Thoughts for the Day

Jesus called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I had a really odd experience recently while seeing a Hospital Consultant. I was greeted with the words "So you have a special contact with the great man upstairs?" After a moment's hesitation, I realised he was talking about God. He then continued to tell me his philosophy about the "great man" as he called him for half-an-hour. His idea was that different faiths were like the three different operating systems that manage our computers, like Linux, Apple, or Microsoft. He asked me what I thought, and I shared my faith with him. We did eventually get to why I was there!.

In our world, to whom do we show allegiance? Do we support certain football or rugby teams and wear their colours or follow them round the country? Do we have favourite singers that draw us to their concerts? Do we support certain people and put them on pedestals? Perhaps, I could put it another way, which of all these will you discuss at work or in the pub, or with friends the next day?

So why is it we remain quiet about our Lord and anything to do with Him? Not surely out of fear? We can say, "We don't wish to embarrass other people!" This is certainly an excuse I have made in the past. But look at what Jesus says about those who are ashamed of Him, in our reading from Mark's Gospel above.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we not be ashamed to own You
as our Saviour.
May we learn to take the opportunities
that come when we ask Your help,
and not be afraid to speak of our faith
and what it means to our life.
Help us to take one step forward
this day to reach out to someone else.
Amen.