St Luke 9: 1 – 9
Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. Herod said, ‘John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he tried to see him.
Reflection
I’m not a great one for horror films. I love a police procedural or an action film but scary films? No thanks, I’m too much of a wimp. But one thing I know, in almost all genres of film, when the hero dispatches the baddy, it’s always worth making doubly sure that they’re really, really dead. Otherwise they’ll somehow come back to mess up your plans again.
Now, I’m not suggesting that Herod was a hero and John the Baptist the villain. But Herod must’ve been scared silly! He absolutely knew that John the Baptist was dead. He’d ordered it, seen the head on the plate and everything. There was nothing more that could’ve been done to ensure that John would not trouble him and his reign any further. Yet others were saying that John had come back to life.
In churches, we often try and deal with thorny and difficult issues. The role of young people (or, more often, where are the young people?), hearing, and responding to, the voices of children, Legacies of Slavery, safeguarding, lack of volunteers, an organist who is no longer able to keep up with the congregation… we have to meet these issues head on. We must deal with these issues with grace, humility – and finality. Making a half-hearted attempt to resolve them and breathing a sigh of relief that “it’s done” risks them coming back to haunt us and causing more hurt and disruption further down the line.
When responding to difficult situations we need to grasp the nettle and pull it up to make sure we get the roots, too (Jesus used a LOT of gardening metaphors so I feel I’m on safe ground here). Let us not be half-hearted in what we do. Let us be honest, forthright and seek God’s help.
Of course, I’m not suggesting we serve up the organist’s head on a platter. Or, at least, only as a last resort.
Prayer
God grant me the courage to change the things I can
The serenity to accept the things I can’t
And the wisdom to know the difference. Amen