Blog

Isaiah – A Prophet for Hard Times Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, in which we prepare our hearts to both receive the Christ and to birth God in our own time and situation. In the busyness of our world, especially in the lead up to Christmas, it can be very hard to enter into the spacious uncertainty, the yearning and desperate need for a saviour, and the hope and anxiety that our time provokes, in the keeping of a true Advent. This

As Matthew’s gospel nears the end of its witness of the life and ministry of Jesus the teaching becomes more urgent and the context more conflicted. (Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 28 [33] Matthew 25:14-30) In many ways this suits the atmosphere of our times with the images of light and dark, day and night, the need to continue to live and work with faith, love and the hope of salvation (not just for ourselves but for all). The atmosphere of urgency and light fig

About this time many of us may be wondering if we have enough oil to keep our lamps burning! Indeed, some of us are running on almost empty already. In a world constantly at war, on a planet struggling to self regulate, facing issues that seem to get worse not better, and our own problems, we can – in the small hours of the morning – wonder if we have enough in reserve to keep our lamps burning! (Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 27 [32]. Matthew 25:1-13.) Sentenc

This year I think there is value in reflecting on what the path to everyday sainthood (quaint notion that it is) looks like as many of us feel deeply challenged by the call to become peacemakers and children of God in what seems an increasingly hostile environment. (All Saints. Matthew 5:1-12.) My interest in sainthood is not to earn a place in heaven but to become more fully an expression of God’s grace and mercy in a world so lacking in both. Sentence: “Beloved, we are God’

The two great commandments are surely the heart, soul and mind of the gospel (Matthew 22:34-46. Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 25 [30] ) For myself, and for many others, the challenge, wisdom and focus of this teaching never comes to an end for in each new and old relationship and situation is the question "What does love look like in this moment?" Sentence: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with

This is one of those sayings of Jesus that is known far beyond church walls. And also probably one of the most misunderstood sayings! (Twenty first Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 24 [29] Matthew 22:15-22) Sentence: “ ‘Give therefore to Caesar the things that are the Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.’ ” Matthew 22:21 Collect: Gracious God, You have made us in your own image and declared creation good. Let us be ever mindful whose image we bear and live as belove

Of all the parables I think this is the one I struggle with most as it really does sound rather violently judgemental! (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 23 [28]. Matthew 22:1-14.) But, starting from the perspective that the gospel is always ultimately the word of life we have some work to do in finding the life giving truth of this story. Sentence: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever i

This week some in the church will be celebrating Saint Francis and some struggling with the image of the beloved vineyard and the errant tennants. (Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 22 [27] Matthew 21:33-46.) Whichever set of readings we follow there is both challenge and an invitation to renewal and for a rebuilding of the church. Many of us will see the timeliness of both the challenge and the encouragement. For those celebrating St Francis you may like to read what

The parable this week is one of the shortest and at first seems quite obvious but with time and reflection grows in significance. (Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 21 [26]. Matthew 21:23-32.) Whether our initial response is to say Yes or No there is a journey to undertake. Sentence: “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.” Ezekiel 18:32 Collect: Creator God, You have called us to be co-creators, midwives, labourers

This parable of the vineyard labourers is very provocative for most of us. (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 20 [25] Matthew 20:1-16.) On the one hand we know that we depend on the mercy and generosity of God (or at least did at some point in time) but we are not comfortable about others (who we think don’t deserve it) receiving equal measures of graciousness!?! Many of us, like the complaining Israelites or Jonah, are a little or a lot upset at the thought of those

Forgiveness is closely linked with healing for us as individuals who have been harmed, who have harmed others, and in our relationship with God and therefore for us as community. (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 19 [24] Matthew 18:21-35.) Sentence: “Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.’ ” Matthew 18:22 Collect: God of creation and recreation; Jesus Word of forgiveness and healing, Spirit of new again hope and love, help us t

The readings this week are very challenging and also hopeful as we are given guidance on how to respond to the real-life problems of loving in community and discerning how love and compassion looks when there is conflict and struggle. (Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 18 [23]. Matthew 18:15-20.) Sentence: “Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” Psalm 119:34 Collect: Gracious God, you have created us with love for the pu