Collect For Epiphany 2
1 Corinthians 1: 1-9
John 1: 29 – 42
The Bible is full of stories about people being called by God and accepting His invitation/ command – sometimes willingly, sometimes less so.
Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Isaiah and others among others in the Old Testament; Mary, John the Baptiser, Andrew, Simon Peter, Paul in the New. All different – but each story life-changing, as I suspect would also be the case for each of us. We accept and proclaim Jesus as Lord, whatever our journey towards the confession of faith in our Baptism/ Confirmation.
We do, however, share one attribute in common. No matter who we are, however sincere our commitment, sooner or later – probably sooner – we’ll blow it. ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’, Paul tells us in Romans 3:23.
Fortunately, that’s not the end of our Christian life – it’s just the point at which Jesus picks us up and tells us to start again. Baptism is not a single event – it is a continuous blessing.
If people were asked what happens in Baptism, most would talk about water. Certainly that’s a part – but actually, it’s not the most important bit. Baptism has three elements.
First, the gift of a candle. No matter how deep the night, even a tiny candle flame dispels the darkness. The light allows us to find our way home, back to the river, back to the beginning.
We go back to that place where we accepted Jesus – and we are washed clean again in the name of Father, Son and Spirit. Doesn’t matter how far we’ve gone astray, doesn’t matter who we are, the water of Baptism sets us back on track. Forgiveness will always be there, all we need to do is ask for the chance to start again with a repentant heart.
And that symbolic washing enables the most important part, when our forehead is marked forever with the sign of the Cross. We leave our sin at its foot, through the grace of the one crucified for us. That sign may appear to be invisible – but it ain’t. Our life continually proclaims Jesus through our actions, our service and our love.
Praying Together 30th March 2025
As Julian of Norwich wrote, ‘the example of a mother’s service is closest, most willing, and most sure because it is most true’, and thus we use that example as part of our Lenten journey.
Praying Together 23rd March 2025
God gives us the freedom to make that choice, and will always offer us another chance when we fail, as He did to the barren fig tree.
Praying Together 16 March 2025
Unlike the other tragic heroes, Jesus has no flaw or blemish other than those inflicted by others: the scars on His back, the thorn-blood on His forehead, the betrayal by His friend.
Praying Together March 9th 2025
God’s demand for perfection need not discourage you in the least in your present attempts to be good, or even in your present failures.
Praying Together 2nd March 2025
God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world.
Praying Together 23 February 2025
Meditation for the Second Sunday before Lent CollectAlmighty God,you have created the heavens and the earthand made us in your own image:Teach us to discern your hand in all your worksand your likeness in all your children;through Jesus Christ our Lord,who with you...
Praying Together 16th February 2025
And if you accept Him as Lord, allow Him to lead you as you walk into the future without looking back, and do what He has equipped you to do as His body on earth
Praying Together 9th February 2025
We are all asked to have the faith to put out into deep water, but we must remember that we will never be on our own. Peter’s ministry was made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit, as will ours.
Praying Together 2nd February 2025
We are all called to be the Body of Christ in His entirety – and we are to take the example of all ‘Saints’ who have gone before, both male and female, as models of our required behaviour.
Praying Together 26th January 2025
Most importantly, in the face of what appears to be a society built upon prejudice and hatred, we are sustained and strengthened by the knowledge that in the end, love will triumph, leaving the wordly values of the tyrant to be forgotten.
Praying Together 19th January 2025
Jesus has demonstrated His authority and power. He takes something ordinary, and it becomes extraordinary. He turns water to wine. He heals the past and offers a new future. He changes his followers from sinner to saint.
Meditations 5th January 2025
With the same eyes as the Magi, we look into the manger, see the light of the world – be it for the first time, after a dark time, or in our daily devotions – and every time we see something new.