Epiphany 4
Creator God,
who in the beginning
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
We pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,
shine into the hearts of all your people,
and reveal the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mark 1: 21-28
1 Corinthians 8: 1-13
Food will not bring us close to God.’ Says St. Paul. Clearly, in his day, there was no such thing as hot chips on buttered white bread with a generous lacing of salt and malt vinegar – otherwise known as the nectar of the Gods. * If there had been, he might have chosen another metaphor rather than food to explain that no amount of what we eat – or perform any other ritual – can get us closer to God. Only our faith in Jesus Christ can do that.
Paul is trying to explain that in continuing to consider physical food as a holy object, remembering when they offered it as a sacrifice with ‘magical’ properties for the giver, they get themselves in a bind. If they stop eating that food they used to offer as sacrifice to idols, they turn it into something more than it was. And if they carry on eating it as a gesture of faith – what we might call ‘signalling’ that they attach no importance to it – they do the same thing.
Food is just food. There is no such thing as pleasing to an ‘idol’. The only sacrifice God asks is that of a broken heart hungry for the closeness of truth and faith in the Saviour of us all. 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.
*Or even better, crispy smoked bacon on a toasted teacake eaten for breakfast on a windy morning on Southport beach.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 26 November 2023
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.
Praying Together 19th November 2023
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.
Praying Together 12th November 2023
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Praying Together 5th November 2023
“Do as I say, not as I do”. The mantra of hypocritical leaders through the ages. It is important to note that Jesus makes a clear distinction between the righteous observance of the Law and the self-important practice of the Pharisees.
Praying Together 29th October 2023
Hallowmas is a season we should not ignore, but instead celebrate as a festival of light, in the beauty of Autumn colours and enjoying a time for creation to rest in peace.
Praying Together 22nd October 2023
When the world lives in Christ, it’s laws are true and just. When it doesn’t, they are not, and we must reject them. There can be no compromise.
Praying Together 15th October 2023
Whoever we are – even unto this last -Jesus asks us to dine with Him. He has bought us the entrance fee. All He asks is that we accept Him as Lord.
Praying Together 8th October 2023
Throughout the centuries, God offers a gift being able to choose life and starting again, but when continually refused, He shakes the dust off His sandals and moves on. Could you blame Him, then, if He turns Hs blessing to the poor?
Praying Together 1st October 2023
The reward for accepting Him is the joy of knowing freedom, and then to accept His command to work in the vineyard, to feed His lambs – not with empty words, but with deeds.
Praying Together 24th September 2023
Heavenly Father, help us to work to accomplish your will for us according to our individual gifts without comparing ourselves to others. Help us to acknowledge our own failures and avoid condemning others for theirs.
Praying Together 17th September 2023
And when it comes down to it, I will always need forgiveness – as do we all. For all of us have sinned and fallen short.
Praying Together 10th September 2023
Yes of course we have a responsibility to address sin – but before we criticise others, we need to start with ourselves.