PostScript: See the light of Christ and change direction

Saul is changed by the risen Christ (Acts 9.1-20).

Saul was right. (Acts 9.1-20) He knew he was right. And in that conviction, off he went to persecute the people who were wrong. The news has been full of people who think they are right but prove to be wrong, or people who think that the right they know gives them the right to condemn others. 

Saul is changed when he meets the Risen Christ. Will we allow ourselves to be changed when we encounter Christ in others?

This week's news 

Mick Philpott and his co-killers were found guilty and sentenced. Philpott had a picture in his head of himself as a hero, and a plan to show forth his qualities, though the qualities revealed were not so much heroic as evil. Then Mr Osborne, the Chancellor, ventured his perceptions on what the Philpott case said about a life on benefits:

And there was analysis and comment about the changes in benefits which came into effect last week and the implications for the poor and those living with disabilities, while millionaires were given tax breaks.

And then on Monday, Margaret Thatcher died, and the whole nation turned to reflect and analyse an extraordinary figure in its recent history. Reactions ranged from adulation to venomous hatred. I un-followed the local MP on Twitter because I thought his response was petty and childish. Love her or loathe her, everyone has an opinion, and everyone knows they are right.

Broadchurch, a murder who-dunnit playing on ITV on Monday evenings, has a theme about people’s perceptions of others and how wrong they can be. One of the possible suspects committed suicide because a story broke that he was a paedophile and the community turned on him.

Reflection

Saul has one thing on his mind as he sets off for Damascus. He is a fervent Pharisee and the followers of the crucified Jesus offend him to his core. He knows what it means to follow God, to be and to do what is righteous. He can see exactly what is wrong with the world.

And then something happens. An encounter on the road. The Risen Christ makes himself known, with some drama, to the man who knew he was right and righteous.

For the last week, so many people from every possible point on the political spectrum have been as completely certain about the changes to the benefits system. And even more have been expressing their views on Margaret Thatcher.

And if the Risen Christ made himself known to each of them, to each of us, what would happen?

Paul is left without sight; his vision has exploded. For three days he remains in the dark, his own tomb. And when brave Ananias comes to lay hands on him, Saul is given back his sight and his insight, and is restored to life and appetite. He is a changed man, with a new direction and a new vocation. He is just as certain, but his confidence is placed elsewhere, in the Risen Christ who formerly made him so angry.

One way in which we can encounter the Risen Christ is in other people. Each person carries the image of Christ and when we recognise Christ, when we listen, when we make space, then our hearts can change. 

Prayer

This prayer could be used at the end of a sermon, or with a reflective group:

When I am certain,
open my eyes.
When I am too quick to condemn,
open my eyes.
When I rejoice in another’s downfall,
open my eyes.

Help me to see you
in the poor, the lonely,
the person struggling with illness or disability.
Help me to see you
in those whose lives are chaotic,
in the most horrible criminal.
Help me to see you
in the past-it politician
and the people who used to be somebody.

And then,
when my eyes are open
and I can see you,
give me the insight
to make good choices,
to walk in your way.
Amen.

Questions

Think about the times when meeting someone has changed your views dramatically. 

• What was it like to be so certain?
• What was it about the other person that changed things? – what they said or did, or what they represented?
• How confident are you now about being so certain?

Action

With all the talk about people receiving benefits of one kind or another, ask around your church, friends, family, etc. about their perceptions of the number of people receiving different benefits.

Then check out what the figures are. The government website of statistics for the Department of Work and Pensions may help  or you may find websites that address issues of poverty.

Young People

Using newspapers, cut out words and phrases that are used to describe former prime-minister Margaret Thatcher. Paste them onto a large sheet of paper, with positive comments on one side, negative comments on the other. You could put a photograph of her in the middle. 

Talk together about:

• What sort of picture it creates of the former prime minister.
• What sort of person made each comment, do you think?
• How do you discern what is right and true?
• How do you make a judgement about another person?

Meg Gilley is a parish priest in Gateshead.    

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