Sunday 21st June 09

Readings this week are:
Job 38:1-11
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-4

The Gospel reading is the stilling of the storm and I think I want to steer away from a reading that says 'whatever your storms in life, Jesus can calm them'. Not because that isn't true, but because often it just doesn't feel like that.

The Job reading came up in conversation a couple of weeks ago with someone who's been bereaved. We agreed that as far as answers to the question of suffering go, 'where were you when I made the hippopotamus?' has to be one of the lousiest!

With the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, I want to scream 'don't you care?'. Yet Jesus' answer is to calmly remind them who he is - master of sea and wind - maker & redeemer of all.

What sort of answer is this? Why does a loving Father God make a world in which suffering seems inevitable?

But isn't it better to have this gritty reality rather than living with the pretence that we can be kept wrapped in cotton wool? And somehow the reality of God's care is reflected in what Paul says - We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see-- we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

In the end - beyond this life we know - deep at the pillars of existence - God will not let us die.

This is tough stuff! I need more time to think!

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