Note: ¶ = Reading omitted at St Mary's, Temple Balsall
Sunday 5 October, 2008
The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity Proper 22
Deuteronomy 8. 7 – 18
A reminder that our survival still depends on God’s good created order, and that carries with it severe and urgent moral obligations.
or ¶ Deuteronomy 28. 1 – 14
God promises prosperity to a people that behaves responsibly and prudently in its use of the world in which we live.
2 Corinthians 9. 6 – 15
Like many Christian leaders since, Paul urges his converts to give generously – in this case for the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, with whom they share God’s gift to them in Christ and with whom it all began.
¶ Luke 12. 16 – 30
Wealth carries no rights and no guarantee of permanence. In such a world the anxious pursuit of gain is both foolish and ungodly.
Luke 17. 11 – 19
It is not enough to receive God’s goodness as if of right. There is also a proper response of thankfulness – not just decent manners but the come-back of the true human heart.
* Do we really see ourselves as living in a world where our lives are all interlocked?
* How far do we sense the shared life of the whole Christian community, wherever it is?
* Pray for a genuine spirit of thankfulness to God
Sunday 12 October, 2008
The Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity Proper 23
¶ Exodus 32. 1 – 14
The crisis of the making of the golden calf has become an emblem of all kinds of idolatry and foolish veneration. Its message stands.
or Isaiah 25. 1 – 9
It is often harder for us than for our ancestors to receive God with such ecstatic joy, even when we recognize his love towards us and the promise of fulfilment he offers to us.
Philippians 4. 1 – 9
Familiar words, speaking of the positive comforts that follow from God’s gift of himself to us, summed up in wholesome and full-blooded ‘peace’.
Matthew 22. 1 – 14
In origin, the parable, put in brutal terms, is about the rejection of Christ by his own people and his acceptance by others – who should nevertheless not presume on their unmerited call.
* Praise God for the joy of his open invitation to us, regardless of merit.
* Pray to know the peace that is beyond our capacity to grasp.
* God gives – but to take him for granted is to put love in danger.
Sunday 19 October, 2008
The Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity Proper 24
¶ Exodus 33. 12 – 23
The work of a religious leader is ofter far from easy and may drive to despair. But God’s presence will not fail in the crisis.
or Isaiah 45. 1 – 7
A widening of Israel’s view of God. He will use even pagan kings for his sovereign purposes. His writ knows no frontiers. It was, then, a daring idea.
¶ 1 Thessalonians 1. 1 – 10
The opening of Paul’s earliest letter. We can sense the fervour and novelty of the mission he had embarked upon in an alien land, far from home – for the sake of God’s love for all, shown in Christ.
Psalm: 99
Matthew 22. 15 – 22
If we hear aright, the message is not ‘so much for the state’ and ‘so much for God or the Church’ (how could one make such a bargain?) but ‘all things are God’s, and all other duties are second to him. Jesus thumps the table as he utters those last words.
* We would not dream of seeing God as somehow British; but do we sometimes get close to it?
* Pray to share the courage and width of imagination showed by Paul the apostle.
* Where might we let conflicts of loyalty move us?
Sunday 26 October, 2008
Bible Sunday
¶ Nehemiah 8. 1 – 4a, (5 – 6), 8 – 12
After the exile of leading Jews to Babylon in the 6th century BC, the return over a century later, was marked by a new focus on the sacred books of the Law (which became the first five books of our Old Testament). They were becoming the heart and symbol of Israel’s life.
¶ Colossians 3. 12 – 17
Paul give a serene and happy picture of the Christian common life: virtues crowned with love and the singing of joyful songs of faith. Maybe Colossians 1. 15 – 20 was one of them.
Matthew 24. 30 – 35
Jesus foretells his return as part of the drama of the end of the present world-order – but his teaching will endure through everything that happens in the process.
* Consider what is the core of your identity as a Christian.
* Can we enter into the joyful picture of shared Christian life painted by Paul?
* In what spirit do we look to the future of God’s world? Hope? Trust? Indifference?
Sunday 2 November, 2008
All Saints' Day
Isaiah 56. 3 – 8
Some voices in the later Old Testament writings look beyond Israel to the wider world as they consider the scope of God’s love. For them, it is clear that it must be universal.
or ¶ 2 Esdras 2. 42 – 48
The Jewish parallel to the Revelation of John 7 is again a praising especially of martyrs for faith.
Hebrews 12. 18 – 24
Meeting God is no light matter – whether in our privacy or in places we dedicate for the purpose. Such places speak of that which is beyond our capacity to handle.
Matthew 5. 1 – 12
A well-known film calls this passge the ‘beautiful attitudes’. It is not a bad pun on ‘beatitudes’ (or blessings), so long as we see how tough some of the attitudes can be.
* The vision of God is an unfashionable objective. How do you feel about it?
* Dare we pray for the gift of becoming ‘like God’?
* The beatitudes give a full picture of holy life and its rewards – for our encouragement.
Sunday 9 November, 2008
Remembrance Sunday (Third Sunday before Advent)
Wisdom of Solomon 6. 12 – 16 or 6. 17 - 20
There is no sign of awesome crisis, as in most of the season’s readings. Rather we are taught the duty of contemplation – of God’s wise doctrine for the good of our lives.
or ¶ Amos 5. 18 – 24
The prophet warns against complacent views of God’s coming ‘day’. No, it will be a day of fearsome challenge when human indulgence will meet its doom.
1 Thessalonians 4. 13 – 18
Paul is assured that Christ will soon return and rescue his people, few though they may be. His perspective did not foresee the many centuries still to run.
Matthew 25. 1 – 3
The message is that vigilance before God is a vital part of the Christian life. The image of the wedding reminds us of the fulfilment that the new world brings.
* Give thanks for the ever-open invitation of God held towards us.
* Pray for the gift of vigilance in God’s service in our daily life.
* May we never lose heart as we watch and pray.
Sunday 16 November, 2008
The Second Sunday before Advent
Zephaniah 1. 7, 12 – 18
The prophet gives a vivid picture of the awesome future God has in store for a rebellious world.
¶ 1 Thessalonians 5. 1 – 11
Paul is convinced that God’s intervention is near – fearful for the world at large, but joyful for God’s faithful ones.
Psalm: 90.1 - 8, 12
Matthew 25. 14 – 30
The Parable fo the Talents leaves us all feeling insecure. It is not a story to encourage the least complacency.
* Pray to be stirred into vigilance before God.
* We thank God for the prodding we both need and deserve.
* May we love God even when he threatens.
Sunday 23 November, 2008
Christ the King
Ezekiel 34. 11 – 16, 20 – 24
God is the shepherd-king of his people, with a duty of loving care which he will carry out with utmost diligence.
Ephesians 1. 15 – 23
This is one of the loftiest statements in the New Testament of the place of Jesus in the saving purposes of God; his triumph over all that stands against God gives us our secure place in his love.
Matthew 25. 31 – 46
This final parable in the Gospel of Matthew reminds us of the simple and straightforward duties of care for the needy that bear witness to our Christian calling.
* Pray for the grace to recognise the majesty and victory of Christ.
* We are glad to be called to worship God, our maker and redeemer.
* Pray for those in need in our own circles – and well beyond.
YEAR B BEGINS
Sunday 30 November, 2008
First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 64. 1 – 9
The longing for the all-powerful and mysterious God to ' break through' to us is very deep in the religious spirit. Here it is expressed in a pure, poetic form.
1 Corinthians 1. 3 – 9
As was common in his day, Paul's letters often open, after the greeting, with thanksgiving. Here it is offered for the recent conversion to Christ of his readers, the fruit of his own mission in Corinth as short time before.
Mark 13. 24 – 37
Here we have a longing for God put in a Christ-centred form, but otherwise typical of its time. The imagery could not be more dramatic. But vigilance must be a key Christian quality, readiness for God's good time -- is that any and every time?
* Let attachment to God stir the heart into longing.
* Can we recapture the freshness of Paul's spring-time of faith?
* Being alert for God is a quality to cultivate.
Sunday 7 December, 2008
2nd Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40. 1 – 11
These words are taken up in the Gospels when they write about the role of John the Baptist as herald for Jesus. In origin they looked to Israel's return from captivity in Babylon in the 5th century BC; and that in turn is compared to the release from Egyptian slavery under Moses centuries before.
2 Peter 3. 8 –15a
This late New Testament writing seeks to preserve a sense of alert expectation when it is beginning to fade; and the best preparation for God is the living of an upright life.
Mark 1. 1 – 8
John the Baptist, herald for Jesus, has the good role of introducing -- and so beginning to explain – who Jesus is and what his role is. John lives in a way associated with the heroic prophet Elijah, the sign of a true spokesman for God.
* It is good to see liberation as the constant will of God.
* It takes effort to maintain a sense of expectancy for God – as if for a loved one.
* Can we too be 'introducers' or heralds for Jesus?
Sunday 14 December, 2008
3rd Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61. 1 – 4, 8 – 11
In a passage used by Jesus in his Nazareth sermon (Luke 4.16 on), the prophet paints the new world which God desires for us, with every hurt and ill done away
1 Thessalonians 5. 16 – 24
Paul makes it plain the basic duties placed on the shoulders of those who await God's fulfilment.
John 1. 6 – 8, 19 – 28
The opening of John's Gospel is chiefly about Christ's person and significance, but the writer rather surprisingly inserts passages about John the Baptist, emphasizing his secondary yet important role. Perhaps there were followers of the Baptist who gave him a higher place and needed correcting?
* We need ideals in order to know where to place our efforts and our hopes.
* Ordinary duties are not exciting but are basic to the rhythm of our lives.
* Jesus stands as our best and heaven-sent guide to God's character and purpose.
Sunday 21 December, 2008
4th Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7. 1 – 11, 16
The God-given legacy of David is to be the building of the temple in Jerusalem.
Romans 16. 25 – 27
Paul's doxology ends his letter on a note of praise and thanksgiving, and it sums up Christ's role as fulfiller of God's purpose -- at long last.
Luke 1. 26 – 28
The Annunciation story, endlessly and famously painted, is an amazing picture of the wonder of God's way of proceeding – all unexpected, calling on the 'small' of the world as the route to triumph. And Mary, humbly, accepts her role.
* Are we happy that God's way is not 'airy-fairy' but rooted in life and events, time and place?
* We should feel wonder at God's gracious condescension to Mary -- and to each of us in our place.
* The proper Christian response is grateful co-operation in what is required of us.
Wednesday 24 December, 2008
Midnight Mass
Isaiah 9. 2 – 7
A birth is usually an occasion for rejoicing and hope. But this birth carries great promise for us all.
Titus 2. 11 – 14
God’s gift of himself in Jesus is unlimited in its scope. It is for the great good of everyone.
Luke 2. 1 – 14 (15 – 20)
Jesus’ birth was both an obscure event, known to a mere handful, and universal in its scope and purpose.
* We praise God for the gift of Jesus: let us adore him.
* Thank God for opening up the widest of horizons.
* Pray to feel the wonder of God’s simplicity.
Thursday 25 December, 2008
Christmas Day
Isaiah 9. 2 – 7
A birth is usually an occasion for rejoicing and hope. But this birth carries great promise for us all.
Titus 2. 11 – 14
God’s gift of himself in Jesus is unlimited in its scope. It is for the great good of everyone.
Luke 2. 1 – 14 (15 – 20)
Jesus’ birth was both an obscure event, known to a mere handful, and universal in its scope and purpose.
* We praise God for the gift of Jesus: let us adore him.
* Thank God for opening up the widest of horizons.
* Pray to feel the wonder of God’s simplicity.
Sunday 28 December, 2008
The First Sunday of Christmas
Isaiah 61. 10 – 62. 3
Ecstasy in the presence of God’s utter generostiy – that is what the prophet opens up.
Galatians 4. 4 – 7
Jesus identifies with us, so that we may be one with him and able to call God ‘Father’, within the divine family.
Luke 2. 15 – 21
Angels are heavenly, from God. Shepherds are simple folk, widely despised, on the edge of things. They meet to rejoice in Jesus’ coming
* Let us adore God’s gift of himself in Jesus, our brother.
* Praise God for his huge condescension.
* Pray to renounce all pride before the Lord.
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The Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson
Registered
Charity no. 213618
Temple Balsall, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands B93 0AN