Sunday Worship 17th November

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Second Sunday before Advent, which is also St Hugh's Day. Today we will be having a Parish Eucharist at the Worship Centre in St Hugh's School, Wildmoor Avenue, Holts, OL4 5NZ at 11 am, and there will be no services at St Thomas' or St Agnes'.

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 "Beauty for Brokenness (God of the Poor)"

Today's Gospel

Luke 9:51-56             Samaritan Opposition

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 

When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them. But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village. 

Reflection

Most folk, even those who don’t go to church regularly, are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The fundamental message being that we should love our neighbour irrespective of who they are or what you may think about them.  Conversely we should not reject help from someone just because we don’t like them or the people they relate to.  

     

When Jesus told the parable, he deliberately chose the example of a Samaritan being the one to offer help because He knew how much his Jewish audience reviled and despised the Samaritans. Similarly, the Samaritans had no time for the Jews who viewed them with equal enmity. It is fair to say that the level of hostility and religious intolerance between them at the time was very strong. 

It is probably not by coincidence that Jesus tells this parable not long after the events in today’s passage took place, and it could be argued that He was driving the message home as much to His disciples as to the rest of those assembled around Him, because of what had happened and their reaction to rejection. 

Let’s look a little closer at the events. The messengers who went on ahead had mentioned that they were looking for somewhere to rest on their way to Jerusalem. The villages would have  assumed that they were Jewish pilgrims heading to worship in the Temple. They were clearly not overjoyed with the prospect of entertaining Jews and we hear that  ‘they did not welcome them’.

That is as much as we are told. There is no mention of aggression or violence. They might just have said words to the effect, ‘we don’t want your sort around here corrupting our children and families with your Jewish ways’.

I remember many years ago when I was a child, a group of travellers decided to set up camp on some nearby common land. They were made to feel extremely unwelcome and whilst there was no violence or fighting, they were shunned by the locals who refused to serve them in the shops and cafés or even to talk with them other than to shout abuse. 

As children, we were told to keep well away from them because they were dirty and would carry diseases as well as being dishonest and thieves.  

The reality was that no one in the village knew a single one of the travellers, but nevertheless they ostracised them because of ingrained beliefs, however unjustified that may have been. 

It would appear that the Samaritans behaved much in the same way to the messengers of Jesus. Yes they were intolerant and possibly even racist in their actions in much the same way as the Jews would have behaved to them if circumstances were reversed.

Next, let’s look at the reaction of James and John in the face of this snub; “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them? ”

Wait a minute! Did I read that correctly? Here are two of Jesus’ disciples, who in the face of inhospitable behaviour want to call on the wrath of God to obliterate them and their village!

Luke says that Jesus rebuked them – I think they rightly deserved a proper talking to. Had they learned nothing from travelling with Jesus?

Yes they were right to have been offended and even to feel a degree of anger, but their reaction was way over the top. That is how people sometimes behave, especially if they are dealing with groups they have been brought up to be wary of. In these circumstances, the actions of an individual or a few individuals are blown out of all proportion because they are seen as indicative of the view of all Samaritans. When we have prejudices we can become biased, consciously or unconsciously, and make false assumptions.

  

We see that in the world today, where, despite what people believe personally, they are all, to use an idiom, ‘tarred with the same brush’. 

It is sometimes too easy to generalise and define everyone in a group as having the same philosophy, views and beliefs. That is why it is so important to look at one another inclusively. Despite what race, religion, gender orientation or any other collective we may identify as, we are all individuals with disparate views and we are God’s children. If I choose to disagree with your opinion, that does not mean I should assume everyone you know and associate with holds the same view. It is never right to judge one person because of the actions of another person.

Jesus showed how we should not blow things out of all proportion. The minor setback of not being welcomed in one village was easily overcome by just going to another village. 

Revenge has no place in the heart of Christians. When we waste our energy on anger and revenge, we are holding God at arm’s length. Inclusivity,  love for our neighbours, patience and forgiveness are the foundations of how we need to behave as true Christians.          Paul

Our Prayers

Eternal Father,

Hear our prayer for tolerance and inclusivity in our hearts.

Grant us patience and understanding,

that we may find inner calm at times of indignation,

to put aside our fury and anger and let the moment pass.

Amen

Our final hymn today is "Lord of all Hopefulness, Lord of all Joy"

Sunday Worship 10th November

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Third Sunday before Advent, and also Remembrance Sunday. Today we have a Parish Eucharist at 9.15 am at St Thomas' Church, with no service at St Agnes'. We will then join the Royal British Legion and the local community for a Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial in Lees Cemetery at 10.30.

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 "The Lord's My Shepherd"

Today's Gospel

Mark 12:38-44

As Jesus taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! 

They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 

Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Reflection

Sometimes when I look at a piece of scripture a single phrase jumps out at me and today I was immediately grabbed by the words,  “They devour widows’ houses”. 

Let’s not forget Jesus is talking about the religious leaders here, so what he is saying is intended to shock. He’s telling it how it is. 

There is no love lost between the Scribes and Jesus - He wants to shout about their hypocrisy and expose them for their selfish ways, and for their part the Scribes just wanted rid of this Jewish trouble causer. 

So why did this phrase about widows jump out? To start with it is useful to understand that widows in these times were usually poor. They would be unlikely to inherit money as this was distributed to the male heirs of the family and there were no pension funds to keep the widow in food and clothes after her husband had died. 

In Jewish scripture, widows along with orphans are often cited as the example of those to whom caring and loving support should be provided by the community, [Deuteronomy 14:28-29]. People were entreated to set aside a portion of their crops and produce for those who have little, and that God may bless those who give to those who are in need.

To point out that the religious leaders were guilty of exploiting widows would the equivalent of exposing someone in our modern times of scamming someone who is vulnerable, whether that is online such as a fake charity or someone knocking on the door to con you out of your money.

 

In America there are even TV channels that still do similar things. So called tele-evangelists hustle people by promising them a significant return on their money if they “sow their seed in faith so that God will multiply it.”   

So when Jesus highlights how unscrupulous the Scribes are for exploiting poor widows, he strikes right at the heart of their corrupt ways. He highlights their ruthless and immoral ways and how heinous they are in their greedy activities. 

In both Mark’s and Luke’s recounting of the incident, they use language that is deliberately intended to be provocative. The word ‘devour’ could be intended to strike a chord and draw a parallel with the birds in the parable of the sower that devour the seeds that fell on the path. Jesus had inferred that the birds were Satan waiting to devour those who fall by the wayside, and so the analogy is that the self-righteous scribes and religious leaders were far from holy and rather demonic or possessed by Satan. 

No wonder that they disliked Jesus so much that they wanted not only wanted to discredit Him but to kill Him.

To add insult to injury, Jesus then ‘raises the ante’ and tells them in no uncertain terms that not only will they be condemned but the judgement and punishment will be far more severe, because of all people they should have known better. 

We all act sinfully at times but I would like to hope that we are never tempted to exploit the needy or vulnerable. We all like to show off at times but let’s hope we don’t lose sight of those who may be less fortunate or put people down because we think we might be better than them in some way.

And finally..… In case you’re wondering what the Scribes are wearing on their heads; they aren’t 2000 year old versions of a head torch - they are called phylacteries. They were small leather boxes containing written portions of the law that people strapped on their foreheads and arms. The scribes made their phylacteries extra-large to impress people and give the impression that they were devoted to the law.        Paul 

Our Prayers

Heavenly Father,

Let us thank you and remember that all we have comes from you. 

We pray that we may live out the values of justice, mercy, 

and humility in our interactions with others. 

Help us not to look down on others but to offer grace.

Strengthen our faith and prayer life,

that we may pray with sincerity, love and confidence 

to your glory and honour. 

Amen

Today's final hymn is "O God, Our Help in Ages Past"

Notices

Next week there are no services at either St Thomas' or St Agnes'. We are all attending the annual St Hugh's Day Service at 11 am at St Hugh's School on Wildmoor Avenue, Holts, and you are welcome to join us there.

Sunday Worship 3rd November

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fourth Sunday before Advent, and also All Saints Day. Our Church Services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'. If you are unable to be with us in person, you'll find resources below to worship at home.

Our first hymn this morning is "For all the Saints, Who from their Labours Rest"

Today's Gospel

John 11:32-44 Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’

Jesus began to weep.

So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.

Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’  So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me.

I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’  The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go. 

Reflection

Today we celebrate All Saints Day in the church although it actually falls on the 1st November. 

It is a day where Christians remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history.

 

“This invites us to turn our gaze to the immense multitude of those who have already reached the blessed land, and points us on the path that will lead us to that destination.” Pope John Paul II. 

We are called to remember the many who have passed through earthly death and have eternal life with the Father. In the scripture reading we hear of Lazarus who Jesus raised from earthly death to walk again as a mortal amongst his friends and family. 

Lazarus was raised as a sign so that the Jews might believe that Jesus was the Son of God and moreover to understand the glory and power of God. 

But there is much more to this story than the miracle, that Jesus asked the Father to perform in raising Lazarus. Aside from the great power of the Son of God we see the humanity of Jesus exposed before us. 

We learn of how when he saw the grief of Mary, Martha and their friends, “He was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved”. Some translations of the Bible use the words, “He groaned in the spirit and was troubled”. Then we are told that Jesus began to weep. 

We might wonder why Jesus felt such anguish and wept; after all, He knew what He was about to do; that in a few minutes He would raise Lazarus from the tomb and bring him back to life. Is it because Jesus is showing us His deep compassion and the empathy that He feels for us all in our times of grief and suffering? Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus, it is only human nature to feel for our friends in times of pain and sorrow. We should not forget that Jesus is human as well as divine. 

He might have wept because he felt sorry for putting them through the ordeal instead of saving Lazarus – as some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ Whilst Jesus knew that this was all part of the predestined plan that would foretell His own death and resurrection in the days to come, He could still feel sorry for the hurt it caused.

Some biblical scholars believe that there is a much deeper significance for Jesus’ tears. He is weeping for the fact that mankind, (who God had created to be perfect and not been intended to suffer or face death at all), now has to suffer in this way. Death is a consequence of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden because of Adam’s sin. He is weeping because there is still death in the world and mankind continues to sin in so many ways. 

 

Maybe, when the mourners asked Jesus to come and see where Lazarus was laid, they were also inviting Him to come and see the state of humanity and consequent suffering. Wouldn’t that be enough to make your inner spirit groan?

Or perhaps He is weeping because He knows that this will all be repeated in the near future and own friends, disciples and family will be grieving when He dies for us on the cross. They will mourn deeply even though they should have known that Jesus has power over death and would rise again as He had told them and demonstrated by raising Lazarus.

 

Jesus raised Lazarus to show us the ‘Glory of God’. We can see this when we put our faith in Jesus in the midst of our tears and when we refuse to give up believing that Jesus, through His compassion, weeps with us and one day will wipe away all our tears. [Isaiah 25:8].                Paul

Our Prayers

Almighty and eternal Father,

We thank you that you sent your Son to show us your glory,

and to be by our side when we feel pain and sorrow.

Strengthen our faith and belief 

That we will hear Jesus call our name 

and be invited out of our tombs, 

and into the light of everlasting life. 

with all the saints in heaven. 

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Ye Holy Angels Bright"

Notices

Next Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, and we will have a Parish Eucharist at 9.15 am at St Thomas’, with no service at St Agnes’. Please see the poster below for full details.

The Tuesday morning Services of Holy Communion are at 10 am at St Thomas’, and Worship for all Generations is at 6.30 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at St Agnes’.

On Monday we have our All-age Worship Singing at 4.30 pm at St Thomas’.  

Also on Monday, there will be a Service for All Souls at 7 pm at St Thomas’ Church. This is where we pray together for the souls of all those known to us who have died, and everyone is welcome to attend. If there is anyone who you wish us to pray for by name, please let us know in church, or by contacting Neil or Paul.