Sunday 08 October 2023

Psalm 80

Background

These are difficult and challenging words from Jesus who is in full prophetical utterance. He pulls no punches in this parable. He warns the Jewish leaders that if they reject the words of the messengers of God, they will lose the blessings that God has given to them (just as the tenants in the story lose the vineyard due to their bad behaviour). With hindsight, we know now that Jesus was also one of the main protagonists in the story: when he talks about the vineyard owner’s son, he's referring to himself (with the vineyard owner being God).

There is also a warning to us in this parable. In today’s Church that we must listen to God and to the messengers of God in order that we may produce fruit (or goodness) for our communities and for our world.

Jesus clearly was the master storyteller and in these short stories we can explore the depths of his messages and their meanings. Today I believe that we also receive prophecy through film. I am a fan of science fiction and my wife loves a good disaster movie, especially one that depicts the end of the world, or rather the narrow escape from the destruction of the whole world. Film studio prophets constantly warn us of the dangers of climate change, nuclear war,  pandemics, and the risk of not controlling gene-editing or the advancement of artificial intelligence. The medium of film and TV is a relevant and convenient way to get their message to the masses.

To Ponder:

• What film or TV programmes have you watched that have messages of warning to humanity, and what were those warnings?
• In what ways have any of these films or TV programmes caused you to think and act differently in how you contribute to your community and to your world?

Prayer

God, help us be aware of our world and of each other; help us to listen to the warnings that are given us through others; and help us to live in a way that we can contribute to a better society and a better world. Amen.

Prisons Week

8-14 October 2023 is Prisons Week, which the Methodist Church sponsors. All of this week’s contributions are written by Methodist prison chaplains.