Blog Archives

Christmas

25/12/2016

“Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:9-10

With the birth of Jesus, God breaks into our frightened, fearful and fallen world with the words, “Do not be afraid!” This is the message he sends through the Angel to Mary, to Joseph and to the shepherds on that first Christmas so long ago and the message is the same for us today.

   In a week that has seen, amongst other things, a truck driven into a Christmas market in Germany, a car bombing at the offices of the Australian Christian Lobby in Canberra and even plans for a terrorist attack on our own Cathedral here in Melbourne, it may seem that there is much to be afraid of, but the good news is God’s message of love remains the same.   Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.”    Christ the Saviour is born! Celebrate it loudly, proclaim it boldly and have a blessed, safe, wonderful and holy Christmas!

Till next week     Andrew

The fourth Sunday of Advent

18/12/2016

ARCH BISHOP Phillip’s Christmas message 2016

"Think big, embrace Christ’s
inclusive vision"

   A much-loved Christmas hymn proclaims: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king.” In these words, which reflect the Bible’s revelation, God tells us whom he loves: everyone.
It is, as the angel tells the shepherds, news that should bring great joy to all.
That Christmas message of God’s love and generosity stands in stark contrast to one of the great problems of human nature, our tendency to tribalism. As humans, we easily identify with our in-group, whether defined by nation, race, religion or some other source of identity. This is a problem because it excludes others; all those who do not belong to our in-group. We see this in the so-called identity politics that seem to have swept up so many people in recent years.
But God does not make distinctions based on ethnicity or citizenship. He is the Creator of all. And Jesus made the consequences of that explicit in the parable of the Good Samaritan and other teachings. In doing so, he was confronting some of the prejudices of his society, and most other societies.
That refusal to think small, of course, must be the model for those of us who follow Jesus. We seek to emulate, as far as possible, his example.
Today in Australia, as in much of the world, people are looking to simplify the factors that make up who they are. Sadly, all too often, this is done by defining themselves in contrast to other people who may then be rejected as outsiders. The gospel call that Jesus ushers in at Christmas is to reject that small, stunted identity, and to expand it to something larger, something more generous, something more loving. We love because we have received love. We love because God first loved us.
That infant, helpless in the manger on the first Christmas morning, shows the depth and the breadth of God’s love. He lives the life that reveals God’s nature to us and dies the death that provides our redemption and salvation.
God’s love in the Christ child is for “all people". The Christmas story challenges us to adopt that bigger vision, having God’s heart, and showing his love to others, whether part of our “in-group” or not.
The Incarnation, where God takes on human flesh in the person of Jesus, is the living, beating heart of our faith. It is also the heart of this bigger, inclusive, loving identity that God has given to us. God’s action at Christmas was to awaken this truth within us through the birth of his Son.

           Have a blessed and holy Christmas.    + Phillip Freier

The third Sunday of Advent

11/12/2016

TELL OUT MY SOUL!

‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’  MATTHEW 11:3
Sitting in his prison cell I suspect John the Baptist can be forgiven if he is having a little bit of a faith crisis. Are you really the Messiah or have I been mistaken all this time? Jesus answers his disciples, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me. MATTHEW 11:4-6
   In response to John’s doubt Jesus directs him to God’s glory and to the word of God. If you too have been asked if Jesus is the one, the best way to answer is just the same. Answer by proclaiming the glories of God and all that he is doing in your life.
   The unexpectedly expecting Mary gives us a good example of how it is done.
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’

Till next time…..Andrew

The Second Sunday of Advent

4/12/2016

In our Gospel reading for this week John the Baptist begins his ministry of “Preparing the way of the Lord” by issuing the people with a call to repentance. and Godly living.

   ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Matthew 3:2

His call has a sense of urgency because in Jesus the Kingdom of heaven has come near. The Book of Common Prayer collect for the Second Sunday in Advent reminds us of gift of scripture in helping us to live this life of repentance. To repent literally means to turn back to God and knowing the Bible is vital our living the life of faith.

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The collect challenges us not only to read, mark and learn scripture but to inwardly digest it. To digest something is to allow it to be absorbed into our bodies, to nourish us, to become a part of us and to strengthen us. So, if you haven't already ,why not make prayerfully reading your Bible a part of your daily routine and let yourself be enriched by God’s living word.

Till next time…..Andrew