Life isn't always smooth. Jesus calls us to difficult and painful times as well as to times of joy and delight. In our worship today, let us explore something of his call.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, I don't understand how you could ever let me suffer.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, I thought that once I decided to follow you, everything would be wonderful.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, help me not to ignore difficult problems, but to work through them.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Mark 13:1-8
1. As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!" 2. Then Jesus asked him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down." 3. When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4. "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?" 5. Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. 6. Many will come in my name and say, "I am he!' {Gk [I am]} and they will lead many astray. 7. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
Story:
We human beings mostly want our lives to be smooth and comfortable, and when we pledge our lives to Jesus we sometimes expect Jesus to keep our lives easy. But the opposite usually happens. When we pledge to follow Jesus our lives often become much harder. Jesus warns in today's gospel passage of hard times ahead, but God can use hard times to our advantage, to help us grow and become strong.
This is a story about Bleat, a black sheep who had a hard life which eventually stood him in good stead.
Bleat the Black Sheep
Bleat knew he was different the moment he was born. His mother sniffed him and licked him like she did his twin brother, but all the other sheep and lambs stared at him. When Bleat's brother struggled to his feet and began to gambol in the field as all good lambs should, the whole flock baa-a-ed encouragement. But when Bleat did exactly the same, they just went on staring and then tuned away.
At that early stage, Bleat was too young to care. Anyway, his mother loved him and he felt secure in her love. But as he grew older, Bleat couldn't help noticing that he was often left out of lamb games and frequently found himself alone and unwanted. Worse, if he tried to complain, the other lambs would turn on him and say crossly, "Oh, do stop bleating!"
One day, Bleat's mother disappeared. By then he and his brother no longer needed her milk, for they were eating grass just like grown up sheep, but Bleat was devastated by her absence. She was the only true friend he had and he was now completely alone. Bleat had no idea where she'd gone, for the other sheep just stared grumpily at him and muttered darkly about "that black sheep, Bleat," as though it was all his fault. Later, his brother told him privately that because he was the only lamb to have been born with black wool instead of white wool, the whole flock regarded him as a bad omen and thought he brought bad luck to the flock. That was why they ostracised him and treated him so badly.
"But that's not fair!" protested Bleat. "It isn't my fault how I was born! And I've had nothing to do with Mother's disappearance. I think the farmer has sent her to market," he added mournfully.
Despite the absence of his mother and the unkindness of the flock, Bleat grew big and strong. He learned to deal with being alone and grew to quite enjoy it. And in a way, he was proud of being different, especially when he heard the farmer say, "That black sheep! He's a good 'un!"
That winter, the snows came early. Frost covered the ground in early October and by the end of November the ground was covered in snow. To start with the snow was soft and gentle, but as the temperature dropped, so the ground became rock hard and the snow froze on top of it. Then it was impossible to scrabble for grass underneath the snow and the flock had to rely on the farmer delivering food and water with his tractor.
Most of the flock suffered and huddled together for warmth, but Bleat was better off. His black wool was really warm and during his solitary hours, he'd discovered all sorts of nooks and crannies where he could hide from the worst of the weather. And he showed up so well against the white snow, that the farmer used him as a marker to determine where to deliver the food, so Bleat was never hungry.
The little winter lambs suffered the most, for they were so small. They hadn't had time to grow before the snows came, and their coats weren't very thick. Bleat knew what it felt like to be unhappy and he felt sorry for the little lambs, so he quietly began to show them how to hide to avoid the weather and when he knew it was time for food, he'd make sure they were with him so that they ate early. When one of them skidded on the ice, Bleat rescued her and in the spring when the weather began to turn warmer and the ice began to melt and crack, Bleat looked after all the youngest lambs and made sure none of them ventured onto the pond.
At the end of the winter, Bleat realised how happy he had been. All the other sheep had been miserable and had found it very difficult to cope with the awful conditions, but Bleat had enjoyed it. He'd been useful and all the flock were grateful to him. The youngest lambs loved him and always wanted to be with him and suddenly he discovered the flock no longer considered him a curse. "Now," his brother confided to him, "they think your black coat is a blessing. Welcome to the flock, Bleat. At last you're one of us."
And Bleat thanked God for those early difficult times, for they had made him strong.
Activity:
You need:
A number of different newspapers, including a
Christian newspaper
Scissors
Glue
Large sheets of paper
Talk to the children about news. What constitutes good news and what constitutes bad news? Divide the children into small groups and get them to cut out good news headlines and bad news headlines. They should stick all the bad news onto one sheet of paper and all the good news onto another sheet of paper. When they have finished, discuss the headlines and ask why they have decided some are good news and some are bad news. Talk about the good news of Christianity, but point out that being Christian doesn't mean that nothing bad will ever happen. Refer to today's reading, in which Jesus warns of bad times ahead. Ask what difference being a Christian makes when we face bad times.
Ask the children about good times and bad times in their lives. Ask whether they think Jesus is still present in bad times, or only in good times? Remind them of their baptism candles (being careful in case some aren't baptised) which show that Jesus is the Light of the World and will always be a light in their darkness, they have only to ask for his help. Let them write about or draw either a good time or a bad time that they remember.
Intercession:
Lord of light, when church life seems dark guide us through the difficulties and help us to see the big picture. May we hold fast to you in all our problems.
Lord of light, fill the darkness of our world with your radiance. May our leaders be focussed on you so that they know which path to follow. We pray especially today for any whose lives feel full of darkness, asking that they may see your light at the end of their tunnel.
Lord of light, when life throws up problems or questions or difficulties, help us to face them squarely with confidence in your power and in your love. May we so open ourselves to you that we are able to grow through any problems that we face.
Lord of light, we hold within your radiant, healing love all who are sick, asking for your touch on their lives. We name them before you...
Blessing:
May you hold onto God in all circumstances.
May you follow Jesus in the whole of your life.
May the Holy Spirit guide you and protect you.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and for whom you pray,
now and always.
Amen.
