‘[Jesus said] ‘keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back’ - Mark 13:35 Brothers and sisters, how are you at cooking? I must admit I’m not great; it’s the getting everything ready at the same time which I struggle with. To make matters worse there are some meats … Continue reading The First Sunday of Advent – Reflection
‘[Jesus said] whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’Matthew 25:40 Brothers and sisters, I saw in a local supermarket that the count down clock to Christmas in on, and no doubt you’re getting busy with the Christmas lists, the Christmas shopping, and the … Continue reading The Feast of Christ the King – Reflection
‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.’ Matthew 25:21 Brothers and sisters, Somebody reminded me the other day of a particularly dark chapter of my life which was when I reached the age of ‘employability’. I remember watching all my friends … Continue reading The Second Sunday before Advent – Reflection
‘those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Matthew 23:12 Yesterday I found myself watching the cricket… Or at least, I set off watching the cricket, then decided that probably it was best if it was just on in the background…. It was then promptly turned off when Jonny … Continue reading The Fourth Sunday before Advent – Reflection
'there before me was a great multitude that no one could count,from every nation, tribe, people and language.’ Revelation 7:9 On this All Saints’ day it’s right that we think about the faithful departed that have come before us and those who we can follow as they themselves followed Christ. But, last week as I … Continue reading The Feast of All Saints – Reflection
‘give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s’ Matthew 22:21 This morning we turn our attention to our Gospel reading, picking up where we left off last week in chapter 22 of Matthew’s biography of Jesus. The Pharisees—the religious leaders of their day—are furious with Jesus after realising that Jesus is criticising … Continue reading The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity – Reflection
‘Jesus said: 'go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find’.’ Matthew 22:9 A while ago I received a really exciting invitation. I was sat there at my parent’s house, minding my own business as a young man fresh out of bible college and I got an email, sent by my college … Continue reading The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity – Reflection
‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’ John 4:34 Brothers and sisters, what keeps you going? You know how you wake up and it’s raining outside and even putting a toe out of the warm covers of your bed seems like a big ask, you … Continue reading Harvest Thanksgiving – Reflection
'They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony’ Revelation 12:11 I want you to imagine a theatre production. Even if you’ve never been to one, you will, most likely, have acted in a nativity play as a child. As you imagine that scene, come with me as … Continue reading The Feast of St Michael & All Angels – Reflection
'[Jesus said] 'are you envious because I am generous'. Matthew 20:15 Brothers and sisters, What is a parable? A parable is story about something ‘every day’ in which the speaker adds in a complication or a tension, to make a clarifying point. It’s a story with a meaning and, often, the story would have a really obvious … Continue reading The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity – Reflection
All Saints Church Chorley 