Scripture:As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:12-14 & 16a)Reflection:This Sunday is “Bible Sunday”; the Church focuses and gives thanks for the word of God in the Bible. But with so many translations and transliterations, it is often said, “How can I know this is the true word?” There are many, many beautiful pieces of scripture in the Bible; this piece from Paul’s letter to the Colossians being a good example. But there are also many parts of the scripture where it can be difficult to respond, “Thanks be to God.” Think of some parts of the Old Testament where there seem to be distinctly un-Christian sentiments, and some large parts dealing with Temple practices that seem irrelevant now.Two things to hold onto. Firstly, I believe the Word of God is living and dynamic; written for a purpose; it needs to be read, interpreted, and applied in our time, rather than being taken as absolute. Secondly, hear v16 again: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Let Christ be your reference for a better understanding of God rather than getting lost in bewildering accounts of battles, bloodshed, sacrifices, and liturgical practices.The important thing is to pick up your Bible, read it, and let the word of Christ make its home in your heart.Revd David
Scripture:In spite of persecution (writes Paul) you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia… For the people of those regions report … how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God. (Thessalonians. 6,7,9)Reflection:Paul is writing to a young, heavily persecuted Christian community in Thessalonica, a major Roman provincial capital, where refusing to worship the emperor risks serious repercussions. These new Christians know all too well that they are risking persecution for their faith, yet their lives are so radically changed by their wholehearted acceptance of the Gospel that their faith has become a model for the whole of the surrounding region. Their faith is not mere intellectual acceptance of the Gospel, but a new way of living, a life lived in love and hope and joy.We pray that we may use the freedom we enjoy in the service of God and our fellow human beings.Revd Rosemary
