You can listen to an audio recording of this reflection at this link. Hello and thank you for joining us for Start:Stop here at St Stephen Walbrook, when we start the day by stopping to reflect for ten minutes. Please come and go as your schedule dictates.
This month marks one hundred years since the foundation of the British Broadcasting Company (as it then was). Known for its mission to “inform, educate and entertain,” the official motto of the Corporation, found in its now rarely seen coat of arms, is actually “Nation shall speak peace unto Nation”. The text is thought to be based on a passage from the book of Micah:
Bible Reading - Micah 4.1-5
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the
mountains,
and shall be raised up above
the hills.
Peoples shall stream to it,
and many nations shall come
and say:
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in
his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall arbitrate between
strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war
any more;
but they shall all sit under their own vines and
under their own fig trees,
and no one shall make
them afraid;
for the mouth of the Lord of
hosts has spoken.
For all the peoples walk,
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
for ever and ever.
Reflection
The opening words of the Book of Micah suggest that the prophet
lived at the start of the eighth century BC. This was a time of relative
prosperity - but this wealth was not equally shared (sounds familiar?!). In his
prophecy, Micah holds the governing class to account for this inequality;
accusing them of profiting at the expense of the poorest in society; highlighting
incidents of outright theft and bribery. Political leaders were supported by
corrupt prophets who promised the protection of God for anyone who could afford
to pay for it. Micah warns that the consequence of these violations of God’s
covenant will be the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel and the
occupation of Jerusalem by a foreign power.
During Micah’s lifetime both Judah - and the Kingdom of Israel
to the north, came under increasing threat from the powerful Assyrian empire.
Israel was the first to fall, with many thousands of refugees moving south to
Judah, increasing pressure on resources there.
Micah offers three prophecies of judgement, each of which is
followed by a promise of restoration; when God will intervene to put things
right for the faithful few who remain.
The fourth chapter; the start of which we have just heard, is
one such proclamation of hope.
In it, the temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt and filled once again
with God’s presence. People from every nation flock to it, eager to learn the
Lords ways - to understand his word.
“For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem,” Micah predicts.
This word of peace and reconciliation transforms the
relationship between the nations of the world. Swords are refashioned into
ploughs; spears into pruning hooks. There is no more war;
“Nation shall not lift up sword against nation”
It is this line that is thought to have inspired the BBC’s motto
- “Nation shall speak peace unto nation”; an appropriate sentiment for a broadcasting
company born in the shadow of the First World War.
Like Micah’s prophecy of hope, the BBC’s first leader, John
Reith, firmly believed that the spoken word had the power to transform the
world - that broadcasting had the potential to unite people like social cement.
From the outset, news bulletins were the foundation of the BBC’s schedules,
although in the early days the company had no journalists of its own; and there
was no Today programme - an agreement with the main newspaper proprietors to
restricted news bulletins to the evenings, so as not to affect sales of the
morning papers.
The BBC’s reporting of the General Strike in 1926 was heavily
criticised by some for its lack of impartiality; one factor which led to its
foundation as a Corporation the following year; a Royal Charter setting out the
terms of its independence from Government.
While still accused of bias today from all sides, the BBC is
renowned the world over for its careful reporting of events and for its ability
- like the prophet Micah - to hold the rich and powerful to account; shining a
light on corruption and injustice – using the spoken word to help change the
world. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, described the BBC as “Britain’s greatest
gift to the world”.
In Micah’s vision, the words of God transform his people; who
turn away from their destructive ways and towards to generative activities;
swords become ploughshare, spears become pruning hooks. But the Israelites soon
revert to their bad behaviour.
Eventually, Micah predicts a messiah will be born in Bethlehem
who, like a shepherd, will lead God’s faithful people; saving them from this
cycle of disobedience. Seven hundred years later, at the back of an inn in
Bethlehem, God’s word was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.
As we mark the centenary of the BBC - an organisation driven by
belief in the power of the spoken word to change the world, let us reflect on
the transforming power of God’s word made flesh - and respond to His call to
broadcast this Good News.
Prayers
In our prayers, the response to: The mouth of the Lord has
spoken is ‘and made us His messengers of peace.’
The mouth of the Lord has spoken
and made us His messengers of peace.
Almighty God, we give thanks for the gift of your Word.
Open our hearts to the reality of its transforming power.
Give us the courage to hear and share it with the world.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken
and made us His messengers of peace.
Living God, send your blessing upon all who seek to bring people
closer together through the power of the word – especially those who do so at
risk to their lives. We pray especially for broadcasters and journalists,
artists, writers and preachers, diplomats and campaigners.
May they help to beat our swords into ploughshares and spears
into pruning-hooks.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken
and made us His messengers of peace.
Loving God, forgive us when the words we use speak not of your
mercy, justice or peace.
We pray for all who desperately need to hear your words of
comfort. For an end to inequality, injustice and conflict in the world, in our
homes and in our hearts.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken
and made us His messengers of peace.
Blessing
The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep our hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us this day and always.
Amen.
Thank you for joining us for this Start:Stop reflection. Please
join us for Choral Classics tomorrow at 12.30pm and our Choral Eucharist on
Thursday at 12.45pm. I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week ahead. This
reflection will be repeated again in a few minutes time.
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