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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

All Saints is that gift of a festival in which we can remember the saints of our tradition and give thanks for their continuing witness and encouragement. And very importantly we can remember those precious to us personally and that are now gone from us. It is a festival that reminds us of that time when all tears shall be wiped away, of the cloud of witnesses to which we belong, and offers tender comfort for us who mourn particular dear ones.  I first shared this reflection

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...

“Go deeper”, said my friend’s spiritual director when her life was falling apart and no obvious way forward could be seen. And that seems...