One
of the reasons that positive change, the power to do good, is often ignored is
that change can revolutionise the way we live and the way we think. Change can
alter the status quo; undermine power and privilege. People who hold power are
generally always sensitive to the risk that changes can often bring. For
example, when the mathematician, Nicholas Copernicus published his book in
1543, De Revolutionibus showing that
the sun was the centre of the planetary system and not the planet Earth his
book was banned by the Catholic Church. 16 years later, Giordano Bruno was
burnt at the stake for saying the same thing. Later, Galileo published his own
views in support of the Copernican theory. The Inquisition responded by
threatening him with torture, he recanted his views and was then placed under
house arrest for the rest of his life.
Dr
Joseph Bronoski in his famous book, The
Ascent of Man, commented that, 'Galileo
seems to have been strangely innocent about the world of politics and most
innocent in thinking that he could outwit it because he was clever.' But the
Roman Catholic Church was a church that held power, that believed 'faith should
dominate' whereas Galileo believed that 'truth should persuade'. The Catholic
Church was a totalitarian, ecclesiastical power and as we have seen, it would
brook no opposition to its doctrine.
Today,
we have our own political juggernauts and those who stand outside of the main
parties or the political consensus are often ignored and marginalised. One who
is not listened to or does not have access to the 'corridors of power' is often
referred to as a 'voice in the wilderness' as though that voice or that person
is of no consequence. But just because one person, or a minority holds a point
of view or has an idea that is not supported by the majority it doesn't
necessarily mean that that idea is wrong. Someone once said, 'If 50 million
people think a foolish thing it is still a foolish thing'.
In the gospel of Mark, that
lone voice of 'one crying in the wilderness' opens the story of Jesus'
ministry.
Behold, I send my message before thy face, who shall
prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness - prepare the way of
the Lord make his paths straight.
Here
was John the Baptist at the River Jordan, bringing a message to those who were seeking
a new beginning, baptising them with water but Jesus of Nazareth he said 'would
baptise with the Holy Spirit.' The voice crying in the wilderness proclaimed
not himself, but a new message that would turn the world upside down, where the
first would be last and the last would be first. There is this story where the
disciples of Jesus are all arguing and bickering amongst themselves, trying to
outdo each other, scoring points, so to speak but Jesus gets them all to sit
down and says to them, 'If you really want the place of honour, you must become
a slave and serve others.' Later, he told them of the need to 'forgive what
others have done to you' as an essential practice in the spiritual life.
But
in his own life, the message he brought and the ideas he conveyed were rejected
and rejected not least by the people who knew him in his own town of Nazareth
The stone that the builders tossed aside
is now the most important stone of all.
You
can imagine that it did not go down well. Prophets are often without honour in
their hometown and amongst their closest family, because often the prophet
brings an uncomfortable message that challenges power, self-interest and
tradition. The words of a prophet can bring all sorts of consequences and
insecurities the whole thing is problematic. Jesus said (in the gospel of John)
'and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free'. But as we know
men are often more interested in the power of their own authority than being
persuaded by the truth.
