Reflection for Sunday 21st September 2025The Fourteenth Sunday After Trinity The Feast of St MatthewProverbs 3.13–18, 2 Corinthians 4.1–6, Matthew 9.9–13This week we celebrate St Matthew, the tax collector turned apostle. When Jesus passed by his booth and said, “Follow me,” Matthew got up and left everything. It sounds so simple on the page, but in truth it meant walking away from a secure income, a known role, even his reputation — such as it was — and stepping into an uncertain life with Jesus.Proverbs tell us that true wisdom is more precious than silver and gold. Matthew would have handled plenty of silver coins, but on that day, he discovered a better treasure: the wisdom and mercy of God. Jesus looked at him not as a failure or a cheat but as someone worth calling, worth loving, worth sending.Paul writes that our ministry is about showing the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. That’s what Matthew saw at his booth: the face of mercy. And that’s what he would spend the rest of his life sharing — writing his gospel so that others too might see the light shining in Jesus.There’s encouragement here for us. However ordinary or compromised our lives may feel, Christ sees us and calls us. He desires not our outward show, not our sacrifices, but our hearts turned towards mercy. Like Matthew, we are each seen and called by Christ. He doesn’t look first at our failures or achievements but at our hearts. What He asks of us is simple: to follow Him and to share His mercy with others. The real treasure in life is not silver or gold, but the wisdom of knowing we belong to Him. May we have eyes to recognise His call, courage to take the next step in faith, and hearts ready to offer mercy in His name. Blessings and prayers, Emma
A huge thank you to all those who helped mow, strim, brush, trim, dust, polish, vacuum, mop and lots of other jobs in the church and churchyard last Saturday. Thank you to Dave and Mandy for co-ordinating and to Alison for the drinks and cake which kept us going. The sun shone brightly on the workers and many hands made light work. The church and the churchyard both look great. We are still looking for volunteers to go on a cleaning and/or a mowing and strimming rota. Hopefully it will be easier now that the job has been made manageable. Please email Dave on dd@cddickens.plus.com if you are able to help with the churchyard, Gill on ddh.gmjubb@gmail.com if you are able to help with the cleaning.
8th March: Village Walk5th April: Churchyard Spring Tidy9th May: Annual Village Quiz with Fish and Chips13th July: Garden Party21st September: Harvest Lunch14th November: Would I lie to you Wine and Cheese evening5th December: Wreath making workshop14th December Carols on the Green
