Blindness and sight, light and darkness, rejection of those in power and anointing of those who are unknown – these are the threads in the Lectionary readings of this week. The heart of the theme is this: how do we choose to see? Samuel is tempted to look at Jesse’s sons in an ordinary human...
THEME: Jesus is the Living Water Hope can be in short supply when you are wandering in the desert not knowing if or when you will arrive at your destination; when you are a woman shunned by your community, when your community is not listening to God’s voice. But hope takes many forms—water in the...
The clear focus of this week’s readings is the idea of faith or believing. Abram, believing God’s promise, sets out from his home to a new land. The Psalm expresses deep faith in the God who protects and cares for God’s people. Paul emphasises Abraham’s faith as the doorway into relationship with God, and invites...
THEME: Lent: repent of your sins and return to the Lord. We are moving in the direction of the Realm/Kingdom of God and today’s readings point to that which we are tempted to work against the values and practices of the Realm/Kingdom of God The central ideas for this first Sunday in Lent are temptation,...
MESSAGE: 19 February 2023 THEME: Transformation Time to embrace the mystery of the divine incarnate and accept the invitation to be transformed ourselves Complete transformation – how has the promise of Christmas transformed you? Are you prepared for Lent? Context Peter declares Messiah Jesus predicts death. Peter denies death Jesus revealed in glory of...
The idea of ‘holiness’ appears in all of this week’s readings in different forms. In Leviticus the people are commanded to be holy as God is holy, and this holiness is revealed in their treatment of one another and their seeking for justice. The psalmist prays for a life that is directed by God’s ways and...
Not surprisingly, there is a clear development this week from last week’s readings. This week the Lectionary continues with the Sermon on the Mount, and with an examination of what true spirituality looks like. Both Paul and Jesus try to engage with us in their teaching. For Paul it’s about growing into a spiritual maturity...
What is authentic spirituality? In what ways do we know – and do others experience – that we have a real, vibrant relationship with God? These are the questions raised by the readings this week. In Isaiah a contrast is drawn between the indulgent spirituality of the people, which leaves them disconnected from God and...
THEME: True happiness What does it mean to be truly happy? Truly blessed? Today’s readings remind us and encourage us of who we are as God’s people and how we are called to live. Identity and purpose – yes!! Start with first part of Micah reading: And what does the Lord seek from you? To...
THEME: Following Jesus Children’s Sermon: Fishing for People (Matthew 4:18-23) Do you enjoy fishing? Have you ever caught a fish? Fishing is a great sport, and if you have ever been fishing and have caught a fish, you know that there’s a great feeling of excitement when you catch a fish. One of the things...
