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Still in the season of Epiphany - the season of seeing and feeling how the coming of the light is both a beacon of hope and a disturber of those who do not want change or righteousness or mercy to come - still the readings come that speak into our conflicted experience at this time. (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. Matthew 5:1-12; Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; and 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.) Sentence: “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us wh

Many of us have heard, or even preached, a stirring message on being called to discipleship based on these texts (Third Sunday after Epiphany. Matthew 4:12-23; Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27; and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18.). Mostly suggesting that it is personal darkness and sin that we are called out of. And yes, many persons have found the light in response to being called and answering that call. And many more individuals are still in need of the light and repentance and redemption. B

At this precarious moment in history it is comforting and challenging to be reminded that we are called into partnership with Christ. (Second Sunday after Epiphany. John 1:29-42; Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; and 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.) So often we hear the story of being called as about beginnings, the moment we first hear our name called. Which for many of us was an exciting moment – and may generations to come also feel the excitement and respond – but now we find ourselves

In the blink of an eye, a turn of the page, one Sunday to the next, we move from acknowledging the arrival of the magi and their kingly gifts for the baby, and turn to celebrating the Baptism and commissioning of Jesus as a mature and fully formed preacher, healer and saviour! (Baptism of our Lord. Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; and Matthew 3:13-17.) And the theme of disturbance that we explored last week continues this week. Last week we considered the disturbance t

Happy New Year. Happy Epiphany. And Merry Christmas – as it is still Christmastide until January 6th, the actual date for Epiphany and the traditional end of Christmas as we remember the magi arriving with their gifts for the Christ child. (Epiphany. Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; and Matthew 2:15-21.) There is a lot going on in our readings and probably in our hearts and minds as we continue to enjoy Christmas and all its joys, as we start another new

Many of us at this time are reflecting on the nature of love and its apparent limitations when we seem to be surrounded by those with...

The prophets and Jesus placed a stark contrast between fidelity and idolatry, vulnerability and power, those who were poor and poorly and...

One moment the home crowd is cheering and then the next they are threatening to throw Jesus off a cliff! Why are they so disturbed and...

Are you ready to hear that we, that you, are precious, beloved, delighted in, worthy of the best wine, desired in sacred union with the...

There is a holy and life giving tension at the centre of the story of the Baptism of Jesus (especially in the account by Luke) but we are...

The ancient image of a people walking in great darkness upon whom God will shine a bright light, and through them to all the nations,...

What wonderful stories this week for those marking the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany. (Mark 1:40-45; 2 Kings 5:1-14; 1 Corinthians...