‘Jesus did this…..and his disciples believed in him.’ (John 2:1-11)
”I feel like I’m being ordained into the Traitorhood.” Charlotte, as she was forced to become a Traitor having been a Faithful.
This may seem a confusing time in the Church Lectionary – recently having celebrated the birth of Jesus, last week’s Gospel focused on his baptism as an adult whilst today’s Gospel is the first miracle at Cana in Galilee at the start of Jesus’ ministry. The season of Epiphany centres on the revelation of God’s glory and purposes in varying ways despite the surrounding doubt and treachery. Chief amongst this is crafty King Herod who tells the Magi that he wants to worship the baby and later orders the massacre of all baby boys under the age of two to try to ensure his death. What if the Magi had done as Herod asked rather than gone home by a different route after being warned in a dream? They had a choice to make – as do we.
Difficult choices were being made on the BBC TV programme The Traitors this week and I was struck by the religious language being used in a show that rewards lies and deceit as the Faithful try to discern the unknown Traitors amongst them. This was highlighted in Charlotte’s above comment as she joined the Traitors, ordained being the term used for the consecration of a priest or other religious leader as holy orders are conferred – and yet being used by her in this unorthodox way. Ironically, an Anglican priest is voluntarily part of the programme too but Charlotte had no choice about this decision – she was asked to become a Traitor or be ‘murdered’. As one of the players commented, “It depends how you’ve been recruited. If you’ve been seduced you have a choice. If you’ve been given an ultimatum it’s that or murder.” However, Charlotte seems to have embraced her new role with great enthusiasm and is already talking of possibly betraying the Traitor who selected her as the prize money of up to £120,000 exerts its attraction. Just watching the programme is complicated as doubts develop about each individual and living through the experience must have been very challenging, although some contestants seem to thrive on the intrigue.
The programme is intriguing in itself as the power of lies, division and persuasion creates a web of deceit that can affect all those involved. It’s only a game – but is it? Perhaps there have been times for all of us when we have been deliberately misled, situations have not been as depicted or lies have prevailed – and perhaps we’ve been economical with the truth at times too. As my Gran once told me, “I always tell your grandad the truth – just not necessarily all of it!”
This Week of Prayer for Christian Unity challenges us to seek ways of establishing unity rather than division as do Jesus’ words from John 11:25, 26 where he declares, “I am the resurrection and the life….. Do you believe this?” His words may sound challenging but are also an invitation and are spoken to Martha in love and compassion as she grieves for her brother, Lazarus. They are spoken to us too as scammers, A I robots, and identity fraudsters can also be treacherously present amongst those of dubious or honest intent who surround us and the need to discern truth and reality grows ever more pressing. What is genuine, who do we believe and what is being revealed this Epiphanytide as we, in what’s been called the game of life, try to be faithful in our own way – but to what?
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian.