Readings: Amos 7:7–17, Colossians 1:1–14 & Luke 10:25–37 The story of the Good Samaritan is one of the most well known stories in the Bible. It is so well known in fact, that the term ‘Good Samaritan’ has entered our everyday language as a term used to describe someone who helps a complete stranger. It’s ironic to think that there might be…
Readings: 2 Kings 5:1–14, Galatians 6:7–18 & Luke 10:1–12, 17–24 If somebody asked me to explain the teaching of Jesus in 25 words or less, here’s how I would answer: “Love God with your with all your mind, soul, heart and strength; and love your neighbour as you love yourself”. (In case you are wondering that’s twenty words!) It probably sounds very…
Readings: 1 Kings 19:1–4, 8–15a, Galatians 3:10–14, 23–29 & Luke 8:26–39 Our gospel reading this morning deals with the issue of human brokenness. We hear of a man who is possessed by many demons. A man who, for the most part, walks around naked. A man who lives, not in a house, but in the tombs of the cemetery. A man who,…
Readings: Proverbs 8:1–4, 22–31, Romans 5:1–5 & John 16:12–15 I’ve heard a lot of people say that the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is the most difficult aspect of the Christian Faith to explain to someone. Let’s test that theory shall we? I’m going to read you a definition of the doctrine of the Trinity from Wikipedia. ‘The Christian doctrine of the…
Readings: Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14–17 & John 14:8–17 As you know, today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, which we probably tend to think of as being a Christian celebration, but It was actually a festival celebrated by the people of Israel long before Christianity ever came into being. Pentecost is actually a Greek word, meaning the fiftieth day after Passover. And…
Readings: Acts 16:16–34, Revelation 22:12–22 & John 17:20–26 I had a meeting with someone earlier in the week who described themselves as being spiritual rather than religious. They told me they feel intimidated by church, because they don’t understand what is happening during the liturgy of the Sunday morning service, and because they find it difficult to make sense of the Bible.…
Readings: Acts 16:9–15, Revelation 21:10–14, 21:22–22:5 & John 14:23–29 Earlier this week I attended the clergy conference of the Marmingatha Episcopate, which is the region which Bishop Genieve Blackwell is responsible for. The theme of the conference was “Leading Change”. I doubt there are many people who would argue against the need for change in the church at this point in its…
Readings: Acts 9:36–43, Revelation 7:9–17 & John 10:22–30 Today’s passage from John’s Gospel begins with the words, “At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem.” To get a better idea of what John is trying to tell us in this passage, we need to know something of the history of the festival of Dedication. In the year 167…
Readings: Acts 9:1–6, Revelation 5:6–14 & John 21:1–19 As most of you know, I was blessed to be part of a pilgrimage that visited the Holy Land in January 2018. During the pilgrimage, our group spent four days at the Sea of Galilee, and one of the places we visited in our time there was the Church of the Primacy of Saint…
Readings: Isaiah 50:4–9a, Philippians 2:5–11 & Luke 23:1–49 The one thing that really struck me about today’s readings, is the amazing strength required for someone to conduct themselves in a way that many others would describe as “weak”. I’ve spoken in the past about the four ‘Servant Songs’ that appear in the Book of Isaiah. Well our reading this morning from Isaiah…