Blog

Tended by angels rather than consumed by wild beasts!

There is a lot on. We are in that start-up phase or rapid escalation of events and activities for the year. This year compressed by the early Easter which therefore means Lent starts early. That means the Lenten Bible study preparation – this year “in-house” by many in our church, is in full swing. Further, there is a Church retreat day on 24 February, the election of Church Council Leaders, commissioning of new leaders and covenant Service on 3 March, an organ 150th celebration on 10 and 13 March, all before Easter. We also take into consideration the recommencement of other church activities. Then there are all the community activities. Work . . . School is back and even for households with no children, there is the back to school or commencement of pre-school, school, high school, university, or work for grandchildren, maybe great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Some families seem to have a sequence of significant family birthdays – one each weekend of January and February this year. A lot is happening. It would be a shame to get to Easter exhausted.

We are in the last month of the church year. The last month is bookended with All Saints Day on 1 November, and Christ the King on 26 November. Following the lectionary cycle, this is our last month with the gospel of Matthew, for three years. From Advent, which this year is 3 December, the lectionary (fully called the Revised Common Lectionary) will follow Mark through to the end of the church year in November 2024.

“I’ll be watching you”

The following statement is often attributed to St Francis of Assisi, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” It is doubtful if St Francis of Assisi ever said that epithet, but it has a use. Sometimes it is used as an excuse not to speak about faith in Jesus Christ. “I am not very good with words,” someone will say. Except when it comes to talking about their recent holiday, or latest grandchild, niece, nephew, favourite hobby. Then they can speak. At length. With great enthusiasm. It is important that we can speak. In 1 Peter 3:13, the writer encourages the reader to “Always be ready to give an account of the hope that is with in you.” Good words. The statement also speaks to the need for actions. James (2:14-26) said, “Faith without works is dead.” James continues and implies that one cannot have faith without works, it is not an either or situation in which one person has faith and another has works but rather faith informs works. And works are to be consistent with faith.