Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 18th May & for the week ahead: Scripture: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Reflection: These verses are well-known and inspiration for poems, hymns and artwork in the Christian faith. Many people, even those without faith, know this commandment. But what does it actually mean? Reflecting on VE Day last week, we remembered those who fought against “the enemy”. This enemy was very real and very frightening, causing distress, panic and death. How could those people be asked to love this person? But that’s exactly what Jesus orders us to do. It’s not a polite suggestion or a small favour, it’s an order. You may struggle to feel love for the person who bullied you in school, or the first love that abandoned you for someone else. But love really sets us free. Families who have had loved ones taken away from them often forgive the murderer. We may not have such dramatic circumstances, but maybe we can show love through kindness and patience. Having worked in customer service, I noticed that when I held my peace and stayed firm but calm, it’s harder for people to remain angry. Instead of getting impatient when being served at a shop or when driving, show kindness and empathy to others. We can all show love to others. It’s not a special skill we have to learn, it’s part of who we are. Maybe Jesus was onto something after all. Victoria Bray
Scripture & Reflection for Sunday 11th May and for the week ahead: Scripture:The Jews gathered around Jesus and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me’ (John 10.24-25)Reflection:At local level, we’ve had the chance to make a judgment in the election for KCC; on another plane, the Cardinals have been faced with selecting the new Pope. We all have to make judgments on many levels, all the time. The biggest choices may well be about who we trust.The Jews in this Bible extract were trying to work out just where Jesus fitted into their idea of God’s plan. Much of what he said and did accorded with their own ideas, but he was also unsettling them by challenging their practices. They wanted from him a claim to a title. He wanted them to stop scratching at the surface and decide for themselves what his actions told them. His reply directs us to think just what we expect of God. Where do we recognise God in action?David Harmsworth
