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Bridges and barriers

When I grew up, and this dates me, communication guru Marshall Macluan was loudly proclaiming the medium is the message. What he was stating was that the way in which information or communication was packaged was as important or perhaps more so than the message itself. This has become the spin-doctors’ bible. Whether you agree with this or not (and I think that the matter is far more complex than the slogan suggests) it highlights the truth that what is understood by an audience is greatly influenced by the way in which it is conveyed. Indeed one influential booklet on preaching had the title It’s not so much what you say, as what they hear.

Communication, of course, is much more than getting the words right. A companion of St Francis of Assisi asked the saint for some instruction in preaching. He simply took him out one day and all Francis did was to listen and talk with those he met. When his companion expressed his puzzlement at the end of the day he remarked, “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless we preach as we walk.” For him, as it was for Jesus, preaching was lifestyle, not just sermons.

What gets in the way?

So often we get in the way of the message we want to share. We erect barriers, rather than build bridges. Some of our barriers are unconscious some are deliberate. Let me take you through two of Jesus’ encounters to explain what I mean.

First, read the story of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-21). Here Jesus and the young man share a common language, a common culture, a common religion, and a desire to serve God. The thing that gets in the way is money. The man is hooked on it; it provides his security, his status and sadly his ultimate values. Jesus loves him and the young man’s conscience is deeply stirred. There is huge inner turmoil as he comes to terms with the fact that for him his wealth is a barrier to discipleship. This comes as a shock too for the disciples nurtured as they are in the assumption that material wealth and success are signs of divine favour. And before we get too smug we need to ask ourselves who are we in that story? Are not most of us rich Christians in an age of hunger; doesn’t our perceived wealth and lifestyle constitute a barrier to belief by the impoverished and struggling?

Then there is the famous story of Jesus at the well (John 4). Here we note barriers of sex, culture, religion, race, prejudice and lifestyle. Jesus should not be speaking with such a person, let alone asking for her help. He is tainted by his association with her even in the eyes of his disciples (who would have become even more self-righteous if they had known the woman’s chequered history). Jesus is aware of all these obstacles, but goes on building bridges of friendship, acceptance and care. As a result she becomes a bridge builder herself. She overcomes the prejudice and hostility of her townsfolk against herself and against Jews by her openness “he told me all I ever did,” and her faith story “Could this be the Messiah?” The result is a community transformed by the touch of Jesus.

So how can we become bridge builders?

First, of course, we need to accept that there is a cost. We feel more comfortable behind the gated estates of our lifestyle, culture and religion. Outside is dangerous, unfamiliar and strange. When we do find the courage to reach out we may find ourselves, or our motives, misrepresented by those on the inside, who feel threatened. That was the experience of Jesus who encountered the greatest opposition from the Pharisees, the group with whom, ironically, he had most in common. Second, we have to attempt to understand the culture in which others live. That can be difficult if we are 50+ and are trying to engage with pop culture! It’s hard too, if we have a Christian background and are trying to find points of contact with those who have never opened a Bible or darkened the door of a church. Third, we need to pray and rely on the Holy Spirit. He can open doors and create opportunities in most unexpected ways. Finally, we need to remember Jesus, our great High Priest, or Pontifex, (literally bridge builder in Latin) “who for the joy set before him endured the shame,” and opened up for us the way to the Father.

Revd Donald Dowling, February 2002

 

 

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