Reflection for Epiphany 6
‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven…’ Luke 6:22-23a
Some things in life, it seems, people love to hate. Nominations for what I call the ‘anti-Oscars’ – the Razzie Awards – are out. Now in their 42nd year, these nominations are for the worst films and worst performances of 2021. Now I wouldn’t have thought there would have been much production in a year riddled by a pandemic, but I was surprised to read that Bruce Willis has managed to perform in nine (yes 9) movies last year! And as someone critics love to hate, he has been granted a category all of his own with all nine performances nominated!
So, it would seem safe to assume that Bruce Willis won’t be jumping for joy when the vote comes in!
For Luke’s Jesus, following him is certainly not a popularity contest – and in fact he warns that it could lead to being deeply hurt, excluded, reviled and defamed! It would seem that Jesus is warning his followers that they should be braced for something much worse than a Razzie nomination!
On a more serious note, this warning can throw some light on the religious discrimination bill and an attempt of some to exclude students from education facilities based on their gender identity. For such people attempting to do this, the backlash they experienced could be seen as vindication that they are on the right path in following what they believe Jesus taught. And could result in a hardening of their belief that such discrimination is right and correct and in line with the reign of God.
But in our reading from Luke’s gospel this week, Jesus clearly states that any backlash or hate experienced is the result of working to alleviate poverty, oppression and discrimination in the name of the One who welcomes all. And when such work is done, and the backlash happens, the followers of Christ should leap with joy – God is with them.
Which reminded me of the footage of the rescue of a dolphin from shallow water in Port Philip Bay this week.
As the dolphin, finally free and literally ‘wobbling’ its way out towards the bay (its fin rocked from side to side like it was unbalanced), it looked like it was going to get lost once more as it veered back toward the shore. An anxious rescuer tried to swim close enough to head it off.
Then it happened – a flash of its body, a little splash – and the dolphin disappeared beneath the water.
Rescuers reported the absolute joy (‘everyone was so, so happy’) they felt when they saw the splash and dive – sure signs that the dolphin was free!
Blessings
Ceri
