Nazareth 2000 years ago and Nazareth today – we continue our advent journey of ‘looking East’ and holding in tension the multifaceted stories of then and now, while also hearing again the story of the angel Gabriel telling Mary of the child to come.
Let us worship God
In our reading we hear the words: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” As we begin the Advent journey towards Christmas – what light are we looking for?
Let us worship God
This week we reflect on two different images of what Jesus is like: ‘king’ and ‘mother hen’ – with this week of the year is sometimes called ‘Christ the King’ Sunday we find in our reading Jesus saying to the city of Jerusalem how he has longed to gather up God’s people like a mohter hen taking chicks under her wing. What’s our image of what God is like?
Let us worship God
“What” they ask Jesus, “is the greatest commandment?” – and the questions is a trap. Jesus’ answer has been taken up as a prime ethical principle since – but might there be more to it than ‘treating others as you would be treated’?
Let us worship God
With violence in Israel and Gaza we wrestle with how to respond. Psalm 122 gives us a beginning: ‘Pray for peace’
Let’s worship God
Resources/links to go deeper on this week’s reflection:
For a brief history of the conflict: (BBC): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-44124396
For various maps illustrating humanitarian conditions in Gaza and West Bank (UN agency): https://www.ochaopt.org/maps
For illustration on religious vocabulary in Jewish-Christian relations: CofS and Chief Rabbi glossary project https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/108745/ocr23-01_a-jewish-christian-glossary_a4_v4.pdf
Most widely accepted definition of anti-semitism: https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definitions-charters/working-definition-antisemitism
Sabeel centre (CofS partner) – Christian liberation theology centre in Palestine: https://sabeel.org/
Churches together in Britain and Ireland: prayer resources: Prayers and statements on violence in Israel and Gaza (ctbi.org.uk)
B’Tselem – an Israeli human rights recording and news organisation (also CofS partner): https://www.btselem.org/
Opinion pieces:
Personal account, Magen Inon: “I lost my parents in the Hamas attack. My family want peace, not revenge for their deaths” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/19/hamas-attack-peace-revenge-border-war
Podcast from BBC on claims and counter claims on war-crimes – with human rights experts and lawyers: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gmsqqm
For hope and action/giving:
Parents Cricle Family Forum – bereaved families from all sides of the conflict working for peace and reconciliation https://www.theparentscircle.org/en/pcff-home-page-en/
Medical Aid for Palestinians: https://www.map.org.uk/
Embrace the Middle East: https://embraceme.org/
Hadeel Palestinian Fairtrade shop (Edinburgh, CofS partner, good for gifts) https://www.hadeel.org/
Aberlour Parish Church 