Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32

Matthew 15: 21 – 28

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Collect for Trinity 10

Romans 10: 5-15

Matthew 14: 22 – 33

All too often, we are in the same situation. We travel through the sea of life with the wind against us. Even though we know we ought to trust and obey, we choose to stay in the deceptive safety of the boat rather than take the risk. To step out would be asking too much of our faith, and deep down, however strong our desire to put our belief into practice, we cannot ignore the feeling that we might sink. But once in a while, once in a very Blue Moon, we might close our earthly eyes and leap over the side. When we do, there is nothing that Jesus asks us that we can’t achieve. Yes, perhaps our faith will fail us halfway through, and Jesus will have to reach out to us to rescue us – and He always will. Sometimes, though, just sometimes, we dismiss the rationality of this physical world, and accept the alternative reality of living in the Kingdom. And instead of walking, we fly.

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Collect for Trinity 9

2 Peter 1: 13-22

Luke 9: 28-36

Peter has had quite a week. After seeing a few loaves and a couple of fish feed a meal to thousands, he and the other disciples are directly challenged by Jesus – ‘And you – who do you say I am?’. As you would expect, Peter is the one who confesses Jesus as Messiah, and is told he is going to be the rock on which the church is built and given the keys of the Kingdom.

He hadn’t even time to take it in, before he is being rebuked after trying to deny the prophecy that Jesus would be put to death – ‘out of my sight, Satan; you are a stumbling block to me!’

As they say in the movies, six day s later…

Six days later, up a high mountain, with Peter probably still smarting at his telling off, Peter, James and John are given a sight that must have been even harder to understand.

While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. Again Peter blurts out something about building three sheds, but is interrupted by a voice from a bright cloud: ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’

The ’Transfiguration’ passage marks one of the five significant moments of Jesus’ life on earth; and yet we do tend to concentrate more on the others – His Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension, and that’s a pity. In His story,

Transfiguration marks the point at which His life in the Kingdom of Heaven and the Earth are seen as a whole rather than two separate realms.

It took Peter some time, (and after a few more hiccups) but he gets the point in the end. Now, when challenged, he simply reminds people what he saw with his own eyes. It isn’t just Jesus who is transformed. Peter, too, is a changed man; from fisherman to unshakeable rock. The prophecy is fulfilled, the light has come, the day will dawn and the morning star will rise in our hearts. Hallelujah.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

Go in peace, to love and praise the Lord and all His creation, giving thanks for the blessings of tomorrow – and the day after, then the day after that, and all your days. In the name of Christ. Amen

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Collect for Trinity 8

Romans 8: 26-39

Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-45

A gardener. A cook. A ‘Detectorist’. A merchant. Stories (parables) that help our understanding of the Kingdom of God. Jesus is using real world examples and, though at first we would think that objects in the story are unrelated to each other, they are not. The common element is that small things – acting out our belief in our small corner – lead to great things. We are told about the mustard seed, and learn that no matter how small our actions, when we offer ourselves as servants, bringing comfort to the poor, the lonely, the ill, the oppressed, sufferers of injustice, people who are different, we are one step further to the Kingdom, come.

We are to be yeast – very small amounts needed, and invisible in the bread, but without that yeast the bread won’t rise. A small act of kindness in Jesus’ name, brings a ray of light in an angry world.

The treasure is there – it just needs to be found. We search for truth, and realise that Jesus is the truth; the way; and the life. But we don’t find God – He finds us, and we simply have to welcome Him. And when we do, we joyously leave our old life and its values behind, and become the new creation He offers.

A sermon might end there with a challenge: however small, being a seed; however unrewarded or unrecognised, being yeast; to accept Jesus into our lives forsaking the world, in the knowledge that from tiny acorns, a great oak grows. Essentially, to love as we are commanded.

But we also need to realise that to ignore our call to act is not just indifference, but actually dangerous. The Covid-19 virus was small, but killed hundreds of thousands. To fail to love, even in small ways, is to allow evil to flourish

Let us pray

Jesus said ‘Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me’. (Revelation 3:20)

As we turn to you O Lord, let our worship be a new beginning – cleanse us with your mercy – draw us deeper into your love and accept our offering of praise and prayer. We offer our prayers on behalf of a troubled world. Through your son, our brother and our Saviour. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving Father, help us when burdens weigh heavily – renew us with your streams of living water, so that we might serve you with our whole hearts. In the strength of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

We give thanks for your goodness – for our lives so rich in your blessings; for the beauty of the earth and the changing seasons, for the wonders of nature that remind us of your majesty. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank you for the gift of life – every day providing so many opportunities to serve you -to shine as light in the darkness and to follow the example, set by Jesus, of obedience in our service to others. Forgive us when we let you down, when we are thoughtless or selfish and when we forget to love and serve others.

Help us when we need direction or when we face difficult choices and decisions. Thank you for our families and friends and help us serve others in the communities we represent.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

A prayer of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in you. Grant us purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will, and no weakness hinder us from doing it; but that in your light we may see light and in your service find our perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Go in peace, to love and praise the Lord and all His creation, giving thanks for the blessings of tomorrow – and the day after, then the day after that, and all your days. In the name of Christ. Amen

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Collect for Trinity 7

Psalm: 40

Romans 8: 12-25

Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

For meditation and prayer

Read each of the following Bible quotes out loud and then for a couple of silent moments, consider what it speaks to you personally

Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Proverbs 14:29

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. Romans 15:5

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

Go in peace, to love and praise the Lord and all His creation, giving thanks for the blessings of tomorrow – and the day after, then the day after that, and all your days. In the name of Christ. Amen.

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Collect for Trinity 5

Romans 7: 15-25a

Matthew 11: 16-24

As part of a social experiment, Londoners were offered up to £50 with no strings attached by a person in the street. Only three out of ten people approached took up the generous offer.

Two men in suits were approached and offered £20, but they were sceptical about the motive behind the offering, immediately responding: “What have you got to do for it?” Another group of men who were offered cash were also cynical and asked “what’s the catch?”, while a man offered a £50 note simply said “No, I don’t want it.”
London Evening Standard, 20/8/2015

I suspect the reason behind that (true) story is that our lack of trust has been learned the hard way though experiences of being betrayed. So we look for a motive. We know the phrases – ‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch’. ‘You never get something for nothing’. ‘If something looks too good to be true, it probably is’

We also know the hymn ‘Gentle Jesus, meek and mild’. Yes He certainly is, but not all the time. In today’s Gospel we see a rather different Jesus – ‘Irritated Jesus, frustrated and annoyed’. People have heard Him speak. He has healed many. They have seen Him perform miracles. He invites them to rejoice. He offers forgiveness.

And they turn away.

Perhaps you can’t totally blame them – they have heard prophets before who have promised them wealth and success, but haven’t delivered – In many cases, leaving people robbed of everything they have.

So they want to know Jesus’ motive – and when they hear that simply out of love for them, He freely offers freedom, they refuse to accept Him.

‘What do I have to do to be free?’, they ask. What will it cost me?

Just believe, He says. I’ll buy it for you. On a cross.

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