Last Sunday's Gospel was from Luke 9: 51 - 62, which includes a passage labelled by the New International Version (1989) as "The Cost of Following Jesus" -- specifically beginning at verse 57. The upshot of the text is that, as Rev. Robert summarized in his homily, following Jesus doesn't guarantee safety or power. Quoting from the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, 'discipleship is about growing in relationship with each other and God.' Discipleship calls for commitment and focus, choosing life in and with God, rather than serving our own interests, and the demands of our culture, our place(s) in the world.
Tough stuff...especially in the twenty-first century.
During this past week I was sent a link to a podcast interview created by
The Ferment , a small Christian online production group out of Winnipeg. The interview was with Canadian singer-song-writer,
Steve Bell, who worships in the Anglican tradition as part of the congregation at
St. Benedict's Table. It occurred to me that the content of the podcast related well to the text of the Gospel shared last Sunday.
I am drawn to share this with you now, for your pondering, given that the interview includes a discussion of Mr. Bell's ministry, his call as a song-writer and author, and his advocacy for Bill C-62, which is a Bill that would see the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples passed into law in Canada. Despite its passage in the House, this Bill has been filibustered by some in the Senate...just an example of the challenges that come when folks move to 'comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable'.
There are costs to discipleship...and Mr. Bell shares some of this with his interviewers.
To listen to and reflect on the podcast from The Ferment, click
HERE.
No comments:
Post a Comment