundays, for Church parade. We were lined up in groups – Catholics, Anglicans, and the rest were named OPDs (Other Protestant Denominations).
We were marched off to separate services with our denominational padres. Jewish lads had a holiday, and worshipped on their Sabbath.
We were one in every sense, except faith expression. How wonderful it is now that we have an ecumenical movement. We are meeting, witnessing, and sharing so many ways. How special that we belong to the Uniting Church. How meaningful are the words in our Communion liturgy - we are the body of Christ and his spirit is with us! How we need express our unity in our mission to the world!
REFLECTION: What did Jesus mean in his prayer on behalf of his friends – “that they all may be one”? Take time to read and reflect on John 17.
Bill Pugh
Image by Jocelyn Kinghornvia Flickr