\bookfoldsheets0INSPIRING UNITY COURSE

SESSION 6

January 30th 2017
Hosted by St Bernadette’s Parish, Motherwell

“We must make ourselves open to their stories, which may profoundly conflict with ours. We must even, at times, be ready to hear of their pain, humiliation and resentment and discover that their image of us is anything but our image of ourselves. We must let our world be enlarged by the presence of others who think, act and interpret reality in ways radically different from our own”

(Quotation from ‘Forward Together’ discussion, St Kentigern’s Church, February 1st 2014. Source: Jonathan Sacks, The Dignity of Difference)

The Kingdom of God and Justice

A MOMENT TO BECOME STILL(with the image of ID Campbell’s Our Supper)

A certain man made a great supper, and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden that they should come, for all things are now ready.

Come ye, and eat of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled for you.

For all things are now ready.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.

For all things are now ready.

Music by Thomas Tallis played by Chapelle du Roi, Music for Divine Office -2, Homo quidam faecit coenam

REMINDER AND GATHERING

What are you hearing and feeling personally about the call to work for unity in the community?

  1. REACHING OUT ACROSS DIVIDES and FACING THE LEGACY OF PAST HURT

Listen to the person’s story and in small groups/pairs:

What is this person feeling?

What touches you about them?

What angers you?

Together we will discuss

How would you respond to this person?

Where is justice in this situation?

How might Jesus respond?

“The Bible knows nothing about peace without justice, for that would be cryingpeace, peace, where there is no peace. God’s Shalom, peace, involves inevitably righteousness, justice, wholeness, fullness of life, participation in decision-making, goodness, laughter, joy, compassion, sharing and reconciliation.”(Desmond Tutu, 1984)

  1. STUMBLING BLOCKS

“Let us therefore no longer pass judgement on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling-block or hindrance in the way of another.” Rom14:13

Where are the stumbling blocks to peace and justice in our communities and impacting on them?

  1. MOVING THE STONE

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” Jn 8:36

“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.” Ps 118:5

“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.

This was the Lord’s doing,

And it is amazing in our eyes.’?” Mt 21:42

Choose a stone to represent what you most want to roll away

Write on it a word of liberation, reconciliation or justice

  1. CLOSING REFLECTION

Please bring your stone back to the next session.

HOME-TIME WORK

  • Watch this short film trailer (4 mins 40)

“Two sided story” by Tor Ben Mayor: 27 Bereaved Palestinians and Israelis meet to offer each other insights into their experiences of conflict

What touches you?

What does the film say to you about justice?

  • Reflect back on the course and resources

What could you use to take forward the work of inspiring unity?

Do you sense any new directions?

You may want to meet up/ contact each other to discuss before the next session.