As I look around at the goings on of the world, I am more convinced than ever that the inmates have taken over the asylum. There is an ancient saying that goes:   

“When a clown moves into a palace, he does not become a king; the palace becomes a circus”

• Many people are afraid of clowns. There is even a word for it: COULROPHOBIA. I don’t mind the ones you see with giant feet and a big red nose, but I am concerned about clowns in global politics; those with giant egos and miniscule brains.
• There have always been people in the political realm with ideas that seem a little out there in their thinking. I googled a few: from the UK, The Raving Loony Party; Russia, The Beer Party; from Italy of course. The Love Party and my favourite from Canada, The Fed-Up Party. 
• That is the joy of democracy, or, in the case of Russia, a sort of democracy. Sadly, at least from my point of view, we have in recent years – with the growth of refugees fleeing war or famine or both – we have seen a growth in far-right wing parties who have gained support and some credibility with their nationalistic fervour.
• The Australian group The Whitlams, wrote a song in the 1990’s called ‘No Aphrodisiac’. The tag line was: There’s no aphrodisiac like loneliness. On a political level the ‘aphrodisiac’ of today is fear.
• We are told to be afraid of those who are different. Ethnicity, sexuality, and religion, are some of the basic fears thrown at us at random and we are told that these awful people are threatening our freedom, our jobs, our rights and our privileges. 
• It is of concern that some who consider themselves Christian are bowing down at the altar of discrimination as if this is what Jesus would do. Umm, just a thought: Jesus was Jewish, he spoke Aramaic, he would have had a swarthy skin – certainly not white – and if anyone would care to check out his story, Jesus had a very different view of humanity than the political clowns of our time. 
• The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10
• I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11
• Many times, Jesus said to his followers: take courage, do not be afraid, do not let your hearts be troubled. So do not be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31When Jesus says this, he is not referring to a favoured few, but everybody! Everybody who has ever lived is created and loved of God. Yes! Even the clowns.
• In past weeks Matthew’s gospel has focused on the teaching of Jesus to his disciples, in Matthew 10 and then more general teaching in Matthew 11. It is worth some consideration if you are up for it. 
• It is not teaching with X number of steps to triumphant living. Rather Jesus refuses the headlines and goes about a simple life of meeting with and caring for those on the margins of society: the lepers, demoniacs, haemorrhaging women. The blind, lost, rejected, helpless and hopeless, who in our world and his, are seen as a public nuisance. 
• It is a generous, inclusive and welcoming life that puts aside judgement and instead opens its arms to all.  
• That was Jesus’ work, one life at a time, and little by little change came. Like water drip, drip, dripping onto a stone. It is a powerful thing that dripping water. It takes time but it makes a hole in that cold hard stone. 
• It is not often the way of the loud, the proud, the pompous or the powerful, but strangely enough it seems to be the way to joy and life in abundance.
• There is a verse in Matthew 11:19 that I think speaks volumes: Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds. Matthew 11:19
• Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15An immense act of generosity is required in order to break the death grip of the system of fear, anxiety, and greed. Walter Brueggmann – Journey to the Common Good – 2010 – Westminster John Know Press