The heart of this week’s Lectionary is Jesus’ exhortation to “bear fruit”. There are two emphases in this call. The first is to “remain in” Christ – dwelling in deep, life-giving connection with Christ. The experiences of Philip, who is guided by God’s Spirit, and of the eunuch who comes to faith through Philip’s work are...
This week the challenge to live the resurrection continues. By combining the Good Shepherd metaphor with John’s call for love and Peter’s proclamation of God’s grace in Christ, the readings have some strong words for leaders, but also for all Christ-followers. God’s life is to be enjoyed as a priceless gift, but it is also...
If there was ever any doubt that God expects the resurrection to have an impact on how we live, this week’s Lectionary readings should lay it to rest. All of the readings are very clear that, because of God’s work in our lives, we should live differently, and we should be witnesses to God’s grace...
The Good News of Easter: Christ is Alive! The Easter celebration continues with the familiar upper room appearances from John’s Gospel. The surprising message of this week’s lectionary is one that is deeply needed in our world and our Church at this time. This second Sunday of Easter continues the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, but...
THEMES: The Power of the Cross: Resurrection—new life! This is the heart of the Christian message and what we are always called to witness to. This is the hope we have in Jesus being with us and going ahead of us. Death is stripped of it’s power and there is nothing that we can endure,...
MESSAGE 24th March – PALM/PASSION SUNDAY – 24th March – YEAR B THEMES: The main theme that unites the Bible readings from Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, and Mark 15:1-39 (40-47) for Palm and Passion Sunday of Holy Week is the portrayal of Jesus Christ as the suffering servant who obediently endures hardship and death for...
MESSAGE 17th March – 5th Sunday in LENT – YEAR B THEMES: Jeremiah 31.31-34 NEW RELATIONSHIP: Jeremiah speaks of a new covenant where God’s law is internalised, written on hearts rather than stone, signifying a personal and direct relationship with God. God will not just give them rules to follow but will help them understand...
MESSAGE 10th March – 4th Sunday in LENT – YEAR B Numbers 21.4-9 The meaning of this reading is that God loves us and wants us to trust and obey him, even when we face difficulties and challenges in our lives. God does not abandon us, but provides a way for us to be healed...
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. How blessed are we, that in our Christian faith we have so many symbols and signs that reveal the word broken open in our daily lives; constant reminders of God’s love and...
This week the readings remind us of the toughest part of responding to the call of Jesus. In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “When Jesus calls a person to follow him, he calls that person to come and die.” The paradox of the Gospel that is highlighted this week, though, is that it is in...
