The lesson the disciples missed is that eternal life is not only about following Jesus (even the Rich Young Ruler wants to do that) but also about leaving things behind.
The Gospel is not about receiving – what’s in it for me?
But about leaving the past in dust and ashes – which is a reward in itself.
These are the signs of the season…
Eyes and ears are opened.
Limpers and Lepers are welcomed.
Those who seem dead to our common life are born again.
Good News is shared with those who never thought they could afford or were worthy of it.
..and we are the ones who have been called to do this.
‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ (John the Baptist)
When we learn to follow the first follower of Jesus we discover that the Christian life is about learning to grow smaller.
Our Beloved looks upon us in the midst of all the mess of our sins and, not ‘blinching’ at all, demonstrates his love by stretching out His arms to embrace the whole world on the tree of Calvary.
If we do not recognise the ‘law of undulation’ at work within us then at the very least we will drift away from a faith which has become over-dependant on emotional ‘highs’ instead of grounded in spiritual reality.
Survivors of Sexual Abuse carry their wounds, often hidden deep within them, for the whole of their life. What hope for healing is there for them, for the church, and for a society that blames victims rather than their attackers?
When everything is ripped away from us how do we journey onwards? Our song become of the One who holds onto us regardless of what the world or our own wilfulness throws at us
We learn to praise God best when we are in harmony with others who also desire to praise God
Sometimes the very first thing you learn about something is the one thing that lasts forever. For me the journey of faith begun and continues in a joy that uses the time of Lent to help us celebrate Easter
Mercy & Grace – 40 Days with the Music of Amy Grant Easter Day These Reflections which take the music of Amy Grant as their theme, were originally published in Lent 2015. They are being republished during the Covid19 pandemic which is affecting the whole world To Read: From the Scriptures: 6 Then I heard… Continue reading Mercy & Grace – Easter Day
Suffolk Vicar 