In our communities, many suffer a drought of love and connection, longing for us to share with them God’s understanding and love. Meanwhile many others in our world are suffering from literal drought and its consequences. May God help us to pour out the gifts we have to those who have not.
As Christians we are often hesitant about reaching out to new believers. The subjects you don’t talk about in polite society are religion and politics. In these difficult times we are fortunate we have our faith in the love of God. This is something we should share, bringing hope to others.
Whether you believe the story of Adam and Eve is literally true or a symbolic story, it reveals a loving creator God and how the people God created turned away from Him. This isn’t just about eating an apple, it’s a mistaken belief humankind can put itself on the same level as or even usurp God.
The late Pope Francis wrote: “There are no borders, no limits: [Jesus] sends us to everyone. The gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only for those who seem closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be afraid to bring Christ into every area of life.”
Jesus tells the disciples “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavour, with what will it be salted?” The Greek word used for “tasteless” usually means foolish. Jesus seems to say foolishness will undermine his followers’ effectiveness. We are challenged not to be foolish!
The prophet Micah calls on the people to do what God requires, after sharply criticising how they have lived in the past. They are reminded of God’s faithfulness and that He wants them to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God. We too are challenged to live as God requires.
On Holocaust Memorial Day we remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust under Nazi Persecution, and in the genocides that have followed. Sadly the hatred that leads to ethnic cleansing clearly continues today. It is for this dark world that Jesus brings light so we can live in hope.
In baptism Jesus is shown by Matthew to be the meeting place of heaven and earth, of the divine and of the human. His identity as the Messiah, the Son, the Saviour and the agent of the Father’s renewing is affirmed. Through baptism, God draws humanity close in a new and dynamic way.
In the midst of the bright lights and joy of Christmas we are confronted by King Herod’s brutal massacre of the innocents and the holy family fleeing as refugees. We are reminded that all life is precious. May we give thanks for precious lives and do all we can to keep others safe.
Happy New Year ! Let’s all try to love our neighbours a bit more this year.
Great to see that Santa is now resting @midsandeastnt.bsky.social Wimpole Hall after all his hard work over Christmas 😊
We can see many parallels between the world that Jesus was born into and our own world today. Many in power impose their idea of “peace” on others through violence. But we can take hope from the true message of peace that comes with the birth of Jesus. May we be like Him and be enablers of peace.
The desert was usually seen as a place that lay outside the perfect order of creation, but the prophet Isaiah sees it being reclaimed by the creative power of God. Isaiah’s vision of the coming Messiah is a joyous vision of renewal. It is a joyous vision we share this Christmas.
Isaiah prophesies that a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse. A tree is an ambiguous biblical symbol. It symbolises power, beauty and log life, but as happened at Hadrian’s wall it can be cut down mindlessly. The green shoot represents new and hopeful beginnings.
The prophet Isaiah urges us to look ahead to the time when nations will turn their armaments into agricultural tools. As we look around our world this advent, we might be tempted to think “if only”. However, if we are shaken by events, Isaiah offers a stirring vision of hope to lift our spirits.
“Not a hair of your head will perish”. Luke records Jesus’ advice for tough times: seek wisdom and resilience. The message from Jesus to us is the same as the one he gave his disciples: hang on in there, remain faithful, hold on to your principles and values. God can work through all circumstances.
Our reliance on violence has lost none of its fascination. Our world is still full of conflicts, between states, internally within states, between religions and creeds, between north and south, between the poor and rich. We are challenged to be God’s hands in making changes that bring about peace.
This is utterly disgraceful.
When the tax collector Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus he probably expects not to be noticed. But Jesus doesn’t just notice him - he calls up to him saying he must stay at his house today! We see that being in Jesus’ presence can be life changing, as Zacchaeus repays everyone he has cheated.
I have a very bad feeling about this...
Psalm 121 is sometimes called “The Travellers’ Psalm”. It was sung by pilgrims making their annual journey to Jerusalem. The psalm begins with the words “I lift up my eyes to the hills/from where will my help come?” It then assures us we are not alone, wherever we are on our journey God is with us.
When the apostle Paul was in prison, he said that although he was in chains God’s word was not shackled. Paul’s endurance is an example to others to hold on even when the going gets tough. If he were to fail to endure, perhaps others would lose heart as a result.
I have sometimes wondered what the long term future of the British Royal Family is, but Simon Jenkins has just done an article announcing their doom, so I reckon they’re safe from major constitutional change for at least a hundred years.
The prophet Habakkuk is so overwhelmed by the violence he sees that he lashes out - at God. He wants God to help him fix what he perceives as being wrong with his people. But then he realises the problem is that he is impatient and must wait for God to do things in His own time.
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus asks us to open our eyes to what is going on in the world around us and not to be lulled into believing all is well because we are comfortable. Justice will catch up with us if we ignore the hungry or remain unmoved by human hurt.
The prophet Amos has strong words calling out an economic system rigged against the poor and in favour of the rich. A new elite of wealthy and powerful Israelites exploited the poor of their own nation. Amos’ prophecy is a counsel against greed and a direction to place commerce in its proper place.
Paul’s touching letter to Philemon both seeks to restore the slave Onesimus to his owner on good terms and to establish Paul’s own relationship with Philemon. Paul asks Philemon to treat Onesimus as a true brother and equal partner. Paul trusts Philemon’s true Christian spirit.
We should show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, we might be entertaining angels without knowing it. Trust in God means extending our compassion and understanding beyond our usual circle of family and friends- being prepared to entertain strangers. Love is the foundation for what we do.
The Letter to the Hebrews talks of two mountains, contrasting God’s terrifying presence on Mount Zion with a mountain in the future on which there is a heavenly city where God is present. Here we can worship without fear because Jesus showed us the way, presenting a human face for the wonder of God.
The letter to the Hebrews focuses on a sporting metaphor: “let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us”. This does not mean treat the present as a place we are just passing through. By faith we explore the patterns and rhythms of God’s Kingdom in the experience of this present world.
