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| David and Goliath by Marc Chagall, 1955-56 |
A “Thought for the Day” given at Mattins at St Giles-in-the-Fields at 1pm on Wednesday 17th January 2024 based on the text of Mark 3.1-6 and 1 Sam 17.32–33, 37, 40–51
Kate Fox concludes
her best-selling book ‘Watching the English’ by defining what it means to be “culturally
English” using ten core characteristics. One of these is our “sense of fair play.”
As an illustration of which, she describes an encounter between David - a slight, youthful Argentine - and a giant of the tennis world; the top-seeded Australian Lleyton Hewitt, in the 2002 Wimbledon final.
She observes how at the start of the match the English spectators cheered and clapped in support of the Argentine – despite the relatively recent animosity between our two countries. The spectators explained that nationality had nothing to do with it at all – the English always support the underdog.
As the match went on their allegiance changed – many began to cheer for the Australian. The spectators explained that they felt sorry for Hewitt who had been receiving little support from the crowd, despite playing spectacularly well.
But when it became clear that the young David Nalbandian had no hope of winning, their allegiance reverted back to him.
Kate Fox found that in the unspoken rules of English behaviour our unwavering support for the underdog – whoever we decide that is at the time – is crucial to our sense of fair play.
It's embedded in our mythology. Stories such as Robin Hood – robbing from the rich to give to the poor. Our famous “Dunkirk Spirit” – our triumph over adversity when our backs are against the wall.
In our readings today we encounter the archetypal underdog. The boy shepherd, diminutive David triumphs over the nine-foot Goliath! It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of that story, like a captivating sports game.
Then we meet another underdog, in a different setting.
The man with the withered hand in the synagogue would certainly have found it difficult to earn a living. Yet the hard-hearted Pharisees and Herodians would have him remain in his disadvantage rather than Jesus heal him on the Sabbath.
Elsewhere, Jesus says that on the Day of Judgement we will be held to account for our treatment of the poor and needy.
According to Kate Fox’s study, privileging the disadvantaged should be second nature to all those who identify as culturally ‘English’.
Yet how often do we really react like the Pharisees and Herodians? Putting rules and regulations in the way of the relief of human suffering?
Today our readings challenge us to take one of the foundational characteristics of our culture – our sense of fair play – and apply it consistently – to all the underdogs around us.
Image : David and Goliath by Marc Chagall, 1955-56
As an illustration of which, she describes an encounter between David - a slight, youthful Argentine - and a giant of the tennis world; the top-seeded Australian Lleyton Hewitt, in the 2002 Wimbledon final.
She observes how at the start of the match the English spectators cheered and clapped in support of the Argentine – despite the relatively recent animosity between our two countries. The spectators explained that nationality had nothing to do with it at all – the English always support the underdog.
As the match went on their allegiance changed – many began to cheer for the Australian. The spectators explained that they felt sorry for Hewitt who had been receiving little support from the crowd, despite playing spectacularly well.
But when it became clear that the young David Nalbandian had no hope of winning, their allegiance reverted back to him.
Kate Fox found that in the unspoken rules of English behaviour our unwavering support for the underdog – whoever we decide that is at the time – is crucial to our sense of fair play.
It's embedded in our mythology. Stories such as Robin Hood – robbing from the rich to give to the poor. Our famous “Dunkirk Spirit” – our triumph over adversity when our backs are against the wall.
In our readings today we encounter the archetypal underdog. The boy shepherd, diminutive David triumphs over the nine-foot Goliath! It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of that story, like a captivating sports game.
Then we meet another underdog, in a different setting.
The man with the withered hand in the synagogue would certainly have found it difficult to earn a living. Yet the hard-hearted Pharisees and Herodians would have him remain in his disadvantage rather than Jesus heal him on the Sabbath.
Elsewhere, Jesus says that on the Day of Judgement we will be held to account for our treatment of the poor and needy.
According to Kate Fox’s study, privileging the disadvantaged should be second nature to all those who identify as culturally ‘English’.
Yet how often do we really react like the Pharisees and Herodians? Putting rules and regulations in the way of the relief of human suffering?
Today our readings challenge us to take one of the foundational characteristics of our culture – our sense of fair play – and apply it consistently – to all the underdogs around us.
Image : David and Goliath by Marc Chagall, 1955-56
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