Scripture:Pilate summoned Jesus and asked him "Are you the king of the Jews?" (John 19.33)Reflection:The story of the Jews as it unfolds in the Bible is a story about the successive failures of a family cum nation to live by the rules. It tells of individuals and tribes who aspired to live in harmony, to act justly and to obey the ethical precepts of the Ten Commandments but went astray. The plan was that this would be a beacon nation ruled not by a King, a President, an Emperor, but by common obedience to religious principles, a theocracy. As the plan failed, Israel turned to individual prophets like Samuel, then to Kings like Saul and David, only to fall victim to more powerful kings and emperors. Jesus refused those who wanted him to become king. The kingdom he talked about was "not of this world". The Church's feast of Christ the King is a celebration and reminder that we owe our moral values and loyalty to an other-worldly God.David Harmsworth
Scripture ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’ John 3.16-21Reflection‘For God so loved the world…’ God loves everything He has made. Since the Makin Report into the activities of John Smyth QC was published, causing our Archbishop to resign, many have been wondering, where was God’s love in this? How could this have happened? When priorities get skewed, and the care for individuals takes a back seat compared to the ‘higher’ goals of managing reputations and the image of the institution, or even of God, then God’s love is given the lie. God loves us as individuals, not as members of a group, whether we call it ‘The Church’ or something else. There will be some, for whom the last two weeks have stirred up painful memories, or raised questions about things they have experienced or witnessed. Please be assured that we, your local priests, and our Safeguarding Officers are all here to talk to. The Church of England website and other church websites also give information and contact details, if this feels more comfortable. But most of all, be certain of God’s love and care for you, as you work out which way forward is the right one for you. And what about the perpetrators? Does God love them too? He does, but he does not love their evil deeds. We are often afraid to speak in such absolute terms as good vs evil, light vs darkness, but in this case, I think we have no choice. If being God’s people and Jesus’ followers should mean anything at all, then it must mean to hold to the light and expose the darkness. All for the sake of love, God’s love for all that He has made. Revd Ylva
ScriptureAnd I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ (Revelation 21:3-5)ReflectionIt feels like we are living in a time of uncertainty; things feel unstable in so many areas of life. The wars in the Ukraine and the Middle East; threats by a number of nations; wondering how things will play out following the recent US Presidential election; not to mention our own recent General Election and Budget. We need something more certain in our lives right now; something that can never be taken away from us or threatened. We need it particularly as we gather once again at this time of Remembrance; remembering those who have fought and died for the security and peace of their generation and future generations of our country.Here, in these words from the apostle John in his “revelation”, we have certainty and a firm foundation for life: “The home of God is among mortals” – He dwells with us. “He wipes away tears. Death will be no more.” “See, I am making all things new…..these words are trustworthy and true.” The worldly uncertainty may still be going on, but God is with us through it. Remember that as we remember those who have died for us.Revd David Commander
