Casting Stones

Last week @ connecT we reflected on John 8, the woman caught in adultery, and the casting of stones (throwing rocks @ people). This was in the context of a little series looking @ forgiveness. We all do it, sometimes: casting stones, that is. Forgiveness, perhaps, a little less, I would suggest. We are all adept at noticing the sins of others and the justifiable punishment we often feel should accompany them. We are not so good at noticing our own: 'whoever is without sin, cast the first stone'. As we enter into Advent, Tony Kelly has some wise words on this theme: Christ alone is judge. Our responsibility as believers is to pass no final judgment...to us is given the task of proclaiming his Gospel in patience and forgiveness, in giving and receiving, in dialogue among ourselves and with those who do not believe, and in holding the grace we have received as meant for all. (Kelly, T 1996, The Creed by Heart: re-learning the Nicene Creed, HarperCollinsReligious, Blackburn, Victoria, P. 155) Chris

Forgiveness # 1

Last Sunday @ 'connecT' we started to look at the issue of forgiveness: the very heart of the gospel. A significant moment for me was listening to the very wise words of Desmond Tutu: forgiveness of others sets us free (paraphrase). At the same time, we can't command others to forgive. It needs to be done in their own time and in their own way. I know that from my own history. This week we reflect a little on the woman caught in the act of adultery (Jn: 8 1 - 11). Some people find actions in others unforgivable, even if they themselves were not directly involved in the act. Sometimes people, and we are all guilty of this at some time, are quick to pick up stones and throw it at those who do not meet our own moral or ethical standards. Self-righteousness we might call it. So often we want forgiveness for ourselves, but fail to give it to others. We can't see the trees for the forest. Who do we throw stones at, I wonder?

Chris

Hosea - A love story

Last week we wrapped up our look at Hosea. John (not apostle, but connecT member)led us back to the beginning, looking at Hosea - A love story. Sometimes with the prophets, I must admit, I get lost in the oracles. I get caught up with the passionate language. Im not alone in this. So, it was good to be reminded with how it all started: Hosea and Gomer. It reminded me of a text in Revelation: '...you have abandoned the love you had a first. Remember then from what you have fallen and repent...(2: 4-5). So, going forwards by going backwards. This week at connecT we explore a Hosean theme: forgiveness. Chris

Hosea - take words with you.

At connecT we are wrapping our Hosea series. Last week I looked at Hosea  chapter 14.

Words are important things. Without them we would struggle to communicate. Not that we can’t use other means.  We can look, touch, play music, a loving gift, and a picture, we are told, is worth a thousand words, and sometimes, too, words fail us. We can’t say what we really want to say. We are literally stuck for words. Yet, words complete our communication in so many ways.  Lovers long for that magic word to be said – ‘I love you’. Perhaps, this is what Hosea longed for and, perhaps, Gomer needed to hear these words from Hosea. God needed to hear some words from Israel, too. Actions, in this instance, were not quite enough: ‘take words with you and return to the Lord’ (Hosea 14: 2)

 God has words for his troubled people too: ‘I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them (Hosea 14: 4). God provided then, and now, a home coming and a home: ‘they shall again live beneath my shadow’ (Hosea 14: 7).

Good words, rich words, important words: what words have you got to say to God?

Chris