“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Potent words, used during the ashing ritual in a few minutes.  Words that toll like a bell.  I wonder how they resonate in your imagination? I will explore today a few of the resonances.  But before I do, let me repeat that what I hope to explore is how the theme…

“I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Most of us would naturally take that phrase “to the ends of the earth” as meaning all human societies, everywhere.  But I want to explore with you the idea that God’s salvation is not only for people – but actually extends…

Preached at Langham, 12th Jan 2020. We are considering together, this Epiphany, what is God’s call on us – what is God’s heart for us as people, as a congregation, for our village and our world?  And today, we reflect on the Baptism of Christ, which very much contributes to our reflection.  I want to suggest two things: that this event, Jesus’…

John the Baptist’s words in our Gospel reading (Matthew 3:1-12) spoke to my current mood.  I am full of dismay at the general election, as so many of us.  Horrified to be faced with a PM who says racist things – challenged by a Leader of the Opposition who fails to tackle racism.  A PM who is a known, inveterate and unrepentant…

A president who refuses to supply weapons to an ally, which is fighting to repel invaders from its territory, unless that ally helps him blacken the reputation of a political opponent. A prime minister who asks for the people’s trust, and they respond by laughing at him. A prince who stays mates with a billionaire, even after that person has served prison…

“Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope.” Do we need the Bible? That we need to take the Bible seriously is not self-evident in today’s world.  People nowadays tend to assume that we will find answers in what is new – the shiny…

Isaiah 58:9b-end                                  Luke 13:10-17 The common theme in today’s readings is the Sabbath.  The background is of course the fourth of the Ten Commandments.  This is actually a double commandment, to work, and to refrain from working: “Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.  For six days you shall labour and do all your work.  But the seventh day is a…

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16                  Luke 12:32-40 What is “faith”? Well, it is partly about what we hold to be true. The definition in Hebrews 11:1 is famous: “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen.”  Which may well be a description of what faith feels like when you are living it.  But it is not so helpful in…

1st Sunday after Trinity (23.6.19): Housing the Homeless (Project Sukkot) Isaiah 65:1-9           Galatians 3:23-29              Luke 8: 26-39 Our gospel reading today tugs at the imagination.  It is hard not to wonder about this poor man – interestingly, we know the name of his torment, but not his own name – cast out from society, living alone among the tombs.  Whether we interpret…

Acts 9:1-6     Revelation 5:11-14                        John 21:1-9 In today’s gospel, as last week and the week before, we hear of a resurrection appearance.  How strange and evocative they are, these eye-witness accounts of an encounter with a deep mystery.  They seem to me to capture extraordinarily well what it feels like to be in relationship with God – the atmosphere, if you like,…

Isaiah 55:1-9                       1 Corinthians 10:1-13                   Luke 13:1-19 I’ve always been fascinated by politics and current affairs, so it’s a rare day when I don’t listen to the news.  But this week, something unusual has happened: I’ve found myself switching off, because I couldn’t bear to listen. You might think I refer to Brexit – and I am as disappointed as most of…