All Saints Day 5 November Readings: Rev. 7. 9-end; 1 Jn. 3. 1-3; Mt. 5. 1-12 Theme: The Communion of Saints Today we remember those whom we have dearly loved and have died. They go before us to meet the lord and the pain of their absence is something which remains with us. Our...
Love of God and Love of Neighbour
Sermon Last After Trinity, 29 October Readings: Leviticus 19. 1-2, 15-18; 1 Thessalonians 2. 1-8; Mt. 22. 34-46 Theme: Love of God and Neighbour Law in the Jewish tradition is much more than simply a set of rules and regulations. It codifies the mission of the Jewish nation to all the other tribes and nations....
God or Caesar?
Sermon Trinity 20, 22 October Readings: Is. 45. 1-7; 1 Thess. 1. 1-10; Mt. 22. 15-22 Theme: God or Caesar? The relationship between religion and politics is one which has shaped societies since the advent of civilisation. The first reading from Isaiah today speaks of the Persian king Cyrus as ‘the anointed of the...
God’s Invitation
Sermon Trinity 19, 15 October Readings: Is. 25 1-9; Phil. 4. 1-9; Mt. 22. 1-14 Theme: God’s Invitation The theme of our readings for today is God’s invitation. We are each invited to partake in his messianic banquet. This is spoken of in the first reading from Isaiah as ‘a feast of rich food’...
The Vineyard of the Kingdom
Trinity 18, 8 October 2023 Readings: Is. 5. 1-7; Phil. 3. 4b-14; Mt. 21. 33-end. Theme: The Vineyard of the Kingdom It is a well-known saying that the garden is a place to feel close to God. There is something about the calmness of nature, its various colours and smells that fills us with awe...
The Authority of Jesus
Trinity 17 Ez. 18. 1-4; 25-32; Phil. 2. 1-13; Mt. 21. 23-32 Theme: The Authority of Jesus ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’, ask the chief priest and the elders in the Jerusalem temple. ‘By what authority is Jesus doing these things?’ This is a question which accompanies the earthly life...
Liturgy as Harvest Festival
Harvest Festival Readings: Dt. 26. 1-11; 2 Cor. 9. 6-15; Jn. 1. 29-36 Theme: Liturgy as Harvest Festival In countries in the Northern hemisphere, September is often a beautiful time. It is a time when some crops that have been grown during the year are harvested. I particularly love in England, at least, that feeling...
Forgiveness and Salvation
Trinity 15 Readings: Genesis 50. 15-21; Romans 14. 1-12; Matthew 18. 21-35 Theme: Forgiveness and Salvation Our readings today make clear the intrinsic connection between forgiveness and salvation. The story of Joseph and his brothers recounts the tale of the jealousy of Joseph’s brothers for the special affection that their father, Jacob, has for...
Warning!
Trinity 14 Readings: Ezek. 33. 7-11; Rom. 13. 8-end; Matt. 18. 15-20 Theme: Warning One of the formative experiences of having grown up playing sport is that you get used to the notion of being warned about things. In the case of football, a sport dear to my own heart, this is exemplified by...
Tips For Life
Trinity 13 Readings: Jeremiah 15. 15-21; Romans 12. 9-end; Matthew 16. 21-end Theme: Tips for Life In bookshops it is common to see a series of books entitled, ‘Tips for Life’. There is clearly a hunger in society for an orientation to life and how we can live it well. Of course, the answer...