“Stop grumbling amongst yourselves!” Jesus, in today’s Gospel.
“Stars and gripes.” Commentator on the botched American handover in the men’s 100m Olympic relay heat.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is the subject of grumbling from Jews who are angry with him when he says that he is the bread that came down from heaven. Understandably, they comment that they know his father and mother and, as the son of Joseph, how can he claim to have come from heaven? Although Joseph is his stepfather, what Jesus is telling them is unacceptable as they see it and, as they wonder who he thinks he is, Jesus tries to teach them more about their own belief in God and heaven. The more he tells them, the harder they find it to accept, especially when he says that the bread is his flesh. A conflict develops and, despite his endeavours, the disputes continue amongst Jews who disagree with him with even his disciples find his teaching hard to accept.
The truth of what Jesus was saying only became clearer after his death and resurrection much later on – today, this teaching is well established and reflected in hymns such as Bread of heaven on thee we feed. However, arguments about aspects of religion remain and were highlighted in the recent riots which also focussed on immigration, race and faith. Placards intending to clarify also confused: one read Violence not welcome. Did it mean violence is not welcome or that no welcome should be given to illegal immigrants who should be strongly resisted? Some would argue that, if their voices are not heard, opposition and arguments are ways of getting attention but violence on the streets has left many injured and in fear with property damaged and relationships at risk. Or are they?
Spellow Lane library and community hub in Liverpool was badly damaged by arsonists and rioters with smoke damage a major issue and many lamenting what had happened. However, online appeals and donations from authors and the local community have also resulted in hundreds of thousands of pounds for repairs being quickly raised. The local Council issued a statement saying that support is appreciated and humbling – activists can tear communities apart but also help them heal and restore relationships. The same was true of a mini market in Southport, where smashed windows and looting had meant that its owner, Chanaka Balasuriya who came to the UK from Sri Lanka, thought it was the end of his business. Yet, the next morning, he found people at work there clearing away the broken glass and carrying out repairs; a local builder replaced his windows without charge and one of his suppliers brought a cabinet of ice cream. A local beauty salon crowdfunded an appeal which raised £11,000 for costs and, a few days later, his shop reopened. As Chanaka said, “It’s not about the money people gave me. It was the messages, the cards, the flowers. That support from strangers is unbelievable.”
That support was not actually unbelievable but credible as strangers got to know each other, respond to needs and support one another, rebuilding community where it had been devastated. Rather than just grumbling about what was happening, people rallied round and activated a response which would overcome the negativity and hostility that had been generated as people refused to contribute further to the devastation and pain that had been caused.
So it was for Jesus, as some of the crowd listened to him and remained although others left and began to create divisions or to seek ways of killing him. Relationships were a casualty then, too, as he lost followers as well as disciples because his teaching was so challenging. Yet what Jesus said was a truth that the crowd found difficult at the time but which was later more widely accepted – perhaps what’s happening on our streets now also shows us difficult truths about life today and can be dealt with in good faith and with hope for the future whether a religion is professed or not?
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian.