Caherdaniel, near the Blind Piper
SATURDAY 30th March 2024 10:00
Proceeds to go to Relief Funds (Gaza) and for essential repairs in our church.
All welcome, as are gifts of bric-a-brac and any unwanted gifts.
The Anglican Church of Ireland has produced an excellent example of the way in which St Patrick’s life embodies the Five marks of Mission – a real cause for celebration and a model for us to follow (And by the way, St. Patrick’s flag colour is blue, not green.)
TELL – proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.
TEACH – teach, baptise and nurture new believers.
TEND – respond to human need by loving service.
TRANSFORM – transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation.
TREASURE – strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of earth
Intercessions inspired by St Patrick’s life.
TELL – ST PATRICK CAME TO IRELAND TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
Thank you Father for sending your Son to die on the cross in our place, so that we can draw near to him. In the cross you have revealed to us your unfathomable love, mercy and forgiveness. Help us to follow the obedience of your Son by taking up our cross, so we may become ambassadors of your sacrificial and reconciling love in the world, in Jesus’ name.
God of Mission, hear our prayers.
TEACH – ST PATRICK TAUGHT THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND ABOUT THE GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. Thank you for those who faithfully teach others about you in churches, theological colleges and communities across the world today. We pray for those teaching in challenging circumstances – places where there is conflict, hunger or persecution. We ask you for safety for Bible teachers and those who want to learn.
God of Mission, hear our prayers.
TEND – ST PATRICK LEFT HIS FAMILY AND COUNTRY TO FOLLOW GOD’S CALL TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND. Lord Jesus, help us not to see things through economic lenses, but the way you do. We are amazed at the price you paid and how valuable that makes us. Give us your heart for people and to value everyone you put across our path. May we find ways to serve others in our daily lives;
God of Mission, hear our prayers.
TRANSFORM – ST PATRICK WAS CAPTURED AND TRAFFICKED TO IRELAND AS A SLAVE. Almighty God, please give us opportunities to challenge ourselves about the issue of human trafficking and modern day slavery. Move us to act for those who are victims of this dreadful crime. Prompt us to make changes, and speak up, where we need to so that the way we live doesn’t harm other people. Let our hearts be stirred about this issue.
God of Mission, hear our prayers.
TREASURE – ST PATRICK WAS A SHEPHERD AND TAUGHT PEOPLE ABOUT GOD USING NATURE – TRADITION TELLS US THAT HE USED THE TINY SHAMROCK TO TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT THE TRINITY. Creator God, thank you for the beauty of the earth you created. Thank you that many nations including our own have recognised their responsibility towards climate change. We recognise that it is often the poorest of our world that suffer most from the effects of climate change. We pray that our government will urgently implement policies to reduce emissions and help people adapt to the problem. We ask you to help us find ways to live more sustainable lives.
God of Mission, hear our prayers.
Previous Posts
He is the Way. On our journey, there will be signposts that will ensure we keep to the path. Prayer. Scripture. Worship. Spiritual guides. He walks alongside – even if sometimes we don’t recognise Him.
Jesus uses the metaphor of the sheep and the shepherd to describe the relationship between leaders and the people they lead.
He comes to us in so many ways in order that we may see Him.. In creation. In forgiveness. In salvation. In love. In new life. All these free gifts of grace – but it is up to us to choose to see them, with every one of our senses.
However it may happen, when we see Him, we proclaim Him in the same words as Thomas – ‘My Lord and my God’ and award Him our trust. Forever.
The only way that we know that the victory over death is permanently won is if we accept that the tomb is empty.
And just as the donkey is a figure at the beginning of the Gospel story, so a donkey is present at its end.
We have to ask ourselves if, like Thomas, we are prepared to follow Jesus at whatever cost
Perhaps, then instead of just giving chocolate and flowers on Mothering Sunday, we might resolve to offer love in return throughout every day of the year
The story of the woman at the well has been described as one of the most significant to our understanding of the Gospel message.
This day is all that is good and fair.
It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on yesterdays.
If suffering did not exist, we could never know joy. If there was no ‘evil’, we wouldn’t be able to recognise ‘good’.
Faith means little when God’s plan is the same as our plan. Faith is everything when it isn’t. When we don’t understand, when the things of the world tempt – and often overcome – us. When disaster happens.
‘a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
Mothering Sunday. Not Mother’s Day. Although there’s nothing wrong with buying your Mum some flowers or (and) a box of chocolates, you shouldn’t need a once-a-year prompt to do so. Mother’s Day is an essentially a made-up Hallmark holiday – a business opportunity. And don’t get me started on Father’s Day, Grandparents Day or be nice to your Budgerigar Day.
Mothering Sunday is a different thing altogether. It’s a day of being aware of, and thankful for, the caring and loving relationships that exist within family and friends. Certainly, in most cases (but sadly not all), the role of a Mother epitomises those relationships. She is the one to whom we turn in times of desperate need. There are many stories of young people feeling newly independent as they proudly march off to war, but later in a field hospital screaming out and calling for their Mother in their semi-conscious extreme pain. And there are few Mothers who do not carry a deep worry and concern for their children in their heart throughout their life no matter how grown up they are. The mothering love is always there.
In the joy of the Angel-promised birth of her Son, Mary lives her life in the knowledge of Simeon’s prophecy. The words burn in her memory. But even in the anguish and the pain of His crucufixion, she stays with Him unto the end. And He experinces the pain not just of the nails but of seeing his Mother’s heartbreaking suffering as she watches at the foot of His cross.
He is comforted by the the love she has for Him – in turn, He shows His care for her, even in His pain. He asks that she be taken into John’s family. We too will watch Him die – to save us. Amazing love. Or, you might say, the Mothering love of the Son for us, His children.
Previous Posts
He is the Way. On our journey, there will be signposts that will ensure we keep to the path. Prayer. Scripture. Worship. Spiritual guides. He walks alongside – even if sometimes we don’t recognise Him.
Jesus uses the metaphor of the sheep and the shepherd to describe the relationship between leaders and the people they lead.
He comes to us in so many ways in order that we may see Him.. In creation. In forgiveness. In salvation. In love. In new life. All these free gifts of grace – but it is up to us to choose to see them, with every one of our senses.
However it may happen, when we see Him, we proclaim Him in the same words as Thomas – ‘My Lord and my God’ and award Him our trust. Forever.
The only way that we know that the victory over death is permanently won is if we accept that the tomb is empty.
And just as the donkey is a figure at the beginning of the Gospel story, so a donkey is present at its end.
We have to ask ourselves if, like Thomas, we are prepared to follow Jesus at whatever cost
Perhaps, then instead of just giving chocolate and flowers on Mothering Sunday, we might resolve to offer love in return throughout every day of the year
The story of the woman at the well has been described as one of the most significant to our understanding of the Gospel message.
This day is all that is good and fair.
It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on yesterdays.
If suffering did not exist, we could never know joy. If there was no ‘evil’, we wouldn’t be able to recognise ‘good’.
Faith means little when God’s plan is the same as our plan. Faith is everything when it isn’t. When we don’t understand, when the things of the world tempt – and often overcome – us. When disaster happens.
Merciful Lord, Grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Is anger ever justifiable? Clearly it must be – we have Jesus’ example in today’s Gospel – anger at those who have turned religious adherence into a business opportunity, selling animals for sacrifice and changing money, taking profit from the exchange. Jesus’ angry response prompts the onlookers to think again and validate or reject His action.
Unfortunately, in most cases, anger is a negative and unhelpful; allowing the emotion to surface results in distress and hurt. How can we differentiate between positive and negative reactions? To understand why we are angry, we need to look at its cause – its ‘triggers’ – aggression, jealousy, frustration, insecurity, guilt, threat and many others among them. When Jesus sees what is happening in the Temple courtyard, He sees corruption taking the place of worship; human values taking the place of the values of the Kingdom. There is no love in the place from which love comes, and He is as wounded as He will be when the nails are hammered into His hands. His anger is driven by disappointment and grief in the face of the rejection of His Father’s love.
And what of our anger? Is it based on injury to self? Injury to others? Or injury to love, to forgive, to serve? Can we defend it at the foot of the Kingly throne? Ultimately, as in many other situations, we must see through the eyes of Christ – and in them we will know whether our angry response can be justified. Only then can we rationally decide our action – action based on blind anger is unlikely to be the answer. Simple as it may seem, counting to ten is usually a good idea…
Previous Posts
He is the Way. On our journey, there will be signposts that will ensure we keep to the path. Prayer. Scripture. Worship. Spiritual guides. He walks alongside – even if sometimes we don’t recognise Him.
Jesus uses the metaphor of the sheep and the shepherd to describe the relationship between leaders and the people they lead.
He comes to us in so many ways in order that we may see Him.. In creation. In forgiveness. In salvation. In love. In new life. All these free gifts of grace – but it is up to us to choose to see them, with every one of our senses.
However it may happen, when we see Him, we proclaim Him in the same words as Thomas – ‘My Lord and my God’ and award Him our trust. Forever.
The only way that we know that the victory over death is permanently won is if we accept that the tomb is empty.
And just as the donkey is a figure at the beginning of the Gospel story, so a donkey is present at its end.
We have to ask ourselves if, like Thomas, we are prepared to follow Jesus at whatever cost
Perhaps, then instead of just giving chocolate and flowers on Mothering Sunday, we might resolve to offer love in return throughout every day of the year
The story of the woman at the well has been described as one of the most significant to our understanding of the Gospel message.
This day is all that is good and fair.
It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on yesterdays.
If suffering did not exist, we could never know joy. If there was no ‘evil’, we wouldn’t be able to recognise ‘good’.
Faith means little when God’s plan is the same as our plan. Faith is everything when it isn’t. When we don’t understand, when the things of the world tempt – and often overcome – us. When disaster happens.
Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth
that they may return to the way of righteousness: Grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As part of our reflections during Lent, we are challenged to ask ourselves – ‘Which am I – the chicken or the pig? Jesus makes it clear that in following Him, there is no half-way house – our values are either of the material world, or of the Kingdom. Either temporary or eternal. Commitment or just involvement? Can’t have both.
Peter doesn’t understand yet. In many ways, you have to feel a bit sorry for him. His world is one in which victory is won according to human terms, in which suffering and death are the consequence of defeat. When Jesus talks about these things happening to Himself, Peter just can’t cope – if this stuff about Jesus’ suffering, rejection and murder is true, then his faith in Jesus as the Messiah is shaken to its foundations, so much so that he dares to rebuke Jesus – you can almost hear him saying “Don’t say these things! That’s defeatist talk!”
He gets a telling off, and still probably doesn’t know why.
But he will do soon.
“The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.”
A short battle, it was;
no flags and no trumpets,
not a fair fight.
One naked man with outstretched arms
against chain mail and spears.
They gave Him thorns,
gave Him whips,
gave Him sour wine and their spittle,
gave Him nails… but gave Him no honour.
It’s over now.
He dies alone, and the quiet is hard to bear.
Even the banter of the soldiers is hushed;
only the sound of the wind and the aching world,
bound and fearful for so long,
waiting for its freedom.
Funny kind of battle, it was;
one man against legion.
Funny kind of victory
when the victor dies.
I wonder if the loser knew;
I wonder if the shaking of the earth
or the tearing of the curtain distracted him?
Or did he see, and despair to see,
the Christ-blood
washing the earth beneath the cross?
Funny when a victory’s won by seeming loss.
Previous Posts
He is the Way. On our journey, there will be signposts that will ensure we keep to the path. Prayer. Scripture. Worship. Spiritual guides. He walks alongside – even if sometimes we don’t recognise Him.
Jesus uses the metaphor of the sheep and the shepherd to describe the relationship between leaders and the people they lead.
He comes to us in so many ways in order that we may see Him.. In creation. In forgiveness. In salvation. In love. In new life. All these free gifts of grace – but it is up to us to choose to see them, with every one of our senses.
However it may happen, when we see Him, we proclaim Him in the same words as Thomas – ‘My Lord and my God’ and award Him our trust. Forever.
The only way that we know that the victory over death is permanently won is if we accept that the tomb is empty.
And just as the donkey is a figure at the beginning of the Gospel story, so a donkey is present at its end.
We have to ask ourselves if, like Thomas, we are prepared to follow Jesus at whatever cost
Perhaps, then instead of just giving chocolate and flowers on Mothering Sunday, we might resolve to offer love in return throughout every day of the year
The story of the woman at the well has been described as one of the most significant to our understanding of the Gospel message.
This day is all that is good and fair.
It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on yesterdays.
If suffering did not exist, we could never know joy. If there was no ‘evil’, we wouldn’t be able to recognise ‘good’.
Faith means little when God’s plan is the same as our plan. Faith is everything when it isn’t. When we don’t understand, when the things of the world tempt – and often overcome – us. When disaster happens.