I couldn't help but notice the spire of St Mary's in the bright sunshine as I took my regular morning walk. Seeing it shining like a beacon at the end of the road reminded me of Matthew 5.14: "You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden". A beacon is a fire or light set up high as a warning, signal or celebration. I wonder whether our parish churches with their often prominent positions at the heart of communities are still doing those things?
Warning beacons keep people away from danger. In many ways Christianity does contain warnings about the results of a sinful life. Unfortunately this has led to Christians (often quite rightly) getting a reputation for laying down the law and being judgemental. We've forgotten that God's judgement is intimately connected to God's mercy and love, and that warning is meant to help us live more fruitful lives fulfilling God's purpose in creating us in the first place!
Signal beacons point to something that's happening. Our church communities are there to point and witness to the active work of God in a people and a place. And this should often be a cause for celebration, whenever love overcomes hate, peace overcomes fear, hope overcomes despair, justice disperses oppression; these are signs of God at work and things to be celebrated.
