Collect for Trinity 18
Almighty and everlasting God: Increase in us your gift of faith that, forsaking what lies behind, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Philippians 3: 4b-14
Matthew 21: 33-46
Deteronomy 30:19- I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life.
But most of them didn’t. And haven’t, through the ages.
A parable of a vineyard:
First, a rejected messenger – tortured.
Then, several servants are sent to repeat the message – they are beaten and stoned.
In the end, the owners Son himself goes, is killed and his inheritance stolen.
The result: the owner of the vineyard demands the life of the treacherous workers, and brings in those who will be honest and do his bidding.
A brief History of God in the World:
First, a chosen people – messengers who prophesied Messiah and then the people, apart from a few, nonetheless refused to accept Him when He came.
Followed by a ‘Christian’ society – which initially believed, but has now become self-centred, greedy and secularised. People pay lip service only to the Gospel they have heard, and reject those who daily aspire to live that truth. All He asks is repentance, humility and love. But it seems that it ‘costs’ too much…
Now, He sees an economically – and therefore unbalanced – society, with a minority in the ‘rich North’ who are unspeakably wealthy and a majority in the ‘poor South’ living in abject poverty. Yet it is by those where He is increasingly made welcome, and where His Church experiences unprecedented growth.
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 His blessing to the poor? And asks us to do the same – to give them the support they need to choose life?
Previous Posts
Praying Together 9th June 2024
If we just give in and believe that there is nothing we can do to bring about such a change, the dream will never come true. So let’s not.
Praying Together 2nd June 2024
You may remember the song: ‘It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it, that’s what gets results.’ Catchy tune, catchy title. But wrong. Actually, it’s the other way round – ‘It ain’t the way that you do it, it’s what you do…’
Praying Together 19th May 2024
By the power of the same Spirit strengthen us to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Praying Together 12th May 2024
But in Christ, a much more reliable ‘Truth’ can be found. Truth in the ‘Logos’ – the Word. The Word made flesh.
Praying Together 5th May 2024
Collect for Easter 6 God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: Grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through...
Praying Together 28th April 2024
‘If you love God, then you love your brothers and sisters’. You cannot have one without the other. If you do not love your brother and your sister, you cannot claim that you love God. No exclusions.
Praying Together 21st April 2024
There is only one leader who invites us to follow of whom we can be sure – the one who is prepared to lay down His life.
Praying Together 14th April 2024
It is easy, with hindsight, to criticise the disciples for their incredulity. But we have to ask ourselves what we would do in their place.
Praying Together 7th April 2024
We are challenged to decide what we need to ‘see’ to believe – and then to seek it in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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.)