Blazing beacons

As pictures of the Church go, the Olympic flame may seem an unlikely choice, but it works well for me.

I am a huge fan of the Olympic Games, and not just for the sport. I love the history, the ideals, and the symbolism. I particularly love the Olympic flame and the torch relays that link to it.

For those who aren’t quite as enthusiastic as me… A couple of months before an Olympic Games – the Olympic flame is ignited in a special ceremony in Olympia, Greece. A torch is then lit from the flame and is transported to the host nation for a multi-week torch relay throughout the country. Some of you will have seen the 2012 procession on the live stream or as it passed through your town – as I did in Belfast. It was bizarrely beautiful to see the streets lined with people watching and cheering-on the torch-bearers, some famous, most not; many jogging, others traveling more slowly; each one passing on the flame from its original source.

The culmination of the 2012 relay saw a group of six young British athletes lighting one another’s beacons from a single torch and stepping forward together to each light one of 27 copper ‘petals’ that formed a specially sculptured cauldron. The arms of these petals were slowly raised into a single, central cluster, the fire spreading to form the blazing beacon that remained alight during the 17 days of competition.

It was a stunning moment in that most memorable of events.

The Light and the lights

In the Bible, we discover a remarkable pair of statements that Jesus made about flames or lights…

“I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)

“You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

Which is it? Is Jesus the light of the world? Or are his followers the light of the world?

The answer is ‘Yes’ (which I believe is more accurate than ‘both’). The light we emit as Jesus-followers is the same light of Christ. He is the source from which all of our flames derive. He shines, we shine. As followers of Jesus, we are torch-bearers and light carriers. And the more we embrace and embody the values and priorities of Jesus, the more brightly and truly our light will shine.

Carrying your torch
Many of you reading this have caught the Kingdom of God vision to welcome, host, raise and champion children with lived experience of care. You are carrying a flame of hospitality and hope, you are issuing a light to the world that helps reframe a new, positive story for children and young people. Sometimes the experience of carrying that torch is joyous and fulfilling. At other times, it can feel burdensome and devoid of happiness. Oftentimes, it’s a constant mixture of the two. And yet, regardless of our experience, the Christ light is not extinguished - the flame of kingdom hope still burns.

Brighter together
You do not carry this light alone. Others are also holding out their lights of hope and hospitality, and still more are cheering you on - all of us playing our parts as both active participants and encouraging supporters. Together, as individuals drawn into community – as the Church of Jesus, the Light of the World – we blaze together as bright beacons of blessing and grace in our communities. The Light of the world sees his light reflected in you. You are his light. We are his light.

As you carry your torch and run your race, may you know the constant presence and holy company of your brothers and sisters in Christ. We run together. We shine bright together.