Reflection: Sunday 24th July and for the week ahead:Scripture:'The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.' (Peter 4. 7-8)Reflection:The early church was constantly on the watch for Jesus’ return. This state of ‘being alert’ must have changed their priorities and the way they lived their lives. They lived in relationship with God, loving others as Jesus commanded, opening their hearts to the strange and unloveable folk - they didn’t always get it right, but I’m sure they experienced lifetimes of fulfilment and peace of mind and heart, living as beloved children of God, and awaiting the return of their saviour. In our world of clamour and immediacy our lives have become over-complicated and so fast-paced that I wonder if Jesus came back tomorrow, would we even recognise the simple homeless carpenter, saviour of the world? Or would we brush him aside without a second glance? The verses above remind us what is important: a constant love for one another that turns our gaze outward and requires a pause - a time to re-consider our priorities and re-order their importance in our lives.. Vicki Young
Reflection: Sunday 17th July and for the week ahead:Scripture:‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ (Micah 6.8) Reflection:We all want justice. Twenty years ago, on July 17th 2002, 120 countries signed the treaty to inaugurate the International Criminal Court. 17th July has become the ‘Day of International Criminal Justice’. Courts are said to 'administer' justice, but once injustice has been done, it can’t be undone, only exposed and penalised. But justice is not just about crime and certainly not just about punishment – it touches every part of our lives as we live alongside others. It’s what a good life is based on. It’s a call to each of us to live up to the highest standards, to "act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly". David Harmsworth
Reflection: Sunday 10th July and for the week ahead:Scripture:Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ (Luke 10:25-28)Reflection:What the lawyer cites here, is the ‘Shema’, the Jewish Creed, so called because it starts: ‘Shema Yisrael….”, Hear, O Israel, in Hebrew. To this he adds words from the Book of Leviticus, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Lev. 19:18). These are fundamental truths to base our whole life on. As Jesus says, by following them we can live, first now, and then forever. Some people do get very excited about eternal life, a bit like the lawyer in this bit of Luke’s gospel. I feel that it is much more important that we live our best lives here and now, concentrating on that second saying – loving our neighbour and ourselves. Many people miss that last bit. “…as yourself” isn’t there just to look pretty. Jesus means it. God loves you. Take that in! Now see if you can find it in yourself to agree with him. And from that will flow a new appreciation for all around you, made in God’s image, just like you are. Revd Ylva
