Description
Imagining the Lectionary: an unappealing prospect (Lent 2A)
Reflection accompanying image “an unappealing prospect” or "same image in colour"
"Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what
I'm pointing to—to God's kingdom." (John 3:3)
These five sheep are heads down, faces in the trough, gobbling their food. They are
so busy eating that they are taking little or no notice of what is going on around them.
This backside view does not show them at their best.
When churches are consumed by their own needs they present an equally
unappealing prospect to the world. The last thing such a sight conveys is the
Kingdom message that as disciples of Jesus they are interested in what happens
beyond their doors. A passer-by would be left in no doubt as to the priority their
particular needs will be given amongst this self-centred gathering around the
religious trough. When visitors are ignored, when strangers are expected to conform,
when children and young people are nothing but a nuisance, when new ideas are
frowned upon, when the local community comes a poor second to the inward facing
life of a settled congregation, something has gone badly wrong.
Continues...