Dear Friends
I love looking at artwork and reflecting on what the artist might have been wanting to convey in their picture, as well as what we as observers actually make of what we see! Of course it’s said that every picture tells a story. What ‘story’ does the following picture suggest to you?
 It’s not exactly a very peaceful picture is it! Far from it! From these two bits of moulded, coloured plastercine we get a picture of two characters, out of sync with one another - one on the right with a pointed finger in one hand, and a clenched fist in the other (and isn’t it funny though, that when we point the finger at someone else, our other three fingers are pointing back at us!). Then there’s the second character on the left - somewhat taken aback, and caught a bit off balance by the other character’s behaviour and aggression, ready to topple over maybe, or at least needing to step back to gain an level footing.
And what about this next picture: Is it four characters trying to get their piece of the cake?  Or is it four characters concentrating on getting a right balance to hold the ‘cake’ / the jigsaw / themselves / the world together, with each piece fitting well and comfortably together albeit each piece being different and unique in its own shape and colour and content?
That first picture suggests dis-unity, whereas the second one seems to suggest a determined effort at unity. Unity, living in harmony with one another whilst respecting each other’s different perspectives and beliefs and cultures, is something which in Christ we are called to do; to live alongside one another in peace. It strikes me whenever I read the gospels of how much respect Jesus showed - and how much respect Jesus gave - to people, and to people to whom respect was often least accorded. Out of his compassionate love, Jesus gives, pays and shows respect to the fallen, to the outcast, to the lonely, to the destitute, to the needy, to the poor, and yes, also to the rich.
Look again at those two pictures. Which scene from the gospels could the first picture represent? Maybe the Pharisees, angry and accusing Jesus of being bad and mad for healing someone on the Sabbath? ( Luke 13:10-14) Perhaps the person with Peter in the courtyard on the night of Jesus’ arrest confronting Peter about being one of Jesus’ followers? (Matthew 26:26ff) That first picture is like Part 1 of a story. It’s part of a story we most likely have experience of - maybe being angry, maybe being the one accused or caught off balance, and so on.
And look again at Picture 2, which takes us to Part 2. See those same characters are there once more. But no longer in conflict and contention with one another. This time bound together in a common purpose, to hold everything together for good, committed to the common good. What would have happened to turn the pittedness of picture 1 into the peace and unity of picture 2? Reconciliation. Humility. Grace. Mercy. Repentance (even though the song says that ‘sorry seems to be the hardest word’?) Each one of these being graces of God. And the glue that holds everything together? Love - for God, and for one’s neighbour. Jesus says there is no higher call than this: “To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength ... AND to love your neighbour as yourself”. (Luke 10:27)
That is what each one of us is called to do, to be like Jesus and to follow his example. And as we set out to do this in our homes, in our families, in our work places, in our community, in our churches, may God be glorified and His love shine forth.
God bless you,
Lyn
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