Collect for Trinity 1
Romans 4: 13-25
Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26
What is Faith? The assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith. The difference that allows us to persevere when we appear to be in a situation of little hope, when doubt ties us down and restricts us from doing what we know we must, when we are attacked by secular rationality that questions our belief.
Faith. When all we have is the promise of Salvation to which we cling, like a lifebelt in stormy seas. When we cannot imagine how God’s promise can be achieved in us. When it appears our suffering can never end.
Faith. When we feel that we can never be forgiven for our past, when we appeal for mercy, when we are told that we are forgiven, whoever we are, whatever we have done.
Faith. That Jesus heals in body, mind and spirit.
Faith. To know that however cold the winter, however dark the night, a new Spring morning will flood creation with light and warmth.
Faith. To strive for righteousness, knowing that without God’s Holy Spirit as our guide alongside us, we will fail. And when we do fail, we get up and start again.
Faith. When we unreservedly place our trust in a risen Christ.
Faith. To proclaim the name of Jesus without fear.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 31st March 2024 Easter Day
“I have seen the Lord”. It is difficult to imagine her emotions. She has seen the Lord! She doesn’t yet understand fully – but her eyes have seen Him. Her life is changed for ever, and she doesn’t care who knows it.
Praying Together 24th March 2024
But Jesus is aware of what He will have to endure in order to fulfil His mission of salvation – and He sets the necessary elements in motion.
Praying Together 17th March 2024
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.)
Praying Together 10th March 2024
It’s a day of being aware of, and thankful for, the caring and loving relationships that exist within family and friends.
Praying Together 3rd March 2024
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?
Praying Together 25th February 2024
‘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.
Praying Together 18th February 2024
The world is in flames. Are you impelled to put them out? Look at the cross. From the open heart gushes the blood of the Saviour. This extinguishes the flames of hell. Make your heart free by the faithful fulfilment of your vows;
Praying Together 11th February 2024
It’s the same for us – we cannot build our faith on just one or two aspects of Jesus’ story. The fundamental truth we need to accept that He is risen from the dead and He is Lord, alive.
Praying Together 4th February 2024
He asks for no reward, save that of loving His creation, His Father and our neighbours (all of them) as He loves – do we even do that?
Praying together 28th January 2024
So, says Paul, eat or don’t eat. Stop making a fuss over things that don’t matter, and get on with loving your neighbour.
Praying Together 21st January 2024
as we celebrate this week of Christian Unity, let us consider what service we could offer together, that we wouldn’t be capable of achieving on our own – the whole being much greater than the parts.
Praying Together January 14th 2024
Plough Sunday has its roots in medieval times, when the parish church was often used to store a communal plough in the winter months, then being decorated and blessed before the rhythm of the agricultural season begins once more on Plough Monday