Slideshow image

When Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured the sick.                                            Matthew 14:14.

In the past few days, we have witnessed 2 significant gatherings of world leaders, the first in Italy with the gathering of the G20 leaders.

As this conference ended, the COP26 Conference was just beginning in Glasgow, Scotland.

For the next 12 days, we will hear live speeches promising great action by governments from around the world. Some of those nations will be the ‘haves’, and some the ‘have nots’.

The COP26 Conference differs from the G20, in that many of the participants will not be politicians. They will be world leaders with commitment and investment in bringing about climate change.

In one clip from Facebook, there is a picture and report of the Archbishop of Canterbury praying with the President of Seychelles at COP26.

The President who, as well as leading one of the world’s smallest and most vulnerable islands, is also an Anglican priest.

Archbishop Welby shared that they spoke and prayed together about the climate crisis, and the Christian calling to work for justice, and never give up.

Another clip from Facebook recorded our Prime Minister, calling on those gathered for the G20 to focus on the urgent priorities of protecting the environment, and fighting climate change and biodiversity loss.

Prime minister Trudeau emphasized the importance of G2-leadership in building a common approach to fighting climate change.

The nations’ leaders, the corporate leaders, the NGO’s, and world leaders in religion, will soon return home.

In reference to the quote from Matthew, these leaders will soon come “ashore”. They will be met by great crowds looking for “healing for our climate”. These crowds will be expecting compassion and action.

When the Gospel says Jesus cured the sick, the nations are looking for a global cure for our environment.

 

Coming closer to home—in the past 3 weeks at St. John’s, we have the occasion to share in this sense of having compassion for those looking for healing in their personal life, and in their family.

We are called to work for justice and never give up, as Archbishop Welby shared on Facebook.

What is important for the global leaders, the petitioners for change, and for each of us, is for action to come from the core centre of our lives.

Jesus never acted because of political pressure, or crowd mob.

Jesus acted because of his sense of, and understanding of, his call to ministry.

Jesus acted of his desire for all to receive prayer, and to ensure they were fed in spirit and body.

The question for us, church and non-churched, will be to ask how we/ I might act with compassion today, tomorrow, and each day.

Are we ready to meet with those who we meet coming ashore—standing in the need of prayer—outside the doors of our church.

 

Blessings, Archdeacon Brian+