Reflection: Sunday 4th May and for the week ahead:Scripture15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16 A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep’. ….. After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ (John 21.15-17, 19)ReflectionSurely Jesus already knows that Peter loves him? But this is of course a chance for Simon Peter to redeem himself again, to undo the threefold denial of Jesus just before the crucifixion. Jesus doesn’t ever ask idle questions – Peter’s answer changes everything. Jesus can now confidently appoint him shepherd for his ‘sheep’, the Christian believers, and we know that Simon Peter became an important leader in the Early Church. I admire Simon Peter, as I admired Pope Francis, his successor. But that paternalistic attitude towards ‘the flock’? It doesn’t sit so well with me. I think everyone has to be grown up and take responsibility for their own ‘feeding’, their spiritual nourishment. But a good shepherd, which is what the word ‘pastor’ means, is of course on hand, offering her, or his, flock the right pasture at the right time, encouraging them and gently guiding them. So, it’s up to the sheep if they eat, but the shepherd is lovingly concerned for their welfare, and for their safety. And why? Because the shepherd loves the sheep. But more than that – because the flock belongs to our Lord, who is the source of all love. And his invitation is for sheep and shepherd alike: ‘Follow me’. Revd Ylva
Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 27th April - The Second Sunday of Easter - and for the week ahead: Scripture:'A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.' (John 20:26-31)Reflection:The apostle John waits until the penultimate chapter to tell us why he wrote his gospel: “….so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” There is a peacefulness, a gentleness in these words; there is no forcing. And when Thomas expressed his doubts, Jesus responded gently too.Peace, quiet, gentleness and time are quite restorative. Thomas and the other disciples were transformed by the presence and gentle approach of Jesus as he says to them, “Peace be with you. Do not doubt but believe.” Hear Jesus say those words to you – right now.“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” This is written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. Let those gentle but powerful words change your life.Revd David
Scripture & Reflection for Easter Day & the week ahead:Scripture:‘But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.’ (1 Corinthians 15.12-14, 19-20 12) Reflection:Paul is responding to his opponents in Corinth who say quite simply ‘Dead men do not come back to life’. If that is the case, says Paul, then Jesus has not been raised, and neither will anybody else be. This life is all there is, and those of us who believe otherwise are pathetically deluded. But, says Paul, the fact is that Jesus has been raised, and that knowledge changes everything, both for our life on earth and for how we face death. Why should we believe this? Many, like those scoffers in Corinth, will dismiss it as wishful thinking, but for those who are genuinely seeking the truth there is abundant evidence pointing to the reality of the Resurrection. And the most convincing evidence of all is found in the transformation of lives changed by the knowledge of this truth. May you experience the reality of Christ’s Resurrection in your own lives. Happy Easter! Revd Rosemary
