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"
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"
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.
