The Church is known by many names. It is the Body of Christ, the People of God, a community of saints. These are rich and beautiful images. But beneath all of them lies a simple twofold calling: to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus addresses this theme up … [Read more…]
St Leonard’s Patronal Festival St Leonard was a 6th‑century hermit from the Limousin region of France. He was a nobleman, born into wealth but he walked away from privilege to follow Christ. He became known for his compassion toward prisoners. Tradition says Leonard was granted the privilege of visiting prisons and advocating the release of … [Read more…]
A Parable of Pride and Finding Saintliness in the Messy Miracle of Mutual Mercy I don’t know if it happened this way, but I know this story is true. There was once a merchant called Thomas Pilgrim who sold lanterns. His stall stood by the old coaching road, not far from Bunyan’s Downs, where people … [Read more…]
Jeremiah 23.25-29 ‘I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name,’ [says the Lord. ‘They say,] ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? They plan to make my … [Read more…]
Paul and Silas standing up against slavery. One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, ‘These men are slaves of the Most … [Read more…]
Jesus and Worldly Wealth: What do you need for a fulfilling life? Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy … [Read more…]
When was it? It was Christmas Eve, I can tell you that much. But as to the year? Well, it was before the war agin the Nazis and long before nationalisation, but that doesn’t really help, does it? It were uncommon harsh, with more snow than I can ever remember before or since, save perhaps … [Read more…]
Some weeks ago, I chose for our Bible study last week Mark 10. 12-16. Did I do so with some dreadful yet unknown prescience, I wonder? Because verse 14 in the traditional language of the King James version says: ‘But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, “Suffer the little children … [Read more…]
On Remembrance Why is Remembrance important? The hundredth anniversary of the ending of the First World War is now ancient history. For heaven’s sake, it was before the pandemic! Do we still need to remember? The danger of forgetting. It’s a few years now since the last combatant from that conflict passed away. Why do … [Read more…]