Practical Love

 

In this month’s edition of The United Reformed Church magazine, Reform, there is a reflection on this painting of The Good Samaritan by Van Gogh.

The style is typical of his later period with vibrant colours and flowing movement and the content is challenging. 

This gospel story is often cited as one showing how one person places another in ‘professional’ care; in that the Samaritan paid the Inn Keeper to look after the injured Jew until such a time when he was healed.  It’s surely a story that brings comfort to those who feel they have no option but to place people they love into ‘care’.

Yet Van Gogh’s painting precedes this moment.  It portrays the initial encounter between them.  The Samaritan struggles to lift the Jew onto a horse in order to take him to safety.  The helplessness etched onto the Jew’s face is matched by the struggle displayed on Samaritan’s.  Kindness and generosity of spirit is often hard work.  In this painting we glimpse practical, down to earth love.

So, different phases of the Jew’s suffering called for different responses.  At the beginning the help was ‘hands on’, in the end it was ‘hands off’ because another was paid to care.

I find that fascinating because Van Gogh was a painter, who in his own short life, went through many stages and phases.  When visiting the museum in Amsterdam which houses so much of his work it’s clear how his style and perception of life changes.  In the beginning, in works like The Potato Eaters the canvas is filled with dark, foreboding shades.  Then comes the sunlight and his study of blossom trees and eventually paintings like this one, crafted at a time when he himself was receiving care for his troubled mind in an institution.

None of this detracts from this wonderful work, presented to us in this month’s Reform magazine. One that reminds us that love and kindness is often costly and demands that ‘we roll our sleeves up’ and get involved.

And so, a few items of news now for our Church Focus:

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this year’s Harvest Appeal last week.  A car-load of dried goods was taken this week to a New Hope centre in Watford and our monetary gifts will time be sent off to both Operation Agri and New Hope.

Last week we published the final Website Reflection for the time being.  They are now taking a break before returning for the season of Advent and Christmas.

It was a delight last week to hear from Jochen Vogel.  Jochen is the father of Hauke, our Time for God Volunteer from 2017 to 18.  Like us, their church in Rohrsen had Harvest Thanksgiving last Sunday.  All is well with them on the farm and in the family.  Jochen and Rosemarei’s daughter, Dorothee has just started a year’s Master’s course in Truro – it’s lovely to keep contact with this family who have adopted us as their English church.

Family News is available this weekend and our thanks to everyone whose made this month’s edition possible.

Sunday’s service will be one of Holy Communion.  The elements will not be distributed by the elders put placed in the chair communion holders. 

We often support The London Churches Refugee Fund through our Communion Offerings at AFC.  They have sent us details of their fund-raising Christmas Card for 2020.  Further details of this and how you may obtain copies can be found at: https://lcrf.onlineweb.shop/