Thought for the Day - Sunday 21 June

Thought for the Day – Sunday 21^st June

Happy Father’s Day to all Fathers!

‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.’ (Matthew 10: 24-39)

While we adults are in church each Sunday sharing the Good News, our children are always sharing that same Good News but in a slightly different way with their teachers. One of the ways they hear it is often in a story which has been written by one of the Spill the Beans team to highlight the teaching of the passage. When the Rev John Murning is the storywriter in question we adults often hear the truth of our passage through a conversation between Andy and Ada but the children hear it from the mouth of a little mouse who lives in the church called Mitchell.

In relation to today’s passage I think the conversation between John and Mitchell explains it so well that I am offering it today as my thought to you.

It is a story which could be shared with the children in your life because after all it was actually written with them in mind!

It is a story showing how we are all valued and important to God and shows us that he will care for us no matter what we are going through – so a really good piece of teaching for us to hear at this time.

So, here is the children’s reflection from Spill the Beans for today and by the way in the story John is the ‘Meenister!’ speaking to Mitchell!

I had a busy day, a stressful day, a frustrating day, and so I crept into the sanctuary and sat on the front pew just wanting a little of me and God time. No phones ringing, nobody asking me any questions, nobody telling me any stories, nobody asking for a reply to their email or text. This is a people free zone and a mobile phone free zone. I was just beginning to relax when I heard a tiny voice.

“Pssst! Meenister!”

“WHAT?” I shouted out loudly, scaring poor Mitchell out of his skin. I heard him scampering back to his little house and felt very guilty.

I sat there, for a few moments and then spoke gently: “Mitchell, I am really sorry that I shouted. I just wanted a few minutes with God on my own.”

I could hear Mitchell sniffling, and I think he might have been crying, and that just made me feel worse. So, I said softly, “Mitchell, I am so, so sorry, please come out and speak to me!”

Mitchell emerged slowly from his little mouse hole and made his way across the chancel onto the step next to the baptismal font. He looked at me and said: “You are a grumpy Meenister today?”

“Yes, Mitchell, I’m sorry, it has been a long day, and I am tired and grumpy!”

“Well I guess we all get that way sometimes Meenister? You did scare me with your shouting, you never normally shout.”

“Oh Mitchell, I know I shouldn’t be shouting because that doesn’t help anyone.”

“Just forget about it, Meenister, and move on. I think that is what Jesus would want you to do?”

“Oh, so you are a theological mouse now, Mitchell?”

“Well I have listened to you often enough to know that Jesus told us not to worry or get upset.”

“Maybe you should go into the pulpit this week and squeak to the people, Mitchell?”

“Nae chance Meenister that is your job!”

“Sometimes it’s really hard, Mitchell, to get up there and tell people about Jesus. I worry that I don’t do a very good job of it, and some passages are harder than others to explain to folk so they can understand it.”

“Like what, Meenister?”

“Well this week our bible reading is from Matthew 10 verses 24-39. Jesus is chatting to his disciples about the opposition they will face from their families and friends. He is saying how hard it is to speak the truth of God, and that Jesus himself will cause divisions. Not one of those ‘nice wee love and peace messages’ Mitchell.”

“Oh Meenister, I understand how hard that must be, but is Jesus not also offering words of encouragement and reassurance that folk will get through these hard times and better times will come. The truth of God will get out there regardless of how hard life is, and that he thinks we are all valuable and important people, because we have chosen to follow Jesus!”

“Do you know, Mitchell, I think you might be on to something. Maybe I should stop worrying about getting it right or making it a perfect sermon. I should really just tell people that God cares for them no matter what they are going through, and if they continue to follow Jesus, they will get there in the end.”

“Glad to help you, Meenister. You don’t sound grumpy anymore.”

“No Mitchell, I think you just taught me a valuable lesson, just like Jesus did to his disciples when they were worried.”

“No bother Meenister. Happy to be a theological little mouse!”

And after that we just sat enjoying each other’s company until it was time for supper.

Prayer

Loving Lord Jesus,

You who is the teacher of life’s lessons to we who are but life’s students, gather us to sit at your feet and learn from you each and every day. You are the one who holds the words of eternal life, the one who feeds and heals, forgives and loves, even when we do and say unlovable things. May what we offer you in our lives be uplifting to you and uplifting to us as we seek your grace and mercy and peace. When we are tempted to think we know more than we do, have mercy upon us. When we are tempted to live in anxiety and fear, remind us to not be afraid. When our daily needs and wants cause us to worry, teach us, that we might learn from the sparrows. As we offer ourselves to you anew each and every day may our hearts and minds be open and receptive to all you would reveal to us and may we be constantly guided by your Spirit that we may learn to see as you see. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Blessing

Remember:

The sparrow has value to God and creation.

The worm has value to God and creation.

You, we, are cherished by God.

Every moment of constructive conversation teems with value and possibility.

Every reflective silence is rich in potential.

This time, this creation, this life needs us.

No holding back, no holding in, no waiting.

So live, be counted, know you are valued and serve God, today, tomorrow and always.