Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7; Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56
The bible is something we can learn so much from, about our faith and about who we are. As many people have said, we need to take it seriously, but not literally, for it has a complex wisdom that helps us to deal with the many issues we face today while not giving us detailed answers. It brings God near to us through the experience of others.

Yet as Paul Tillich suggests God is also near to us because he is an essential dimension of who we are. We can not do theology with just the bible, with just words, no matter how sacred, but by engaging with the God who is part of our essence, a God that drives us to new beginnings, to change and transform, and makes life worthwhile. As Freidrich Schleimacher says, `Religion is a sacred music that we hear or ought to hear in every movement of our lives`. And it is ordinary lives that sometime reveal the workings of God like nothing else.

I was reminded of this fact only the other day. I was having a cup of tea with a friend who was visiting from London, and her parents who are in their late 70s. My friend`s mother, Claire, still has her mother alive at 98 and we were talking about the relationship they have had together, and how recently it has changed markedly. Over the years Claire`s mother has remained aloof and guarded in her emotions, never satisfied with what her daughter would do or say. It was always an issue that hung in the air as my friend was growing up. Her mother was always looking for affirmation from her mother, for some sign of love in return, but it was never forthcoming. Over the years however, as Claire was recounting this story, she said she stopped looking for this `something in return`, and instead faithfully cared for her mother, visiting regularly and looking after her as she aged. Nothing had changed in the relationship except for her need for praise and love in return, which she discarded. She loved her mother unconditionally with no expectations.

This faithfulness, this love, had a remarkable reward, not in heaven but in the nursing home, only a few months ago. A miraculous thing happened. Suddenly the old woman who had never been grateful, never said thank you to her daughter, did so; suddenly the woman who never said to her daughter that she loved her, did so, reservedly at first and then openly and with enthusiasm; and suddenly the woman who could not share her feelings, did so. What was the spur for this change? Who knows - a divine presence eventually transforming heart and mind or the unconditional love shown by another human over a long period of time, or a bit of both? Either way, a relationship was created over and above what they had, and the music in their lives got a lot more beautiful. Interestingly enough my friend`s mother, while amazed and pleased by this transformation in her mother was not waiting for it. She loved her anyway and in this act truly reflected her Christian faith. Love and loving is what matters, at any stage or age in life.

Today`s reading from Luke is about Jesus and transformation. His vision for a transformation of society, where people are free, and resources are shared will be at odds with a society like ours, where the rich get richer and the poor poorer. As Jesus says, `Do you think I have come to establish peace on earth? No I tell you, but rather division.` We are called in our faith to work for this new society, to be different, yet the task seems daunting. But it is in the small things that big things grow. This transformation has to start somewhere, and it starts with us as individuals. My friend`s mother could have given up on her mother, left her in the nursing home to age and die a lonely, fairly miserable old woman. Many people would have, particularly in our individualistic society. Yet she didn`t. Though it was emotionally painful, and at times distressing, she never left her mother`s side, never left her unloved or unwanted. And transformation did come, eventually, for both of them.

Our world needs people like Claire. People who will put aside expectation of something in return for their love and compassion, who care for others unconditionally and who reflect the essence of God in their lives. If we all do this, we may start with division, but end with unity. And a better, more equitable society.