Sunday Worship 28th June
You can find all of our latest information, Edith's reflection for this Sunday, our Thursday "Worship for all Generations" and much more by clicking on the following link to our facebook page - Leesfield Parish
This weekend is a very special one for many ordained people. Tomorrow is dedicated to St Peter and St Paul. Most ordinations take place in Petertide, so many priests will this weekend be reflecting back over their years as priest and probably also wondering what the future holds. I was ordained Deacon in 2001 and priest in 2002, both of these taking place in our cathedral, and today I remember those moving, life changing services. Today our new deacons in this diocese will begin work, but their ordination has had to be postponed because of the current situation. Please pray for them today and in the weeks to come. We all have a vocation, and now, as the church is undoubtedly entering a time of uncertainty and change, is a really good time to think and pray about our role in the church, about what God’s plan is for our lives. This may mean big changes in our lives, or small ones, it may mean stepping forward or it may involve some stepping back. Friday (3rd) is St Thomas’ Day, so also a good time to think and pray about the future of this parish.
Edith
Our first hymn today is "Take My Life And Let It Be"
Today's Bible reading -
Today’s gospel passage is very short but very powerful. It comes at the end of chapter 10 of Matthew’s gospel, at the end of what is called Jesus’ missionary discourse to his disciples.
In the gospel readings for the last two weeks we heard Jesus sending his disciples out to continue his work, warning them that it won’t all be easy. Matthew, of course, is not only recalling Jesus' instructions to his first disciples; he is also speaking to his own community of disciples a few generations later – and to us today. There is still need to send out labourers into the harvest, to send missionaries out beyond the community into a perilous world. And those sent will still need to depend on the hospitality of others. Jesus says of those who enact such hospitality, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
The verses in today’s passage speak about hospitality as receiving and welcoming the stranger. In today's gospel text, Jesus reminds us of a very profound privilege, and, along with that, a tremendous responsibility. He tells us that we represent and symbolize him before others. He tells us that the reverse is also true: namely, that others represent and symbolize him before us. Jesus assures us that he himself is present in our lives when we welcome others into our midst. He is also present when others do the same for us. Jesus is present each and every day in the hospitality that we offer others and others offer us. We bring Christ before others in our homes, in the church, in school, at work, at play, in the whole world.
What would happen if, every day, we were always conscious of this truth and did our best to put it into practice? When we offer and receive hospitality Jesus is made present. This truly is the most precious gift we could give to anyone! Most of us probably don't find it too difficult to offer hospitality to our family and friends, but what about the stranger, the youth playing football in the street, the neighbor we meet across the back lane, the fellow worker on the assembly line that speaks a different language, the fellow student in a wheel chair? How often do we welcome these and similar people who have fallen through the cracks or who are labeled outcasts in our society? Do we give them the gift of Christ's presence? Or do we say to ourselves, they got their own people who look out for them? I don’t want to mess with them…Hospitality is risky business.
An open heart and an open home or church can be a target for unpleasant experiences. But, it can also be the recipient of unexpected surprises. The real meaning of hospitality is found in inviting someone who cannot repay you, someone who is unfamiliar to you. Then the concept of hospitality receives a Christ related meaning. Christ is the Hospitality of God toward us. He invites all of us, from all languages and cultures, to His great banquet, the feast which none of us can repay. Christ is God’s hospitality toward us. God gives Himself fully to us in His Son Jesus Christ. In fact, He did not spare His own life to show us how much He wants us to be with him for all eternity. But, God doesn’t only give Himself fully to us. He also fully receives us and accepts us as we are. In Christ we experience both sides of the coin of God’s hospitality toward us.
To be faithful disciples, we need to push the boundaries of what we find comfortable. It is hard for many of us but with God’s help it is not impossible. So the next time you give or receive hospitality remember to rejoice in the other person’s presence. Remember that it may make all the difference in the world to the person who receives your hospitality. And the reverse is also true, someone may be the very presence of Christ for you in an unexpected time and place. Whenever you give or receive hospitality in the name of Christ, God himself is present.
Edith
Today's second hymn is a favourite at Ordinations - "I, The Lord Of Sea And Sky"
Today's prayers
And our final hymn for today is "Shout To The Lord"
