Weekly Thoughts

Probably the most uncomfortable flight we have ever spent was one when we were coming back from Israel. We spent the flight in company of a large number of ultra-orthodox Jews. They were unfriendly, arrogant and self-obsessed; most of the men did not sit in the seats but roamed about talking to one another. We were very conscious of being in a small minority and overwhelmed by these overbearing men. “Well” I said to myself “I suppose that how your behave if you consider yourself to be God’s chosen people”. That indeed is, I believe, how some Jews see themselves. One Jewish wit, however, was aware of the irony of this: so we’re the chosen people, yes, chosen to be homeless, chosen to be persecuted, chosen to be vilified and hated throughout the world – God couldn’t you have chosen somebody else?

In Israel you meet three kinds of Jews: secular Jews who are Jewish by descent but have little or nothing to do with the Jewish religion; religious Jews who practice their religion very much in the same way most Jews do here; and thirdly the ultra-religious with their distinctive dress and behaviour. In Israel the ultra-religious are resented by their fellow countrymen because of the privileges they enjoy: exempt from military service and the requirement to work. The people on the ‘plane were orthodox and they made that all too plain. It is the orthodox who are behind the political parties which take the hardest line towards Arab Palestinians and would like to see them driven from Israel. They are behind the continuation of the savage war in Gaza

But claiming a special status cuts both ways along with rights and privileges comes responsibilities.  As Christians we might consider ourselves to be a chosen people After all Jesus said: “You did not chose me but I chose you…” we responded to that choice in our Baptism and Confirmation, and in our ordination if we responded to God’s call to the sacred ministry. We may claim certain rights and privileges as a result but they come with responsibilities: to care our neighbours especially those less fortunate than ourselves, to care for society and for our world. We warm to the idea that we are special but are we ready for all that might entail?  

READINGS AND PRAYERS

12 OCTOBER – SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY – Luke 17.11-19 – the grateful Samaritan – for the grace of genuine thanksgiving

13 OCTOBER – Edward the Confessor, King of England, 1066 – 2 Samuel 23.1-5 – the last wors of David – Charles, our King

14 OCTOBER – Tuesday – Romans 1.16-25 – I am not ashamed of the Gospel – that we may have confidence in our faith

15 OCTOBER – Teresa of Avila, Teacher of the faith, 1582 Romans 8.22-27 – the Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words – members of the Carmelite order today

16 OCTOBER – Thursday – Romans 3.21-30 – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ – for the increase of faith

17 OCTOBER – Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, Martyr, c.107 - Philippians 3.7-12 – I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection – those who suffer for the Faith today

18 OCTOBER - LUKE THE EVANGELIST – Luke 10.1-9 – the Lord appointed seventy others – all Christian doctors and nurses