One of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had is of being in Paris the day the French football team won the world cup. Without exaggeration, it was like being in the middle of a riot, except that even the police joined in. Those celebrating that day celebrated in a very different way from what I was expecting or used to (though being a fan of the Scotland team means I’ll likely never get to experience it for myself). In fact, they do a lot of things differently in France than what I’m used to, and it can be quite unsettling. But there comes that moment when you realise it’s only strange because you are from a different background and culture. It’s simply not what you are used to, that’s all. Once I got back to the UK I felt far more at home with its proper queuing, bad food and the ability to get a decent cup of tea.
I’m thinking this way this week due to our readings. In the gospel reading, Jesus is giving the apostles their instructions for going out on mission. Jesus stresses to them that they must not be afraid of what happens in the world and to remember their mission is comes from Jesus Himself. They are to be Jesus to those around them and hold to that when things go bad for them. Because they are now like Him, they are not to give in to the way of the world. It’s this idea of identity that Paul looks at in our second reading when he reminds Christians that because they have been baptised in Jesus, they have a new identity. Their old self is now no more and as they are a new person, they are to live in a new way.
Sometimes the world is like being in a foreign country for Christians. There is poverty, injustice, illness, violence and death. There is a seeming acceptance that this is just the way it is. Yet because we are new people in Christ, we know that none of these things are meant to be and it is odd. If, as Paul reminds us, we remember who we are, we find we don’t have to accept the way the world is as the way things have to be. When we see someone who is poor, we don’t see a “bludger” looking for “handouts”, but a beloved child of God and we are moved to help them. When we see someone who is ill, we don’t shun them, but long to comfort them and bring them healing. We can’t ignore those on the margins of society as thew world does, we must welcome them in. Our lives are now different, so our values are different now. Whatever the world thinks, we have to continue to live according to these new core values and be Jesus to those around us.