Rev Michael Cavanagh +353 (0)858 533 173
Praying Together 7th January 2024

Praying Together 7th January 2024

reflection of a girl in a glass window

Collect for the Epiphany

Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit: Grant to us, who are born of water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Genesis 1: 1-5

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Luke 1: 68-79

John 8: 1-12

 

Darkness isn’t actually something in itself. It is the absence of something – the absence of light. Which is why, as God’s first act of creation, He commands light to be. Without a light source, nothing can be seen. God’s light shines so that the beauty of creation can be seen. Without light, there is nothing.

However our eyes aren’t equipped to look at light directly, it’s just too bright. What we actually see is reflected light, light that shines from a source – in daylight, the sun – reflected by the people or place we are looking at.

That principle allows us to take photographs. In daylight, the sunlight hits a subject and its image is reflected back into the camera. If there’s no sun (like County Kerry since October!) the light comes from a flashbulb. Imagine, then, that people are like cameras. When they  look at us, what they see is God’s light reflected in us. Through us, His light shines into the world, destroying the darkness. If we let it. For we do have a choice not to. God gives us the freedom to reflect it or smother it.

So the question we ask of ourselves is this. When the world looks at us, sees our actions, our life, do we reflect the light of Christ, and further His Kingdom? Or do we deepen the darkness?

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Praying Together 31st December 2023

Praying Together 31st December 2023

tall trees in the shape of a heart

Collect for Advent Three

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ:
Grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Ps. 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Galatians 4: 4-7

Luke 2: 15-21

 

During one of our Christmas services, in poor light, the reader of Hebrews 1, instead of ‘He is the reflection of God’s glory’, said ‘He is the revolution of God’s Glory’. It might have been unintentional – but whether it was or wasn’t, it was the Holy Spirit that spoke those words.

Yes, the Christ is indeed the reflection of God’s Glory – but He is also the leader of the revolution against the power of the Satan in the world. He refuses to allow His people to be oppressed, refuses to allow them to be condemned, refuses to allow prejudice replace justice, refuses to allow love to be suppressed by anger, greed and hatred.

In the eyes of the Temple leadership, Jesus is Himself regarded as a terrorist attacking their religious hierarchies and complacent self-centred teaching. But the term is often misused. When people fight back against what they see as injustice, the ruling party will label those who revolt against it as ‘terrorist’ to justify suppression, often by force. But those who are subject to such unjust persecution would instead refer to themselves as ‘Freedom Fighters’.

History is filled with examples, from Simon the Zealot, through the Suffragette movement to Nelson Mandela; Guy Fawkes through Che Guevara to Osama Bin Laden. We revere some, revile others, depending on who we are and where we stand – but to a greater or lesser extent, violence and bearing arms is a common feature.

Jesus – the revolutionary terrorist according to the Sanhedrin – is different, however, in one unique regard.

His only weapon is love.

Even for enemies.

Which is how His Victory is won.

 

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Praying Together 25th December 2023

Praying Together 25th December 2023

girl looking at a manger scene inside a glass globe

Collect for Christmas

Eternal God, who made the most holy night shine with the brightness of your one true light: Bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, to see the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 1: 1-14

John 1: 1-14

Christmas! Would be interesting to ask people what word images are immediately conjured up at the mention of the word. Star. Angels. Shepherds. Magi. Mary, Joseph. The wee donkey. Ox and lamb. Little drummer boy. Stable. Manger. Carols. Crib. Holly. Mistletoe. Tree, Robins. Snow. Not to mention the food – Mince pies, Turkey and Ham, Pudding, Sprouts (Love ‘em), Cake. Alka-Seltzer. TV repeats of Only Fools and Horses. It’s a Wonderful Life. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

But there is one word missing from most such lists.

Cross.

Without the crib, there is no cross.

Without the cross, the crib has no meaning.

Unto us a child is born…

… a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.

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Praying Together 17th December 2023

Praying Together 17th December 2023

tiny baby feet wrapped in a pink blanket with a wool heart

Collect for Advent Three

Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Olivia Erin Barton, daughter of Charlotte and Matt, entered the world at 11 p.m. yesterday 15th. She shared a birthday with 384, 999 others across the world – a world where ongoing conflict rages, where people perform acts of violence to others for reasons of race, tradition, language and religion – or for no reason at all. Where the future is increasingly uncertain, with unknown effects of uncontrolled technology and the need to face inevitable drastic lifestyle changes as result of unchecked global warming.

I wonder what she will think of the legacy we leave her. It wouldn’t surprise me if she wasn’t hugely impressed.

There is one thing that we can – must – do for her, though.

We owe it to her to be witnesses to the truth that will sustain her through good times and darker ones – she will hear it proclaimed in story, carolling and celebration during the days around her birthday. It is the story of another baby – whose birth is a sign of God’s unfailing love, whose life will guide us, His death redeem us, His resurrection inspire us. Whatever may happen, His love will never fail us.

So may the Lord of Lords bless you, Olivia, and your sisters and brothers born that day. May you walk in His light throughout your life; may you be His body on earth, share Faith, Hope and Love, and use the all the gifts He gives you to bring His Kingdom in.

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Praying Together 26 November 2023

Praying Together 26 November 2023

a wooden boat in galilee

Collect for Christ the King Sunday

Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Ephesians 1: 15-23

Matthew 25: 31-46

Through the past weeks, the readings from Matthew’s Gospel have concentrated on Jesus teaching, healing and explaining the Kingdom of Heaven in parables. The Sower. The mustard seed. Treasure in a field, a pearl of great price. Each one being more direct in its message. Refusal of the invitation to the great banquet. The last first, the first last. As Jesus speaks, the Pharisees and elders of the Temple become more and more angry. They realise that the message of His teaching undermines their authority within the religious hierarchy, with their self-importance exposed as being more important to them than their religious responsibilities.

He speaks to them even more directly and denounces them as blind guides who offer no leadership. He talks about the entrance of the bridegroom, the return of the landowner – and now, as if what He has said before wasn’t bad enough, with barely-disguised criticism He reminds them that their pious hypocrisy isn’t going to be the passport to Paradise they imagine it is. Unless their actions result in the service of the people they lead, they will never enter the Kingdom. Their falsehood is emphasised in the light of their knowledge of their responsibilities They know what they should do. But they don’t do it. It is the ones who do God’s work, who serve without expecting any reward who will receive eternal life in the Kingdom.

It’s no wonder the Pharisees start making plans to get rid of Him.

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Praying Together 19th November 2023

Praying Together 19th November 2023

cellist playing their cello

Collect for second Sunday Before Advent

Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11

Matthew 25: 14-30

Q. Can you play the trumpet?
A. No
Q. Have you ever tried to play the trumpet?
A. No
Q. So how do you know you can’t play the trumpet?

Most of us know the passage well, and we have probably heard many sermons that remind us that we must use the gifts God has given to us. Whatever gifts and whatever level we are blessed with, there is a role for them in God’s plan.

The standard sermon continues by telling us that it’s not good enough just to use them – we must develop them – just as the trustworthy slaves invested the talents they were given. No point on having gifts if they aren’t used.

This saying is true and worthy of full acceptance, to paraphrase 1 Timothy.
But the Gospel message doesn’t end there.

It might not be the trumpet. Or the Clarinet. A Trombone, Double Bass, a singing voice. It may not be music at all. If not, there are many other skills you may have been given that you are not yet aware of: artistic talent, hospitality, compassion, intercession, forgiveness, unconditional love. There will be some. And I challenge you to think, pray and try to find out what they are.

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