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14/06/2017
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Anna Drew, Director of Communications with the Canterbury Diocese.
Last on
Wed 14 Jun 201705:43
BBC Radio 4
Script
Good morning.
Working in Public Relations, it’s often said that “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. In the PR world, there are two kinds of folk: people and people who know people. You’re only as significant as the networks you’re a part of.
But when you’re measured by how many ‘friends’ or followers you have on social media, by how well connected you are...what happens to real relationships? What about the people who don’t ‘know people’? Bit by bit we see those already on the fringes gradually being pushed out and excluded from the centres of power, from our clubs, friendship groups and churches.
In a way, being a follower of Jesus is a bit like working in PR – it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know. You don’t have to be au fait with the intricacies of church doctrine or understand every letter of scripture. It’s about knowing and believing in Jesus – the rest somehow falls into place.
But there’s one significant difference – Jesus never bought into the lie that people are only as important as their contacts book. He doesn’t care who you know or where you’re from.
The choosing of Jesus’ disciples was a definitive point in his ministry. He could have consulted with the Pharisees, asking them about the holiest people they knew. He could have asked his parents which of their friends were well-connected in the synagogue. Instead he chose strangers. Fishermen, tax collectors, ordinary men and women of no special status. Men and women who left everything to follow him.
Lord God, bless and guide our relationships. Help us to hear the voices of those on the edge of our society. May we treat people with grace, respect and care. Amen
Working in Public Relations, it’s often said that “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. In the PR world, there are two kinds of folk: people and people who know people. You’re only as significant as the networks you’re a part of.
But when you’re measured by how many ‘friends’ or followers you have on social media, by how well connected you are...what happens to real relationships? What about the people who don’t ‘know people’? Bit by bit we see those already on the fringes gradually being pushed out and excluded from the centres of power, from our clubs, friendship groups and churches.
In a way, being a follower of Jesus is a bit like working in PR – it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know. You don’t have to be au fait with the intricacies of church doctrine or understand every letter of scripture. It’s about knowing and believing in Jesus – the rest somehow falls into place.
But there’s one significant difference – Jesus never bought into the lie that people are only as important as their contacts book. He doesn’t care who you know or where you’re from.
The choosing of Jesus’ disciples was a definitive point in his ministry. He could have consulted with the Pharisees, asking them about the holiest people they knew. He could have asked his parents which of their friends were well-connected in the synagogue. Instead he chose strangers. Fishermen, tax collectors, ordinary men and women of no special status. Men and women who left everything to follow him.
Lord God, bless and guide our relationships. Help us to hear the voices of those on the edge of our society. May we treat people with grace, respect and care. Amen
Broadcast
- Wed 14 Jun 201705:43BBC Radio 4
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