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July - December 2003 These Weekly Thoughts are taken from the Parish's pew sheet called the NOW (News of the Week).
World AIDS Day - 30 November Christ the King - 23 November An Extravagant Gift - 16 November Whom? In Whom? To Whom? For Whom? - 9 November Holy Orders / All Saints / All Souls - 2 November Blindness - 26 October Asking Favours / Asking Questions - 19 October Who are you? Whose are you? - 12 October Wollaston Dialogues - 5 October Horse and Carriage. James? - 14 September |
Rich and Poor - 7 September Choosing Values - 24 August Word and Sacrament - 17 August Integrity and Endeavour - 10 August "Gifts" - 3 August Wants, Needs and Desires - 27 July Whose Effort? - 20 July Sea Sunday - 13 July Power in Weakness - 6 July
Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2003: Jan - June Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2002: Dec - July Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2002: Jan - June Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2001: Dec - July Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2001: Jan - June Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2000 |
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World AIDS Day - 1st December Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21: 25-38 In an effort to assist in the combat of HIV and AIDS, the British Broadcasting Commission has dedicated two weeks of programming through the world service. In forty-three languages information and education is being promoted to address this blight on society. In contrast to some of the ignorance of the transmission of this virus by some of the African leaders this has been a major contribution by the BBC. The recent surveys in Nigeria indicate that 58% of the population do not know that AIDS kills. The Anglican Church in Nigeria has been quite vocal against the ordination of a gay bishop in the United States. yet there is much to be done by the Nigerian Church in trying to combat the spread of this virus. Thanks to the BBC radio a number of people infected with the virus have been able to assist in the story telling of their condition on this worldwide radio program. Often the people have been quite moving in their reporting and hopefully a world addressing this global problem will see a reduction in transmission and better treatment for sufferers. As we prepare in this Advent season for the celebration of the nativity and the birth of the Christ child, we are also aware of many youngsters born into this world with a HIV positive diagnosis. We are asked to pray and give generously to the work of the Christmas Bowl Appeal where the World Council of Churches can assist in this education and treatment program. Congratulations to Fr Glendon Lane on his 206th Anniversary of ordination celebrated this evening at West Nedlands Parish Church with Bryan Shattock who was ordained at the same time as Glendon and also served in this Parish. Fr Dennis |
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Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 Fittingly, the Church's year finishes with the celebration of Christ the King, also titled The Reign of Christ. In the world there are not a lot of Kings anymore and some of those we have give the title a bad name. With this in mind it may seem strange to emphasise Christ as King but as Jesus says to Pilate, 'My Kingdom is not from this world!' The idea of Christ as King comes from the ancient concept of the supreme ruler and while we do not see him in the same role as any earthly namesakes he is King never the less. Jesus reigns over a Kingdom of peace and love. Human power structures have corrupted the world. Our hope is that King Jesus may be recognised and accepted and 'the world' become what it ought to be: The Kingdom of God." Fr Glendon |
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Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-11 Human Priests of the Old Testament had to continually offer up sacrifices for the sins of themselves and the people. Jesus is a different High Priest, he offered his life as a sacrifice once and for all time. What an extravagant gift! By that single sacrifice, He has perfected and accomplished a new covenant. He teaches a new and living way, a way full of assurance, confidence and hope with hearts sprinkled clean. Jesus tells his followers in the gospel reading today, that they are to "watch themselves," so that they are not distracted by the cataclysmic events that are going on around them. They are to be "spiritually aware" and ready to proclaim the truth in tough times. We are to be ready also, so as not to be dragged down by what may be going on around us. The call is to persevere and to encourage one another to love and good works, mindful of that extravagant gift Christ has given us. Robyn |
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Whom? In Whom? To Whom? For Whom? 1 Kings 17:8-16, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 Our Scripture Readings are "Lessons" indeed this Sunday! 1. God loves and guides and saves those of his children who will go where he clearly has pointed them. 2. The Lord God loves the righteous. Put your trust in no-one else. 3. Christ returned to the presence of God on our behalf. He will return to save those who eagerly await him. 4. So. How eagerly? Take to heart the graphic and moving incident of the widow's last coins. They were given for the funds of God's Temple and not for making a worldly good impression. Fr Robin |
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Holy Orders / All Saints / All Souls Wisdom 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44a Holy Orders has little interest in the Melbourne Cup or so it seems. Holy Orders is an Irish horse that won't train in preparation for the big race. Talking and shouting and prodding and whipping haven't seemed to work thus far according to newspaper reports. There are some other connections between the Church and "Racing," 'Pacing," and "Chasing" such as the Friday fixture in which Bishop Bill is running in the 7th race in Toowoomba. Just to top it off "Sinner" is racing the "Limerick Lane" handicap at Seymour but is not favoured at this stage. In the race that stops a nation there will be plenty of interest in the sweeps and novelty ideas for people to socialise. Besides all the happenings of life the Church takes time out today to remember the "Saints." All saints when we recall those who have passed the faith on from generation to generation. On Monday evening is our special service at Palmyra to commemorate All Souls when loved ones names are read out in an attitude of prayer. Perhaps you may have some friends who would like to come. Fr Dennis |
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Jeremiah 31:7-9, Hebrews 7:21-28, Mark 10:46-52 A Perth City Council Advertisement has a man extolling the good things that he enjoys in the City; and he is sight challenged. When we see such as this we have to rejoice that we have sight to take in all of the beauty and activity that is around us each day. Along with stories of physical blindness the Bible says a lot about spiritual blindness. Spiritual blindness is seen as being ultimately a more serious malady than physical blindness. In the world there is plenty of evidence of blindness to all sorts of things and we need to recognise it in ourselves. What things are we not prepared to see and face up to? Jesus heals the blind as a sign of the fulfillment of the many promises that we are given that God deals with blindness in all its forms and open the eyes of all who wish to see clearly the physical and spiritual realities that confront us. Fr Glendon |
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Asking Favours / Asking Questions Isaiah 53:4-12, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 God's ways are not our ways, and Jesus proposed a different way for the renewal of Israel - the status is reversed. Great ones should behave like servants, those who hold positions of primacy should consider their status as equal to slaves. The two brothers wanted a share in the full measure that Jesus received, they wanted the most prestigious positions next to Jesus. They asked a favour, but Jesus answered them with a question. The question (or favour) asked in today's Gospel is a "wrong" question - "Grant us to sit one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." Jesus in return asks them a "right" question and uses a metaphor to illustrate - "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?" The "cup" meaning the lot in life which God has assigned for each person. Jesus, servant of all, learnt obedience through the things he suffered. Shouting and weeping in prayer, he fought his way to costly submission. James and John wanted to be favoured, but can they drink the "cup?" Jesus reminds them that he is the broker of the kingdom not its patron. God alone can determine each person's lot and deserved honour. Robyn Mackie |
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Who are you? Whose are you? Amos 5:6+, Hebrews 4:12+, Mark 10:17+ Around the time of her 100th birthday, Queen Elizabeth the "Queen Mum" went up to a lady sitting on her chair in a nursing home. With a lovely smile the visitor asked her sweetly, "Do you know who I am?" Came the quick reply, "Oh dear, if you have a problem with who you are you'll just have to ask that nice gentleman at the desk in the hall. He'll help you!" Amos can see if you are one who seeks the Lord. If you are then you are ALIVE! Hebrews says that you are a child known by God, secrets and all! Jesus says that if you are following him and his Father's teaching then you are diligently keeping his commandments. More than that, you are one of those valuable people who will bless and help another in trouble, even with things of your own. Mere mortals will probably shake their heads at your apparent stupidity. No matter. You know you're a Christian, a child of God. That's who you are and Whose you are. Isn't it wonderful! Fr Robin |
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Genesis 2:18+, Hebrews 1:1+, Mark 10:2+ Last year the Diocese hosted a gathering at Wollaston Theological College for Muslims and Christians. Eminent speakers addressed the issues of prejudice and misunderstanding between the two faiths. Some lively discussion ensued and Fr Ted Witham, scholar and a member of the 3rd Order of St Francis, enlightened everyone with the story of St Francis visiting the Sultan during the crusades of the 13th century, as a peacemaker. The image was so powerful at the conference that it was a catalyst for the discussion to follow. The call for Christians to be peacemakers is perennial and the prayer of St Francis continues to express the ways in which we can all contribute to the call for peace. This meaningful prayer, which has been recited by so many over the centuries, can be found after the reading inside the "Now". Please take time to read it and to make it your own prayer. Fr Dennis |
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Wisdom 7:26 to 8:1, James 2:18-26, Mark 8:27-38 Two words stand out in our portion from St. James' letter. Like the ditty on love and marriage says, they go together like a horse and carriage, a not altogether rare sight in Fremantle. The words are Works and Faith. In a Christian, one is empty without the other, unimpressive if not combined. I was saddened to hear a cleric who, in a gathered assembly's eye, was of some authority and esteem, rattle off the "grace" over their meal with no thought of faithful meaning to his task of no doubt "efficiently" done. Here is a prayer by George Appleton, fourth Archbishop of Perth, which is a favourite one of Doreen and myself. It is so much about doing AND believing. I think you will agree. Lord Jesus Christ, alive and
with us now here and in our world; Yes James. Work AND Faith, together. Fr Robin |
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Proverbs 22:1+, James 2:1+, Mark 7:24 Jesus said, 'The poor you always have with you (John 12:8) and it is true. It seems that with any group of people who become 'civilized' beyond being hunters and gatherers, some become rich and some become poor. No system of governance ever seems to have overcome this. The old testament concept of Jubilee where each fifty years property was to be re-allocated evenly never seems to have been practiced. The early Church in Jerusalem shared their possessions but by the time the letter of James was written a case is stated against favouring the rich over the poor so there must have been a difference. Proverbs reminds us that God has made us all and so we are all equal and suggests that there are better things in life than riches, like having a good name. The Bible accepts, and time and politics prove, that some will be rich. How they become rich and what they do with their wealth is what is important. Proverbs tells us that the generous are blessed and James demands that faith be shown by caring for the less fortunate, who are always with us. Fr Glendon |
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1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 Solomon in his prayer realized that God's glory could not be contained in the highest heaven, let alone much less in the house he loyally built and dedicated to God. Yet he asks that prayers may be heard in that sacred place. Happy are those who sing God's praise and find nourishment in his gracious "springs" which produces peace, quietness and sweetness in the very interior part of their being, says the Psalmist. The Ephesians are asked to stand firm and to guard against unseen forces that would attempt to drag them away from the call to be loyal and faithful to prayer, discipleship and kingdom values. Jesus once again points to the food and drink that those who believe and live in him will need to sustain them on the journey to eternal life. He has also given them the words of spirit and life. Simon Peter recognizes that it is only in Jesus that fulfillment and satisfaction will be found, - "Lord to whom can we go, you have the words of eternal life?" Flesh and spirit, heaven and earth have been brought together once and for all in him who is the word. Jesus knew there were some among his listeners who would not remain loyal to him. Those who abandoned Jesus in today's gospel reading chose to remain faithful to another set of values. By whose values will we choose to live? Robyn Mackie |
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Word and Sacrament 1 Kings 3:3+, Ephesians 5:15+, John 6:51+ Today's readings tell of Solomon's humble prayer for the gift of telling right from wrong. "Yes!" says the Psalmist. "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." "Agreed!" says St Paul. "Live as wise people, making melody to the Lord in your heart!" This is the third consecutive Sunday Jesus uses Bread in the Gospel as his model for the above gifts and many more graces, too, which we need to absorb for true life to be attained. This life is for re-offering to the world by genuinely caring for our neighbour and serving the Church and Community with the love which flows from Christ crucified. The Word of Jesus is in the Gospel to become meat and drink to us. So What is the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the Eucharist? It is broken body, blood poured out to be received as the food of our souls. That has long been today's answer to the pride which blighted later Solomon's life centuries ago. It was the answer in the early Church to the need to change St Paul's life round, too. Fr Robin |
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1 Kings 19:4-8, Ephesians 4:25-5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 Today at St John's, a service will be held to celebrate and give thanks for fifty years of the Australian Navy Cadets. The Navy League Sea Cadet Corps in Australia was founded in 1947 on similar lines to the Navy League Sea Cadet Corps established in Britain in 1939. On the 1st October 1952 the Corps became the Australian Sea Cadet Corps (ASCC) of the Navy League of Australia. Changes over the years have resulted in the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) now being the Naval arm of the Australian Defence Force Cadets. We give thanks for the service given to the community by the Cadets and for the good that belonging to the cadets has given to past members and continues to give to those currently involved. Fr Glendon |
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"Gifts" 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 Some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers to equip the saints for work of ministry. Last Sunday I mentioned Lance Armstrong as the epitome of gifted people as he was about to win the tour de France cycle race for the 5th consecutive time. Not only did he achieve this but just two days later won a race in Austria and was 7th a day later in Denmark. As is well known, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer and after chemo treatment he came back to cycling to win his first tour de France and now for the 5th consecutive time. Lance Armstrong has raised a lot of money for cancer research and treatment through charity rides. Using our gifts is the contribution to society. The Church has many gifts and many gifted people and together we make up the Body of Christ. The bread of life is our spiritual gift. Fr Dennis |
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1 Kings 3:3+, Ephesians 5:15+, John 6:51+ Today's readings tell of Solomon's humble prayer for the gift of telling right from wrong. "Yes!" says the Psalmist. "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." "Agreed!" says St Paul. "Live as wise people, making melody to the Lord in your heart!" This is the third consecutive Sunday Jesus uses Bread in the Gospel as his model for the above gifts and many more graces, too, which we need to absorb for true life to be attained. This life is for re-offering to the world by genuinely caring for our neighbour and serving the Church and Community with the love which flows from Christ crucified. The Word of Jesus is in the Gospel to become meat and drink to us. So What is the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the Eucharist? It is broken body, blood poured out to be received as the food of our souls. That has long been today's answer to the pride which blighted later Solomon's life centuries ago. It was the answer in the early Church to the need to change St Paul's life round, too. Fr Robin |
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2 Kings 4:42-44, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 God knows our need for food, shelter, clothing and love. In the Old Testament Reading we read they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord. He knew they needed sustenance. The Psalmist says God will fulfill the desire of those who fear him and hear their cry and save them. Paul's prayer for the people was not for food, but for strength in the inner being, that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. He knew their deeper or spiritual need. Jesus in the Gospel story today won't be enlisted into causes no matter how laudable they may seem - (the crowd was impressed with the signs they saw him do, and wanted him to be a king.) He wouldn't be co-opted. Neither is Jesus into granting short-term pleasures or pandering to our wants at the cost of long-term disasters. He would rather that we desire him for himself, in preference to what he can give us or do for us. Our deepest need and desire as Christians is that we be rooted and grounded in Christ and his love, so that we may become the whole people of God. To him be the glory in the Church! Robyn Mackie |
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2 Samuel 7:1-14, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Unless the Lord builds the house: their labour is but lost that build it. The uniqueness of our Christian faith is that all is of God. This is possibly the simplest yet hardest thing for us to grasp when our natural inclination is towards doing things ourselves, for ourselves and, we may think for God. David wished to build a substantial temple for God but the prophet Nathan tells him that it is God who will do things for David, not David for God. This, of course, is the core of the Gospel. God accepts us as we are, forgives us and blesses us in Christ. In the world there seems to be more and more fragmentation because of perceived differences between people but in Christ we are all made one and members of the household of God. All this is God's doing. We rejoice and are glad in it. Fr. Glendon |
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2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 Is the International Sunday set aside by missionary organisations to celebrate the seafarers and all associated in the Shipping Industry. Two weeks ago a Filipino fisherman from one of the small islands was picked up in Geraldton by a container vessel. He had been fishing on his small boat and ran out of gasoline and drifted 400 miles and 5 days. The compassion shown by shipping agents who arranged for the Embassy to issue temporary identification papers and travel arrangements included a stopover at the Flying Angel, Fremantle. With very little English and from an isolated part of the world he had a sign around his neck 'please help with flight details as I can't speak English.' The cooperation of so many people in the industry at times like this is a credit to the well being of all. The service this afternoon for Sea Sunday will engage many people in the Industry. Fr Dennis |
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2 Samuel 5:1-4, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13 David was made king over the land. The elders and people anointed him king and were loyal to him. He fitted the image of the king they wanted and needed, brave and strong. Jesus's style of kingship, so different in style than that of David's, was not even recognized in his own home town, he could do almost nothing there. He went to David's capital, Jerusalem with very different weapons and to a very different throne from those of his ancestor. Yet it is in Jesus that God's promises to David of a Messiah have come true. Paul discovered that the real power was hidden in weakness. He learned of this when he encountered the crucified and risen Jesus on the road to Damascus and when he was thrown into jail, beaten, abused and mocked. He refused to go along with the Corinthians desire that he be a more robust Davidic-type leader / apostle. The Christ-type pattern had been stamped on him and therefore the power of the risen Christ came through as well. He formed an effective servant-authority in the communities through his preaching. As the Christ-type pattern has been stamped on us, so will the power of the risen Christ sustain us in service and in difficult times. "My Grace is sufficient for you, as power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9) Robyn Mackie |
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