Whenever we hear Jesus say something like, “the Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to…” I think our ears should prick up. I almost want to say, “It`s time to put on your tin hat!”. Invariably this phrase is the pre-cursor to one of his parables; as we heard this morning. But the fundamental thing…
A Patronal Festival is to some extent an opportunity to become `self-aware` as a congregation. Today we recall that we have a history…. there is a heritage behind our calling in this place and we remember the many faithful souls who have worshipped and served God here down the generations. But what`s always intrigued me…
It`s quite fashionable in some places to think of St. Paul as being a bit obscure and difficult to understand; and sometimes the snippets of his letters that we hear Sunday by Sunday- if we don`t provide some context- only serve to confirm this view. But there are occasions when you simply can`t mistake what…
When Archbishop Robert Runcie was installed at Canterbury Cathedral, many years ago, he began his sermon with a parable. He said that he had had a dream; it was a dream of a Maze. In this dream, those on the outside of the maze found it easier to get to the heart of the maze…
I wonder if you remember the story of the calling of Saint Matthew? The thing which has always struck me, is that it`s astonishingly brief. It`s just one verse in fact: We`re told, “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector`s booth. `Follow me`, he told…
We have been living through strange and difficult times. But of course, you don`t need me to rehearse all of that; after all, opinions, predictions, fears and speculations are simply the `air that we breathe` these days. Of far more interest and significance, I would suggest, (and indeed our purpose today) is to hear something…
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles…
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.…
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me…
‘To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of…
Psalm 73 Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pain; their bodies are sound and sleek.…
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are…
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The…
“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.…
