27/6/10 Proper 8

Don't look back

BIBLE READING

Luke 9: 57-62

PREPARATION

You need a story the children will know where someone makes up their mind to do something, and goes on to do it, regardless of what stands in the way. Examples could include:

The Little Mermaid - Disney style ( or Hans Christian Anderson)
Once Arial has met and fallen in love with the prince, she discovers that to become human she must never talk, and so she determinedly sticks to that, not looking back at what might be.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - At the end of the book, Harry and his friends have to face a number of tasks to find the Philosopher's Stone and ensure that it can never be used for evil. During the tasks, Harry's friends, Ron and Hermione, are trapped. Harry is worried about them, but knows that he has to put them out of his mind and concentrate on the task, which is much bigger than he or his friends.

Billy Elliott - Billy's determination to become a ballet dancer means that he has to learn to ignore all prejudice, all the worries that his family have about money and even leaving behind Michael, the one friend who has supported him all the way through. In the final scene, we see his family and friends coming to watch Billy dance and in one triumphant leap we all know that that single mindedness was worth all the sacrifice that it required.

You will also need a staff, or some sort of walking stick for the story telling.

INTRODUCTION

Introduce the story you have chosen

• what did the main character decide to do?
• what did that involve?
• what would have happened if they had 'looked back'

Maybe someone in the school, or the local community, has achieved something special - a music or sports award, some special achievement in the community…- now would be a chance to celebrate that, and talk about the hard work and dedication that it took to get there.

THE MESSAGE - Don't look back

Tell the story as one of Jesus followers, with just a staff for the journey, journeying to share the good news of Jesus with others. The man is sitting down, taking a drink whilst on a journey.
'I always seem to be walking these days. I'm always going on to the next place - wondering where God will take me now.
Sometimes I wonder where it all began - did it begin in that room in Jerusalem, when we were all together - the day the Holy Spirit came? From that day onwards, we just wanted to tell everyone about Jesus Christ, and all that he had done.

Did it begin even earlier, when we were all gathered together after Jesus died? We were so shocked when he suddenly appeared among us, saying 'Peace be with you.' None of us doubted that this was really Jesus, who had really died and now was really alive again. None of us doubted that it would change our lives once again.

But then, I realise that it really all began that first time my life changed. I was just getting on with my life, being no one very special, and doing nothing really important, when I met this man, Jesus. He was walking on the Jerusalem road, with a few friends around him, talking to them, and teaching them. Perhaps I was particularly bored that day, for I moved closer to hear what he was saying. I couldn't really understand it all then, but it seemed as if he had been walking for some time. He turned to his friends and said ' Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' I don't normally go rushing off to talk to strangers, but I suddenly wanted to offer him a room to rest in my parents house. They wouldn't mind, surely. I'd always been a good son to them, and they knew I would look after them in old age - they wouldn't mind this stranger for a day or two.

I'd just about summoned up the courage to speak to him when he turned and looked at me. There was something in his look - his brown eyes seemed to pierce right into the heart of me. And all he said was 'Follow me'.

I looked back at my parents' home - and they came rushing out, as if they knew something special was going on. I think my father would have rushed out to stop me - who would carry on the family business, who would look after them as they got older… - but I saw my mother put her hand on his arm, and hold him back. She's always been very wise. 'If God is calling him, who are we to stop him.'

They were in Jerusalem for the Passover, when Jesus died. My father came to visit me. 'Now will you see sense, and come home', but my mother kept saying, 'Leave him alone, can't you see he's grieving. Let's pray that God helps him.' They were there again for the feast of Pentecost. This time, even my father knew that I had to move on, to tell others about the good news of Jesus. I was away in the north when my Father died. I thought my mother would be angry with me, but by then, they had both become believers. She wouldn't let me stay - 'I follow Jesus herein my home, , but you must spread the good news to those who have never heard,' she said. I've heard my mother is ill now. Peter said I should go to her. I hope I reach her in time, but even if I don't, I know we shall meet again in heaven.

If I'd known then what I know now, would I still go out to meet that stranger and speak to him? I know that some of our number have already been put in jail or flogged for their beliefs? Would I have left my village, my friends, my parents, my life? I think about the way Jesus looked at me and said, 'Follow me' and know I could not have done anything else.'

If you are unhappy about acting in role, you could retell the story in the third person.

PRAYER

Give thanks for those who have had a vision, a goal and had the courage to work for it, no matter what, and us to find inspiration in that, or use this prayer from Melanesia

O Jesus, be the canoe that holds me in the sea of life;
be the rudder that helps me in the straight road;
be the outrigger that supports me in times of temptation;
let your Spirit be my sail that carries me through each day.
Keep my body strong, so I can paddle steadfastly on in the voyage of life.
Amen