Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 23rd February and for the week ahead:Scripture:22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they put out, 23 and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A gale swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24 They went to him and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?’ (Luke 8: 22-25)Reflection:These verses have it all; leadership, drama, miracles and a resolution. We read that Jesus is comfortable with his disciples and confident in their ability, so he catches up on some sleep on the boat journey. But when Mother Nature comes along and does her thing, the danger is very real. The storm is so severe that the boat and its occupants are at risk of drowning. The fisherman would’ve been acutely aware of the risk of this, and they must’ve felt helpless. They don’t actually ask for Jesus for help, they simply make the statement that they are in real trouble. Jesus is capable of doing anything, but he questions his followers harshly. They weren’t being over-dramatic; the risk of death was right there. But even in times of trouble and panic, it is Jesus who they, and we, should turn to. No matter how big or small the storm is to us in our lives, the first question we should ask is “where is our faith?”. The next steps we take will depend on our answer. Victoria Bray
Scripture:‘Jesus said ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.’ (Luke 6.24-5)Reflection: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus famously blessed the poor, those who were hungry and those who were weeping. He may have surprised his disciples, but he certainly made clear his priorities, his love and concern for those in trouble. But he also went on to the stark contrast, the emptiness which lies ahead for those who live only for themselves.This week’s Collect prays: Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found.David Harmsworth
