A short service and reflection for Trinity 16

You may wish to light a candle before you begin.

May the grace, mercy and love of God be with us all. Amen.

Collect 

Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives' end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession

Let us confess our sins to the Lord of creation, knowing that he will hear us and meet us with his love.

Forgive us, Lord, when we are slow to learn of your love. 

Lord, have mercy: Lord, have mercy.

Forgive us, Lord, when we are neglectful of our neighbour’s need. 

Christ, have mercy: Christ, have mercy.

Forgive us, Lord, when we evade our responsibilities toward your creation.

Lord, have mercy: Lord, have mercy.

God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we choose the light, and come to our Lord repenting, he will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May we have peace in Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

God’s Word - Philippians, chapter 2, verses 1 to 13 :-

If our common life in Christ yields anything to stir the heart, any consolation of love, any participation in the Spirit, any warmth of affection or compassion, fill up my cup of happiness by thinking and feeling alike, with the same love for one another and a common attitude of mind. Leave no room for selfish ambition and vanity, but humbly reckon others better than yourselves. Look to each other’s interests and not merely to your own.

Take to heart among yourselves what you find in Christ Jesus: ‘He was in the form of God; yet he laid no claim to equality with God, but made himself nothing, assuming the form of a slave. Bearing the human likeness, sharing the human lot, he humbled himself, and was obedient, even to the point of death, death on a cross! Therefore God raised him to the heights and bestowed on him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—in heaven, on earth, and in the depths - and every tongue acclaim, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” to the glory of God the Father.’ 

So you too, my friends, must be obedient, as always; even more, now that I am absent, than when I was with you. You must work out your own salvation in fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you, inspiring both the will and the deed, for his own chosen purpose.

    Matthew, chapter 21,  verses 23 to 32 :-

Jesus entered the temple, and, as he was teaching, the chief priests and elders of the nation came up to him and asked: ‘By what authority are you acting like this? Who gave you this authority?’ Jesus replied, ‘I also have a question for you. If you answer it, I will tell you by what authority I act. The baptism of John: was it from God, or from men?’ This set them arguing among themselves: ‘If we say, “From God,” he will say, “Then why did you not believe him?” But if we say, “From men,” we are afraid of the people’s reaction, for they all take John for a prophet.’  So they answered, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said: ‘Then I will not tell you either by what authority I act. 

‘But what do you think about this? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first, and said, “My son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “I will, sir,” the boy replied; but he did not go. The father came to the second and said the same. “I will not,” he replied; but afterwards he changed his mind and went. Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The second,’ they replied. Then Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you: tax-collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For when John came to show you the right way to live, you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and prostitutes did; and even when you had seen that, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Thanks be to God, for this his holy word. Amen.

Reflection on the Readings

Last Monday the clergy chapter went for a walk, from Worthen church to Westbury. It was a fabulous day for walking, and the views from up above the Rea Valley are excellent. Monday was St Matthew’s Day, and in our short service before we set out I read the Gospel for the day, how Matthew the tax collector was called by Jesus and followed him, and how as other tax collectors and similar low life joined Jesus and his friends for a meal at Matthew’s house, the Pharisees and their allies grumbled.

Later as we walked, one of my colleagues said to me, “It’s strange how before I became an Anglican I could lead worship without ever needing to look in a book, but these days I always need to look at the words to make sure I get everything right.” I tactlessly said that might have more to do with age than denomination, but thinking it over I suppose we are, us Anglicans, very liturgical. We like things to be right, and our faith is actually regulated and defined by what is written in our Prayer Book.

In our first reading today, Paul quotes from a bit of very early liturgy, in the words that begin, “Christ Jesus was in the form of God, but did not grasp at equality with God.” The song of the servant, as some call it, is one of the most ancient hymns of the Church, and Paul’s readers probably already knew it well. Paul quotes it there to make clear to them that liturgy isn’t just there to be said or sung, it must also be lived, it has to become part of us. He quotes the song in his letter as part of his encouragement to the Philippians to live lovingly and harmoniously together, in a way that shows the world the humble and obedient love of Christ.

And in our Gospel reading, Jesus, having tied the Pharisees in knots in much the same way as a really good political interviewer will with the kind of self-important lightweights who these days seem to pass for politicians, goes on to tell them a story, the parable, so-called, of the two sons.

It isn’t what we say we’ll do that matters; it’s what we actually do. Promises are not enough. One lad promised to work in the vineyard, but didn’t do it. The second angered and disappointed his father by refusing to work, but then had a change of heart and worked after all. So which one got it right? Which one delivered the goods? The answer is obvious, but Jesus still insists that the Pharisees say it.

As a tax collector, Matthew had betrayed his faith and collaborated with the Romans. He wasn’t living a good and holy life like the Pharisees were - they knew all the words and made sure they said them where people could see and hear them. But - says Jesus to them in essence - you’re all promises and no delivery. Fine words are ten a penny, even the fine words we offer to God. What matters is what we deliver on. What matters is that when people look at us, they can begin to see Jesus.

Statement of faith - 

We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 

We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. 

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. 

We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers - 

Pray for the world, and especially today that we may value and conserve the many environments that are being degraded and put at risk by our thoughtless and greedy exploitation. May we take seriously the warning signs around us, and act now for the sake of our children and their children, and the myriad irreplaceable life forms with which we share this planet. Pray too that as we respond to the present pandemic, we may share the fruits of our research and development, and support those most in need.  

Pray that the Church may be true in spirit and in practice to the example and call of Jesus, and may act responsibly in its use of resources. Pray for Christians in the Sudan, and for the Anglican Province of the Sudan. In our own Diocese, pray for Bishop Richard, and for our churches as they plan and prepare for harvest. Pray also for those due to be ordained this weekend as deacons and priests.

Pray for all who are ill, troubled or hurt today, and that they may receive the attention and care they need, and know God’s healing touch. Pray that all who care for others are protected themselves and kept safe. Pray today for all who suffer from the auto-immune condition lupus, particularly at this time of greater risk. Pray too for all infected with the Covid virus.

Pray for families and friends, and today especially for the farms and farmers of our communities. Pray we may continue to act with responsibility and care, looking out for each other, and keeping safe ourselves.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

Blessing - 

May the Lord bless us and watch over us; may his face shine upon us, may he be gracious to us; may the Lord look kindly on us, and give us his peace.   Amen.

A short service and reflection for Trinity 15

You may wish to light a candle before you begin.

May the grace, mercy and love of God be with us all. Amen.

Collect 

Lord God, defend your Church from all false teaching, and give to your people knowledge of your truth, that we may enjoy eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession

let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, firmly resolved to keep God’s commandments, and to live in love and peace with all.

When we are led astray from your teachings, Lord, have mercy:

Lord, have mercy.

When we close our ears and minds to your call, Christ, have mercy:

Christ, have mercy.

When we fail to be generous with your gifts to us, Lord, have mercy:

Lord, have mercy.

May the Lord have mercy on us and  bless us; may we be freed from our sin and brought into eternal life and peace, through Jesus our Saviour.  Amen.

God’s Word - Philippians, chapter 1, verses 21 to the end :-

(Paul is writing these words from prison in Ephesus, with his life in danger)

To me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I am to go on living in the body there is fruitful work for me to do. Which then am I to choose? I cannot tell. I am pulled two ways: my own desire is to depart and be with Christ - that is better by far; but for your sake the greater need is for me to remain in the body. This convinces me: I am sure I shall remain, and stand by you all to ensure your progress and joy in the faith, so that on my account you may have even more cause for pride in Christ Jesus - through seeing me restored to you.

Whatever happens, let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether or not I come and see you for myself I may hear that you are standing firm, united in spirit and in mind, side by side in the struggle to advance the gospel faith, meeting your opponents without so much as a tremor. This is a sure sign to them that destruction is in store for them and salvation for you, a sign from God himself; for you have been granted the privilege not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for him. Your conflict is the same as mine; once you saw me in it, and now you hear I am in it still.

    Matthew, chapter 20,  verses 1 to 16 :-

(A parable of Jesus)

‘The kingdom of Heaven is like this. There was once a landowner who went out early one morning to hire labourers for his vineyard; and after agreeing to pay them the usual day’s wage he sent them off to work. Three hours later he went out again and saw some more men standing idle in the market-place. “Go and join the others in the vineyard,” he said, “and I will pay you a fair wage”; so off they went. At midday he went out again, and at three in the afternoon, and made the same arrangement as before. 

‘An hour before sunset he went out and found another group standing there; so he said to them, “Why are you standing here all day doing nothing?” “Because no one has hired us,” they replied; so he told them, “Go and join the others in the vineyard.” 

‘When evening fell, the owner of the vineyard said to the overseer, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with those who came last and ending with the first.” Those who had started work an hour before sunset came forward, and were paid the full day’s wage. When it was the turn of the men who had come first, they expected something extra, but were paid the same as the others. As they took it, they grumbled at their employer: “These latecomers did only one hour’s work, yet you have treated them on a level with us, who have sweated the whole day long in the blazing sun!” 

‘The owner turned to one of them and said, “My friend, I am not being unfair to you. You agreed on the usual wage for the day, did you not? Take your pay and go home. I choose to give the last man the same as you. Surely I am free to do what I like with my own money? Why be jealous because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first last.’

Thanks be to God, for this his holy word. Amen.

Reflection on the Readings

Jesus was obviously a careful student of human nature, and that comes across in the stories he tells. Take today’s story, for example, whose setting is the traditional hiring fair, where would be workers are gathered in the market place waiting for someone to take them on and give them a day’s work.

I know how it feels to be the last chosen. Miles and I were the two most useless footballers in our year group at school. So we were always stood there waiting, while the day’s team captains picked everyone else before they got to us.

It was like that for some of the folk in the market place that day. Maybe they looked weedier than the others. Maybe they just hadn’t caught anyone’s eye. But they all had the same needs; without money what would you eat? What would you put on the table for your wife and bairns? As the day wore on the sense of desperation would increase. I can hear the helplessness and the hopelessness too in the voices of the men who reply “Because no-one has hired us!” to the landowner when he asks why they are still standing there. 

Anyway, in the end they’re all hired, albeit at different times through the day, so some have done a whole day’s slog, and some not very much. And it’s those ones, the last to go out there, who get paid first. I can imagine the delight on the faces of the guys who’ve been out there all day, when they see these latecomers being paid so much. Wonder how much we’ll get, they think. Just the same. 

How crushingly disappointing. And yet what they had was fair. But it’s human nature to want more than the person you think was worked less well, or in this case has worked for fewer hours. That’s how we think, but it isn’t how God thinks. And the landowner in the story, like God, has paid out according to need, not according to the amount of work done. All of them started the day with the same need - let’s say the need to put food on the table for the wife and kids. It’s a hard lesson, but an important one to learn, for the Christian disciple.

For this is what it means to live by faith, rather than by works. It isn’t how much we do, or how well we do it, or how long we’ve been doing it for, that counts. The late comer to the Christian fold is just as much a chosen and beloved lamb in God’s flock as the one who’s been there all along.

Ours is a missionary faith. God sends us to share our faith with others. And those who respond, and come in, and join us, whatever and wherever they come from, do not come as junior or less important sorts of church members but as church members on a par with ourselves - just as much chosen and called, just as much loved. And just as graciously provided for by our heavenly Father.

Statement of faith 

We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers 

Pray for the world, and especially today for all homeless people and refugees, often in very poor and dangerous situations, and very at risk from the Covid virus among other dangers. Pray for all in places of political power, that they may recognise the responsibilities they have, and work for peace, understanding, welfare and justice. Pray also for the world’s response to the present pandemic, and that we may help and support each other.  

Pray for the Church as it challenges the way in which the world sees things and does things; for a church that speaks for the voiceless and gives hope and succor to those in need. Pray for Christians in South Sudan, and for the Anglican Province of South Sudan. In our own Diocese, pray for Bishop Richard, and for all churches holding gift days today or planning them in the coming weeks. Pray also for those due to be ordained at this time as deacons and priests.

Pray for all who are ill, troubled or hurt today, and for all that is done to bring help and healing to those in need. Pray that all who care for others may do so safely, with support and protection. Pray all who suffer from sight loss and those who care for them, and for all infected with the Covid virus.

Pray for families and friends, and for our deanery at a time of change and transition. Pray especially for our work with children and families. Pray we may continue to act with responsibility and care, looking out for each other, and keeping safe ourselves.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

Blessing 

May Christ the Good Shepherd lead us and guide us, and may we be enabled to share his love with all those around us;  and may the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with us always.   Amen.

A short service and reflection for Trinity 14

You may wish to light a candle before you begin.

May the grace, mercy and love of God be with us all. Amen.

Collect 

Merciful God, your Son came to save us and bore our sins on the cross: may we trust in your mercy and know your love, rejoicing in the righteousness that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession

We come to the cross on which our Lord died to free us from our sins, to make our confession and to seek his mercy and grace.

When our selfishness betrays you, Lord, have mercy:

Lord, have mercy.

When we turn from your cross and refuse to follow, Christ, have mercy:

Christ, have mercy.

When we are afraid to be known as yours, Lord, have mercy:

Lord, have mercy.

Through the cross of Christ, may God have mercy on us; may we know we are forgiven and be at peace. May he strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal, through Jesus our Saviour.  Amen.

God’s Word - Romans, chapter 14, verses 1 to 12 :-

Accept anyone who is weak in faith without debate about his misgivings. For instance, one person may have faith strong enough to eat all kinds of food, while another who is weaker eats only vegetables. Those who eat meat must not look down on those who do not, and those who do not eat meat must not pass judgement on those who do; for God has accepted them. Who are you to pass judgement on someone else’s servant? Whether he stands or falls is his own Master’s business; and stand he will, because his Master has power to enable him to stand. 

Again, some make a distinction between this day and that; others regard all days alike. Everyone must act on his own convictions. Those who honour the day honour the Lord, and those who eat meat also honour the Lord, since when they eat they give thanks to God; and those who abstain have the Lord in mind when abstaining, since they too give thanks to God.

For none of us lives, and equally none of us dies, for himself alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. This is why Christ died and lived again, to establish his lordship over both dead and living. You, then, why do you pass judgement on your fellow Christian? And you, why do you look down on your fellow Christian? We shall all stand before God’s tribunal; for we read in scripture, ‘As I live, says the Lord, to me every knee shall bow and every tongue acknowledge God.’ So, you see, each of us will be answerable to God.

    Matthew, chapter 18,  verses 21 to 35 :-

Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how often am I to forgive my brother if he goes on wronging me? As many as seven times?’ Jesus replied, ‘I do not say seven times but seventy times seven. The kingdom of Heaven, therefore, should be thought of in this way: There was once a king who decided to settle accounts with the men who served him. At the outset there appeared before him a man who owed ten thousand talents. Since he had no means of paying, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and everything he had, to meet the debt. The man fell at his master’s feet. “Be patient with me,” he implored, “and I will pay you in full”; and the master was so moved with pity that he let the man go and cancelled the debt. But no sooner had the man gone out than he met a fellow-servant who owed him a hundred denarii; he took hold of him, seizing him by the throat, and said, “Pay me what you owe.” The man fell at his fellow-servant’s feet, and begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you”; but he refused, and had him thrown into jail until he should pay the debt. The other servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and told him the whole story. Then he sent for the man and said, “You scoundrel! I cancelled the whole of your debt when you appealed to me; ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-servant just as I showed mercy to you?” And so angry was the master that he condemned the man to be tortured until he should pay the debt in full. That is how my heavenly Father will deal with you, unless you each forgive your brother from your hearts.’

Thanks be to God, for this his holy word. Amen.

Reflection on the Readings

The first thing to say about the story Jesus told in our reading today is that there’s no comparison between the debt cancelled by the king, and the debt owed to the servant, which he refuses to cancel or even delay. What the servant had owed was so enormous as to be ludicrous, in modern day money he owed millions. There’s no way he could ever have repaid it. Whereas he himself was owed about a fiver or so, an amount that certainly could have been repaid, given a little time and patience.

So the servant’s treatment of his fellow servant is even more reprehensible than you might initially think. Jesus tells the story in response to Peter’s question about how often we should forgive someone who’s wronging us. “Is seven times enough?” he asks. And Jesus replies, “Not seven, bur seventy times seven,” by which he means a number high enough for you to have lost count. Put most simply, we must always forgive, because we have been forgiven so much.

In other words, we can’t and mustn’t separate the way we have been treated by God from the way in which we choose to treat one another. In our day to day life, in our work, in our friendships, within our families, we should be doing our level best to show to others the same mercy we have received. That’s what is meant by living thankful lives; our patient and merciful treatment of others is in every case a thank offering to the God whose loving and merciful nature we have seen in Jesus.

Does that make Christians a soft touch? Are we there to be exploited? I don’t think so. There’s no doubt that we are called to stand firm against oppression, to work against whatever forces treat us badly, to have no truck with what is unfair and unjust. Though in every case with a focus that is on our neighbour’s needs and rights and not just on what suits us or might annoy or offend us.

And at the heart of that, as Paul makes clear in our first reading, is a tolerance that protects the rights of others to believe different things from ourselves, and that makes space for them to do so. Meat eaters shouldn’t look down on vegetarians, for example. This isn’t the same meat versus veg argument we see today. Meat sold at the market then might have been offered to pagan gods in the temples before going on sale, so some Christians felt it would be wrong to eat it. The point is, though, that different likes, dislikes, observances, customs - that’s exterior stuff. It’s not important - it’s what we feel on the inside that matters, where our heart is.

And God alone is the judge of that. It’s not ours to judge or criticise.  He has treated us with a mercy that is beyond measurement or words, and the sign of that is the cross.  “Forgive as you have been forgiven” is our watchword, and the greatest of all commandments is, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” 

Statement of faith 

We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers 

Pray for the world: for all who give of their time and talents to help others, and for all that can build bridges of peace  where communities are divided or at odds. Pray for  political leaders, that they may have a real concern for a justice that is accessible to those who are poorest and most vulnerable, and that works against the exploitation of one person or group by others, and for a fairer and more equitable world.  Continue to pray for our response to Covid, and for the search for a safe and effective vaccine.  

Pray for the Church everywhere to be a place of welcome and compassion, and for unity among Christians under the cross of Christ. Pray for Christians in South America, and especially for the Anglican Province of South America. In our own Diocese, pray for Bishop Richard, and for our church buildings, for their protection, conservation and use, and for all who visit them.

Pray for all who are ill, troubled or in need: today, and for all that is done to help and heal them. Pray too that all who care for them may be able to do so safely, with support and protection. Pray for those infected with Covid 19, and for a swift, effective and proportionate response to new outbreaks.

Pray for families and friends, and the life of our communities. Give thanks for the beauty of the land around us, and pray for all who work in tourism and hospitality at this testing time. Pray we may continue to act with responsibility and care, looking out for each other, and keeping safe ourselves.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

Blessing 

May Christ crucified draw us to himself, to find in him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven;  and may the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with us always.   Amen.

A short service and reflection for Trinity 13

You may wish to light a candle before you begin.

May the grace, mercy and love of God be with us all. Amen.

Collect 

Almighty God, you search us and know us: may we rely on you in strength and rest on you in weakness, now and in all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession

Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, trusting in God’s mercy and love.

Heavenly Father, we ask your forgiveness for the sins by which we have displeased you: for the wrong things we have done, and for the good we have failed to do. May we be cleansed from our sins and made ready to do your will; we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

May almighty God cleanse and deliver us from all our sin, and may he restore in us the image of his glory, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

God’s Word - Romans, chapter 13, verses 8 to the end :-

Leave no debt outstanding, but remember the debt of love you owe one another. He who loves his neighbour has met every requirement of the law.  The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not commit murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,’ and any other commandment there may be, are all summed up in the one rule, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Love cannot wrong a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.

Always remember that this is the hour of crisis: it is high time for you to wake out of sleep, for deliverance is nearer to us now than it was when first we believed. It is far on in the night; day is near. Let us therefore throw off the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. 

Let us behave with decency as befits the day: no drunken orgies, no debauchery or vice, no quarrels or jealousies! Let Christ Jesus himself be the armour that you wear; give your unspiritual nature no opportunity to satisfy its desires.

        Matthew, chapter 18,  verses 15 to 20 :-

Jesus said, ‘If your brother does wrong, go and take the matter up with him, strictly between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others with you, so that every case may be settled on the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, report the matter to the congregation; and if he will not listen even to the congregation, then treat him as you would a pagan or a tax-collector.

 'Truly I tell you: whatever you forbid on earth shall be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth shall be allowed in heaven. And again I tell you: if two of you agree on earth about any request you have to make, that request will be granted by my heavenly Father. For where two or three meet together in my name, I am there among them.’

Thanks be to God, for this his holy word. Amen.

Reflection on the Readings

Nothing in our church life is truly holy until and unless we get the basics of living together right. There is a saying that a person can be “so heavenly minded that they’re of no earthly use”. But to be serious about religion and faith should never be any kind of escape from the realities of ordinary life. Your spiritual beliefs have to be worked out in the everyday business of living together. 

More seriously, it’s no use looking good as a religious organisation if it’s just a facade. That’s exactly what Jesus attacked some of the Pharisees for when he called them “whited sepulchres” - in other words, they were like the burial places that were constantly whitewashed and kept clean on the outside, while inside of course was corruption and decay.

Many organisations and institutions have been accused of burying the bad stuff and indulging in cover-ups, so as to protect their good name and reputation. And sadly the Church has been among them, in the past at least. There are still stories of abuse, neglect and malpractice that remain hidden, though over the last year each local church has been asked to research and report any historic instances where people have acted badly or indeed failed to act when they should have.

Both our readings today are about living together well within the Christian community. And it’s clear that our mission and ministry in the world has to rest on a sure foundation of ministry to one another within the Church. We have to start here as we mean to go on out there. And if we don’t, what we do out there it won’t work.

This requires more of us than simply being politely nice to one another. “Leave no debt outstanding,” writes Paul. While Jesus instructs his disciples in a progressive response to a situation of disagreement or transgression. So where things go wrong, we shouldn’t just paper over the cracks or try to live with it, it does need to be sorted out. Sadly, in what Jesus says, it’s clear that if it can’t be sorted out, then someone has to go - or be excluded. 

That really would be a very last resort, only after every other attempt to sort things has failed. But better that than a toxic environment, and I’ve known one or two in churches - one, for example, where two dynastic families at odds used the church as a battleground; another where the life of a churchwarden was made a misery by another lady within the church who was clearly consumed by jealousy.

Having said that one should leave no debt outstanding (and I take that to mean both any debt you owe and also any debt owed to you), Paul goes quickly on to say “and remember the debt of love you owe.” So the practicalities of Christian living together aren’t just to do with getting things sorted out, and not letting stuff fester, not letting disagreements turn into feuds - the method of doing all this has to be based in love. “Love your neighbour as yourself” quotes Paul to the Romans. And in another letter John reminds us that a Christian “cannot claim to love God, whom he has never seen, if he fails to love his brother, whom he sees every day.”

“How am I going to love someone I don’t like?” is a question I’ve been asked more than once. It’s all very well to talk about hating the sin, but loving the sinner - but how do you do that in practice? Asked the same question, C.S. Lewis advised that we should do our best to act as though we loved the other person. He reported his own experience - that it had changed him and helped him to understand why the other person had been acting in ways he was finding difficult.

We think of love as something that just happens - or perhaps doesn’t; but our one word translates several different words in New Testament Greek, and therefore also several different understandings of what love is. And love in this sense is an act of will, a deliberate choice, a decision to act in a certain way - a duty, even. It requires us to seek to understand the other person, it disciplines us to desire the best for them, and it requires of us both generosity and honesty. It doesn’t mean covering anything up, or accepting or tolerating bad behaviour, or acting weakly or not at all. But put at its simplest, it means dealing with each other as God deals with us. If we get that right, we’ll be building his kingdom right where we are.

Statement of faith 

We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers 

Pray for the world: for all who are working to bring help to those in need, and relief to those who are burdened and oppressed, and that those in places of power may exercise the authority they have with compassion and concern, and with peaceful intent.  Continue to pray for the international response to Covid-19, and for co-operation in the search for a safe and effective vaccine.  

Pray for the Church worldwide to be united in mission and service, and to overcome the barriers that we raise between us by choosing to be like Christ in our humility and openness and love. Pray for Christians in southern Africa, and especially for the Anglican Province of Southern Africa, in South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Eswatini and St Helena. In our own Diocese, pray for Bishop Richard, and for the churches and communities of the Hereford Deanery.

Pray for all who are ill, troubled or in need: may they find healing and peace, and may those who care for them do so safely. Pray for those infected with Covid 19, and for a swift and effective response to new outbreaks.

Pray for families and friends, and the life of our communities. Pray for our local schools and colleges in the first full week of the new school year.  Pray for the interviews this week for a new incumbent for Pontesbury and Stiperstones. Pray we may continue to act with responsibility and care, looking out for each other, and keeping safe ourselves.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

Blessing 

May God keep us faithful to his word, and ready to share his love; and may the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with us always.   Amen.