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July - December 2001 These Weekly Thoughts are taken from the Parish's pew sheet called the NOW (News of the Week).
Christmas Celebrations - 30 December Gifts - Giving and Receiving - 23 December Christmas Pudding - 16 December Prepare - 9 December Christ the King - 25 November Endure - 18 November Resurrection - 11 November Festival of Flowers - 4 November Choice - 28 October Reliability and Perseverance - 21 October Grace and Gratitude - 14 October Don't let the others get you down! - 7 October Life Goes On - 30 September |
Pray - 23 September Neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem - 16 September Counting the Cost - 9 September Hospitality - 2 September Setting Free - 26 August Bad Hair Day? - 19 August Be Alert! - 12 August More for me - 5 August Take God at His Word - 29 July The Spirituality of Those Who Don't Go to Church - 22 July "Hear our prayer" - 15 July Eating and Drinking to Jerusalem - 8 July Decisions - 1 July Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2003: Jan - June Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2002: Dec - July Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2002: Jan - June Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2001: Jan - June Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2000 |
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Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 Christmas Celebrations continue for 12 days and conclude on Epiphany which is next Sunday in the liturgical calendar of the Church. An Epiphany is planned for Sunday 6th January at 7:30pm. The location is the Cappuccino Strip in South Terrace at Interfoods Cafe. The cost is $20 for a set food menu. Please bring your own wine (drinks can be purchased). Please write your name on the list with the sidesperson and book yourself for an enjoyable evening. Summer School draws close and the opportunity to engage with Greg Jenks will be worthwhile. Greg is a great teacher and leader in the understanding of the scriptures for our time. Make an effort to enrol at Summer School or ring the parish office for transport (bus) or car pooling to the venue at Wollaston Theological College. Fr Dennis |
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Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 What wonderful spiritual gifts we have already received in our lead up to Christmas! The Service of Carols and Lessons was a delightful combination of the traditional lessons and carols interspersed with carefully chosen coral items giving a gentle and peaceful reflection on His story. Congratulations and thanks to Moya for her preparation, prelude and directing, the soloists and choir, the readers and Dominic Perissinotto for his accompaniement and postlude. The accolades were in plenty! The Children's Pageant, in contrast, is a clamour of excitement with animals, children and adults all being caught up in the spirit of our great festival. Our thanks to Jacquie Minkey for her script and narrating and all who were involved in the 'production.' Once again, the Saturday evening Meditation Service, with the theme of 'birth', offered a time of thoughtful quietness with silences, readings and Taize chants. Alison, Victoria, Harriet, Emily and Peter will be offering these Services again in the new year. We wish Thelma Brehaut a Happy 100th Birthday. One hundred years! much of it involved at Ss Peter and Mark's and the old St Peter's as teacher, organist and GFS leader. All of this and our Christmas Services still to come! May we all be uplifted in our festival of Christ's birth, joyfully celebrated with loved ones and friends, Peace and Goodwill. There is much to avail ourselves of at this time to have spiritual ingredients for the Celebration of the Birth of Christ. With Christmas Blessings, |
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Isaiah 35:1-10, Magnificat, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 Under this title is our theme for ADVENT SUNDAY THREE. There are many ingredients that are used for a good Christmas pudding recipe. our Parish continues to be in the centre of Fremantle Celebrations that are leading up to Christmas Day and beyond. The lighting of the Rotary Christmas Tree at the Esplanade Hotel and the additional lighting throughout the city including the trees in St John's Square was launched at the City Carols Service just over a week ago. Fr. Glendon gave an excellent address to open the official festivities of our City. Tonight is the Parish Readings and Carols Service at 7pm. The Christmas Pageant with live animals will be in St John's at 5:30 pm on Friday 21st December. A growing number of people are making contact with the Church through the Taize Meditation on Saturdays at 6:30pm. Additional Services for worship on Christmas Eve/Day have been planned. There is much to avail ourselves of at this time to get spiritual ingredients for the Celebration of the Birth of Christ. Next Week. Thelma Brehaut turns 100 years and the Parish is invited to celebrate at the Service at St Peter's Palmyra at 9:15 am. (Why not send her a card via the Parish Office.) Post Christmas Celebrations include a unique Ecumenical Service on Sunday 27 January at St John's at 10:30am. A new musical work has been commissioned from Graeme Blevins for the West Australian Jazz Festival. There is much to be thankful for at this season of Goodwill. Fr. Dennis |
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Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 In this second week of Advent, we read in the Gospel of John the Baptistwho was a messenger, a voice in the wilderness, sent to proclaim and prepare for the Good News of Christ's coming. Advent is a time to prepare and make ready within our hearts a place for Christ's coming to us. We may get attracted to all the 'lights and tinsel and busy-ness' that goes with this time of the year and yet fail to grasp what the real meaning of Christmas is all about. It is possible that we may need to get rid of some excess baggage we may be carrying around with us (in whatever form that may be), so as to make room for His coming. As John the Baptist was sent to prepare and proclaim Christ, The Way in the wilderness, so too may we be found ready to proclaim Christ's coming amongst us here in Fremantle, in our hearts and homes, or wherever we may be. He comes offering us the greatest gift of all, Hiimself, new life, as in our Baptism, with the Spirit of Hope, Joy, Peace and Goodwill all wrapped up in swaddling clothes, ready for us to receive. May we prepare our hearts so that Christ who is Love can be born in us again. Robyn M |
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Jeremiah 23:1-6, Canticle, Luke 1:68-29, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 Glance at the readings for today and you will see the character of a King which works uniquely well for His people. There is a pictured a Royal God, a benevolent despot, who is far from tyrannical. God choose those who, of their own free will, have chosen God. They find him completely, absolutely, just. God, the righteous King, is very unlike Middle Eastern warlords of current battlefronts. He is a uniter, not a scatterer. He deals wisely with us, His subjects. He mercifully saves us from life's enemies if we willingly heed Him. Maybe it is without our expectation that He forgives and He enlightens any in ignorance or dread. Today, we celebrate Him by whom we know God infinitely better, His Son Jesus the Christ. It is Christ who changes the phraseology - Kingdom of God to Kingdom of Heaven. It is His Kingdom we picture now as a quality of spirit, a citizenship enjoyed by a certain kind of person (Matt. 18.3). What now? We pray most earnestly that our own private souls know Christ as King, acknowledge His rule and live accordingly. Fr. Robin |
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Isaiah 65:17-25, Canticle, Isaiah 12:2-6, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 Jesus' prediction of the destruction of the temple brings a question which in the three synoptic gospels, (Mark, Matthew and Luke), leads to a prophetic discourse. However, Mark's discourse doesn't answer the question, Matthew makes the question fit the answer and Luke the answer fit the question. Luke's discourse is clearly and specifically about the fall of Jerusalem, not about the end of the world. It can therefore be used as a model for all living that looks into an uncertain future with the need to trust in God when everything is 'falling down around our ears.' Especially it calls us to live in solidarity with those who live with war, persecution and hardship each day. Rather than think that persecution and war mean that Jesus is coming we should persevere and like Paul perform our daily tasks conscientiously in faith, always being ready for him. Fr. Glendon |
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Job 19:23-27a, Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-40 Resurrection is grounded in both the words and experience of Jesus. The conservative Sadducees only believed in the written Pentateuch or Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. To them, the law of Levirate marriage whereby brothers were to marry a widow made belief in resurrection absurd. To Jesus their question is inappropriate because there is a fundamental difference between life here and the after life. When we face mortality we have children so that existence continues. In an existence where there is no death there is no need to procreation and no need for marriage. Jesus then appeals to the Torrah (Exodus 3.6) to say that God is God of the living, not of the dead. Inanimate objects can have a creator but only the living can have a God. All of life, here and hereafter consists in friendship with God, and nothing less is worthy of the name of life. Abraham was a friend of God and it is inconceivable that that friendship should be severed by death. If we are alive to God in this life we must be alive to him forever. Fr. Glendon |
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Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 Beginning in the font with the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, we will journey through the places visited by our Lord as portrayed in the beautiful flower arrangements. This will be a wonderful visual and meditative experience. |
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Joel 2:23+, Timothy 4:6+5, Luke 18:15+ Choice is something that we have a great deal of today. Materially we have much to choose from (if we have the income or resources). Sometimes the choice is difficult to make because there is so much to choose from - where do we start? Spiritually there is also much that we can choose from today. Christianity does not have the monopoly when it comes to religion or beliefs. Just look at all the alternatives available; just as we have alternative medicine we also have alternative spiritualities. And sometimes it is easier to pick one of these alternative spiritualities than it is to follow the teachings of Jesus; because when we do decide to follow Jesus choices have to be made. As the ruler in Luke's gospel found out. Do we walk away from them? OR Do we face up to the challenge? Choices! Hard choices - life is full of them! It is difficult for us to move out of our comfort zones, into the unknown. It is human nature to try to avoid pain, and therefore, to try to avoid problems, and difficult decisions. But such decisions, though difficult, can lead us down paths until then not considered, that were unknown. Can we take the path that leads to new life? Talking about new paths. As most of you are aware I have chosen to take a new path in ministry, one that leads to the Parish of Hilton. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your response to my ministry here in Fremantle, and I wish you well as you continue to minister to the people of Fremantle and Palmyra. Rev'd Debbie |
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Genesis 32:22-31, Timothy 3:14 - 4:5, Luke 18:1-8 Being reliable and persevering are attributes we hope we have and would like everyone else to be. We ask for a job to be done, a message delivered by people of whom we have confidence they will complete the task. In the Old Testament we find Jeremiah entrusted with two messages, both commence with 'the days are surely coming'. The first is of destruction and death, the other looks forward to the restoration of the people to the land and to an even more glorious future. The future is possible because the Law and Lord are known with great intimacy. The epistle writer, probably not Paul, calls on Timothy to be reliable and steadfast in his dealing with Scripture - because not only is Scripture reliable in itself, the one who has inspired it is reliable also. Timothy is encouraged that in all circumstances he is to proclaim the message, like Jeremiah, whether the time is favourable or unfavourable. Timothy too is told "the time is coming" and he is encouraged to carry out his ministry faithfully, using the Scriptures for teaching, reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness. The woman in the first parable hopes the judge will be reliable in dealing with her just cause and find in her favour - however it requires all her perseverance. The judge is only concerned the widow will exhaust him! The second parable asks we consider where we place our confidence - in ourselves or in God. How do we rate as reliable and persevering people in our approach to Bible reading and to prayer? Are we reliable people when asked to pray for another and do we persevere with prayer and the reading of Scripture? It is the way to go and the way to grow! Helen Thomas |
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Jeremiah 29:1-4-7, Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 We are told that what we now know as leprosy was not present in Palestine at the time of Jesus. What is called leprosy was probably a scaly skin condition. As we read in Numbers and Leviticus the ancients had carefully defined internal and external boundaries and any who failed to meet the criteria were cast out. Jesus came breaking down these boundaries to include all, even Samaritans in fellowship with him. Jesus is the one who mixes with tax collectors and sinners - those we don't normally include in our circle of care, those we deliberately ignore or regard as beyond the pale. The nine lepers were obedient but one went a little further, showing that as well as obedience, gratitude is the response to Gods grace. All were made clean but to the one Jesus says 'your faith has made you well' (healed and saved you). God's saving purpose, made plain in Jesus, is about the loner, the foreigner, the outsider, and the excluded. It is about their inclusion in God's kingdom, about a reversal in their fortunes. Glendon |
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Don't let the others get you down! Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10 "Trust in the Lord and do good!" Psalm 37.3 St Francis will have let his gentle presence be felt this past week. Friday saw the Eucharist and brunch, aiding the Little Brothers of Francis and, today, in the church of Ss Peter and Mark, the Blessing of the animals after the example of Francis on his early 13th century mission. His principles were poverty before wealth, simplicity in service and, foremost, devotion to God. Turning from his story I looked up today's readings from the Bible. They are about being positive with our faith. That way the good choices inspired by God crowd out the bad directions much of the world seems often to prefer. Habakkuk the prophet is outraged and despondent before he starts. Then he stops, praises God and is rewarded with a less jaundiced vision. "God, the Lord, is my strength. I feel light again. I can reach the heights where I am meant to be!" The Psalmist says, "Don't let the wicked get you down. Trust in the Lord and do good." Now, Paul catches Timothy in quite a "low." "Don't be a coward nor ashamed of my suffering," says Paul. "Rely on the power of God." And Jesus? "If you had the faith of a mustard seed, you would really enjoy service of the Lord, generous, cheerful service. That brings us back to Francis. He caught all these ideas and his memory calls us to Christ, still. Robin |
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Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31 'Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.' Jer 32.15 'In the aftermath of the terror of September 11th the words and actions of New York's Mayor, Rudolph Guiliani, have moved, impressed and encouraged us all. As he has reported, he had to detach himself from his emotions to be able to do what needed to be done and it is said that for four days if he ate or slept he did so on his feet! More recently he encouraged residents to get on with life unafraid. 'Life is risky,' he said. 'You can decide to live your life afraid or you can decide to live your life the way Americans live their lives, which is unafraid.' This echoes the messages given by the prophets Jeremiah, Isaiah and Exekiel during the time of Israel's exile into Babylon and the hard times experienced by those who were left behind. God's word to Jeremiah in prison, that he should buy his relative's land, was a word of hope and encouragement that life does go on and that life is for living. This, however, does not mean that we simply dismiss people's fears as all being irrational. We read about people buying gas masks to protect themselves against chemical or biological attack and wonder where the line between precaution and fear might be. Whatever fears people have are real to them and must be honoured but we do need people like Mayor Giuliani to courageously act and encourage in times of despair. Glendon |
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Jeremiah 8:18-9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 In times of distress, confusion and uncertainty; when a sudden event overwhelms them there is one thing that a person will do that is not normally a part of their life - Pray! It happens time and time again when events are beyond our control, we call out hoping to seek comfort, understanding, help or intervention of some kind. We pray! An instinctive reaction, a deep set need to call upon God to guide and help us at such times? In the light of recent world events, this past fortnight has been no exception. The difference? The world has been and is praying. In many places around the world, in this country, in churches, in government buildings, under trees people have gathered (strangers have come together) candles lit, silence kept, prayers offered - for those who died, the bereaved, the rescuers. Prayers for the leaders of the world that they would act with wisdom and justice. Paul's letter to Timothy tells that this is as it should be, for it urges its readers to pray; to pray for everyone, to pray for our world leaders and for all in positions of power and authority so that the world may know peace. Don't stop praying, for prayer transforms us and our lives. Debbie |
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Neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem Isaiah 26:7-13, Corinthians 3:17-4:6, John 4:19-24 The woman Jesus meets at Jacob's well in Samaria wonders where God is to be worshipped. Behind the horror of the terror attacks in America are those who believe in God being worshipped on this mountain or that, in other words, believing that they are following the 'right' God in the 'right' way. Until the world heeds the response of Jesus: 'God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth' such outrages are likely to continue. Today we celebrate the life and work of our local saint and hero of the Anglican communion, John Ramsden Wollaston. We give thanks to God for his virtues and labours as a faithful pastor of souls, his resolute commitment to the building of the first place of worship at Picton as a sign of his constant devotion to the building up of the flock of Christ, his leadership in all things of the Spirit, his unflagging endeavours on behalf of new settlers and his concern for the welfare of the Aboriginal people. Indeed, we have much to celebrate when we consider all the good things of life that we have in this place. Fr Glendon |
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Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1-21, Luke 14:25-33 Count the cost says Jesus. What does this mean? His examples are: building a tower or waging a war. With Paul's letter to Philemon we have some real life examples. Onesimus the run away slave has become a Christian, the cost of this is that he must return to his master and face whatever consequences there might be, hopefully not serious ones since Philemon is also a Christian and Paul paves the way by commending Onesimus, recommending how he should be treated and offering to pay for any loss he has caused. Consequently, Philemon must count and absorb the cost of receiving back a slave whom he would otherwise have been able to extract retribution from. Yes, even in our times, there is a cost to being a Christian. A cost to living Godly lives, as clay in the hands of the great potter. The words of Jesus are not meant to deter people from discipleship but to say that it needs at least as much consideration as a business or political venture. Fr. Glendon |
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Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 Who enjoys being invited around to friends' homes for a meal, or being asked in to have a cup of tea or coffee? In these moments it's not so much what is being offered, in the way of food or refreshment, it is the reaching out to each other, the willingness to extend a hand of friendship and welcome that is important. Today's readings remind us of the need to extend hospitality to others. But more importantly not only to those whom we know, and with whom we feel comfortable and at ease - it is to be extended to those whose need is greater. Even to those whom we may not know; to people for whom daily living is a continual struggle; to those who may have lost their way. During his time among the people of God, Jesus' ministry modeled how we were to receive each other - with love - willing to care for and share with others. He left us the greatest meal of all - the Eucharist - so that we might continue to receive and share God's grace and blessings in our lives so that through us his will be done. Henry Nouwen says that: "A meal together is one of the most intimate and sacred human events... Much more happens at meal than satisfying hunger and quenching thirst. Around the table we become family, friends, community - yes, a body." Debbie |
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Isaiah 58:9+, Hebrews 12:18+, Luke 13:10+ 'ought not this woman be set free?' For a number of weeks the gospel readings have been reminding us of the heavy demands of discipleship. Today we have a refreshing story of healing. This is Luke's last reference to Jesus teaching in a synagogue and is accompanied by tension and controversy, prophetic of what awaits him in Jerusalem. Jesus allows nothing to get in the way of setting free those who are in any way bound. We also have this ministry of setting people free. It comes from having a deep sense of God given freedom in our lives which we can share with others. As winter passes we move into a series of exciting activities which allow us to celebrate our church and community life. Next Friday we have the Fashion Parade at Palmyra. In September there is the celebration of Parish life and John Wollaston at 9.30 am on the 16th at St John's. The Rev'd Dr Nigel Leaves will speak on the topic 'Australian spirituality, where to from here?' On Saturday the 22nd a Parish quiz night will be held at Palmyra. In October we have the St Francis Day blessing of pets at St Peter's on Sunday 7th and the Spring Fair on the 27th and then, commencing on the 9th of November, the Flower Festival in St John's. Along with Missionary Brunches and Synod, quite a program! We urge you to be involved and also to encourage family and friends to join you. Fr Glendon + |
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Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, Luke 12:49-59 Did Jesus 'get out of the wrong side of bed' or, using the current expression, have a 'bad hair day' when he said these words? Challenging words which we would rather he hadn't said. They may seem difficult and contradictory but all that he is doing is reading the signs which the religious leaders were incapable of doing. The suffering heroes of Hebrews 11 continued to trust in God and God's rescue. They looked by faith to God's future, now fully revealed in Jesus himself, the example of our faith and object of our hope. But to those who refuse this faith and hope, Jesus declares that he has come to divide Israel down the middle. If the vineyard is yielding wild grapes, what else can the owner do? Jesus brought the presence of the Kingdom with the love and power of God, healing, rescuing and re-creating. If people couldn't see this they were indeed blind and those who rejected his message would come into increasing conflict with Rome and there could only be one winner to that conflict. Jesus was calling them to a way of peace and justice. The alternative was the way of self destruction. Fr. Glendon |
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Genesis 15:1+, Hebrews 11:1+, Luke 12:32+ In the Old Testament we read of the openness of Abraham and Sarah to see and to hear. Likewise the matriarchs and patriarchs as described in Hebrews are held up as examples of faith, living in the light of the future - they were ready for when it came. The heavenly kingdom is already here in a sense (a sphere, existing and very close) to us now. We are to be aware of this kingdom, and Jesus warns us not to be found sleeping unprepared. In this parable the thief could be anything that may rob us of our awareness or consciousness of this sphere or dimension. Being attentive to what has been entrusted to us as servants of the kingdom in the here and now, goes hand in hand with being watchful and alert to what may come to us any time. Being ready to step out in faith may mean leaving our attachments, rather than being caught hanging anxiously onto a stake in the ground. Let us continue to pray that God's kingdom will come and His will be done on earth as in heaven. May this be our priority and treasure and where our hearts most long to be. Robyn M |
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Hosea 11:1-11, Col 3: 1-11, Luke 12:13-21 Unfortunately, rich farmers are hard to find these days but the story that Jesus tells us reminds us that the 'me' generation is not just a modern phenomena. The difference is that in the ancient world the elite class was very small but now in developed countries many have the opportunity to live indulgent lifestyles and seek after self "fulfillment" in whatever form it may take. As we hear some say, "If money doesn't bring you happiness, you don't know where to shop." A Canberra Priest and Academic, Dr. Bruce Stevens has seen such as increase in narcissism and its destructive forces that he has written a book about it. He spent five years developing nine types, Craver, Special lover, Power broker, Rager, Fantasy maker, Trickster, Body shaper, Martyr and Rescuer. These and many other things are all aspects of greed, thinking that we can achieve our own abundance. The point that Jesus makes is one of the most fundamental of all; that the universal Religion of Consumerism with its Great God Mammon is a false religion with a false god, whatever form it takes. Glendon + |
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Hosea 1:2-10, Col 2: 6-19, Luke 11:1-13 We have been exploring the minor Old Testament prophets and now move on to Hosea. Often the message of the prophets leaves us unable to honestly say "thanks be to God" and yet in the end we see God's final word in not destruction but redemption in spite of the terrible verdict. Hosea understands the essential nature of the God of Israel, whose very nature demands justice and fidelity and cannot tolerate a relationship from which these qualities are yet ... and yet .... these people are God's people, His own choosing. The Psalm speaks of God's people being aware of his mercies in the past, mercies which have transformed their community life. Verse 4 speaks of the need for a new outpouring of God's grace; they need God's intervention of rescue from present peril and motivation to pray urgently for a fresh infusion of God's love. The Epistle reminds us as we live in Christ we are moved to thanksgiving. However there is a warning of unspecified dangers, nevertheless our dependence is on Christ, the One who embodies the 'whole fulness of deity' (v. 9) and in whom we dwell. Luke reminds us to live in Christ. A prayer of petitions alone, it draws attention to real needs and to the One who is able to fulfil those needs. .The attendant parable demonstrates how father-like is our God, while verse 13 reminds us that is evil people give good things, imagine what your heavenly father is like! Go on, take God at His word! Helen Thomas |
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The Spirituality of Those Who Don't Go To Church Amos 8:1-12, Col 1: 15-29, Luke 10:38-42 Dr. David hay is a scientist and Christian believer who, for more than twenty five years, has researched the nature of religious or spiritual experience. This has lead him to the belief that spiritual awareness is a necessary part of our human make-up, biologically built into us, whatever our religious beliefs are, or lack of them. Fr Robin and I attended his seminar held at the 'new' Wollaston College this week. We were told that while regular church attendance in Britain fell by more than twenty percent in ten years, in his most recent survey, David found that seventy six percent of those asked reported having had a religious or spiritual experience which had influenced them, a sixty percent increase over thirteen years. This is a startling figure considering that people are shy about admitting a spiritual experience and the increase probably shows a growing feeling that it is socially acceptable to admit such awareness. In groups we discussed what some of the implications of this research might be for the Church. Issues such as being able to talk to people who don't come to church about their spiritual experiences and making the Church more 'user friendly' were raised. Yet another challenge to the Church which, as Bob Spong says, must change or die. Fr. Glendon |
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2 Kings 5:1-14, Gal: 6:1-6, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 The intercessions in our services are always very thoughtfully taken by our volunteers. We thank them for sharing their conversation with God on our behalves. It is about matters of the world and the Church with which we are pleased to join in with our "Amens." What reminded me of this appreciation of mine was my run through the Sunday readings for today. To me, they really read like an amazingly fresh "prayer list," yet some of it was over two and a half thousand years old! There were praises and thanks but notice the requests: COURAGE to keep to the path of right thinking and speaking and acting against the pressures of others to do otherwise. HONESTY in our regard to God's plumbline and not our own. So, in our times, the teaching and example of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Amos) JUSTICE for the weak, the needy and the shattered and eyes to be open to God's judgement of the wicked. (Psalm) FAITH that produces fruit that graces the world as God intended. KNOWLEDGE of God's will so that you and I lead lives worthy of the Lord. STRENGTH for endeavour and patience and joy in the Faith. (Colossians) GRACE to have pity and care which overcome prejudjing, or discriminating against, another. (Luke) You may enjoy a similar exercise yourself NEXT week! Fr. Robin |
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Eating and Drinking to Jerusalem 2 Kings 5:1-14, Gal: 6:1-6, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Jesus has set his face towards Jerusalem and the great ten chapter journey of Luke's gospel has begun. In these ten chapters Luke shows Jesus spending time in people's homes, eating with Pharisees, tax collectors, even women and in these ten chapters are most of the parables of Luke, including those that have a lot to say about homes and dinners. It is not surprising, then, that the seventy (two) are sent to people's homes where they were to stay 'eating and drinking.' In the Mediterranean world hospitality is mostly offered by men to strangers. Graciousness extended to relatives and friends is called steadfast love or steadfast loving kindness. In ancient times anyone who left their family village entered a foreign and hostile world. Death was always and everywhere a threat and the kindness of a village elder had to be relied upon for protection. Jesus states what was true when he said 'I am sending you as lambs into the midst of wolves,' strangers among non-relatives. Despite opposition, misunderstandings, threats and rejection Jesus' chosen ones go out in weakness but also in power as a sign to Israel that the Kingdom is breaking in. It is only after a few days living in each other's pockets that evangelism really gets going. When they enter the homes they bring God's peace and wholeness and the simple words of Jesus: 'The Kingdom of God has come near to you.' Fr. Glendon |
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1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, Gal: 5 1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 Some decisions are very hard to make, especially when we are asked to relinquish something we might hold dear - a person, customs, traditions, possessions, money, time. Moving from childhood into adulthood, moving from being dependent upon our parents into an independent life involves us, at some point, in having to make many decisions about different things. Part of any decision making process will mean having to let go of some of the things we have in order to move on with our lives. Jesus' disciples knew this. James and John would have known this, for we are told that when Jesus called them to follow him they 'left behind their father.' Simon and Andrew also let go, 'of their nets', so they could follow. That is a lot to ask of anyone - to drop what they are doing and to change direction in life. Still we are told that is what the disciples did. In Luke's gospel Jesus doesn't beat about the bush, he lets those who would follow him know that it is not going to be an easy time for them. There were going to be obstacles to overcome, changes to be made, new directions to be taken. As with the first disciples so it is with all who follow Jesus. We are called to step out of our comfort zones, to relinquish those things that are obstacles to our Christian living, to move in another direction. Led by Christ and in the grace of God. Rev. Debbie |
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