Murals (2008) by PHANTAST - Graffiti - Cultural Music & Art Association inc. - 98 Milne St. Benleigh
OUTSIDE, I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO EVERYTHING I WANTED.
NOW I'M HERE, IT'S JUST THE OPPOSITE - TIME STRETCHES OUT IN FRONT OF ME; IN FACT I'VE LOST ALL SENSE OF TIME, EVERY DAY'S THE SAME.
Outside, I had to make time to do the things I really wanted to do; here, I find myself looking for things to do pass the time.
So what should I be doing? Wasting time or making up for lost time? Killing time or chasing time? Thinking about better times, or just getting on with doing time?
They say you have to give things time. Is there any way I can make the time I have to do work in my favour?
STARTING FROM SCRATCH (Leviticus 25).
The book of Leviticus is a collection of laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai, rules of worship, about daily life and life in society. According to one law, every 7 years the earth needs to rest; nothing should be grown. And every 50 years, everything starts again: everyone goes back to their original cirmcustances, however much they've succeeded or failed during the previous 49 years. That's the Year of Celebration or Jubilee!
Think: What do the provisions of this law allow and prevent - for individuals and for future generations?
What do you think about the socia justice of the 'Year of Celebration'?
What does the notion of property means here?
What is God's role in this arrangement - and what is the role of the people?
POINTLESS DREAMS (Luke 12).
A man asks Jesus to persuade his brother to share the inheritance left by their father. Jesus doesn't want to be the one who decides on the matter, but he does use the opportunity to draw everyone's attention to the real meaning of wealth - by telling the story of the foolish rich man.
Think: To what extent are we able to control our future? What consequences should this have on our present choices?
Does Jesus condemn pleasure and wealth?
What does it mean to be 'rich or poor in the sight of God'? how could that change the way we see life?
WHEN DOES 'TODAY' STARTS? (Luke 4:16).
Back in his home village, Jesus observes Jewish religious traditions, goes to the synagoguw, and he is invited to read the Bible and comment on it. The text is about the year of freedom for all. This everyday episode takes place towards the beginning of Jesus' public ministry - and takes on a whole new dimension when Jesus says that the prophecy he has just read has come true 'today'.
Think: How can the prophecy Jesus read still come true today?
What can we expect from Jesus?
What does he expect from us?
TIME TO BE FREE! (Galatians 4).
In the letter written by Paul to the Christians in Galatia (in the north of present-day Turkey), he's conderned about them. Having received the Good News of God's love - which is absolutely free - the Galatians are in danger of going back to thinking that religious practices, superstitious behaviours and human achievements can earn them God's approval. To make them think, Paul says they are like a young child in a rich family, whose education and property has been entrusted to guardians. Do they want to live as children with guardians for ever? Or will they accept the challange of living free as grown-up children of God?
Think: What sort of things in our lives can keep us childish?
What do you think the 'power of this world' that enslave us migh be today?
God sees us as sons and daughters. What does that mean for us? What does it commit us to? (Patrice Rolin, biblical scholar, France).