Sunday Worship 1st August

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to our Worship on the ninth Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Our Parish Eucharist is at 10 am at St Thomas' Church, and today we're really pleased to have Revd David Halford to lead our worship. If you can't be with us in person, you'll find everything you need to worship from home here on this page.

Our first hymn today is "Bread of Heaven, on Thee we Feed"

Today's Gospel

John 6:  V 24 – 35 “Jesus the bread of life”  

The next day, when the people who remained after the feeding of the five thousand saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Reflection

“I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  John Chapter 6; v. 35

Peter was helping Imogen to hang some curtains.  “Can you pass me another ring?” she asked, whilst listening to the radio.  He did so, but instead of a metal curtain ring he passed her a golden engagement ring. She did not initially realise what had happened. “Thanks,” she said absentmindedly taking the ring and trying to thread it through the loop in the top of the curtain.  When it would not go in, she looked down and suddenly understood the significance of the ring in her hand.  In the next moment she was laughing and hugging her new fiancé.

“Phew!” said Peter,” I honestly thought for a moment you were going to turn me down!

This is close to what Jesus is describing at the beginning of today’s Gospel reading. An engagement ring is so much more precious than a curtain ring! – not just in terms of material value – the metal it is made from or the jewels it contains – but because of the love it represents.  It is as though someone were to use a love letter to light a fire. Jesus challenges people to understand the significance of what He is really offering - so much more than food and drink for today.  What He offers in fact is everything that is needed to provide and sustain eternal life.

John’s Gospel was written to introduce readers to Jesus, and to invite them to make a response of faith. This passage captures the very heart of the Gospel; Jesus offers everything necessary for both earthly and eternal (heavenly) life. 

Jesus has been pursued by those who received in the miraculous feeding of the crowd on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee. When they find Him, he challenges them to think less of their stomachs than their souls; to focus less on the sign; more on the significance. The people want to know how they can do what God wants (the WORK of God, in order to receive what Jesus tells them that God wants to give them (“eternal life”).

Jesus says clearly, as so often in John’s Gospel, that it is all about how we respond to Him. In essence He is saying “If you believe in me, which means following me, as a disciple, you will be doing what God wants.” This is a simple, yet hard message to believe, and again (as often happens in this Gospel) the hearers deflect its challenge with a different question; this time about Moses.  Jesus explains that the manna was provided by God, not Moses – and so they should be concerned to serve God today, rather than thinking about their ancestors. Accepting this explanation, the people ask Jesus to give them the “true bread”, and Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.”

We – you and I – are challenged to build our whole lives on Jesus – but what does that look like in practice?  It can be easy to enjoy our lives as members of the Church for what it gives us today.  Yet, Church is more than enjoying the Music; the opportunity to meet friends, the intellectual stimulation of an enjoyable sermon(!), something that breaks up the weekend. It is the gateway to our relationship with Jesus, who feeds and forms us through word and sacrament into his disciples; those who are living out eternal life today.  We are like Imogen, missing the significance of the ring which she was passed.

How do we do this?  It is often useful to pause, perhaps especially in these summer weeks, to think about how much our life is shaped by our faith in Jesus. We know we will be forgiven when we fall short of the ideal, and helped by the Spirit to conform all that we are and all that we do to the one whom we proclaim as Lord.  If we are being truly nourished by the bread of eternal life, we should see evidence of it in what we think, say and do; and that will stay with us beyond this life and on into eternity.

David H.

Our Prayers

Gracious and almighty Father,

Creator of all things in heaven and on earth,

As we see things on our planet abused and wasted

We know we can rely on your heavenly kingdom to last for eternity.

Our food, drink and resources will perish and rot over time, 

But your love and promises for us will never fail.

Forgive us when we continue to put our earthly desires before our devotion to you.

We pray that you will open our hearts and minds;

We ask you to feed our souls with the knowledge of your kingdom

And quench our thirst with your unceasing love.

We thank you for sending us Your Son to be our Bread of Life.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Guide Me, O Though Great Redeemer"

Mid-week news 28th July

 Mid-week News

Last Sunday we were really pleased to welcome Revd Lyn Woodall as the incumbent of Leesfield Parish at a special service, along with Revd Christine Steel and Revd Mother Amy-Elizabeth Sheridan, who were licensed to our parish in the same service. If you weren’t able to be with us, here’s a lovely photo from after the service. Left to right are – Revd Ruth Farrar, Revd John Faraday, Revd Mother Amy-Elizabeth Sheridan, Archdeacon David Sharples, Bishop Mark Davies, Area Dean Daniel Ramble, Revd Christine Steel, Revd Lyn Woodall, and Revd David Halford. 

Under the leadership of Revd Lyn, the PCC will be meeting within the next two weeks to consider how we may safely proceed now that the Covid restrictions are lifted. The views of all our congregation members are being sought by way of a survey, and in the meantime we will continue with all the current precautions in place at our services.  

Sunday Worship 25th July

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to our Worship on the eighth Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Our Parish Eucharist is at 10 am at St Thomas' Church, and today we're really pleased to have Revd Lyn Woodall to lead our worship. If you can't be with us in person, you'll find everything you need to worship from home here on this page.

Our first hymn this morning is "Here is Bread, Here is Wine"

Today's Gospel

John 6:1-21 N.I.V.  

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Prayer:

Lord God, Heavenly Father, please make this Scripture alive to the very fibre of our beings. Enable us to find out more about You.

We seek Your loveliness and Your great power.

Be alive to us, today, we pray.

In Jesus’ mighty Name.

Amen

Reflection 

Upon immediate glance; this is such a familiar story that most of us have grown up with.  So it is easy to think, ah, yes, I know this story....

Then stop taking it in.

However, Stories and Parables about Jesus always warrant a second, third and even fiftieth glance!

This Story, unusually in my opinion, is very clear and straightforward.

A doing/action kind of story!

Here’s a lad.

He’s got some bread and some fish.

Jesus – afraid for His life with the crush of folk coming towards Him, has to find a solution....

Stop the crowd.

Feed the crowd.

Give them what they came for...some Teaching.

Throw in a sign and wonder and then withdraw.

Simple then!

The crowd have been following Jesus from place to place, from miracle to miracle.

As His Crucifixion looms; so His divinity heightens and grows. His humanity being overshadowed by His Messianic and Kingly status. His signs and wonders grow clearer and more intense. From water to wine and culminating in the raising of His friend, Lazarus, from the dead, days before His death.

He has to teach them – for this is what He came to do.

But He needs time to withdraw, recharge and simply to talk to His Father, as He approaches the most horrendous day in the history of the world.

And so, He instructs His Disciples...

Get the loaves and fishes off the lad.

Sit the crowd down.

Give thanks.

Distribute the bread.

Distribute the fish.

Feed them.

Collect up the remains.

There is to be NO waste.

There is more left over than what they started with and the crowd see this and they roar and crush forward; to declare Him their King and Messiah (Saviour).

Once again, Jesus has to make a swift exit before the crowd bear down upon Him. He is crying out with all that is within Him, to be near His Father, to call out in prayer and supplication.

He withdraws to the mountain top, by Himself.

Every simile and metaphor and double entendre, here is indicative of His status of His position, of His divinity, of His sacrificial status.

There is nothing wasted.

He is on TOP of that mountain.

He is alone. And the darkness surrounds Him.

His Disciples go down to Lake Capernaum and take a boat.

They begin to row and row and they row three or four miles and a fierce wind begins to blow.

Of course, this is not something to fear because that wind is the Holy Spirit of the living God!

But they are scared!

And at the peak of the Disciples’ fear, of course, Yeshua, approaches, walking on the water!

And they are afeard even more!

And He spoke to them and said, “don’t be scared! It is I!”

And He gets in their boat and immediately the boat reaches the shore!

People of God, we should not be afraid because all that our Saviour came to do has been accomplished and we are already at the shoreline.

We are already where we should be.

In His presence!

Lydia S.

Prayer:

Thank You, Father, for giving us Your only Son. To be our Saviour, our Rescuer and our Lord and King.

We need You every hour, Father God. And we ask that You reveal more of the Teachings of Jesus to each one of us. That we might grow in grace and stature, in Your sight.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Angel Voices Ever Singing"

Mid-week news 23rd July

 Mid-week News

Sunday the 11th July was a very special day in the Leesfield calendar, when 10 candidates from our parish were confirmed by Bishop Mark in a lovely, joyous service at St Thomas' Church. The wildflowers in the foreground of the photo were sown on the National Day of Refection in March. 

Next Sunday, the 25th July, marks the beginning of a new chapter in our parish life. We will be welcoming Revd Lyn Woodall as the incumbent of Leesfield Parish at a special service at 3 pm.  Revd Lyn is also Vicar of St John, Hey, and will continue in that role as well as in our parish. Revd Christine Steel and Revd Mother Amy-Elizabeth Sheridan will be licensed to our parish in the same service. 

As the Covid restrictions are lifted, we are currently reviewing the updated guidance from the Diocese before our new Vicar and the PCC make further decisions about how we can return to our normal pattern of services and events. Please be patient, and pray for us as we consider what we can do to encourage everyone to return to church, whilst at the same time showing our Christian love for each other by ensuring that those who are still vulnerable can access worship in safety.

Sunday Worship 18th July

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to our Worship on the seventh Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Our Parish Eucharist is at 10 am at St Thomas' Church, and today we're really pleased to have Revd Richard Hawkins to lead our worship. If you can't be with us in person, you'll find everything you need to worship from home here on this page.

Our first hymn this morning is "Be Still, for the Presence of the Lord"

Today's Gospel

Mark 6.30-34, 53-end     “And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.”

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Reflection

In 1966, John Lennon famously remarked that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus”. At the height of Beatlemania, the band were hounded by thousands of screaming fans – I wonder if any of you were one of those screaming fans – perhaps not !  News reports likened the adulation of the fans to a religious fervour and in 1965 Lennon had complained that while they were on tour in the United States “people kept bringing blind, crippled and deformed children into our dressing room and this boy’s mother would say, ‘Go on, kiss him, maybe you'll bring back his sight’”. George Harrison later said that the band often locked themselves in their hotel bathroom so they could get some peace. In the end, the crowds became too much, and the Beatles stopped touring to focus on studio recordings before finally disbanding in 1970.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus and the disciples are as popular as the Beatles. The twelve have just returned from their first mission trip, when they called people to repentance, taught anyone willing to listen, cast out demons and healed those who were sick. Now they need a break. 

They need some time to catch up with Jesus and have a well-earned rest, but the crowds just will not leave them alone. Even when they get into the boats and head for a nice quiet spot on the other side of the lake, the crowds hotfoot it round to meet them when they land. Despite really needing to spend some time with his disciples, Jesus sees that the people in the crowd are “like sheep without a shepherd”. In biblical times a shepherd would not just protect the flock, he would lead the flock to new pasture, so this probably means the people needed leadership. And so he “began to teach them many things”.

Now you may have noticed that at this point the lectionary has missed out eighteen verses. Why? Well, the missing bit has enough material for several more sermons, including the feeding of the five thousand, but that is a story for another day.  Suffice it to say, after everyone had been fed, Jesus sent the disciples off by boat, sent the crowds home, and at last found time to pray quietly. Up on the mountain, on his own with God. Later that evening, as the disciples were making slow progress rowing into a headwind, he strolled across the lake and climbed into the boat before they all landed together at Gennesaret.

At last, Jesus would be able to have a proper conversation with his disciples and find out how their mission trips went. But no. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognised him and rushed to bring their sick out for healing. And so it went on. Wherever Jesus went, “into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed”. Jesus has compassion on the crowds and tries to meet their needs, but he also tries to meet the needs of the disciples and his own need for time with God. As soon as the disciples had collected up the leftovers, he told them to get in the boat and go on ahead. Notice it says “he made his disciples get into the boat”. 

We might wonder if they argued about it. Perhaps they thought they should help to send the crowds away, but Jesus saw that they needed to compare notes on their mission trips. Or perhaps they were behaving like the crowds and refusing to give Jesus the space he needed to pray. Most of us are not plagued by screaming fans or followed by crowds begging us to heal sick people. Nonetheless, there are people with many needs in society today. Some need feeding or healing. Others are looking for the direction that a life of faith can provide. And many churches are busy running food banks, providing support and teaching the faith. But Christians also need to spend time together, to reflect on our experiences, to learn from each other and above all to spend time with God.

Richard H..

Our Prayers

Loving Lord Jesus,

You showed compassion to your followers,

that needed you.

Be there for us when we need you too.

Caring Lord,

You led your flock and taught them many things

when they needed your guidance.

We ask you to show us the way forward

That we might also do your bidding.

Understanding Lord,

You recognised the needs of your disciples 

to spend time with God and each other.

Help us to find more time in our busy schedules

To reflect on your magnificence

And your presence in our daily lives.

Amen

Our final hymn today is "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"

Sunday worship 11th July

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to our Worship on the sixth Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Our Parish Eucharist is at 10 am at St Thomas' Church, and today we're really pleased to have Bishop Mark Davies with us for our Parish Confirmation service.If you can't be with us in person, you'll find everything you need to worship from home here on this page.

Our first hymn this morning is "Breathe on me Breath of God"

 

Today's Gospel

Mark 6: v 14- 29                                                         John the Baptist beheaded

King Herod heard of Jesus and his disciples, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason, these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Reflection

It's fair to say that this is not the cheeriest of readings in the Gospel. It is perhaps one of the most gruesome and vengeful stories you will come across in the New Testament. It is a tale about pride and conceit, about entrapment and slavery, lust and incest, injustice and guilt. 

Up to this point is the bible we are familiar with the character of John the Baptist as the somewhat eccentric man who eats locusts and honey and wear clothes of rough camel hair. The messenger who was sent to pave the way for Jesus and bear witness to light. For all his eccentricity he was a charismatic preacher who proclaimed to all who would listen, the need for a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. Indeed, John in his own right had many followers and disciples. He was a good man and a righteous man and as we hear in this story, a man who was not afraid to criticise and call out wrong doing. A man who was not afraid to call a spade a spade as one might say in Yorkshire.

On the other hand, Herod Antipas was a man of selfishness, greed and most of all someone who yearned power. To be fair, he knew no different - being the son of Herod (the Great), who had ordered the death of all the babies under 2 years old in Bethlehem when he learned of the birth of Jesus. He had been brought up in a privileged position where power was everything, and abuse of power a way of suppressing dissent. For Herod it was a way of life to trample on anyone who got in his way or had something he wanted. 

Throw into the pot a scheming, alluring and ambitious woman and you have all the ingredients for this plot of treachery. Herodias, had previously been married to Philip, Herod’s brother but Philip had been excluded from the family inheritance and became a commoner. Although they had a daughter (Salome), Herodias dumped Philip and instead set her sights on the powerful Herod and his wealth. 

It was John the Baptist who made it clear that such an act was unlawful and immoral. He openly criticised both Herod and Herodias and as a result was imprisoned for his actions. Herodias despised John so much that she would have had him killed sooner if she could have. She was deeply afraid of John the Baptist and what he stood for. We hear that Herod, for all his wickedness, both feared and revered John. He knew he was Holy and righteous and liked to listen to John. For Herodias this meant there was always a risk that the more Herod listened to John, the more was the risk that he might repent and turn to Jesus. Turn over a new leaf. So, John had to be git rid of and we see that as soon as the opportunity arose, she did not hesitate to have John executed by the gory manner of beheading. John the one who spoke out about injustice was unjustly killed.

Despite Herod’s great power he had been trapped. Of course, he had been ben trapped by his scheming wife/sister-in-law, but moreover he was trapped by his vanity and pride. He knew he had been trapped and deep down did not want to kill this man; but instead of having the guts to admit that he might have let the occasion and the wine, get the better of him, he is more afraid that he will lose face. 

Both Herod and Herodias were slaves to power and greed; but how often are we ourselves a slave to things in our life that we crave? More money, a better life for our children, more power at work or a promotion.

How, many times have we been in the same position? Have you ever done something that you regret afterwards? Something out of bravado or that you were foolishly dared into and didn’t feel you could back out of? A time when you let someone down because a better offer came up and you later regretted that you hurt their feelings or caused disappointment. Similarly, are there things you know you really should do that you keep putting off? Calling someone who is lonely, saying hello to the beggar outside the supermarket, or volunteering for something in the community or church, evangelising the message of God to the world? What is it that is making you resist God’s calling and what might you do about it today?

Our prayers

Almighty and all-seeing God,

Forgive me for my lapses of will power,

For my acts of selfishness and pride,

For the times when I put myself before others

When I judge instead of showing compassion

And when I not loved my neighbour

as you love me.

Loving Lord,

Open my ears to hear your calling,

Give me the confidence 

to declare our faith and trust in you

help me to share your love 

and compassion to others 

I see every day.

Lead me not into temptation

but deliver me from evil.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "I, the Lord of Sea and Sky"

Sunday Worship 4th July

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to our Worship on the fifth Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Our Parish Eucharist is at 10 am at St Thomas' Church, and Revd David Halford will be preaching and presiding. If you can't be with us in person, you'll find everything you need to worship from home here on this page.

Our first hymn this morning is "Brother, Sister Let Me Serve You"

Today's Gospel

Mark 6: v1-13                                                         “A Prophet without honour”  

Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honour, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Reflection

“Jesus said, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.”  Mark Chapter 6: v 4.

Some years ago, a young woman living and working in the South East of England, was preparing for her marriage in her northern hometown. She had been a committed Christian for many years, and she had grown used to her family and friends reacting with amused tolerance or barely concealed irritation whenever she mentioned anything to do with the Church. One day she phoned the vicar of her northern church about some of the wedding arrangements – and towards the end of the conversation the vicar said, “By the way, did you know your brother has been talking to me about the possibility of him coming to the church?” Needless to say, she did not know.

It seems to be that one of the paradoxes of life that the people we are closest to – our family and friends – can be the very ones with whom it is hardest to share the deep things of God. When the love of God does connect in a meaningful way with those we love, it is often not through us, but through a different source.  

That Jesus also struggled in this way is evident, not only from this reading from St Mark’s Gospel, for there is similar evidence in other Gospels too. His rejection at Nazareth has been seen by some in a similar way. By returning to Nazareth as a prophet, healer and teacher, Jesus, a carpenter, and the son of a carpenter, was stepping outside the role and status he had known in his hometown.  Galilee was prosperous at this time, and as carpenters, Jesus and Joseph were far from being the most impoverished in their society. Nevertheless, the status of a craftsman was considerably lower than that of the educated classes, whose chief work was to learn the law.  

In Mark Chapter 3, the attempt of Jesus’ family to curtail his public preaching seems to suggest that they too shared the town’s sense of concern about his teaching and behaviour. Attitudes were so set against him in Nazareth that he could do “no deed of power there”, except to cure a few sick people.

How different is the public response to Jesus’ message in the passage that follows? After the failure at Nazareth, Jesus travels amongst the other villages, teaching. He sends his disciples out in pairs with the authority to proclaim God’s message of love and repentance and to cast out unclean spirits.  And what did they achieve with this authority? “They cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” What a contrast to Jesus’ experiences in Nazareth!  Jesus had found his power there as limited by the hostility and rejection of his own people.  Where that power and authority found acceptance, however, the disciples were able to do great things in Jesus’ name.

The pressures we sometimes experience within our own families and local communities can be very subtle and can be exercised for good and ill. On the one hand there can be pride and pleasure in our achievements, and an encouragement to go on. On the other hand, contrasting feeling that go along with that. There can be intense pressure to stay within the boundaries our communities believe to be acceptable, which may cramp our style and impose limitations upon us.

Jesus’ attitude to his disciples is very different. He is not jealous of the authority he has, but seeks rather to share it with the people whom he has chosen to be his closest followers. Jesus does not confine – he liberates.  As a result, the disciples were taken beyond their human limitations, and began to live and work to a potential they never dreamed they had.

Perhaps we need to reset our compasses towards the divine. Then we may have the freedom to grown into the unique person God has created us to be – and maybe we could help to enable others to do the same.

David H.

Our prayers

Heavenly Father,

We praise and thank you for the teachings and wisdom

shared with us by our saviour Jesus Christ

We give thanks that through your church

we can worship together in our community

and share our belief in Jesus with those we know.

Compassionate Lord,

We pray for courage when people are rejected for following you

and confidence to continue to proclaim your Gospel.

Hear our prayer for those who do not yet believe

or people who ridicule those that profess your faith.

We pray with hope that they too will come to know you

And feel Jesus’ overwhelming presence in their lives.

Amen

Our final hymn this morning is "Turn, Turn, Turn"