Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. […] Stop doubting and believe.’ John 20:27 You know, I have a lot of sympathy for Thomas, the disciple we like to refer to as Doubting Thomas. He doesn’t simply accept what he is told, he questions things because he needs to be sure in himself what … Continue reading The First Sunday after Easter – Reflection
'Early on the first day of the week [...] Mary Magdalene went to the tomband saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.' John 20:1 Alleluia! Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia! There was a man called Ian that I used to know. Ian and I went to the same church at the time … Continue reading Easter Sunday – Reflection
‘the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Blessed is the king of Israel!”’ John 12:12-13 Brothers and sisters, in most families - particularly … Continue reading Palm Sunday – Reflection
‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ John 8:58 There are those moments in life, where everything changes. The great ‘turning points’ that are as real in our mind now as they were on the day they took place. I can certainly think of a few big changing points … Continue reading The Fifth Sunday in Lent (Passion Sunday) – Reflection
‘[Jesus] said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’’ John 19:26-27 Brothers and sisters, how well do you know your mum? Or perhaps a better question, how do you know children, or grandchildren? If I were to ask you to name their favourite food, their favourite film, or … Continue reading The Fourth Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday) – Reflection
‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.’ Luke 11:23 Brothers and sisters, ‘Your Country Needs You’. None of us were there at the time but lots of us can picture that poster used in World War One of the Chief of the British Army, Lord Kitchener, … Continue reading THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT – REFLECTION
'Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith!’ Matthew 15:28 I’m going to keep asking you this question today and I hope that that’ll help to keep us grounded. My question is: Who did Jesus come to save? When I read today’s Gospel reading I raised an eyebrow because it’s actually a very challenging and, … Continue reading The Second Sunday in Lent – Reflection
'Jesus said 'It is written...' Matthew 4:4 Gill and I have been watching a brilliant new drama on BBC iplayer called Better, which is really a case study in temptation. It is all about a senior policewoman called Lou who is very able and keen to do well as both a detective and a mother, but who … Continue reading The First Sunday in Lent – Reflections
‘Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.' Luke 18:31 Brothers and sisters, the twelve disciples picture to us the Church in miniature. In a few days, on Ash Wednesday, we will be invited, in … Continue reading QUINQUAGESIMA – REFLECTION
‘the seed on good soil stands for those who hear the word, retain it,and by persevering produce a crop.’ Luke 8:15 Brothers and sisters, in the next year or so, our church school (St George’s CE Primary) is likely to go through an inspection. Someone from the diocese comes and looks at the way we teach, … Continue reading Sexagesima Sunday – Reflection
All Saints Church Chorley 