Can't make it to church - 21 February 2016

Today is the second Sunday of Lent - the forty days of reflection and preparing ourselves for the celebration that is Easter. But of course, before eh celebration comes the awfully bloody and brutal goings on that are Good Friday and the crucifixion. Many people think of Lent as  time for 'giving up'
but in fact it is a time of 'taking up' - taking up the time to reflect and taking up our own crosses and denying ourselves (Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23,Mark 8:34) - so the many who think of the giving up of chocolate during Lent - might be denying themselves, but they are selling Lent short!

Today is also an 'Ember Day' - A day when we pray for those who are preparing for ordination (and this is a long path and so during these times (four periods of three days) we pray for those testing calling, training and preparing for ordination (well, I do!).

So what are the readings telling us today? The Old Testament find God and Abram drawing up a legal contract as part of Abram's call - for soon he will no longer be 'Abram' (noble or exalted father) by 'Abraham' (father of a multitude or nation).

To show Abram He was serious about this, God entered into a legal contract - for passing between the two lines of halved animal is saying, 'If I break this covenant, may it be the same for me as these animals!' This is 'The Covenant' - - circumcision is the sign of the Covenant, not the constructing and enacting of it. Here we have the promise of the 'Promised Land' making it's appearance too - for there is always great promise when we enter into relationship with God.

Paul, as ever brings us something to mull over too. Paul speaks of those who oppose Jesus, the Christ, from the position of having been one of those who did the same thing. Those who live for themselves, those 'whose god is their belly'. Everyone has to choose who they are going to serve: Words from Bob Dylan's song 'Gotta serve somebody''

You're gonna have to serve somebody,

It may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

And like Abram, we can serve God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), or we can serve the gods of this age and our own ambitions, desires and excesses. Each choice brings benefits - with God it is in the 'Now' with the extra added focus on eternity with Him. For those in the world, they get what they get now and then ... well, we'll have to talk about that sometime - but as Paul puts it: 'Their end is destruction!'

Doesn't leave much wiggle room there, does he?

And on to the Gospel - Luke 13 talks about life, death - repentance and judgement. In verse five we find. "But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too.” - Jesus talk about the religious people, those who look like they are true believers and points out that the inner person lives the truth about themselves and that sometimes the way we behave in public denies the secrets of our own hearts. Who do we do things for? God or us? 

Jesus, when warned, tells those who came that He would de what He came to do and to honour God  - and more besides, He was going to go into Jerusalem, that place where so many of the prophets had perished and there, in the lion's den, where the cries of Hosanna would ring, then would the final act begin. This is a statement of intent and a pointer to Palm Sunday - Jesus knew He would not be killed where He was (for I assume He was in Bethany, the Home of Mary, Marthas and Lazarus) because Jerusalem was the place it was all going to kick off - end - and three days later - Begin.

What covenants have we made? What plans does God have for us? Are we willing to take them upon ourselves? Who are you going to choose to serve?

The Collect
Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way come to share in his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Genesis 15.1-12,17-18
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ But the word of the Lord came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Then he said to him, ‘I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.’ But he said, ‘O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?’ He said to him, ‘Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.’ He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.

When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire-pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,"

Philippians 3.17 - 4.1
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Luke 13.31-35
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’

Can't make it to church? 31 January 2016

Today is the day when the Nativity scene in our house gets put away. There are two 'right' times for this to happen, the Christmas stuff either gets put away on 'twelfth night' (the twelve days of Christmas beginning on Christmas Day) or on the day when we remember Mary going to the temple in Jerusalem for the rite of purification (which we call 'Candlemas' or 'the Purification'). As a child I can remember my Mother talking about being 'churched' some days after my birth; this happened in the chapel of Bart's Hospital. As a choir boy (yeah, honest, I was!) when bored (most weeks) during the service  would flick through the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and read who I could and couldn't marry and wonder what the 'Churching of Women' bit was about.

It all comes from the instructions for 'purification after birth in Leviticus 12:

“Speak to the Israelites. Tell them, ‘Suppose a woman becomes pregnant and has a baby boy. Then she will be “unclean” for seven days. It is the same as when she is “unclean” during her monthly period. On the eighth day the boy must be circumcised. After that, the woman must wait for 33 days to be made pure from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred until the 33 days are over. During that time she must not go to the sacred tent. But suppose she has a baby girl. Then she will be “unclean” for two weeks. It is the same as during her period. After the two weeks, she must wait for 66 days to be made pure from her bleeding.  After she has waited the required number of days to be made pure, she must bring two offerings. She must take them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. She must bring a lamb a year old for a burnt offering. She must also bring a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering.  The priest must offer them to the Lord. They will pay for her sin. Then she will be “clean” from her bleeding. 

'These are the rules for a woman who has a baby boy or girl.But suppose she can’t afford a lamb. Then she must bring two doves or two young pigeons. One is for a burnt offering. The other is for a sin offering. The priest will sacrifice those offerings. That will pay for her sin. And she will be “clean.” ’ " 

So the prime reason for Joseph, Mary and Jesus being at the temple is clear, but there is an added dimension in that we find God incarnate entering the temple that exists to worship Him. This is the fulfilment of prophecy as 'God enters His house'. (Can you imagine the announcement over the PA? "Ladies and gentlemen, God has entered the building!")

Simeon and Ann are the means by which Jesus is recognised, the former in the words of the Nunc Dimittis (Lord, now let your servant depart in peace) which is Simeon's attestation that in Jesus he has had the Christ revealed to him - the end of Epiphany results in one last epiphany for Simeon and also for Anna; whose words we know little of other than the 'rising and falling of many and the wound that Mary's heart that will suffer'. We began Epiphany with Jesus being revealed to the Magi, we end with Him being revealed to two faithful believers who were looking to, and hoping for, God's redemptive plan to be put into action. In Jesus, the Christ, it is.

We also call today 'Candlemas' because traditionally it was a day when the candles were blessed.

As we read the Hebrews passage we find the bit from just before the passage (which would have been helpful) is missing. So here it is - with Jesus quoting Isaiah 8 (v18): 'And again he says, “Here I am. Here are the children God has given me.” '

They are flesh and blood and so too has Jesus - who 'became like them to die for them (us)'. God becomes man (that's who Anna and Simeon see) and does so to die for us. This is the plan to reconcile us to God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) Jesus, in dying and rising from the dead breaks the power of death, which is the penalty for sin, and in doing so removes all the power that satan has and takes control of his kingdom. This is the place where we understand what the power of the cross truly is!

The Malachi passage adds to the equation the warning that along with the redemption of humanity from the kingdom of death (which was satan's domain) there will also be a judgement. Now this isn't popular and I know many of my colleagues preach that this is not to be believed (because they find it distasteful and unpopular) but 'when He appears' (at the second coming) I can't help think that this is part of the expectation we should have. Don't like the prospect of it? Then we all better get working at the way we live and treat others hadn't we?

Sorry if this spoils the party today should be! Perhaps we need to be transformed then:

The Collect
God of heaven, you send the gospel to the ends of the earth and your messengers to every nation:
send your Holy Spirit to transform us by the good news of everlasting life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Malachi 3.1-5
The Lord who rules over all says, “I will send my messenger. He will prepare my way for me. Then suddenly the Lord you are looking for will come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant will come. He is the one you long for.” But who can live through the day when he comes? Who will be left standing when he appears? He will be like a fire that makes things pure. He will be like soap that makes things clean. He will act like one who makes silver pure. And he will purify the Levites, just as gold and silver are purified with fire. Then these men will bring proper offerings to the Lord. And the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to him. It will be as it was in days and years gone by.

“So I will come and put you on trial. I will be quick to bring charges against all of you,” says the Lord who rules over all. “I will bring charges against you sinful people who do not have any respect for me. That includes those who practice evil magic. It includes those who commit adultery and those who tell lies in court. It includes those who cheat workers out of their pay. It includes those who treat widows badly. It also includes those who mistreat children whose fathers have died. And it includes those who take away the rights of outsiders in the courts.

Hebrews 2.14-18
Those children have bodies made out of flesh and blood. So Jesus became human like them in order to die for them. By doing this, he could break the power of the devil. The devil is the one who rules over the kingdom of death. Jesus could set people free who were afraid of death. All their lives they were held as slaves by that fear. It is certainly Abraham’s children that he helps. He doesn’t help angels. So he had to be made like people, fully human in every way. Then he could serve God as a kind and faithful high priest. And then he could pay for the sins of the people by dying for them. He himself suffered when he was tempted. Now he is able to help others who are being tempted.

Luke 2:22 - 40
The time came for making Mary “clean” as required by the Law of Moses. So Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem. There they presented him to the Lord. In the Law of the Lord it says, “The first boy born in every family must be set apart for the Lord.” They also offered a sacrifice. They did it in keeping with the Law, which says, “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

In Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was a good and godly man. He was waiting for God’s promise to Israel to come true. The Holy Spirit was with him. The Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. The Spirit led him into the temple courtyard. Then Jesus’ parents brought the child in. They came to do for him what the Law required.  Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,
“Lord, you are the King over all.  Now let me, your servant, go in peace. That is what you promised. My eyes have seen your salvation.  You have prepared it in the sight of all nations. It is a light to be given to the Gentiles. It will be the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them. He said to Mary, Jesus’ mother, “This child is going to cause many people in Israel to fall and to rise. God has sent him. But many will speak against him. The thoughts of many hearts will be known. A sword will wound your own soul too.”  There was also a prophet named Anna. She was the daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher. Anna was very old. After getting married, she lived with her husband seven years. Then she was a widow until she was 84. She never left the temple. She worshiped night and day, praying and going without food. Anna came up to Jesus’ family at that moment. She gave thanks to God. And she spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the time when Jerusalem would be set free.

Joseph and Mary did everything the Law of the Lord required. Then they returned to Galilee. They went to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong. He was very wise. He was blessed by God’s grace.

Post Communion Prayer 
Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen.

Can't make it to church - 17 January 2016

As I looked up at the study clock this morning the temperature was only slightly higher than the time - the garden was covered in snow and the bird feeder were seeing queues of customers. At last Winter has arrived, but only for a moment it seems, and so on this, the second Sunday of Epiphany where many churches will offer you a cold building and (I hope) a warm welcome - what does it hold for those for whom making it to church has become perhaps just a little difficult?

The Old Testament reading greets us with a promise of rescue and provision - one that is as valid for the people around Isaiah listening to his words. People who having returned from exile in Babylon found themselves living in a difficult place enduring hard times indeed. God had left them to their own devices and calamity had been the result, now as returned people, what hope was there?

The answer is that there was hope in a God who cares for His people and acts for their good, which means sometimes letting them reap the 'benefits' and results of their own acts and attitudes, but always keeps a watching eye on them and is ready to respond when the real needs arise. This was true then - this is true now. Each of us will have seen conflict and tragedy, often through our own choices or the choices of others, but here's some good news: Jesus, the Christ, came into the world to recuse us - to redeem us just as God redeemed and restored His people in Isaiah's time. Don't lose hope - trust God and wait patiently for His deliverance.

The 1 Corinthians passage is one people like to point to as evidence of God's provision and yet many of those self same people spend more time telling us where the Spirit isn't than being joyful at where He is! The reality is that God has equipped the Church to be united, effective and active in the world - the problem is that many of us are more concerned with power as the world know is rather than the power of the Holy Spirit. Sitting in every church building today is the answer to every need of Church and the peoples of this world of us. Sitting on every train, in every home, there are people whom God has called to touch communities and speak His love into the darkest of situation. Perhaps, having read this passage, our response should be like Isaiah's when he responded to God's call on his life: "Here I am, send me!" May that be our prayer today and every day.
 - for this is one of the ways in which the deliverance we read of in our first passage comes about - through the ministry and action of a Spirit-filled and enabled people.

Moving on to the Gospel we come to the first of Jesus' miracles: The Wedding Feast - water into wine. This is the first of the seven miracles that John's Gospel sits around. This is what theological types call a 'Creation' miracle - because it shows Jesus' authority of the natural order of things (like calming storms - but there what we have here is a revisiting of our first passage today, for what we have is a rescue mission; this is an example of God 'having made everything right'. Right for the Bridegroom who would have been subject to scorn because he had failed to provide, Right for the guests who found themselves blessed when the expectation was something of poor quality and perhaps poverty. This is exactly what Jesus is looking to do with, and for, us - through direct action and through the inspiration of His Holy Spirit in those who also come to the rescue. So don't lose heart - don't be bowed down by poverty or ill-health, by family breakdowns and exclusion, look to the recuse mission God has planned for you and live expectantly and hopefully.

All in all - a package of hope and joy. Look to God and trust in Him. Rejoice in the fact that we were all once 'far off' but now, by the power of the Christ's death and resurrection, we are reconciled to Him and are known, treasured and called 'beloved'. He is our Alpha and Omega - our beginning and end: He holds us in the palm of His hand and knows our needs and the needs of all people: Look to Him and see your deliverance. The rescue mission is well in hand.

The Collect
Eternal Lord, our beginning and our end: bring us with the whole creation to your glory, hidden through past ages and made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaiah 62.1-5
The Lord says, “For the good of Zion I will not keep silent. For Jerusalem’s benefit I will not remain quiet.  I will not keep silent until what I will do for them shines like the sunrise. I will not remain quiet until they are saved and shine like a blazing torch.

Jerusalem, the nations will see that I have made everything right for you. All their kings will see your glory. You will be called by a new name. I myself will give it to you. You will be like a glorious crown in my strong hand. You will be like a royal crown in my powerful hand.

People will not call you Deserted anymore. They will no longer name your land Empty. Instead, you will be called One the Lord Delights In. Your land will be named Married One. That’s because the Lord will take delight in you. And your land will be married. As a young man marries a young woman, so your Builder will marry you. As a groom is happy with his bride, so your God will be full of joy over you.”

1 Corinthians 12.1-11
Brothers and sisters, I want you to know about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You know that at one time you were unbelievers. You were somehow drawn away to worship statues of gods that couldn’t even speak. So I want you to know that no one who is speaking with the help of God’s Spirit says, “May Jesus be cursed.” And without the help of the Holy Spirit no one can say, “Jesus is Lord.”
There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given to believers by the same Spirit.
There are different ways to serve. But they all come from the same Lord.
There are different ways the Spirit works. But the same God is working in all these ways and in all people.  The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. That is for the good of all.
To some people the Spirit gives a message of wisdom.
To others the same Spirit gives a message of knowledge.
To others the same Spirit gives faith.
To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing.
To others he gives the power to do miracles.
To others he gives the ability to prophesy.
To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart.
To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before.  And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages. All the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. He gives gifts to each person, just as he decides.

John 2.1-11
On the third day there was a wedding. It took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Dear woman, why are you telling me about this?” Jesus replied. “The time for me to show who I really am isn’t here yet.” His mother said to the servants, “Do what he tells you.”
Six stone water jars stood nearby. The Jews used water from that kind of jar for special washings. They did that to make themselves pure and “clean.” Each jar could hold 20 to 30 gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the top.  Then he told them, “Now dip some out. Take it to the person in charge of the dinner.”

They did what he said. The person in charge tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He didn’t realize where it had come from. But the servants who had brought the water knew. Then the person in charge called the groom to one side. He said to him, “Everyone brings out the best wine first. They bring out the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink. But you have saved the best until now.”
What Jesus did here in Cana in Galilee was the first of his signs. Jesus showed his glory by doing this sign. And his disciples believed in him.

Post Communion Prayer
God of glory, you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life: fill us with your Holy Spirit
that through us the light of your glory may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Can't make it to church? 10 January 2016

Today we look at the Baptism of Jesus  - but what is it  really about?

Water, John the Baptist, Jesus (isn’t it always?), repentance, our baptism, belonging, the start of something, salvation, the Cross, forgiveness, repentance, obedience and more besides! All are found in our readings today and undoubtedly some of these will appear in sermons people deliver today too.

Many of us have the image of Jesus and John in the river with the dove descending. This theophany (heavenly turning up) is the first time God speaks up regarding Jesus and it confirms to those then what we know now by hindsight and Bible. Having done Advent, where John the Baptist features large in the readings, we all know this strange and amazing man with his weird clothes and odd eating habits. The man who is, for us, a prophet announcing the present evil age would end and be replaced my the kingdom of God. This is what Jesus’ baptism is about. A new beginning and the ending of the old.

The old ways. The old habits. The old attitudes. The being in slavery to sin. 2 Corinthians 5 Speaks of the ‘the old going and the new having come’. That’s one of the aspects of baptism we consider today – and we should rightly reflect on our baptism and the hallmarks and effects that had on us.

In David Pawson’s book “The Normal Christian Birth’ we find reference to RBBR - Repent, Believe, be Baptised, Receive the Holy Spirit. John called those around him to people to repent and be baptised, not in the name of Jesus but for the forgiveness of their sins so that they might be part of that which is to come (ie. eternity).

Repent means ‘turning away’ – a 180 degree turn) from the old life – it is a binary act. It is more than just 'sorry' - it is a lifestyle change moment.

Life consists of two states; things are either 'on' or 'off' (‘0’ or a ‘1’) -  'good' or 'bad'  - right or wrong. John’s baptism was more than a ‘wet witness’ it marked a change of life and lifestyle. It was a wiping clean of the slate and a public statement of intent (hopefully) and a looking, and preparation, for the ‘age to come’. It was then, and should be for us, the beginning of living life as a '1' and putting aside of the zeroes in our lives.

In the Luke 3:15-17 passage we are told that John is merely the signpost rather than the means by which this new age will come. And, perhaps ironically, it is Jesus (who is baptised by John) who will do the deed, baptising with the Holy Spirit and carrying out the final judgement with an ‘unquenchable’ fire. It is Jesus who will redeem those who God created ‘for His glory’ – and those who bear the name ‘beloved’ will be that same community as found in the Isaiah 42:1-4 reading. Those who are loved and redeemed from the ends of the earth.  In this first of the ‘servant’ passages from Isaiah we learn much and see much that is fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus which, with the baptism, becomes public today.

There were four hundred silent years between Malachi and the coming of Jesus, the Christ, and today we look at Jesus and ask what His, and our baptism means. Jesus did everything in the light – in clear view of all, from His baptism to His death and resurrection. Can we say the same of the way that we live our lives and our faith? Are they one and the same or do we keep life in boxes labelled ‘Me, Church, Work, Family, Hobbies, etc.)?

Are we looking to the reality of a coming kingdom or warming a pew out of habit and a vague hope?

Where is our faith and how does it change us?

This is God’s Son with whom He (the Father) is ‘well pleased’ – can He say that of us and the way we act today? If you’ve answered ‘No’ somewhere in your head, what are you going to do about it?

The ‘well pleased’ speaks of the man and, more importantly, the mission – God is looking at the rescue mission the baptism begins and celebrates in it. Can we? Do we? The dove is a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality – but as we so often say, “Seeing is believing!’ so they saw it as well – just remember this doesn’t mean that the dove is the only way the Holy Spirit is manifested, it’s merely a visual aid for us – a people who are always looking for a sign!

And what sign dip people see in us? Today's Collect sums it up, and informs our prayers, rather nicely:

The Collect
Heavenly Father, at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son: may we recognise him as our Lord and know ourselves to be your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Isaiah 43.1-7
Family of Jacob, the Lord created you. People of Israel, he formed you. He says, “Do not be afraid. I will set you free. I will send for you by name.  You belong to me.

You will pass through deep waters. But I will be with you.
You will pass through the rivers. But their waters will not sweep over you.
You will walk through fire. But you will not be burned. The flames will not harm you.
I am the Lord your God. I am the Holy One of Israel. I am the one who saves you.
I will give up Egypt to set you free. I will give up Cush and Seba for you. You are priceless to me. I love you and honour you.  So I will trade other people for you. I will give up other nations to save your lives.

Do not be afraid. I am with you.
I will bring your people back from the east.
I will gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Let them go!’
And I will say to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’

Bring my sons from far away.
Bring my daughters from the farthest places on earth.
Bring back everyone who belongs to me.
I created them to bring glory to me. I formed them and made them.”

Acts 8.14-17
The apostles in Jerusalem heard that people in Samaria had accepted God’s word. So they sent Peter and John to Samaria.  When they arrived there, they prayed for the new believers.  They prayed that they would receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them. They had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Then Peter and John placed their hands on them.  And they received the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3.15-17, 21,22
The people were waiting. They were expecting something. They were all wondering in their hearts if John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I am will come. I’m not good enough to untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His pitchfork is in his hand to toss the straw away from his threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into his barn. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can’t be put out.”   When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened. The Holy Spirit came to rest on him in the form of a dove.  A voice came from heaven. It said, “You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you.”

Post Communion Prayer
Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Can't make it to church - 3 January 2016

Regardless of the fact that many around us appear to have taken their lights and Christmas trees down, where I am we are still celebrating Christmas - and today, many others around the world will be joining in as we reach Epiphany; this is the time when the Magi (wise men or kings) get to meet Jesus.

The shepherds were there at the birth. These men represent the Jewish faith, but more than that, this  excluded and most unwelcome of guests in their own society, also display the reality that Jesus came to all believers (which means Jewish). But today we find the people at the top of the pile seeking, and finding, Jesus - but more than this, they were also Gentiles; meaning 'not Jews'.

This is the moment when Jesus has been revealed to those near and far off: Jew and Gentile.

This is the moment when Jesus has been revealed to the lowest and the highest of people.

The moment when the light came into the world and reconciliation between humanity and the creator was made real and the revelation was, microcosmically, complete. Today we, remembering this encounter have the opportunity to thank God that we, who were also as far off as those rich and intelligent men of who we sing in the hymn 'We three kings...' are also now called to be near and to stand in the light in what is, and always has been, a very dark place.

Job, in the midst of his trials and tribulations, give us a thought regarding there being someone who can stand between man and God to intercede and to minister; the 'Wise Men' are celebrated for finding that person on this day.

And how will those you know who are beset by need, trouble, illness and other deeds find this light and come into the reconciliation of God as made ours through the cross of Jesus, the Christ? The answer is simple: it is up to us to take it to them. This year we need to be hearers and do'ers of the word: We need to be people who read our Bible and pray to God.

Simple innit?

Pax

The Collect
Almighty God, in the birth of your Son you have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word, and shown us the fullness of your love: help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love that we may know the fullness of his joy; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Isaiah 60.1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant;your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Ephesians 3.1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles - for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

Matthew 2.1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Post Communion Prayer
All praise to you, almighty God and heavenly king, who sent your Son into the world to take our nature upon himCand to be born of a pure virgin: grant that, as we are born again in him, so he may continually dwell in us and reign on earth as he reigns in heaven,
now and for ever. Amen.

Can’t make it to church? 27 December 2015

We've celebrated the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and for many people that's Christmas done and dusted and it's time to take the lights down and move on; well that seems to be the case where I am. The reality is that we are just getting into Christmas, the twelve days beginning with Christmas Day, not ending. The end comes on the day before Epiphany – the day we celebrate the Wise Men visiting Jesus – which is the fifth of January.

So what do we have before us today?
In the Old testament we begin with a family making their annual visit to the temple to visit their  son, Samuel, In the Gospel we have another family, also making their annual visit to the temple and losing their son.

Two gifts in the Temple: Both given - one from and one to God

Two men with God in the forefront. Two men, both gifts one (Samuel) to God and the other (Jesus) from God. The first was desperately wanted and yet, when he came, was given to God by his mother Elizabeth. The other, well she was young and unmarried, probably wasn’t what Mary wanted, but obediently she bore the child and bore Jesus, God’s gift to the world.

Both were given to serve God – Samuel in the temple, Jesus, in the world – Samuel the man of God and Jesus the God made man. What a great contrast to start the conversation off with. Two gifts – two women of grace obediently serving their God. I’m not sure which is more difficult, wanting a child and when eventually one comes along, giving him up or being called upon to have a child as Mary was. Two great heroes of the faith – two obedient and blessed women acting as examples to us all.

Stop for a moment to think about these two men, their mothers and the ministries they exercised. Think about giving up a child and then think about what it was for Mary to be given one.

Now of course, everyone focusses on the fact that just like the Prime Minister a few years back, the family arrived and found that one of the kids were left behind. This is what happened to Mary and Joseph, for they too assumed the boy (Jesus) was with one of the family. This is the first account we have of Jesus getting out their and ‘doing His Father’s business’ – listening to, and questioning the teachers in the temple (and in doing so, stunned them). Two men learning their craft and preparing for quite amazing ministries in the service of God and man. A real challenge to us as we wonder (we do wonder don’t we) about how we too might serve god and man.

The New testament reading is a tough call, for referring to us as ‘God’s chosen ones’ we are called to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Now I don’t know about you but that makes me feel like packing up before I start. What a list! I can do some of them, but to do them all, who does God think I am. To make it even harder I have to be those things with people who are a pain in the behind! But these traits are essential if we are to forgive people.

Some time back I found myself in a position where someone was portraying things as they really weren’t and the desire to lash out and ‘tell it as it is’ was great; perhaps you’ve been there too?
It isn’t easy to smile and be gentle and kind when people are lying through their back teeth to make them look like the offended party and you the bad guy – but despite our feelings, we need to exercise love and not loathing and to forgive as God has given us forgiveness. A timely passage as we bring this year to its conclusion. Are there people you have spoken wrongly of, or been wrongly spoken of by? Now is the time to seek forgiveness, or to forgive, and bring peace and the love of God into being as we look to a new year. Stop and think about the people you need to seek out.

The second part of this passage comes in for some real stick in these wonderfully liberated times. What? ‘Wives, be subject to your husbands,’ now that is an invitation to a punch-up with some of the people I know; and yet looking past the offended, arms-folded, response – without the second clause, the answer is a misinterpretation and misunderstanding!

The second clause, ‘Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly,’ adds something to the party, but you need to put the two together to make sense, for what they mean is this:

‘Wives, love your husband and follow him – husbands, love your wife so much that you’d be willing to die for her’

In our household we work on the principle that I have the casting vote, but I know that should I ever have to use it then I have lost the plot! These two passages are about running a happy home not about who is superior, and this is the problem with sexual politics. They are all about power and not about submission and partnership. ‘Let me be number one,’ is the underlying text from both sides. But life should be about good relationships and not power, about how we serve one another rather than how others can serve us.

The cherry on the relationship cake is added when we place this: ‘Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.’

Two more relationship which I see wrongly enacted on a daily basis. If this was done right perhaps we’d see a different society around us – sadly this is yet another benefit of the post Christian society in which we live. Food for thought there methinks.

So time to reflect and pray:
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home:
help your Church to live as one family, united in love and obedience, and bring us all at last to our home in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
And because it's Christmas, let's do some carols:

1 Samuel 2:18-20
But the boy Samuel served the Lord. He wore a sacred linen apron. Each year his mother made him a little robe. She took it to him when she went up to Shiloh with her husband. She did it when her husband went to offer the yearly sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife. He would say, “May the Lord give you children by this woman. May they take the place of the boy she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home.

Colossians 3.12-21
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.

Luke 2.41-52
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour.

Post Communion Prayer
God in Trinity, eternal unity of perfect love: gather the nations to be one family, and draw us into your holy life through the birth of Emmanuel, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Can't make it to church? 13 December 2015

The third Sunday of Advent and today we look to the words of the Philippians reading and to make sense of today we need to look at the words in the King James Version, which has it thus:  Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

These words, in the Latin start with the expression "Gaudete in Domino semper" give us the name of this Sunday, for it is 'Gaudete' Sunday - it is also called 'Rose Sunday' because today we light the rose-coloured candle. apparently not a lot of people know that by the number of purple candles I have seen lit  :-) )

Today we rejoice at the nearing of the promise that God would send His solution to the world to reconcile a fallen creation and a loving God; and that of course is to be found in Jesus, the Christ. Real reason to rejoice - have you ever had a broken relationship and had it restored? What did it do to you?

When I  have had this happen I have found that there was more than just 'being friends' again, for there was a glow and something quite sublime in having the relationship restored. Ever lost something valuable (in the emotional rather than monetary sense) and had it restored? Something given as a reminder of a love, or a person or a moment - something worth so much more than it's value.

This is what today is about - it is a day to hear the words of John the Baptist calling us to change out lives and a day to rejoice that 'The Lord is coming soon!' Now that, even for sum Church of England types has to be worth a hallelujah!

The words of the Gospel talk of living with equity such that justice and mercy (Micah's call to us:  6.6-8)  are found in us. I love the 'EVEN' the tax collectors came to John to be baptised. The 'EVEN' is there because these were probably the most despised (trumped only by being a Samaritan perhaps) bunch of people around. They were in bed with the Romans and overcharged  those around them to enable them to cream a little off the top. The sharp end of the Roman rule was felt whenever you walked the streets and saw thew soldiers; a constant reminder that you were occupied and that you land was no longer your own.

And the words at the end of the Gospel sort of sum it all up:

"John said many other things to warn the people. 
 He also announced the good news to them.”


Even then people didn't like the hard bit of the message of salvation - seems some things never change do they? We all like the 'Good News' and yet we struggle with the submitting, living as God requires and all that sort of thing. Perhaps that's why so many of us offer something so limp and lightweight - but popular messages without the 'other things' don't they?

So there's a good reason that these two group feature so prominently, Luke knows what he is doing in reporting John's ministry as he does.  Stop and think for a moment of the worst person or people group you consider there to be and then step back a little to ficus, think and realise that if God's Grace can reach out to them then even YOU can be saved.

Now that, surely is something to be rejoicing about today isn't it?

The Collect

God for whom we watch and wait,

you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son:

give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice,

and to suffer for the cause of right,

with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Zephaniah 3.14-20

People of Zion, sing! Israel, shout loudly!

People of Jerusalem, be glad! Let your hearts be full of joy.

The Lord has stopped punishing you.He has made your enemies turn away from you. The Lord is the King of Israel. He is with you. You will never again be afraid that others will harm you. The time is coming when people will say to Jerusalem,

  “Zion, don’t be afraid. Don’t give up. The Lord your God is with you.

   He is the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you.

   In his love he will no longer punish you. Instead, he will sing for joy  because of you.”

The Lord says to his people,

“You used to celebrate my appointed feasts in Jerusalem.

 You are sad because you can’t do that anymore.

 Other people make fun of you because of that.

 That sadness was a heavy load for you to carry. But I will remove that load from you.

 At that time I will punish all those who crushed you.

 I will save those among you who are disabled. I will gather those who have been taken

 away. I will give them praise and honour in every land where they have been put to shame. 

 At that time I will gather you together. And I will bring you home. I will give you honour and 

 praise among all the nations on earth. I will bless you with great success again,”

 says the Lord.

Philippians 4.4-7

Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Rejoice! Let everyone know how gentle you are. The Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything. No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, and give thanks to him. Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood.

Luke 3.7-18

John spoke to the crowds coming to be baptised by him. He said, “You are like a nest of poisonous snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming of God’s anger? Live in a way that shows you have turned away from your sins. And don’t start saying to yourselves, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham even from these stones. The axe is already lying at the roots of the trees. All the trees that don’t produce good fruit will be cut down. They will be thrown into the fire.”

“Then what should we do?” the crowd asked.

John answered, “Anyone who has extra clothes should share with the one who has none. And anyone who has extra food should do the same.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptised. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” John told them.

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

John replied, “Don’t force people to give you money. Don’t bring false charges against people. Be happy with your pay.”

The people were waiting. They were expecting something. They were all wondering in their hearts if John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I am will come. I’m not good enough to untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His pitchfork is in his hand to toss the straw away from his threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into his barn. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can’t be put out.” John said many other things to warn the people. He also announced the good news to them.”

Post Communion Prayer

We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts;

kindle in us the fire of your Spirit

that when your Christ comes again

we may shine as lights before his face;

who is alive and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

Can't make it to church - 29 November 2015

Today is Advent Sunday, the first day of the new liturgical year (being year 'C') and the beginning of the for week countdown to Christmas. 

The four weeks traditionally (within the Church of England) focus on the Patriarchs, the Prophets, John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary. 

Each Sunday in Advent we light a candle (purple for weeks 1, 2 & 4 and pink for week 3, which we call 'Gaudate' Sunday) and on Christmas Morning we light the central white candle. Some people have moved the themes of the Sundays to focus on Love, Joy, Peace and Hope - but I'll keep to the traditional stuff as I think it looks more at the Bible and less at the fluffy!

The readings today point to the promise of a Saviour. Would you expect anything different considering the time of year it is? 

Many churches will be featuring this great hymn:

This is an opportunity for us to get our spiritual (and physical) houses in order as we prepare for Christmas day. 

On the physical front, many people will be thinking about Christmas day and the menus and the guest lists (and the the alcohol!) and will start tidying the house. They will be clearing their 'public' rooms, often by filling the private rooms with the clutter from elsewhere) so that they look presentable to their guests.

Advent is a time when, spiritually, we do the complete opposite and set about clearing the private inner rooms in preparation for the coming of the baby Jesus. This is a time when we examine ourselves and throw out the things that make our spiritual lives untidy and unwelcoming. To do this we think about jesus' coming - corporately in the Advent courses which many church run and privately in our own prayer and study - and examine ourselves.

The Jeremiah reading, coming at a time of great trial and need,  says it all:
 'The days are coming when I will fulfil the promise...' says God

And of course, fulfil it He does in the coming of Jesus, ' A righteous branch who will do what is 'just and right'.  The problem is that as we enter the run in to Christmas (or as I like to call it 'Argostide') we can find ourselves far too taken up with gifts and menus and the like. We take for granted the conflicts and the natural disasters; the things that make us realise that where we are and the gimme in which we live is not running as God's plan might have it. This was exactly the same for those to whom Jeremiah spoke. And the answer is that as we celebrate the birth of Jesus some two thousand years ago we also look to His return as Messiah and King.

Which fits in nicely (lucky or what?) with the Gospel and the 1 Thessalonians reading as they ask us some really important questions?

Are we living in the expectation of the 'then' (Jesus' return) in the 'now'?  

Does love increase and overflow?

Do you see the ways in which the world is pulling itself apart and gaming creation and those who live  (near and far) on our planet?

When was the last time you knew you were living a blameless and holy life?

Some challenges I face as I prepare to celebrate jesus' coming to this earth as God made man; as a vulnerable and  innocent child. Perhaps you'd like to take them up too?

The Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

Have a read of the passages below and have a think about what they mean to you:

Jeremiah 33: 14 - 16
“ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.’”

1 Thessalonians 3: 9 - 13
“How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

Luke 21.25 - 36
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” He told them this parable: 

 “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.  I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Can't make it to church? 22 November 2015

The Christian year, liturgically speaking, begins with Advent Sunday and has its last Sunday (today) with Christ the King - and this, like every year, has been immense.

Advent sees us preparing  for the birth of Jesus and this is where our year gets started as we find ourselves with shepherds, magi, baptism, miracles, transfiguration, triumphal entry, betrayal, beating and finally death… And then resurrection: Rebirth, appearing, ascending, Spirit descending - living in the power of the risen Christ: And then repeat again!

The purple of Advent gives way to the white and gold of Christmas just as it does at Lent: two preparations: the first for a baby, the second for a resurrected Christ.

Today, Christ the King, we focus on the Lordship of Jesus, the Christ and we hold ourselves up against him and ask ourselves, “How have we done?”

Jesus, a King whose kingdom is not of this world coming in to a world of a cruel and wicked puppet King, and frightening him when he hears that the ‘King of kings is coming to his patch’!

Joy to the world! Yeah, if it's not your child going to be killed as Herod tries to eradicate the threat that this newborn King apparently is – after all, he’s killed his own kids to stave off any threat to his throne, what's the kids of others matter?

Preparation for the job ahead sees Jesus in the wilderness: how have we done in the comfort and plenty of where we find ourselves I wonder? What have, and how have we, experienced in our wilderness moments? How have we handled the job in hand?

Jesus comes as a servant into a place where the King lived to be served. He with all authority and power was vanished away to another country as a refugee – escaping death at the hands of a despotic leader. I wonder if He and His family were welcomed. Did the powers that be in Egypt have a debate and vote to not allow refugees into their land like the Americans just have?

Here we are at another Christ the King, but so what? One of the joys of being part of a church that is grounded in the word and focuses on the calendar is that we mark many important moments in our feasts and festivals and lectionary readings, but to what end? Do they challenge, inspire and change us, or are they as hollow as Christmas is for some when they have reached the age where it means socks, underpants and slippers? Have we lost the joy of our first love and allowed our zeal to become mere habit?

Every Sunday we pray, “Your Kingdom come…” And yet, as Justin Welby himself has said regarding the Paris murders, “I ask where God is and I have my own personal doubt over it.” We pray it, but when do we see it, hear of others experiencing it, experience it for ourselves?

And of that passing doubt; it needs to be treasured for it is in doubt that our faith is made real. I thank God for a man at the helm who shares the same highs and lows, trials and tests as me (though many will I am sure vilify and criticise him for his honesty).

This leads us to a junction where we can continue towards the cross, praying, reading, trusting, serving others and worshipping God in word, music, prayer and life.

OR

We can decide that we need to take things into our own hands and so we campaign, we act in our own strong that bringing into being those things that we consider to be ‘best’ with little thought to what the Christ calls us to look and live like.

OR

Assuming that our God is impotent and unable (or worse still: Unwilling) to act, decide to embark upon a popularity contest and rewrite the Bible and recreate God to make her popular and where there were commandments establish suggestions which possess nothing of the essential about them.

Which paths have we taken:   Personally. -  Corporately as congregation. -  Collectively as Church

Let's revisit today’s readings:

‘To Him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

Do we believe this to be true?

Look! He is coming with the clouds, every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.

I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Are we expectantly looking to the East and the dawn that heralds the coming of Jesus, the Christ, the Almighty?

Then Pilate summoned Jesus again, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’

Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’

Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’

Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’

Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’

Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’

Are we listening to the authentic voice of Jesus in our lives, the lives of those around us and for our nation?

You can hear one of the versions I did of this Sunday's sermon HERE

The Collect
Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daniel 7.9-10,13,14
As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgement, and the books were opened. “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Revelation 1.4b-8
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,  and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.  Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John 18.33-37
So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”

Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?”
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world - to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Post Communion prayer
Stir up, O Lord, The wills of your faithful people;
That they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,
May by you be plenteously rewarded;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.