This Sunday, we dove into a Gospel reading that can feel a "wee bit confusing." Jesus describes himself as both the gate and the shepherd at the same time! To make sense of it, we looked at the passage verse by verse, stripping away our modern images of lush green fields and replacing them with the rugged, dusty reality of ancient Israel.Here is a recap of what we learned about finding our way through the noise of the world.1. Setting the SceneIn Woodplumpton, we are used to well-fenced fields and safe countrysides. But the context Jesus was teaching in was much more dangerous. The "sheep-pen" was often just a rough enclosure with one opening. At night, the shepherd would literally lie down across that opening. He became the gate. Nothing could get to the sheep without going through him. This wasn't just a job; it was a life-and-death commitment.2. Competing VoicesRight from the start, Jesus presents us with two types of voices: the Good Shepherd and the "thieves and bandits."We live in a world of competing forces fighting for our hearts and souls. Every day, we are bombarded by voices telling us how to act, what to buy, and who to be. The question for us today is: Which voice are you allowing to speak into your hopes and fears?3. A Voice You Can RecogniseOne of the most beautiful things about the Good Shepherd is that he doesn't drive his flock from behind; he leads from the front. The sheep follow him because they know his voice.I’m often asked, "How can I hear from God?" My answer is usually simple: Read your Bible. If you want to hear the audible voice of God, try reading it out loud! Whether your Bible is sat on a shelf gathering dust or is dog-eared and held together with duct tape, that is where the Shepherd speaks to us today.The Lamb from Devon There is a lovely story from a shepherdess named Phoebe. She once sold a hand-reared lamb to a local farmer. Two years later, she was walking through those same fields and a sheep came sprinting toward her, nuzzling her pockets. Even after years apart, that sheep remembered her voice.4. Trusting the LeaderThe Pharisees of Jesus’ time led through power and ego. But the Kingdom of God is built on service. We can trust the voice of Jesus because he has been appointed by God and has our best interests at heart. He knows you intimately, by name, and his motive is never self-interest, but your protection and growth.How to Stay "Tuned In"To trust a voice, you have to know it. We can stay tuned to the Shepherd through three simple, tried-and-tested methods:Reading and dwelling on the Word of God.Praying and communicating as we journey through our week.Gathering together at St Anne’s to meet Jesus in word and sacrament.Conclusion: Life to the FullThe world is full of influencers and "travel bloggers" offering a version of the perfect life. But eventually, the gloss fades. The new becomes old, and the adventure becomes routine.The "thief" comes to steal and destroy the truth of who you are. But the Good Shepherd comes so that you may have life to the full. The one who spoke you into existence and knows the number of hairs on your head has a plan for you that is better than anything you could imagine.This week, amid the chorus of the world, listen for the one who is calling your name.Fr Martin
Finding Jesus on the Wrong Road: Reflections on Doubt and the Journey of FaithYou’ve likely heard the phrase "journey of faith" more times than you can count. Lately, it seems pilgrimages are having a bit of a cultural revival, and for good reason. Whether we are literally walking a trail or simply navigating the terrain of daily life, every one of us is on a journey that comes with its own peaks and valleys.In the book of Acts, Peter urges his listeners to be baptised. It’s a powerful moment of beginning—receiving the gifts of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. But as many of us know, baptism isn't the finish line; it’s the starting blocks.Living It OutWhile the Holy Spirit dwells within us, transforming us from the inside out, faith requires "doing." It’s a daily practice of:Reading Scripture: Moving beyond Sunday mornings to find God in the pages of the Bible at home or in small groups.Persistent Prayer: Carrying one another in prayer during our quiet moments.These habits help us grow deeper into God. But what happens when the path gets dark? What do we do when we aren't even sure we’re on the right road anymore?The Road to Emmaus: Walking AwayOne of the most encouraging stories in the New Testament is the walk to Emmaus. If you look closely at the passage, you’ll notice something vital: the two disciples were walking away from Jerusalem.They were confused, angry, and vocal about their disappointment. They had followed Jesus, but he hadn't lived up to their expectations. He had died. Nothing made sense. So, they did what many of us do when we feel let down—they distanced themselves.A Hard Truth: On our own journeys, we all have seasons like this. Sometimes we need to express our doubts. Sometimes the Christian community feels claustrophobic, or faith loses its vibrancy. If we’re being really honest, there are days when we aren't sure we believe at all.When Faith is Taken ApartI remember a time during my own training for the priesthood at Liverpool Cathedral when my faith felt like it was being pulled apart. Everything I had taken "as gospel" was suddenly questioned, analysed, and reordered. It was an incredibly challenging season, but in hindsight, it was a healthy one.To truly own our faith, to have a deep, authentic relationship with the risen Jesus, we have to be allowed to ask questions. We have to turn to Scripture and to each other to figure out what we actually believe, rather than just reciting what we’ve been told.The Real Presence in the Breaking of BreadIn the midst of that season of questioning, I found one anchor: Holy Communion.Even when I felt "far off" or uncertain, I believed in the power of the consecrated bread and wine. I believe that the real presence of Jesus is found there, whether we are in a season of fervent belief or deep doubt.The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognise Jesus while they were arguing and doubting. They recognised him in the breaking of the bread.He Walks With YouThe Emmaus road reminds us that the risen Christ comes toward us and walks alongside us—even when we are walking in the wrong direction. You may not recognise him at first. Spiritual guidance often arrives in ways that aren't obvious. Sometimes, it’s only by looking back that we see how Christ’s story and our own have been woven together.If you are in a season of exploration, doubting, or questioning, take heart. These are not signs of failure; they are part of the rich journey of faith. Jesus is before you, behind you, and beside you, always waiting to make himself known.Amen.Fr Martin.
I’ll Leave You With This: The Power of a Final WordIn my work across the church, hospital chaplaincy, and the diocese, I do a lot of public speaking. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tools to keep people’s attention, but there is one phrase in particular that is guaranteed to make a room go quiet.If you watch a great orator or a TED talk, you’ll hear these five words: "I’ll leave you with this."Those words cue the hearer in for the big finish, the grand finale, the cherry on top. They create a space to leave a lasting impression and go out with a bang. In John chapter 20, we find Jesus doing exactly that. On the day of his resurrection, he grabs his followers' attention one final time with a line that packs a punch.Behind Locked DoorsTo understand the weight of Jesus’ words, we have to look at the room he entered. The disciples were huddled together, harbouring a "queasy" feeling and sharing one overriding emotion: fear.The doors were locked. They were terrified of the authorities, but they were also living on anecdotal, flimsy evidence. Two people saw some linen in an empty tomb; one woman met a "gardener" who claimed to be the Lord. Behind those locked doors, the community was staring at the walls, trying to make sense of a world that had fallen apart.The Ultimate "Mic Drop"Then, Jesus stands among them. The fear dissolves into joy as they recognise the wounds in his hands and side.Now, if it were me, I might have been tempted to lead with an "I told you so." But Jesus, undeterred by crucifixion and unobstructed by locked doors, chooses a different "big finish." He offers a parting gift that changes everything:"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then, he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."A Different Kind of PeaceThe peace Jesus offers is nothing like the peace the world sells us.It isn't the Pax Romana, won through domination and sustained by threat.It isn't a compromised peace, brokered by playing politics.It isn't the kind of peace that requires us to stay in our lane or silence the cry for justice.The peace of Christ was won through love, submission, and non-violence. It is a peace that "blows off the cobwebs," refuses to sweep things under the carpet, and speaks directly to those who are troubled.Today, our world feels like it is careering from one crisis to another. When the world’s peace ebbs, Jesus’ peace flows. When the world’s peace feels suffocating, Jesus’ peace is breath itself.Carriers of the SpiritJesus doesn't just give us peace to keep us comfortable; he gives it to us so we can carry it. As Spirit-filled people, we are called to be the witnesses. How we share that peace—and how we wield it through the forgiveness of sins—is the mission of the church.Later in the story, Thomas arrives and asks, "So, did I miss anything?" A week later, Jesus returns to include him, too. It’s a reminder that this peace flourishes through the presence of Jesus and extends even to those who weren't in the room the first time.Jesus doesn’t say, "I’ll leave you be." He doesn’t say, "I’ll leave you to it."He says: "I’ll leave you with this. Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."Amen.Fr Martin
The Gardener of the New Creation: A Journey Through the Empty TombThere is so much happening in the Easter Gospel that we have to journey through it carefully. If we rush, we might miss the quiet, wonderful messages tucked within the folds of the story.The opening line of John’s Gospel sets the stage: “Early on the first day while it was still dark…”The Miracle in the ShadowsI wonder, does it seem strange to you that God chose to perform His most amazing, world-changing work in the dark? Before the first light of day. Before anyone could see anything, let alone witness the resurrection. Before any human hand or faith could claim involvement.In a world obsessed with the "photo op" and the "media opportunity," God went about this world-shattering work in the quiet and the dark. Somewhere on the edge of a sleeping city, in a garden with a tomb, the heavy stone was rolled away.The tomb was empty. And it was just waiting for someone to discover it.Clues in the LinenWhen the disciples arrived, they found the linen grave wrappings and the cloth that had covered Jesus’ face. To the casual observer, it might look like a mess left behind. But the details are incredible:The Unblemished Lamb: In Jewish custom, a lamb for sacrifice was wrapped to protect it from blemish. Think back to Christmas, Jesus was wrapped in cloths in a manger. Think of Good Friday, Pilate said, "I find no fault with this man." Jesus is the unblemished sacrificial lamb, and the grave clothes remind us of His purity.The Folded Napkin: The cloth from Jesus' face was folded neatly in a separate place. In Jewish custom, if a master at a meal screwed up his napkin, he was finished. But if he folded it, it meant he was not finished and would return.The message was hidden in plain sight: Jesus is not finished. He will return.The Power of "Turning"The act of "turning" is the key action in this story, and the key to all Christian discipleship. Mary Magdalene turns three times in this passage, and each turn brings her closer to the truth.Initially, Mary assumes the body has been stolen. She is weeping, exhausted, and traumatised. When she turns away from the tomb, she sees a man she believes to be the gardener. There is a deep irony here. In one sense, she was right.Think about the imagery John is using:They are in a Garden (Recalling the Garden of Eden).It is the morning of the first day (Recalling Genesis and Creation).Jesus is the New Adam, the Gardener of a New Creation.Just as the first Adam named the animals, Jesus begins this new creation by naming His: "Mary." With that one word, she turns for a third time in joyful recognition.Our Own JourneyLike Mary, we all have a journey to make. We must come to this place, bend down, and look into the place of death only to find it empty and defeated.As Christians, we believe death has no hold over us. But the looking isn't enough; we must also turn. We turn towards Jesus as a new beginning. This is the heart of our faith and the core of our baptismal vows:"I turn to Christ."The wonderful thing is this: when we finally make that turn, we realise He is already there, waiting to greet us.He is risen indeed. Alleluia!Fr Martin
