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Many of us are uncomfortable with the title of "King" for Jesus, for myriad reasons, hence the festival of Christ the King can seem problematic. Some of us are a little more comfortable with the naming of our festival as the Reign of Christ. I encourage you to read what I wrote previously on these set texts (The Reign of Christ. Jeremiah 23:1-6; Song of Zechariah; Colossians 1:11-20; and Luke 23: 33-43. ) as background. This year I want to explore what it might mean if the

What terribly confronting readings this week which for many of us seem to describe the times we are living in, or at least witnessing! These readings (Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 28 (33). Luke 21:5-19; Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 12; and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13.) not only describes the fearful situation of the first century world in which the disciples would find themselves in but also describes the brokenness of our world! And the prophet Isaiah still speaks to ou

Jesus refers to God as the God of the living not of the dead. And in doing so Jesus claims the ever-living presence of God as the one in whom we, and those who went before us, live and move and have our being. And because of this we can dare to be a people of hope and justice and new beginnings. (Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 27 (32). Luke 20:27-38; Haggai 2:1-2:9; Psalm 98; and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17.)   Jesus spends a considerable amount of time in Luke

There is a theme running through much of scripture of the abundance of God and the desire of God to bless us. We hear some of that this week. In Joel and the Psalm we are reminded of God given seasons of plenty and replenishment. And the generous restoration of Israel. In Paul’s letter we hear of the abundance to come for the faithful. And in the gospel we are confronted with a new understanding of abundance – the plenty that comes to those who give up everything for the gosp

Sometimes I wish the gospel were different to what it actually is. Sometimes I wish Jesus had said “Ask for what you want and I will make sure you get all that you think you need and know that you want in a timely way that makes your life more joyful and successful and that you and those you love will never need to suffer.” But that’s not what he said. Even though sometimes some have wanted to interpret readings such as this week’s (Luke 18:1-8) in this way. But Jesus said so

Jeremiah told the remnant who were exiled in Babylon to pray for the welfare of the city which held them captive. To pray for the welfare...