Sunday Worship 24th August

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Tenth Sunday after Trinity. This morning we have just one service in the parish - a 10 am Parish Eucharist at St Thomas' Church.

If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.

Our first hymn this morning is "Morning Has Broken"

Today's Gospel

Luke 13:10-17 Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman

Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the Sabbath day." 

But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Reflection

There are so many themes that we could explore in this short passage such as how we treat people as opposed to animals, the need for compassion, the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Scribes and the desire to control people with endless rules. Many if these I have explored before, so for a change I want to look at the subject of the Sabbath. What does it mean, both to us and others, and why is it so important? Or perhaps in this secular society, with 24 by 7 activity perhaps the question we might ask is, ‘Is the Sabbath still important?’ 

The word Sabbath is mentioned 172 times in the Old Testament and 61 times in the New Testament. It first appears in the account of the creation at the very beginning of the bible in Genesis where it is referred to as a hallowed day of rest blessed by God. [Genesis 2:2-3]  

To many the meaning is therefore that the Sabbath is a day of rest – or a day where we are not supposed to work. It reflects the seventh day where God rested after he had created the world and everything in it. It follows therefore, that technically the Sabbath is on a Saturday and is still celebrated as such by the Jewish faith. That perhaps begs the question, why do Christians celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday?

Before that we should consider what are we supposed to do on the Sabbath apart from rest?

Play games or sport, play games on computers, go for a nice walk, visit friends and relations or just loaf about streaming the latest box set of TV series.  

Of course all of these activities might be considered as rest, but Sabbath is about much more than that isn’t it? Sabbath is not just about chilling out; it’s about renewal, it’s about spending quality time with God - the creator, it’s about worship and thanksgiving and fellowship with God. 

That renewal and refreshment doesn’t just relate to physical rest, it also means ‘spiritual’ rest and transformation. Time to reflect on what we have done with our lives in the last week, and where we have seen God at work. Also looking forward to what we have planned in the coming week and how we might go about that in a more Christ-like manner.  

Sabbath is therefore very much about being with God, recognising the role that his only Son Jesus continues to play in all our lives, and asking for the Holy Spirit to guide us. 

To answer my earlier question, why did Christians adopt Sunday as the Sabbath? It’s because we chose to associate it with the day of Christ’s Resurrection. Quite simply, in the decades after Jesus’ death and Resurrection, Sunday became recognised as ‘The Lord’s Day’. 

In my studies this year, I have been fortunate to work with a Rabbi and some of the Jewish community who shared the importance of the Sabbath to their faith. The Orthodox Jews are particularly fastidious about maintaining all aspects of the Sabbath and for them the Sabbath actually begins on the Friday evening after work and before sunset. 

It starts with Friday - a day of preparation including preparing food for the following day. This follows from the time when God provided manna for the people of Isreal to eat. He only provided it for six days of the week, so they were expected to gather what they needed to eat on the Sabbath on the previous day. [Exodus16:22].

Friday is also a day of hospitality where many Jews come together to share what they have and celebrate the eve of the Sabbath. One of my friends told me that during Covid it was almost unbearable for people to have to stay at home, and in some cases eat and pray alone. 

Similarly, just as Christians were required to shut down churches, Jews were also made to shut down the synagogues. However, for Orthodox Jews it was arguably harder because Jewish rules did not allow for them to worship online. 

As we read in the gospel passage, one of the issues was that over the years the religious leaders, (Jews), had taken the fourth commandment, “keep the Sabbath Day Holy” and introduced laws that made many things forbidden. Interpreted in today’s world this would prohibit driving a car, turning off electrical appliances, or even tying up rubbish bags and putting them in the bin.  Albeit for less orthodox Jews, a less prescriptive approach is now adopted. 

As we see, Jesus was inclined to take a much more nuanced view. I would argue one can faithfully keep to spirit of the Sabbath without adhering to all sort of ridiculous man-made rules. As Jesus interpreted it, there is no commandment that you should not heal someone on the Sabbath. Moreover, His second commandment is clear, ‘that we should love our neighbour as ourselves’, [Mark 12:31]. Jesus shows us a more loving way of interpreting the spirit of the law. 

However, to address my earlier question, “is the Sabbath still important?” – I leave that up to each of us to answer for ourselves. Are we worshipping and focussing on God as much as he would expect us to be?  Are we looking after one another as much as we might?                   Paul  

Our Prayers

Creator God, who made heaven and earth 

We pray that we may use the time you have given us,

to rest and give ourselves the work-life balance you wanted us to have.

Let us spend more of that time giving you due thanks and

worship for all you have done for us and what you continue to do.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "I Danced in the Morning (Lord of the Dance)"

Sunday Worship 17th August

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Ninth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.

If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.

Our first hymn this morning is "Lord of all Hopefulness"

Today's Gospel

Luke 12:49-56 Jesus the Cause of Division

Jesus said, "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptised, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:

father against son

and son against father,

mother against daughter

and daughter against mother,

mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law

and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, `It is going to rain'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"

Reflection

How do you picture Jesus? If someone asked you to say a sentence or two about Jesus what might you say? 

Gentle shepherd meek and mild. Prince of peace, wonderful counsellor, our redeemer who died for us, caring, loving and healing. 

So what’s happening here? Is Jesus having a really bad day? This is not the image of Jesus we would immediately call to mind and indeed it is an image that many may feel unsettled by. 

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and is addressing large crowds along the way, some who have come in the hope of seeing miracles performed and some who want to hear what he has to say – and to see if he really is the promised Messiah who is going to lead them and defeat the Roman forces.

 

In the previous weeks he we have heard Him talk about the need to guard against hypocrisy, to put aside worry and trust that God will provide for us, to be watchful and prepared for the second coming of the Son of Man, and to be generous and give to those who are in need. A mixture of hope and promise and also about making what could be described as painful choices like the one Jesus is about to make on the Cross. 

In today’s address it looks like Jesus has really gone over the top. It sounds like he is complaining about the stress he is under as he journeys towards the cross - it might be hard for us to imagine that Jesus can have a bad day, but we should not forget that he was fully human. Why shouldn’t Jesus feel frustrated when he sees the injustice and unfairness all around him and the failure of people to follow God’s will. 

We are more comfortable when Jesus criticises the leaders of the day but now it seems like His finger is well and truly pointed at the crowds and also at us. There are threats of division and rifts even between family members and talk of bringing fire to the earth. 

This is the Jesus that Simeon spoke of when he was presented as a baby at the Temple when he told Mary,  - “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” [Luke: 2-35]

And these are the same words that Jesus now uses. 

His own life was one of complete devotion, and compassion soaked with his redemptive love and his mission to save us – yet he sees that those around him lack that commitment to follow his example and teaching. He is reaching out to teach us all that we need to listen more carefully to his message of redemption and the way to fulfil God’s will. It’s a message of tough love where he acknowledges that the cost of following him is not always going to be easy. 

The cost of true discipleship can be hard when we are expected to truly love one another, even our enemies, and to share rather than hoard our wealth; when we are called to make personal sacrifices each day and stand up against unfairness and injustice across the world. 

In Acts we are told that on the Day of Pentecost what seemed like tongues of fire rested on them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. [Acts 2:3] and the prophet Malachi predicted, “He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.“ [Malachi 3: 2-4].

Jesus brings fire on the earth, with the Holy Spirit’s transformative work in our lives. Just like fire refines and purifies, we should let the Holy Spirit work within us, sparking our minds and hearts with the same love, passion, and truth that Jesus had for us. 

As Jesus wanted, we need to kindle this Holy Fire to live as committed and faithful disciples, and to go out and make a difference in the world even if that sometimes means we are not always liked and respected.

Paul

Our Prayers

Almighty God, 

Open our minds to understand Jesus’ words more clearly,

That we may discern his teaching.

Send your Holy Spirit

to light our hearts and minds with fire,

that we may be transformed and refined

and unwavering in our commitment to you.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Father God, I Wonder"

Notices

Next Sunday, the 24th August, we have a Parish Eucharist at 10 am at St Thomas' Church, with no service at St Agnes'.

Sunday Worship 10th August

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.

If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.

Our first hymn this morning is "When Morning Gilds the Skies"

Today's Gospel

Luke 12:32-40 Do Not Be Afraid, Little Flock

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."

Reflection

The opening of this passage picks up where we left off last week, [Luke 12:39] talking about generosity and sharing what God provides with others.

But wealth is not the only thing we need to consider and this is addressed in the rest of Jesus’ message above. Arguably the most precious commodity we all have is time. Time is something we all have – but we can’t buy or sell time, We don’t know how much time we have, “none of us by worrying add a single hour to our life”, [Matthew 6:27].  None of us know how much time we have, which is what makes it so precious. 

Just as what we do with our material wealth is up to us, it is also up to us what we do with our time and how we value it. We can choose to use it wisely or waste it – it’s up to us.

There are similarities here with the parable of the ten virgins who were told to remain dressed with their lamps burning waiting for the groom to return [Matthew 25:1-13],  where we are warned to stay alert for the return of Christ. 

But it is not just about being ready for when Christ returns, it is also about what we do with our time and lives whilst we are waiting. We are not expected to idle our time away while we wait and then pretend that we have been living righteous lives while doing so. 

We are expected to be alert and active doing God’s will every day. Willing to read and share His word with others and worship God not just on a Sunday but every day. That doesn’t necessarily mean going to church every day but it does require us to recognise and acknowledge His presence and role in our lives and to pray to Him.

Even when we are weary, we still need to be ready so that when God calls us to action, we can seize the opportunity to do His will and spread the good news.

Last Wednesday (6th August), was the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord. In Luke’s account he describes how Jesus’ appearance changed and his face and clothes became dazzling white as He was joined by Moses and Elijah. He then describes how Pater, John  and James, although weighed down with sleep, had stayed awake, and as a result witnessed the glory of Jesus’ transfiguration and the meeting with Moses and Elijah. 

The theme is the same, where by staying awake they were rewarded for their faithfulness. 

At the time when Luke was writing this, many people in the early church had been expecting Jesus to return imminently, and some were weary and impatient for his second coming.

It is now over two millennia and we are still waiting, but as Jesus tells us, “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." 

Only God knows when that will be, but it is still as important as ever that we remain vigilant and ready, watchful and prepared, because when He does return and finds us ready, we will be rewarded beyond our wildest dreams. 

When the time comes, Jesus says "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”          Paul

Our Prayers

Father God

Like watchmen in the night,

we await the coming again,

of your Son Jesus Christ.

Help us to remain diligent and faithful,

Trusting in your promise of eternal life

and the pleasure of your kingdom.  

Amen

Today's final hymn is "The Spirit Lives to Set us Free"

Notices

Next Sunday we will be celebrating the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day at St Thomas' at 12.30 pm.