jonnybaker

jesus reconta a história do mundo

in brazil was a first for me - a liturgy piece i wrote that was translated into portuguese. i was speaking on luke 7: 36-50 which is a meal at simon the pharisee's house where a woman who is a 'sinner' comes and pours perfume on jesus feet. the translation was a mix of google translate then tidied up by marcio who i was with. i have put the english version below. what struck me in this passage is that repentance or the ability to change is perhaps the ability to receive a new story, to be re-narrated. in that sense you might say jesus restories the world. for those who are shamed that new story is one where they stand tall, find a seat at the table and no longer have to remain in their place. for those in places of power and privilege that story is also of a level table where all are welcome, all are loved, without judgement. can those in power see what is going on, be grateful, learn humility and repent of their superiority? or will they remain in the false narrative they inhabit? the invitation is there. ff they can embrace that story God’s kingdom will surely be found.

Jesus reconta a história do mundo
Isso mantem as pessoas em seus devidos lugares
 
Quando sou anfitrião me ajuda a criar espaços calorosos
de aceitação  e sem julgamento
Quando a refeição é interrompida por alguém não  convidado
me ajude a crier espaço
 
Que aqueles que experimentam vergonha em outros lugares
se sintam recebidos aqui
 
Quando sou convidado,
que eu receba com graça os dons oferecidos
não importa o anfitrião.
 
Onde há poder e privilégio,
superioridade e direito,
e as pessoas são desprezadas,
me ajude a estar seguro o suficiente
desafiar as expectativas
e nomear o que realmente está acontecendo.
Quando todos os lugares à mesa são ocupados por homens,
reorganizar os móveis e
abrir espaço para as mulheres.
 
Obrigado pelo amor louco da mulher marginalizada
derramado como perfume
espontâneo,
não ensaiado,
presente sincero.
Deixe ela me ensinar a
deixar de lado a fórmula
e seguir o fluxo.
 
Que venha o seu reino,
onde os envergonhados se mantêm altos
e não precisam mais permanecer em seu lugar.
 
Que seja feita a sua vontade,
onde os poderosos são humilhados
e não precisam mais permanecer em seu lugar.
 
Jesus reconta a história do mundo
que mantém as pessoas em seus lugares.
Amém

and in english...

Jesus re-story the world
that keeps people in their place.

When I am host help me create a welcoming space
of acceptance and non-judgement.
When the meal is disturbed by someone not invited,
help me make room.
May those who experience shame elsewhere
be at ease here.

When I am guest,
may I receive with grace the gifts offered
no matter the host.
Where there is power and privilege,
superiority and entitlement,
and people are looked down upon,
help me be secure enough
to defy expectations
and name what is really going on.
When all the seats at the table are taken by men,
re-arrange the furniture,
make space for women.

Thank you for the crazy love of the outcast woman
poured out as perfume
spontaneous,
unrehearsed,
heartfelt gift.
Let her teach me
to let go of the formulaic
and go with the flow.

May your kingdom come,
where the shamed stand tall
and no longer have to remain in their place.
May your will be done,
where the powerful are brought low
and no longer have to remain in their place.

Jesus re-story the world
that keeps people in their place.
Amen

 i have added to the worship tricks list

brazil

i am currently in brazil and have been all week. i am here with cms and have been at a gathering exploring what pioneering looks like in the context of latin america. it's my first visit to this part of the world having never been to south or central america. i always love the first impression of a new place - we landed in the the evening - this is the shot from the car park as we came out of the airport with the sun setting over sau paulo. 

the gathering has been in spanish, portuguese with someone whispering translation to me in english. there are people here from several countries in south and central america and the latin diaspora. it's been a great week and the people at the gathering are doing really inspiring pioneering at the edges. i am here simply to be alongside and share from our experience over the last twenty years or so. it''s really been a design lab with flipcharts and scribblings on pieces of paper filling all the walls pondering how to take things forward here, catlyse more practice, build movement and so on. it reminds me of when we dreamed up pioneer training with a group back in 2009 in similar fashion and look what happened as a result of that! i have taken as many photos of flipcharts as anything else... the gathering is in indaiatuba, a city a couple of hours from sau paulo but we've mainly been in the venue. i will no doubt share a few photos when i get back but it's been pretty full on with the work side so i have not got out and about a lot. of course it is also lovely to get some sun :)

today we head to vittoria to visit a couple of projects. i have been invited to preach at a church there on sunday so pondering what to do for that but looking forward to it. then sau paulo for a night before flying back to land in time to see harry perform at the royal albert hall that evening. this will be the third time in a row i have flown back from the americas and gone to a gig in the evening so i seem to have created a tradition for myself. 

when i was a kid everyone loved brazil football shirts with pele on the back. so it was fun to head out and be with some others who were after brazil shirts - the magic is still there clearly. 

we visited a project in the park here and it gave a chance for a group photo on top of a huge skate park half pipe. i like this shot with a lad on roller blades in the bottom of the shot. i am not in the photo btw because i am taking it!