Saturday, 22 March

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Then Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.” Luke 18:31

Before we can get to Easter Sunday we have to pass through Good Friday.  Jesus knew what awaited him in Jerusalem; trial, torture, and terror.  He knew, prayed to be delivered but submitted himself to it.  Generations of Christians have used Jesus’ example as a source of strength in times of trouble, but, whilst I am moved by Jesus’ heroic example, I’m bothered by using it as a model of meek submission.  In my congregation there are those who have fled to the UK after having been tortured, raped and beaten by agents of their states because of their faith or sexuality.  Their faith helped them endure the dreadful treatment they received; it has given them a gracious strength and resilience – even when dealing with our asylum process and the ever-present fear of being returned home.  I find it hard, however, to accept that there should be time, under heaven, for this ill treatment.  Instead I long for the day when the torturers face trial, when their chambers are closed forever and when Jesus’ message of the coming kingdom is truly believed by both our world and the Church that bears his name.

Lord,

May your Kingdom come: 

for the tortured and torturer,

the oppressed and oppressor,

the powerless and powerful.

May your Church be an agent of its coming:

through our commitment to justice,

our recognition of you in the stranger and

through our desire to make your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. 

Amen.

Andy Braunston

The Metropolitan Church