Stories that Shape Us

'All good things come to an end' is a familiar saying. And tomorrow marks an ending for us in two ways. It is the last Sunday of the Church's liturgical year, as Advent Sunday (next week, 27th) is the beginning. And tomorrow we come the end of Pt 1 of our study book, 'We Make the Road by Walking'. Our all-too-brief walk through the Old Testament comes to an end with the ascension of Elijah, and with that the end of a 'golden age' in Israel's history. Now Elisha picks up his mantle. Similarly, we also read from the Book of Acts about the Ascension of Jesus which was the ending of his earthly ministry and the necessary prequel to the birth of the Church.

I think it has become clear from our Old Testament studies that we are shaped by the stories we read there, from Creation to the Exodus to the Promised Land. We are about to enter the Promised Time, and the birth of the Messiah. The stories in the Gospel are what shape us in our Christian discipleship. Tomorrow's Gospel reading is about the woman who weeps before Jesus, and anoints his feet - right there, in front of everyone at a respectable Pharisee's supper party. Referring to her previous state, Jesus explains that generosity of spirit - so absent in the Pharisee's attitude - is found most in those who have been forgiven much. Entering into her story, as it were, we are perhaps disturbed by her lack of inhibition and moved by this offering of worship and devotion. How much of God's forgiveness have we experienced, and how do we express it?  Surely this is what should shape us in our discipleship rather than the hard-heartedness of the Pharisee.

Next Sunday, we take a break from our studies for a special Advent communion service at the Methodist church. The churches of our proposed Mission Community come together for a celebration to mark a milestone in our journey.