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 12:49-56Jesus 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'.
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