Grudge Match!

Christmas isn’t Christmas unless I see a good movie and there is one which has been trailed for quite some time which I don’t think I’ll be able to resist.  It’s called ‘Grudge Match’.  It stars Sylvester Stallone and Robert de Niro as two ex-boxers in their late sixties who were once bitter rivals.  At the peak of their careers they faced one another in two bouts with each winning one but they never managed to have that decisive third.  Over thirty years they have never let go their bad feelings about one another and eventually someone has the idea that they should have one last bout which would settle once and for all who was best.  It’s a comedy film and there is no doubt that  there is something funny about two men of advanced years slugging it out in a boxing ring,  no matter how good they may look.    But in reality those kinds of feelings are no laughing matter and can be destructive of lives and communities.

There has recently been a great deal of reflection on the life of Nelson Madela and how he was able to leave behind feelings of revenge, rise above resentment,  and commit his life to building a better future for South Africa.  A future where people were able to cut across racial and ethnic barriers and find a common purpose in working for justice and peace. He once described the day that he was released from prison:

‘As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew that if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind I’d still be in prison.’  

Now we might say that our grudges are not going to affect a whole community or nation.  But where there is a build up of those feelings you soon have an atmosphere where revenge is more important than reconciliation and that is a bleak outlook for our society and the world.   This is where the message of Christmas comes in.  

When Jesus was born ‘grudge matches’ were pretty common.  Israel was an occupied country, under the heel of the Roman Empire.  That did not go down well with fiercely nationalistic Jews.  And within the nation of Israel there were racial and religious differences which provoked strong feelings.  It was into this atmosphere that the angels brought a message of peace:

‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.’  

The purpose of Jesus’ coming was to bring glory to God and peace to the whole of humankind.  His life, death and resurrection would make it possible for people to be close to God, to be at peace with Him.  But the vision went further.   As people’s lives were shaped by this peace barriers that divide and embitter would be brought down.  

One of the most inspiring stories I heard this year was from a Christian relief worker who had just recently returned from the Middle East.  She had been in various countries where Syrians had sought refuge, one of which was Lebanon.  In one town she came across a Syrian family - mother, father and four children - who were living in a derelict building.  They had had a fairly good standard of living in their own country but were now having to live day to day.  Circumstances were made all the more difficult by the attitude of the local Mayor.  He had made a statement to the effect that no Syrian refugees should be given any help.  Apparently, there have been strained relationships between Lebanese and Syrians in the past.

A small Christian congregation was not prepared to accept this, however, and were providing the family with food, clothes and any other items they may need.  This is all the more impressive in that the family are Muslims.  But these are the things that happen when the message of the angels is taken to heart.  There can be peace on earth when people live close to God and commit their lives to His purpose.

Bogled!

When you receive a phone call from Albert Bogle you never know where it’s going to lead.   He phoned me a couple of weeks ago about an idea he had for a Christmas video which would be put out under the banner of his Sanctus First media group.  I liked the idea and made the mistake of becoming quite excited about it which was the green light for the bold Albert: ‘Would you write the script?’  OK.  That was done fairly quickly and Albert was pleased but then there was another question: ‘Would you take the role of Lord Starburst?’  So not only writing but ‘starring’.  I was being well and truly ‘bogled’.  

The whole experience was a delight.  The concept is taken from ‘The Apprentice’.  Three people are sent out by Lord Starburst to buy a gift for a king and they return with items which are more appropriate than they realise.  We shot scenes in the Barras, the St Mungo Museum, Mappin and Webb, the Glasgow City Chambers and a board room of Ernst and Young.  Along the way we gathered a few people  who were only too glad to join in, so thanks to Wee Jimmy at the Barras, Sonia at the St Mungo Museum and the receptionist at Ernst and Young.  

If you want to see how it all turned out have a click on www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/themes.  The video is called ‘You’ve Nailed it!’  

Gifts For A King.

This year has seen the birth of a royal baby.  If you were given the task of finding a gift for him, what do you think would be appropriate?  Certainly he will need all the things that every baby needs.  But if you were to get him something special what would that be?  Most people would probably think of something very expensive or something highly unusual.  That was certainly the case when a group of Babylonian philosopher scientists brought gifts to the infant Jesus.

There is a degree of mystery as to what drove them on the long journey from their homeland to Israel.  It is quite possible that their studies had led them to the Hebrew Scriptures and the great hope of Israel that one day a  King would emerge who would hold the key to all the mysteries of life.  But how did the Magi connect this hope with the unusual cosmic disturbance that occurred on a particular night?  We do not know but the ‘star’ spoke to them of the King’s birth and the need for them to make the journey to honour him. 

They brought gifts.  There is no explanation why they brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Perhaps the gospel writer believed that no explanation was needed.  Gold, highly valued, durable, to wish the infant King a long reign.  Frankincense, used in religious ceremonies, to wish the King a close walk with his God.  Myrrh?  This was used to preserve dead bodies.  What has this to do with the freshness and the promise of new life?  Were the Magi given some insight into the nature of this King’s mission?  That his death would be in some way significant?

All we know is that all of the gifts were appropriate.  This King was destined to reign forever and ever.  Of all human beings he was closest to God, indeed God in the flesh.   His death opened the way for humanity to be renewed in body, mind and spirit.  There is a sense in which the gifts told the whole story of the King.  How close are we to that story?     

In T.S. Eliot’s poem Journey Of The Magi they returned to their homeland changed, ‘no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation/With an alien people clutching their gods.’  Will there be a change in us as once again we are brought to the familiar story this Christmas?  The story of a God who became one of us, who lived our life, who died to open up the way for us to be at peace with God, who has risen to assure us that our journey of life will continue beyond death.

Remembrance Reflection

I am sure, like me, you have been staggered by the sight of thousands of refugees streaming from Syria to neighbouring countries where they believe they can find some security for the future.  Some of these countries are small and not best able to respond to need on such a large scale.  As often happens, however, at times of great crisis the best in humanity can emerge to bring hope.

I attended a meeting recently organised by Tearfund which was addressed by one of its workers just recently returned from the Middle East.  She had been in various countries where Syrians had sought refuge, one of which was Lebanon.  In one town she came across a Syrian family - mother, father and four children - who were living in a derelict building.  They had had a fairly good standard of living in their own country but were now having to live day to day.  Circumstances were made all the more difficult by the attitude of the local Mayor.  He had made a statement to the effect that no Syrian refugees should be given any help.  Apparently, there have been strained relationships between Lebanese and Syrians in the past.

A small Christian congregation was not prepared to accept this, however, and were providing the family with food, clothes and any other items they may need.  This is all the more impressive in that the family are Muslims.    

In this season of Remembrance when we are conscious of the things which divide humanity and cause hostility we need stories like this which show how barriers can be broken down by compassion.  This was part of Jesus’ ministry as he  responded to those in need without regard for their nationality or religious background.  He rejoiced to see the greatest example of faith in a Roman soldier; he responded to the pleas of a pagan woman for the healing of her daughter; he used the character of a Samaritan, always suspect in the eyes of a Jew, to teach responsibility for anyone bruised and battered by life’s road.  

Jesus has warned us that there would always be ‘wars and rumours of wars’ but he also proclaimed the growth of His Kingdom throughout the earth and that that would be strengthened as we learn to love our God and our neighbour in need.

Dudley D. Watkins

A clear out in the Manse has unearthed two ‘Sparky’ annuals from 1968 and 1969.  All the old favourite characters are there: Pansy Potter, Hungry Horace, The Moonsters etc.  There are, however, one or two surprises.  The 1968 annual has a story, broken up into episodes, entitled ‘David’.  This is the David in the Bible who became the King of Israel.  The 1969 annual has a story entitled ‘The Road To Calvary’ which is about the ministry of Jesus from his baptism to his resurrection.  Both these stories are placed right at the beginning of the annuals.  

It is a measure of how society has changed that it was deemed acceptable to place such material in a children’s annual at that time.  But the esteem in which the artist was held may have a lot to do with it.  Dudley D. Watkins was the foremost comic artist of his day.  It was he who was responsible for ‘The Broons‘ and ‘Oor Wullie‘ along with other classics like ‘Desperate Dan’, ‘Lord Snooty‘ and others too numerous to mention.  He was a Christian, attending a Brethren Assembly in Dundee and contributing work to various Christian publications.  He also liked to give children’s talks which he illustrated on a blackboard.  

It was his ambition to produce an illustrated Bible and it would appear that the two pieces in the ‘Sparky’ annuals were the beginnings of that project.  Sadly, it was never completed.  Dudley D. Watkins died in his home in Broughty Ferry 1969 aged 62.  He suffered a heart attack while working at his drawing board.  

A People's Story.

For the last few years the Summer months have been an opportunity for me to spend some time on Easdale Island where at least three generations of my father’s family were quarry workers.  (On the left is a picture of a group of quarry workers in nineteenth century Easdale).     I have never gone there without gathering some new information and this year was no exception.  The strange thing is that my father never said very much about his ancestors.   There could be many reasons for that but having checked the records of Inveraray Jail I am assured that there were no major scandals. 

Every family has its story to tell, however, and from what I have gathered the nineteenth century Easdale Buchanans had their days of celebration but also moments of drama and, sadly, times of tragedy.  Babies died, injuries were sustained at the quarry, money was often scarce.  In that they were no different from many other families but it was their own unique experience.   

It was God’s will that all His people would have a story to tell.  Not just about the twists and turns of their personal lives but what He had done for them in calling them to be His people, in liberating them from slavery in Egypt, in staying with them through their years of rebellion and unfaithfulness.  Israel would have a story to tell about her God and there is a constant refrain throughout the Old Testament that it was the responsibility of each generation to pass that story on to the next.  This is the Psalmist: ‘One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.’  (Psalm 145: 4)

The Bible is a testimony to the power of words not least the spoken word.  Words strengthen, inspire, empower.  And this was the purpose God had in the telling of His people’s story.  It was not just a way of remembering but a way of experiencing the continuing presence of a loving Heavenly Father. 

I am writing this on 28 August 2013 the 50^th. Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s great speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, better known as the ‘I Have A Dream’ speech.  These are words which have come down the generations to inspire those who believe that the world doesn’t need to be under the pall of injustice, violence, poverty and greed.  There is a better world not just to dream of but to work for.

The Gospel is a story of hope because it tells us how God through His Son Jesus began a process of renewal at the heart of humankind which will end with the glory of a new heaven and a new earth.  That is worth passing on and may this be at the heart of all our worship and activity in the Church season which lies ahead.  

Blankets.

I once heard the artist Peter Howson say that the most significant artistic development in the twentieth century was the graphic novel.  Whether this is true or not it is certainly the case that comics (which is what we used to call graphic novels) have come a long way in the last fifty or so years.  

One of my primary school teachers whenever she found a comic in your desk would pick it up by the tips of her thumb and forefinger, display it before the class with a look of intense disgust, and then drop it in the bin.  The message was that this object was not just disagreeable it was actually harmful.  The UK parliament of 1955 apparently agreed, to some extent at least.  The Home Secretary of the time, Gwilym Lloyd George, introduced The Children’s and Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act 1955 in response to concerns expressed by teachers and clergy at the possible effects of horror comics on children.  The real issue was the amount of violence and cruelty and ‘incidents of a repulsive or horrible nature’ which were depicted but it is fair to say that comics in general were not regarded as a good thing.  

Now graphic novels are regularly reviewed in the Guardian and the New York Times, and are written by the likes of Ian Rankin, Denis Mina and Neil Gaiman.  The comic is no longer part of the junk heap of our culture.  Anyone in any doubt about this should read Craig Thompson’s ‘Blankets’.  This is a tour de force of 582 pages which Thompson has drawn as well as scripted.  It is a story of love and its loss and faith and its loss conveyed in a way which would not be possible with words alone.  It manages to be poignant and funny but sometimes disturbing.  This is one of the problems with the graphic novel.  It is capable of dealing with serious, ‘adult‘ issues but anything with pictures is always going to be attractive to children.  As with films, books, TV programs, there are some graphic novels that are decidedly not suitable for children.  But there is no doubt that the genre has produced much to be valued and much that will endure.