Come and see for yourself. This weeks Gospel contains the the same simple call to faith as last week. "Follow me" Jesus says to Phillip. Phillip follows as willingly as Matthew did last week and is so excited that he can't wait to find his mate Nathaniel and tell him all about it. “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” (John 1:45) Matthew and Phillip both have the advantage of a first hand encounter with Jesus. Nathaniel has not yet had the chance and is not so sure about downing tools to follow someone he hasn't even met, especially considering where comes from . “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” ( John1:46 ) “Come and see for yourself.” Says Phillip. ( John 1:46 ) On meeting Jesus, Phillip is quickly convinced and responds with one of the earliest statements of faith in the Gospels. “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49)
Till next time Andrew ReadingsReadingsTrinity 11 (16 August) 1st 1 Kings 2:10–12, 3:3–14 2nd Ephesians 5:11–31 Psalm 111 Gospel John 6:51–58 Trinity 12 (23 August) 1st 1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10–11 2nd Ephesians 6:10–20 Psalm 84 Gospel John 6:56–69 Trinity 13 (30 August) 1st Song of Solomon 2:8–13 2nd James 1:17–27 Psalm 15 Gospel Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23 Trinity 14 (6 September) 1st Proverbs 22:1–2, 8–9, 22–23 2nd James 2:1–17 Psalm 125 Gospel Mark 7:24–37 Trinity 15 (13 September) 1st Proverbs 1:20–33 2nd James 3:1–12 Psalm 19 Gospel Mark 8:27–38 Trinity 16 (20 September)/St. Matthew (21 September) St. Matthew, apostle, evangelist and martyr 1st Proverbs 3:1–6 2nd Ephesians 4:1–14 Psalm 19 Gospel Matthew 9:9–13 Trinity 17 (27 September)/St. Michael and All Angels (29 September) 1st Esther 7:1–6, 9–10; 9:20–22 2nd James 5:13–20 Psalm 124 Gospel Mark 9:38–50 St. Michael and All Angels (29 September) 1st Ezekiel 1: 4–12 2nd Revelation 12:7–12a Psalm 138 Gospel John 1:45–51 Trinity 18 (October 4) 1st Job 1.1; 2.1-10 It really is that easy
ReadingsIn our gospel reading today, Jesus lays hands on a deaf man and prays “Ephphatha” ('Be opened’) and immediately the deaf man is healed. The crowds are astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." The irony is that although the deaf man has been healed, many of those in the crowd still fail to hear what Jesus is saying to them. Jesus ordered them to tell no-one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. Do you ever wonder how often it is that Jesus might speak to us and we might fail to hear? Like the crowds in Jesus day, it is so easy for us to get caught up wanting Jesus to do things our way, that we forget to listen to what he is actually asking of us. In Mark 8:34 Jesus says, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” James takes up this message as well this morning as he challenges us to put our faith into practice: “Faith by itself, if it has no action, is dead" (James 2:17 ). Only when we fully allow ourselves to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit with us can we truly be faithful to all that Jesus is calling us to be. So perhaps Jesus’ prayer for the deaf man should also be our prayer for our own hearing along with our hearts and mind: “'Ephphatha.' Lord may my heart be open to your call." Pray it with me if you dare and see the good things that God has planned for us. Amen! Till next time … Andrew ReadingsIn our gospel reading today, Jesus lays hands on a deaf man and prays “Ephphatha” ('Be opened’) and immediately the deaf man is healed. The crowds are astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." The irony is that although the deaf man has been healed, many of those in the crowd still fail to hear what Jesus is saying to them. Jesus ordered them to tell no-one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. Do you ever wonder how often it is that Jesus might speak to us and we might fail to hear? Like the crowds in Jesus day, it is so easy for us to get caught up wanting Jesus to do things our way, that we forget to listen to what he is actually asking of us. In Mark 8:34 Jesus says, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” James takes up this message as well this morning as he challenges us to put our faith into practice: “Faith by itself, if it has no action, is dead" (James 2:17 ). Only when we fully allow ourselves to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit with us can we truly be faithful to all that Jesus is calling us to be. So perhaps Jesus’ prayer for the deaf man should also be our prayer for our own hearing along with our hearts and mind: “'Ephphatha.' Lord may my heart be open to your call." Pray it with me if you dare and see the good things that God has planned for us. Amen! Till next time … Andrew Readings |
Rev. Andrew SmithVicar of Light in the Hills |
