Category: Thursday Reflections

Thursday Reflections

Inclusion

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Last week we reflected on the possibility that God loves us all in relation to our particularisms and our distinctiveness. When we say God so loved the world we do so not in a generic sense but in a particular sense .. God loves every aspect of the world individually just as a mother loves each child not in a generality but because of their particularisms .. loving each one with the same intensity but with a different quality as it were .. with the particular kind of love each one needs.

This morning we look at what that means in terms of how we relate to one another! If God loves each of us according to our differences then how should we love one another? Continue reading “Inclusion” →

Thursday Reflections

God loves you particularly

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I wonder whether you feel uncomfortable about the idea in the Bible  that God shows particular favour to Israel.? That God chose Israel and not other nations? Why does God seem to have a special role for Israel in the Torah which excludes others?

I want to suggest that the Bible shows us how God’s love for this world is not a universal love but a particular love that is universal in its expression to each and every different one of us.  Let me see if I can explain this idea.
Continue reading “God loves you particularly” →

Thursday Reflections

Speaking truth to power

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This morning we have an example of what real discipleship means ( Acts 5 27-33). Discipleship is a word we have become very familiar with but which is truly a powerful concept which is not always taken seriously.

To be a disciple is to follow, to live with, to learn from, to be obedient to,  and over time to become like another. So we better choose our master carefully? Continue reading “Speaking truth to power” →

Thursday Reflections

Maundy Thursday … Presence Demanded

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I wanted to start with a question I often ask when reflecting on the sacramental life. I often ask it at Baptisms and Weddings. It is the question  ‘what are we doing here?’. I wonder how you would answer that tonight.

I imagine the disciples of Jesus might have been thinking the same thing … some with ready answers about revolution and political power having arrived in Jerusalem. Some with a sense of spiritual mission. Not many understanding what was about to happen to their leader. Continue reading “Maundy Thursday … Presence Demanded” →

Thursday Reflections

Falling Fruit

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In Psalm 1 we have a passage about the fruitfulness of the Christian life. An image which is perhaps something very saleable to the secular world because it follows the same pattern of thinking they do. If you follow Jesus you will be like a well watered fruitful tree by a river .. a very prosperous image .. your leaves will not wither and you will prosper in all you do.

But at our Ash Wednesday service I suggested that there is another important message for the Christian, especially during Lent. It is the message that without times of destruction and decay in our world and our lives we never know renewed life. Continue reading “Falling Fruit” →