Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Greetings on a further Sunday after Pentecost, commonly called Ordinary time, although with faith there is always something extraordinary to find at any time Today is no exception. In using Richard Rohr’s simple format for reflecting on Scripture during the week, asking the questions: 1. What word or phrase captures my attention? 2. What in today’s world do these passages address? And 3. To what does this passage call me? In reflecting on these questions can provide a myriad of perspectives. For instance in the Gospel passage to reflect on Jesus words to Peter and begin to wonder how perhaps I have been a stumbling block in not enabling people to recognise Jesus more clearly in their lives. The foundational concept of ‘taking up your cross’ to be a follower of Jesus and what our own cross may mean in terms of a world where more value is placed on self interest, rather than truly living in community. The call of the passage in self-giving and the constant beckoning to focus our own attention and encouragement outwardly to others. To be people of constant prayer, enduring service and as Paul writes in the first reading for today of genuine love. This pattern of reflecting on Scripture is attached. You might like to try it. May we journey well as best we can with Christ this week. Fr Ian ![]()
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Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Welcome to yet another Sunday of either online worship or quiet prayer at home! Some days, like me, you may be left wondering, ‘when will this ever end!’ What more can we do than staying safe at home as much as we can and only going out to do the necessary things. Yet if we take the time to contemplate this question more, there is always much more we can do. Pursue a hobby at home, garden, read, pray, call friends and family more regularly than perhaps we would otherwise, do some thinking of what we will do when this is all over. Take time to dream and envi- sion the possibilities ahead. Today’s reading from Romans 12:1-8 must be one of my favourite parts of the Scriptures (although I have many). “Do not be conformed to this world, but be trans- formed by the renewing of your minds’ rings out loud and clear in the middle of a pandemic.” Yet it should also do so at other times too. To me it sums up the meaning of a relationship with Christ. We ought never be satisfied to simply let things be as they are, but seek for how they ought to be, given all that the life of Christ and the Holy Spirit teaches us. Does such transformation call us to prophet Micah cries: “Do justice, to love kindness and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8) May we journey well as best we can with Christ this week. Fr Ian |
AuthorRev Cannon Ian Howarth is the Rector of the Anglican Parish of St Paul's Kyneton and St John's Malmsbury and is the team leader of the Central Highlands Cluster. Categories
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