Ibiza Sun - View From the Pew

View From the Pew

Another month begins today, 2012 is already one-twelfth gone and it is time for the new monthly theme. Last week an interesting conversation in a well-known shop was held concerning values in society, in particular how the ´old Sunday School values´ were no longer widely taught and the implications of this on our communities.
Interestingly enough, one of the themes in the pipeline for this column was Standards for Living, and what better place to start than The Ten Commandments? So rather than wait until Lent, we will crack straight on and have a look at what some may feel are outrageously outdated rules to be shunned by all contemporary free spirits of the 21st century. I mean, isn´t life nowadays all about self-exploration and self-fulfillment with tolerance of free expression a universal duty and a civilized virtue?
Well, thank God for tolerance and freedom of expression. But these things need to be held in balance. Using sport as an illustration (Bob the Vicar´s parishioners won´t be surprised by that!), what would a football or cricket match be like if there were no rules? The players only achieve their potential by following the rules of the game, without them it just is a shambles. ´Rules´ is a word that carries negative vibes, and many people think the Ten Commandments are negative: all those Thou Shalt Nots spoiling our fun. Much nearer the truth is that these guidelines for living are given in the same way that a parent or grandparent sets safeguards round children for their protection (“don´t touch, it´s hot”, “ look before you cross the road”) because they love them and want the best for them. So keep an open mind and see how these ethical and moral standards are still relevant today.
(This series is drawn from The Ten Commandments: Playing by the Rules by Stuart Briscoe)
Next Sunday:
Sunday 5th February 9:30 BPC Holy Communion & 11:00 Morning Prayer, both services at San Rafael.
Looking ahead:
Sunday 12th February 10:30 (note change of time due to a later Spanish service in the Capilla) Holy Communion, Capilla de Lourdes, (main street through town, # 85, Sta. Eulalia) &
18:00 Evening Prayer, San Fernando, Formentera.
For further information on the English-Speaking Church on Ibiza & Formentera, contact John Tunks (Warden) on 606 509 542 / 639 149 165.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: The Ten Commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind. And love your neighbour as yourself. Luke 10. 27 This is a summary of the Ten Commandments. The first four are about loving God and the six that follow are about loving our neighbour. These Ten Guidelines for Living help us to answer the questions: ´How do we love God? and ´How do I love my neighbour?´