Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Years ago there was a well-known children's film, recently re-modelled' for a new generation. I am thinking of the 'Ghost Busters'. If supernatural forces were at work the people in the stories were to ring for the intrepid group who would come and deal with the ghosts. It's signature phrase was "Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!". It was crazy fun, but of course it reflected real life, for we all need certain organisations to call when we're in trouble.

In the UK if we need help we know who to call, and sometimes its more than one organisation: a car accident might involve the police, the fire service, and an ambulance; a fall on the Cumbrian fells can involve mountain rescue*, and possibly an air ambulance*; and an animal stuck in tidal mud will often be attended by RSPCA*, RNLI*, police, and the fire service. Then in real life if we are really troubled by supernatural forces we can ring our local priest or minister and ask for someone to come out from the relevant church tasked with such work.

Such systems are set up all round the world but there comes a day when the ambulances are all out on other urgent calls, the local priest is on holiday, the police are attending a huge public demonstration, and the fire service are all trying to put out an enormous moorland fire. If on that day you need to be rescued you may have to wait, and waiting may not be an option!

In today's reading from John's Gospel which many of us have heard or read and feel we know very well Jesus says "Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away." When we're in deep trouble He is never on holiday or too busy with other calls to attend to us. We may not like his solution at first, but it will be the best one, and we need to watch out for the 'God-coincidences' that occur. Jesus will never turn us away when we appeal to Him.

* The following organisations are made up of volunteers in the UK: Air Ambulance; Mountain Rescue; RSPCA (Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals); and the RNLI (Royal Naval Lifeboat Association).

Lord Jesus Christ,
You know when we need help
but forget to turn to You;
You know when our world needs help
but forget to turn to You.
Forgive our belief that we can solve
all these problems without You,,
and help us to turn to You
as a first resort.
Amen.