Collect for Easter 7
O God the King of Glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Mercifully give us faith to know that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
1 Peter 4: 12-14, 5: 6-11
John 17: 1-11
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
In the past few weeks, some people have been distributing a ‘Newspaper’ called ‘The Irish Light’. It looks plausible—the format and typeface is very similar to the Irish Independent, probably with a view to establishing credibility, which in itself is suspicious.
In fact, it contains some of the most vile and disgusting articles I have read in a long time. Claiming to be Christian, it is profoundly racist, anti-refugee, anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim. In addition it spouts the most outrageous conspiracy theories.
In a free country, it has every right to print what it likes. But when it actually praises arson by the Hitler Youth, I believe that constitutes incitement to do the same, and as such it should be classed as a hate crime and therefore illegal.
I can think of no other description of this trash other than just plain evil, propagated by demons. If offered a copy, you must decide for yourself to accept it — I can’t tell you what to do or not to do.
But ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ 1 Peter 5:8
Jesus knew that His disciples – then and now – would face attack. There has been persecution, prejudice and propaganda throughout the ages, driven by greed, hatred and jealousy for no real reason other than to establish superiority over others, if necessary by force. The concepts of unity, servanthood and love for neighbour are incompatible with such attitudes, which is why at the end of the Last Supper, He prays for protection for all those who will follow Him and seek to live as His ongoing body on earth, needed now more than ever when the powers of darkness deploy modern technologies to divide and deceive.
People ask how to discern truth from the well-crafted lies of the enemy. Protected by His promise, the answer is simple. In prayer, just ask whether you can see Jesus in their words and deeds. As Steve Earle sang – I don’t remember learning how to hate in Sunday School.
Previous Posts
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.