Lectionary for Easter 17 B

Opening sentence. Be glad and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all who are true of heart. Psalm 32:11

Collect. Let us pray (for the faith to recognise God’s presence in our world): God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendour of creation and in the beauty of human life. Touched by your hand our world is holy. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, to share your blessings with our brothers and sisters, and to experience the joy of life in your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading. Ephesians 3:14-21.Paul links his prayer with the reason for his imprisonment. He is under house arrest for his preaching and teaching about Jesus. He has had to defend his prison sentence for “false apostles” have declared that if Paul were really a true apostle then bad things would not happen to him. In a human way it is easy to think that God will protect us from all the hardships of life but that is not the case. It is equally true that disappointments and hard times can make us feel disappointed with God. Our faith calls us to trust God and his faithfulness as we live out our lives in a world filled with both joys and sorrows. As Paul has stated before, it is when we are weak, when we only have God to rely on in the face of hardships and attacks that we are truly strong. Christians everywhere lived in a very turbulent era and that is why Paul revealed that despite all his hardships the mercy of God keeps him strong. He is strong enough to remind his readers that in his mercy God has gathered the Gentiles as well as the Jews into his family through Jesus Christ. It is then that Paul offers this great family prayer.

Paul falls to his knees. This is not simply a pious act but is the traditional way of prayer that revealed his humility before God. Paul is not simply praying with his mind his whole being is bowing down in worship.

The prayer is Trinitarian in its approach to God. The Father is the one who is supreme and over all. As Father it is he who has drawn people into families where they can be loved and cared for. Under God they are now part of his family and it follows that his love and care will sustain them. Paul prays that through the power of the Spirit they will be given an inner strength that will equip them to face life as Christians in all circumstances. Furthermore he prays that their confidence in Christ will grow as they remember Christ’s love for them. Paul does not pray for a static life as a Christian but prays for a life that grows and grows as each believer learns more and more about the true nature of all that Jesus Christ has achieved on their behalf. To go on being filled from the fullness of God is an exciting concept that sweeps away the fears that come when facing hardships.

Then Paul ends with a glorious benediction and it is not hard to picture him lifting up his hands as he contemplates a future for every joyfully believing Christian. As we look back at what he has prayed it is amazing to think that any human being could begin to comprehend how wonderful God’s love is for each one of his children. God’s power is working in each believer and through that power God will accomplish through us much more than we can even imagine. It is no wonder that Paul ends with the sentence, “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen”.

It brings an understanding that Paul’s prayer is a prayer for every future generation until Christ comes in victory.

Prayer. Holy God we thank you for the privilege that comes to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ for through him we are eternally linked to you in a holy family. We thank you for all the blessings that come through your grace to us. Lord we thank you that you love us in ways far beyond our understanding. You hold us when we are weak and guide us as we attempt to accomplish your will. You are always with us in the dark times and rejoice with us as we celebrate. Help us Lord to release ourselves into your care more fully today, recognising that we can be ourselves before you, for you both know us and love us for we are created in your image. We thank you for continuing to work with us as each day we are changed more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ. We ask this through his name alone. Amen

Reading. John 6:1-21. John in his gospel never speaks of miracles but always of signs. The acts of healing and exorcism or as in our reading today of a supernatural feeding are signs that point to who Jesus is and what he is about. In John’s gospel Jesus is still immensely popular with the crowd but soon the tide of popularity will turn and the Pharisees will become increasingly jealous. For now the people follow him gladly because of the excitement Jesus generates.

As we read this account of the feeding of the five thousand we need to remember that this incident in the ministry of Jesus is recorded in each of the gospels. For the Gospel writers in the early church it is held to be of great importance for it highlights Jesus’ Lordship over the common events of life.

John’s record demonstrates the great compassion Jesus had for the ordinary people as their need for food is noticed. The earliest converts to Christianity were not the powerful or the privileged but were the ordinary people who received warm acceptance from Jesus. (1 Corinth 1:26)

The message is clear, Jesus has the power to change life for the better. However in this instant his compassion does not lead him to instant action, rather he looks to his disciples to show the lead and care for the crowd. It is a reminder that soon they will be leading the church for Jesus will no longer be physically with them.

Philip thinks it is beyond them while Andrew is ready to share what resources he has to hand but even he expresses gave doubts.  Jesus uses the seemingly insufficient food that the disciples have and by blessing it provides enough to satisfy the hungry crowd. Though Jesus has provided an abundance still nothing is to be wasted.

The twelve baskets which are gathered after the crowd has been fed are considered by some commentators as provision for the disciples themselves. They were not eating for they would have been busily helping to distribute the food Jesus had blessed.

John describes the crowd as thinking that Jesus is the prophet destined to bring God’s provision for the people. As they would have known the examples from the Jewish scriptures perhaps the crowd remembered the jar of oil that did not fail to provide sustenance to the widow during the ministry life of Elisha. (2Kings 4:2). Jesus knew that their intention was to make him their leader because of the feeding. He avoided their demands and escaped for he had a greater task to accomplish. He was not a leader by popular demand; as always his mission was working and ministering in obedience to God.

John interrupts his recollection at this point and then describes the disciples on their own waiting for Jesus to join them. They set out across the sea to their home in Capernaum leaving Jesus behind. As night falls the disciples are rowing against the wind in a very rough sea. Discipleship can be very hard work. When they see Jesus walking towards the boat they are terrified and unable to comprehend what is happening. Jesus speaks through their fears and assures them that he is in complete control. The moment the disciples invite Jesus into the boat they find that they have arrived safe;y at their destination.

John’s recollection reminds the church that Jesus is Lord and can always provide and protect. At the same time Jesus has only one aim and that is to fulfil the will of God.

John also reminds the church that Jesus calls his disciples to work and to trust in him in every situation. It is through Jesus’ presence that ministry can be accomplished. In all circumstances, Jesus is Lord.

Prayer.  Almighty God, you have called us to be your family on earth and have given us good gifts with which to serve you. Grant us grace to use our gifts wisely and without favour, so that your blessing may touch all whom we serve. By your power may our work and witness be fruitful and faithful in presenting not our own grand schemes but only your good and perfect will. Our Lord Jesus came among us not to be served but to serve, and by your gracious works we have all benefited. Grant that we being enabled to serve may do so with joy, knowing that we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ the Saviour. Help us to look not to our own needs but to the needs of others, not to our own skills but to your creative gifts, so that what we are able to impart in your service may be a true witness to your love and grace. This we ask through Jesus our Lord. Amen

Collect. God our maker, you formed the world and all that is in it, and you desire all people to share its plenty; help us to look for the possibilities you bring, that we may be fed by your justice, for the sake of Christ. Amen.

Opening sentence. The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.                Psalm 24:1

Collect. Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. May we find peace in your service now, and in the world to come, see you face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reading. Ephesians 1:3-14. Until the 19^th century the authorship of this letter was never questioned but in the last two centuries there has been much debate as to authorship. Today the general consensus is that if not Paul, then a very close associate of his has written this encouraging letter. The other debating point is to whom was the letter intended as the earliest manuscripts do not include the mention of Ephesians in the introductory greeting. The letter was written not only for the church at Ephesus but to encourage all the churches in Paul’s missionary circle. As such Ephesians is a letter of great value to any congregation today. The letter opens by reminding every believer how blessed we are by God the Father through the merits of Jesus Christ. As privileged people we should be continually blessing God for all that he has done on our behalf.  Paul’s understanding is that each of us as believers was chosen before the foundation of the world was made. If we choose to ponder that thought for just a moment we begin to see how incredible is God’s love and foresight on our behalf. God provided a pathway through Jesus to be holy and blameless before him. Holy in this sense means that we are set apart for God alone. Furthermore we are set apart as a people of purity fitted for an intimate relationship with Almighty God.

Through Jesus we have become adopted children. Under Roman law an adopted son was equally valued as an inheritor as was a natural born offspring. That is why Paul can write in his letter to the Corinthians that all of God’s promises are “Yes” in Jesus Christ. (2Corinth 1:20). How great are the benefits of God’s blessing through Jesus.

Then in verse 7 Paul reminds us that all our trespasses are forgiven. We need to note the plural as it makes a difference to how we read this promise; God has forgiven our trespasses. From the foundation of the world through Jesus Christ we have been taken from our state of sin, which is due to our carnal nature (our natural nature which was polluted by the fall) and transferred into the kingdom of God with a purity we had not known before. In Christ we are a brand new creation; God has given us the fresh start we needed. (2 Corinth 5:17) However as children of God we do stray away from God and make mistakes. Through God’s graciousness the mistakes we make can be blotted out through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The destiny that God has set for us, to be sharers in the New Creation that God is establishing through Jesus continues to be available. The gift that verifies that promised destiny is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is the Spirit who draws us back when we have strayed and it is the Spirit who keeps Jesus at the forefront of our lives as we live out each day. We live out the obedient life of faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us that the one needful thing is to be constantly praising God for all that he has done on our behalf through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer. How can we be kept from shouting your praise O Lord our God for you have been so good to us, good beyond our wildest imagining and beyond all our deserving. Help us today to meditate on the great blessings that you have poured out on us. Help us to carry with us those thoughts of you that will set our minds at peace and fill our hearts with joy. May we live in the good of your blessing today and every day. Amen                

Lord God, our Saviour and Redeemer, we pray for your church throughout the world, that Christians may respond wholeheartedly to your love by committing themselves to the service of your kingdom, with faith strengthened by a living experience of Christ’s presence. Give to the church the courage and power that is needed to fully and effectively share in the outreach that is Christ’s will for his people. With freedom and courage may we each follow where Christ leads, for the honour of his name. Amen. (Adapted from The Church Missionary Society)

Reading. Mark 6:14-29. Remembering how uplifting and edifying the reading was from Ephesians this section from Mark’s gospel reminds us just how debased human nature can become. The Herod we read of in this portion of scripture is Herod Antipas, one of the sons of Herod the Great. This ruling family was full of intrigue and distrust. Violence amongst its members was not uncommon. One commentator once made the point that it was safer to be Herod the Greats’ dog than one of Herod’s sons. Herod Antipas was a weak and insecure man. He used his power as a tyrant. He was Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea which meant he ruled an area only a quarter the size of his father’s kingdom.

Herod Antipas was married to Phasa’el, the daughter of the king of Nabataea. However he seduced his brother’s wife Herodias who then divorced and they were subsequently married. To marry his brother’s wife while his brother was still alive was a prohibited relationship and as well as that Herodias was also his niece. This action against the law of God was more than John the Baptist could stand. He regularly denounced this behavior regarding Herodias.

Herod’s guilt meant he could not accept the criticism of John. He was never a popular ruler and John’s preaching could have easily stirred up the people against him. Equally virulent was the hatred Herodias had for John and so John was arrested and imprisoned. The sad recounting of John’s beheading shows how weak Herod was but also how guilt can wreck a person’s life.

For the king’s daughter to dance for his guests was in itself a shameful thing and highly questionable but that only hints at the degradation that Herod was prepared to tolerate.

Mark introduces this remembrance of John’s murder by recalling that Herod had heard of all that Jesus was doing. Origen, one of the early church fathers remarked that John and Jesus bore a close resemblance to each other so it is perhaps not surprising that Herod thought that Jesus was John returned from the dead. The account of John’s death with its destructive and immoral themes stands in stark contrast to the wholesome life and peace that Jesus proclaimed.

Herod Antipas was emperor Tiberius protégé. On his death just a few years later, when Caligula became emperor Antipas was banished into exile and we hear no more of him. Mark’s point could hardly have been clearer, without Jesus failure and obscurity but with Jesus, hope, and peace and eternal joy with God.

Prayer. Lord you called ordinary people to serve you and by your gifts and presence they became effective in your name. Fill those who lead us with the power of your gifts, that they may guide the church along godly paths. By your grace keep us on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ the one true head of the church. Keep us all, sound in faith, holy in life and abounding in your gifts and graces. Grant that we may all be one in love and purpose and work most diligently for your honour and glory. Give us sincere motives as we work for you and may we accomplish what you desire of us. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect. God our refuge and strength, you call us to give ourselves to Christ, whether life is long or brief; ground us in your love and anchor us in your grace, that we may find peace and joy in knowing you; this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Opening sentence. God’s grace is sufficient for us; God’s power is made perfect in weakness. If we boast, let us boast in the Lord.   2 Corinthians 12:9; 10:17

Collect. Remove, O Father, the veil from our eyes, and grant us the light of the Spirit; that we may learn to recognise your glory in the humiliation of your Son, and experience in the weakness of our own human nature the surpassing power of his resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading. 2 Corinthians 12:2-10. As we read this passage it is both an exciting revelation and also a humbling challenge. Although Paul does not name himself he is certainly talking about his own personal experience.

Paul is not embarrassed because he has had a vision but because he has to share that vision in order to defend himself before the Corinthians. The Corinthians owed their knowledge of Jesus and his salvation above all through the efforts and sacrifices of Paul and his closest companions. He is embarrassed that they have so quickly moved on from the gospel that he had preached to them, a gospel whose power would have been clear for this gifted group of Christians. They had seen the effects of the gospel through changed lives to say nothing of signs and wonders. However to emphase that Paul does not place himself above them, he reminds them of what he calls a thorn which was a messenger from Satan. We do not know what this impediment was but it seems to have been some physical ailment. The message from Satan was a constant reminder to Paul that he lived in a broken world in which evil still played a part. From Paul’s perspective God did not do it but allowed it, yet with God’s grace he was able to continue his work of ministry. God is always in charge. Paul accepted all that happened and like Job took the view “Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” (Job 2:10). Because of his weakness and the reminder that Satan was not finally vanquished, Paul was even more able to rely on the power of God to accomplish his calling.

Due to the presence of the “super-apostles” who had said that Paul’s misfortunes were due to his lack of godly power Paul is once again defending himself and reminding them that it is what God has achieved that should command their attention. Paul does not care about his trials and misfortunes, what he cares about is that the message of Jesus Christ continues to be proclaimed and that they put their trust in him alone and not in teachers who give out a different message; a message that takes their eyes off the Lord.

It is that message which reaches down to us today. So often we focus on what we do and equally on what we don’t do. Paul is urging us like the Corinthians to understand that due to our brokenness we are only able to achieve godly things through the power and presence of God. Total reliance on Jesus Christ is easy to say but difficult to do. Often the message in our minds is “try harder”. Paul’s message is trust God in all the circumstances of life; in the good times when things seem to be going well, and also in the tough times when even life itself seems to have fallen apart. Remember Paul’s words “When I am weak, then I am strong”! “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices”. Psalm 37:7.

Prayer. Lord God, Great Creator, there is nothing that we can do to help you for you are sovereign and above all. Help us, gracious Lord, to trust you in all circumstances and so to serve you well. Give us the wisdom that hears your voice and then obeys. In your mercy grant that we may keep our faith and trust in you alone and so fulfil the plan and purpose that you have for the whole of our lives. We come to you only in the name of Jesus the Christ, through your forgiving love; we honour and praise your name. Amen

Reading. Mark 6:1-13. Jesus had come back to the place where he had lived for much of his life. It was the place where he had grown up and then worked as a carpenter alongside those to whom he was speaking. Then as now Jesus was always known as “Jesus of Nazareth”. However once he started his ministry he had set up his place of residence in Capernaum. There and in the surrounding region according to Mark Jesus attracted great crowds and enjoyed immense popularity. News of this success must have been known in Nazareth as it was only 40 miles away. Perhaps it was because of this reputation and all that they had heard that he was invited back to teach in the local synagogue.

Mark does not tell us what Jesus taught though Luke tells is that he used the text from Isaiah, “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God;” (Isaiah 61:1f)

It was the great prophecy of God’s voice announcing the year of Jubilee. This was the time when slaves were released, debts were wiped out and lands were returned to their originally allotted owners.(Numbers 26:55)  It was to herald a great time of peace and celebration, with no one in want in the whole of society. It was a key prophecy that continued to give hope to the whole nation. The knowledge and wisdom that he showed as he explained his text seems to have offended them. They could not hear the truth of his message, all they could see and hear was from a man they knew as a carpenter. Here now was a man they had known who now was different from them, perhaps better than them and therefore “they took offence at him”. Their pride and prejudice blocked them from recognizing the change and the truth; there was no acceptance of his teaching. The message of Jesus that had encouraged and changed so many people in Galilee made little impact in his hometown. Though they knew of the healings and miracles they refused to understand who he was and the truth of what he taught. Jesus left his hometown amazed at their lack of faith in God.

Mark records how Jesus left Nazareth where the people had failed to recognise his authority and then recalls that Jesus gave authority to his disciples to go out and minister to people. Unbelief held the people of Nazareth back from the miracles and healings of Jesus and yet Mark immediately records the power of Jesus to give authority to his disciples to teach and heal and exorcise those who believed. Mark is emphasising that the residents of Nazareth had failed to grasp the great opportunity the presence of Jesus gave to them.

Writing as he did a generation after the death of Jesus, Mark’s message is that familiarity with Jesus can sometimes blind us to his power and majesty. The people of his hometown knew of what he had achieved but failed to grasp the truth of his message. It is not enough to know what Jesus has done; the key is to believe in who he is. It is beyond question that Jesus was an historical figure. As Christians we need to do more than understand his humanness, we need also to believe that he was and is the Son of God. Since it was God’s Son who lived and died on our behalf we have a relationship with God as his adopted children. It is that belief which is essential and on that basis we trust in Jesus for salvation.

Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, you laid aside your majesty and became one with us. You lived our life and died our death that we might live eternally as your forgiven people. O Lord, grant that we may never lose the awe and wonder of that magnificent ministry given on our behalf. May our love and gratitude overflow into faithful obedience and service. Grant that our lives by your grace, will continually honour your name, the name which is above all other names. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen

Lord Jesus, you were rich yet for our sakes you became poor, and you have promised in your holy gospel that what-ever is done to the least of your children, you will account it as being done to you. So give us grace we humbly pray, to be ever willing and ready to minister, as you enable us, to the needs of others and to extend the blessing of your kingdom over the whole world; to your praise and glory. You who are God be blessed for ever more.  (From St Augustine)

Collect. Jesus, friend and Lord, we limit you by our notions; help us to go wherever your Spirit leads, knowing that your power alone keeps us on the road of faith now and for ever. Amen.

Opening sentence. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sake he became poor, so that by his poverty we might become rich.          2 Corinthians 8:9

Collect. Almighty God, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge: open our eyes to your presence, and make us more responsive to your call, that we may grow in the wisdom and grace you offer us in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading. 2 Corinthians 8:7-15. At the time that Paul was writing this letter to the Corinthians, the church in Macedonia, (that is Philippi and Thessalonica) was facing two problems, there was a shortage of food and they were also being persecuted by their fellow citizens. Times for them were tough, yet they had given generously to the Christians in Jerusalem who we having a much harder time. Paul was using the example of the Macedonian generosity to encourage the Corinthians to also give a gift in order to help meet the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem. The Corinthians had begun to make a start on this gift under the leadership of Titus but it had not been finalised.

We have noted before that the congregation in Corinth was very wealthy, there were not many of noble birth for the congregation was made up of freed slaves and Roman citizens who had prospered in the lucrative trades and small businesses that flourished in this important port.

By using the Macedonian example Paul was reminding them of their wealth without referring to it directly. It is clear that giving the gift was important to Paul for he knew how dire the conditions were in Jerusalem. However Paul is urging them to give for their own sakes as well. When things are going well it is easy to become complacent about the needs of others and also it is easy to forget that in times of want or plenty, reliance on God is central to being a Christian.

From the New Testament record the congregation in Corinth was the most spiritually gifted church of all Paul’s churches. Thus he is not flattering them when he says they excel in faith, speech and knowledge. Paul is urging them to give, not out of their wealth but out of their love, love for Christ and also love for fellow Christians who where in need. This was so they may excel in their gift of generosity as well. He then goes on to remind them of the generosity of Jesus Christ who laid aside all his wealth and power in order to offer himself as a sacrifice, a sacrifice that changed their lives from death to true life itself. Out of his love for them Paul wants to be able to boast about the generosity of the Corinthians for it would demonstrate how firmly they had accepted the life of faith in Jesus. Under the old law the people of God were required to give to God a tenth of their gross income. It was an obligation they could not avoid. Under Christ the requirement to tithe had been put away, now giving is to be a response of love in gratitude for what God in Jesus Christ had done. Paul expands that principle in the next section of his letter when he says, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”.(2 Corinth 9:7.) Generosity of heart that responds to the needs of others is a sure sign that God’s love and provision has in reality touched not only a believer’s life but also their possessions.

Prayer. Lord you are the great Creator, the Lord over all and yet in mercy you sent your Son to be the Saviour of the world. How can we express our thanks for your inexpressible gift? Grant that we may always remember that all we have and all we are comes from your hand alone. May we not cling on to the things of this life as if they were our own but always be ready to place all we have at your disposal. Grant us the wisdom we need to truly be your servants as we serve those around us. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Lord who have his all for us. Amen

Reading. Mark 5:21-43. Jesus crosses to “the other side” indicating that he has come to Capernaum, which was the place he had made his home. Mark remembers a gathered crowd and also describes some important signs of the coming kingdom, namely healing and the forgiveness of sin, and also God’s power to bring life out of death.

In the large crowd was a woman who was beyond the help of the medical experts. Mark notes that she was not getting better only worse! As well as that her haemorrhage meant that she was ritually unclean and as such was not able to be a participant in any religious ceremonies, or be out in public as her presence could also make others unclean. The woman was in a very vulnerable position and if discovered could have been stoned to death. Nonetheless her faith in Jesus is complete and she took the risk to be out in public in order to receive healing from the one whom she trusted.

As she touched the hem of his clothing she realises her body has been made whole again. Jesus also sensed that an exchange had taken place and despite the crush of the crowd called her out. What she had hoped would be a private exchange now became very public. Confronted with Jesus she tells him of her complaint and thus her breaking of the Law in order to touch him. In response Jesus not only confirms she is healed of her disease but also forgives her and reinstates her back into the community of faith, the woman is again free to take her place in the worship of God. By the grace of God she is restored in body mind and spirit at the touch of Jesus. Her faith has brought her to the place of healing and Jesus commends her for that faith.

While that healing is taking place, Jesus is also preparing to go to another act of grace. Jairus was a leader of the synagogue and as such would have been a prominent man in the community. His need is such that he falls at Jesus feet in humble submission. Unlike the woman whose need was to be healed privately, he states his need openly in public, before everyone.

Jesus goes with him to meet his need but due to the delay caused by the act of healing news comes that Jairus’ daughter has died. At the news, Jesus encourages Jairus to put aside his fear and keep on believing. Now Mark notes that what had begun as a very public request now becomes a private action with only Peter, James and John allowed to company Jairus and Jesus. As the small group approach the house they are met with family and friends expressing deep sorrow. We should not be too cynical about the commotion, then as now the death of a loved one, especially a child causes a profound sense of loss. Mark’s description shows that Jesus sees a different reality than do the mourners. They see only death but Jesus sees the reality of life. The commotion heightens the awareness of death but with the presence of Jesus death is vanquished. When his statement that she is only asleep is met with derision he puts them outside and allows only the parents and his closest disciples to be present with the child. The little girl is drawn back to life at the command of Jesus and she joins her grateful parents. The outstretched hand of Jesus has lifted her back into new life. The restoration of the girl back to life astounds them all but they are commanded to tell no one. This was a family matter and not a spectacle to be pondered over.

For a person to perform a healing was amazing but within the scope of human understanding but calling someone back into life was incomprehensible. In remembering the ministry of Jesus, Mark is reminding his readers that Jesus has the power and authority to heal and forgive and to restore both in life as well as through death. Out of the depths I cry to you: Lord , hear my voice! With the Lord is love unfailing, and great power to redeem. Psalm 130:1, 7

Prayer. Holy Lord, take away the arrogance and the blindness that sees you only as an emergency at the end of the line. Help us to see that as our Father you want always to be with us to heal and to help us. Grant that we will put aside our pride and learn to trust in you alone. You alone are the source of life and from you alone comes life eternal. Grant us the wisdom to see you as you are and to place every day at your disposal that we may draw our strength from you and use your strength to live lives honouring to you. In your love we pray for those that we know who are going through times of hard testing, for those whose faith is stretched to breaking point, for those who face deep sadness every day, for those whose hope is failing and whose future seems bleak. Break through into all our lives Lord with your health and strength; give us confidence to trust until that time when all we face in life has been resolved and we meet Jesus face to face. Amen.

Collect. Jesus, hope of the hopeless, give us abundant confidence in you that we may find comfort at all times, relief from our burdens, and healing where it is your will; until that day when we see you face to face, and know you as you are for ever and ever. Amen.

Opening sentence. If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the old order has gone; a new order has already begun.        2 Corinthians 5:17

Collect. Father, with a generous hand you have sown in our hearts the seed of truth and grace. May we welcome it with humble confidence and cultivate it with gospel patience, knowing well that justice and peace will increase in the world as your word bears fruit in our lives. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, [11-13] 14-17. As we read the letters from Paul we need to keep in mind that they are indeed letters. We look on them as scripture and so they are, but in their original setting they were personal letters written with a particular purpose. Paul’s letters are very long by ancient world standards and would have probably been written over several days or maybe even weeks. In his letters to the church at Corinth Paul wrote first to the congregation trying to strongly guide them. In the second letter that we have he is speaking about himself and his ministry assistance; in many ways he is vigorously defending himself. That is the context for our short passage today. False teachers have rudely ridiculed Paul and in order to protect the integrity of the faith of the Corinthian church Paul writes directly about his own ministry.

The opening statement says that, “we are always confident”; the members at Corinth would have known that Paul had been involved in a riot while in Ephesus and had been forced to leave. Even so, he still remained confident because as Paul says, we walk by faith and not by sight. The riots had been precipitated by Paul’s great success. So many people had turned to Christ that the trade from the temple of Artemis was greatly diminished and at the same time many former Jews had found faith in Jesus as Messiah. Thus while Paul’s work was hindered the message of Jesus continued to change lives. Paul understood that to be with the Lord would see an end to his earthly pain and suffering yet he knew that his calling was to continue to proclaim Christ’s message of salvation. While the call remained so did his confidence for his confidence was in the Lord and not in the results of his work, therefore Paul was working for a future that was still to be fully revealed. The accusation that the false teachers had levelled at Paul was that by worldly standards Paul’s ministry was quite disastrous. It seemed that wherever Paul went disaster followed. He had been beaten with rods, whipped, stoned, arrested and put in prison, the catalogue of so called failures went on and on. (later in the letter he will use these very “disasters” to ridicule his attackers). Despite his hardships Paul continued on for his love of Jesus Christ and for the ultimate success of every believer to become a “new Creation” through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Paul’s letter was written to encourage the believers in Corinth, pointing them back to the essential core of the Christian faith. When we become believers we are drawn into the very body of Christ, and in Christ the future that he has prepared for us is secured. Living for him we know his blessing and his peace no matter what the circumstances are that life presents.

Prayer. Holy Lord you are the one who is always faithful to your people and you answer us when we call to you. In the ups and downs of life your loving presence is our greatest comfort. You know us by name and all our circumstances are known to you; you give us your help in times of trouble and lead us through to the places of peace. With confidence we call out to you for we come in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us by your Spirit to keep faith with all that Jesus has done and so live to honour and praise your name. In his name may we always walk by faith and not by trusting in sight. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Reading. Mark 4:26-34. When I was a small boy I remember a priest telling us that a parable was a story that teaches us a lesson. That usually led to some moral teaching which was probably necessary for small boys. Today we look at parables in a slightly different way in that they were the way that Jesus used to bring home essential spiritual truths.

Our reading today falls into three sections, namely two parables and the emphasis that Jesus placed on the use of parables. The parables are centred on the kingdom of God. As we have seen before in the gospel, the kingdom of God marks a separation from the kingdom of this world. When Jesus spoke about kingdom of God things, evil spirits rose in opposition and Jesus drove them out for evil has no part to play in the kingdom of God; evil is opposed to the kingdom of God.

The farmer scatters seed on the ground but can do nothing to make it grow. Therefore the key to this parable is, “he knows not how”. We can do nothing to form or grow the kingdom of God that is beyond our control. We can be seed scatterers and like the farmer we can live in high expectation that the seed will produce a bountiful harvest. We remember that Jesus lived in an agrarian society and so a grain harvest was indispensable for survival. In the same way the kingdom of God is essential to our survival. Though the seed grows in secret in his second parable Jesus declares how vast will be the kingdom of God. Though it may begin from the smallest of seeds it grows on to become a whole new environment in its own right. In the kingdom there is life with in for the birds symbolise new life that emerges within the kingdom.

Jesus drew his parables from the everyday scenes that his hearers would have been familiar with. They were scenes that they could see and then remember the spiritual points that Jesus was making. Mark also notes that Jesus explained more fully each of his parables to those who were his disciples reminding us that there is always more to explore in these parables of Jesus.

Prayer. Eternal God in whose kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness; and no strength is known but the strength of love. Guide and inspire the labours of those who seek to establish justice, righteousness and peace among the nations. That all people will find their security not in the force of arms, but in the perfect love that casts out all fear; and in the fellowship made known to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Prayer of the Air Training Corps.)

Loving God, through your Son you have called us to repent and believe the good news, and to celebrate the coming of your kingdom. Grant that we like those first disciples may hear Jesus’ call to discipleship. Unite all who honour the name of Jesus and make the church strong in its witness to his grace and forgiving love. May salvation be offered to all in ways that they can hear and respond. Teach us tolerance of all who are different from us. May we be ready to be lead by you and to lead others in the paths of peace and goodness. Give us true consideration for freedom for all and to welcome all who seek to find new life in our Lord Jesus Christ. May we be open to new ways and new possibilities, and courageous enough to proclaim to a waiting world the gospel of new life made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Collect. Jesus, weaver of story, sower of seed; show us the new creation in small beginnings, and teach us to look for the coming of that perfect day, when all things shall be reconciled in you, the bringer of God’s realm of grace now and for ever. Amen.

Lectionary for Sunday 9 B

Opening sentence. It is the God who said: ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.     2 Corinthians 4:6

Collect. Let us pray (that we may commit ourselves in faith to God’s purposes for us): Almighty and ever living God, increase in us your gift of faith: that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before us, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

Reading. 2 Corinthians 4:5-12. This is a great passage on which to meditate for it holds so many things together as a unity.  We hold our treasure in “clay jars”. Even in the ancient world clay jars were expendable. Easy to make and just as easily broken they were never the less a valuable part of daily living for rich and poor alike. Though they were valuable they were still made of clay and not of gold or silver. Thinking of ourselves as clay jars reminds us that we are important and at the same time it keeps us humble. Paul reminds us to have a sober estimation of ourselves. (Romans 12:3). There is no place for arrogance in the Christian faith.

Despite that we do hold a treasure within us for as Christians we are all called into faith by Jesus himself. (John 15:16) The treasure we hold is a treasure which was given to us, we did not earn it or deserve it, it was and is a gift. Indeed it is this treasure that has changed our darkness into light and enlightened us in the way of Jesus Christ.

It is with that gift, that treasure that we are able to stand firm as we face life, maintaining our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The way of Jesus is not the way of the world. Love, care and compassion, acceptance and forgiveness, these things do not always come easily and yet these things are the way of Jesus. Even as we think of these ideas we hold the tension that it is not us we are promoting, it is Jesus Christ. We serve others for the sake of Jesus and also in his name. The idea of a passive, private faith has little credence in a biblical understanding of what it is to be a Christian. The way of the world is to assert one’s self, the way of the Christian is to assert Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

During his ministry Paul was often criticised for always being in trouble and unsuccessful. This was because he was uncompromising about placing Jesus and his salvation first above all else. Paul never compromised with the world and he suffered for that stand.  It is this which is another tension in this passage for following Jesus can put us at odds with the world. But the joy of knowing the love of God through Jesus brings us true life not simply now but also in the life to come.

Prayer. Lord, as the morning begins we come to you with thanks and praise, grant us your mercy as we begin the day and may our way be guided by you. As we go may we see your world as the creation that you love. In all the people that we meet may we see your image and as fellow travellers on life’s journey. Teach us to be patient, understanding, gentle, wise; help us to be ready to grasp their point of view rather than trying to assert our own. You understand all, we know only fragments so in humility may we always look to you for guidance and grace in all our relationships. May all we do uphold the truth of your majesty and power, let your light in us shine, and may your name be honoured. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Reading. Mark 2:23-3:6. For a farmer it is common practise when harvest approaches and the grain began to ripen in the head to pick a head, rub it between your hands, blow off the chaff, examine the grain and then eat it. It has been that way since grain was cultivated. Reaping, threshing, winnowing and eating in one composite action, It was a common practise in Jesus’ time as well and even permitted under the law. (Deuteronomy 23:25) The complaint from the Pharisees was not about breaking the law by plucking the head of grain but that this action was taking place on the Sabbath. Keeping the Sabbath in Judaism was extremely important and the Pharisees had placed it before everything else. Jesus reminded them of the incident when David and his men, being in need of food were given consecrated bread from the altar which was breaking the law. Then Jesus made the statement that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not the other way round. So Jesus is making the point that even the laws about Sabbath keeping could be relaxed when a human need arose. Mark is clarifying this relaxing of Sabbath law by reminding his readers that it is Jesus and his will and way which determines if and when  the laws can be relaxed. The Sabbath keeping is important but obeying Jesus is more important.

It was this sentiment that flows on into the second section of our passage for today. Jesus is in the synagogue and in the congregation is a man with a paralysed hand. Mark does not tell us anything about this man but William Barclay writes that in an acient text this man is named as a stone mason who appealed to Jesus to be healed so that he could continue to work and support his family. We do not know if this is a true fact but it does remind us that here was a man who had a life to live and in the ancient world to have only one good arm would have been a severe impediment. Having the use of only one arm would change his life not only economically but also socially.

Mark also reminds us that the Pharisees are watching Jesus very closely. It seems that they knew he had the power to heal, the question they were asking was would Jesus heal on the Sabbath. Undaunted Jesus calls the man up into full view and it is then that he challenges the Pharisees with the moral question, “Is it lawful to do good or harm on the Sabbath?” In the story their silence is profound for it reminds us that they had no answer to Jesus’ question. It is not often that the gospels attribute anger to Jesus but here his anger comes from their lack of human compassion. Jesus on the other hand did indeed have compassion on the man and restored him fully. In the face of his power and compassion Jesus’ accusers have no response to make and they leave the synagogue. Mark’s recollection is that at this point the Pharisees conspire with the Herodians, their natural enemies, to destroy him. Their lack of compassion for people has crystallised into hatred of Jesus and love that he showed.

The poet William Blake once wrote that, “Wherever mercy, love and pity dwell, there God is dwelling too!” as we reflect on this passage for today let us remember that Jesus is Lord and we are called to serve him, not to judge each other.

Prayer. Almighty God, you are the great Creator and all things come directly from your hand. In your love you sent Jesus to live among us to show in every way how deep is your love for humankind. In your mercy grant that we who call Jesus Lord, may love as you have loved and serve as you have served us. Grant us wisdom in this modern world to respond with Christian grace to the needs and opportunities that come upon us. In all we do may the name of Jesus be honoured. In a world filled with discord and estrangement we pray for the time to come when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord and the peace which passes all understanding will pervade every living thing. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Collect. God of almighty love, your Son was angered by the hardness of human hearts; give us the compassion we need, that your power may be known in works of kindness and justice; in the name of Christ. Amen.