The Victory Parade

Last week we experienced a moment of joy and delight as York City FC paraded the National League trophy through the streets of the City of York. Thousands filled the route to celebrate the homecoming of the promised land of the Football League. Individuals of all ages wearing the club colours: shirts, scarves, hats. After 10 years the Minstermen are back. Life for a football fan, for any sports fan, is incredibly difficult built on hope but fraught with fear. Every season you are desperate to see your team succeed and achieve a trophy victory.

How different that is within the Christian faith, when we may still be involved in the ‘game’ but we know the victory is already won. 1 Corinthians 15:57 – “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. This verse underscores our Christian belief that ultimate victory is attained through faith in Jesus Christ, particularly through His death and resurrection, triumphing over sin and death.

We can therefore celebrate, continuously in the Victory of ‘our side’ and treat every day and every event as our own Victory Parade. Treat each Church service, each Christian event and every Faith engagement as a celebration of that victory. How proud we should be to wear our faith (our colours) for all to see. To have that outward display reflecting Christ’s story.

In summary, the Bible teaches that true and lasting victory is ultimately found in God and through faith in Jesus Christ. It encourages believers to trust in God's power, acknowledging that victory results from divine intervention and reliance on the love and strength provided by the Lord.

I call for us all therefore to learn to be active in our faith, to both proclaim the good news and to demonstrate that faith through our actions and deeds.

Pray for …

• A growing closeness of the wider ABC Churches (Acaster Malbis, Appleton Roebuck, Acaster Selby, Askham Bryan, Bolton Percy, Colton, Copmanthorpe) and all that God has in store for us, moving forward together.
• Christians in our communities and around the world engaged in continuing the work of Jesus, however big or small the deed.
• That each of us be open to following God’s will and move forward in faith.

Give thanks for …

• The commitment of our brothers and sisters in Christ
• The opportunities we have to meet across our parishes throughout the week, to engage in worship and share our Christian lives.
• The Reverand Geoff Mumford, for his faith, commitment and tireless efforts to support the demands of our individual churches and communities