Welcome to Sunday Worship in leesfield Parish on the Second 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 "Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer"
Today's Gospel
Luke 9:51-62Following Jesus
When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Reflection
People sometimes refer to this extract as ‘The cost of following Jesus’.
I see it more as the problem of procrastination. How do we avoid getting distracted in life and putting off doing the things that we ought to do?
Sometimes we can’t help ourselves, especially if it’s doing something we don’t particularly want to do or are not really interested in. Maybe it’s cleaning the garage out, or weeding the patio or repairing that squeaky door that’s been annoying everybody for months.
There are some things that have to be done at a certain time, such as getting up and going to work, or going to a meeting – so they’re ‘no brainers’.
Then there are some things we really want to make sure we do because we enjoy them; maybe going out with a friend for drink or a meal.
Sometimes, I struggle to get around to writing this reflection – I know it has to be done by Saturday and I always intend to get it done well before then, but here I am on Saturday evening wondering how late it will be before I get it completed.
I always intend to get it done, but then things get in the way – life gets in the way.
But this message is not just about prioritising our time – it’s about following Jesus to Jerusalem.
Luke uses the words, ‘Jesus face was set toward Jerusalem’. This recognises the turning point where the direction of Jesus’ life doesn’t just become a journey toward the city of Jerusalem, it’s the start of his journey towards the Cross. A journey of unwavering obedience and sacrifice in order to save us all.
A journey of absolute commitment and determination exemplifying the courage and relentless faith needed to follow God’s calling.
So when we Jesus asks us to follow him, he is asking us to follow in the example he has set us and taught us through his ministry.
It’s a lot more than tweaking our priorities to spend a little more time praying each day or making sure we arrive at church on time on a Sunday morning.
It’s about following his example and doing the things he has shown us make to make that path to follow him, a straight path.
The path to follow Jesus is about loving your neighbour and entertaining strangers. It’s about forgiving people and looking after the poor, sick and vulnerable without hesitation. And more.
That’s where we come to the hard bit. The bit where we say yes of course I want to follow Jesus but just before I do…… ‘ I need to’ plough the field or say goodbye to my family.
Just like in the Luke’s story we say we want to follow Jesus but then start to think of reasons to delay. That’s the point where we procrastinate and say to ourselves, ‘I just need to …..’
For example, we know I should give money to the beggar – before I do ‘I need to’ be sure she isn’t a drug addict or an alcoholic.
I know I should forgive the other person but – ‘I need to’ know they have said sorry first.
I know I should give to charities and good causes, but ‘I need to know’ that all of the money will go the people we are giving to.
I’m not saying any of this is easy – it is to some extent human nature, because we have heard tales which cast doubt and affect our judgement.
But Jesus’ example is one of unconditional and steadfast commitment to everyone he met and also to us.
He never hesitated to heal the sick or lame. He doesn’t set limitations or pre-conditions and he doesn’t worry about who we are; what race, colour, creed, or sexual identity we assign ourselves. He doesn’t even mind what religion we are – he is there for everyone.
It’s hard in our crazy modern society with wild opinions all over social media and mainstream media, intent of causing prejudice, but when we see people in need, let’s just think before we press pause and say to ourselves… ‘ I just need to’. Let’s take a leaf out of Jesus’ book and do what we know he wants us to do - however uncomfortable or uneasy we feel. Paul
Our Prayers
Almighty and everlasting Father,
You pour out your endless love upon us.
Your Son Jesus Christ
showed us how to love one another
and the path to righteousness.
Help us to follow in his tracks
That we may show that same unconditional love
without hesitation,
to those who need our help.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Will you come and Follow Me"
