Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.   Matthew 28 : 18 - 20

This week’s Gospel : Matthew 28 : 16 - 20

Thought for the week

Sometimes we have to go to a higher place to get a better view. For a more embracing perspective. A clearer view away from the distractions of everyday. To focus on the way ahead. Jesus takes His disciples to a high place at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, and in just a few words brings His earthly ministry together, connecting it with His heavenly mission, and involving His disciples in all He has achieved, and in the new age that has begun.

This is exciting! And it involves each one of us. The disciples were still a mixed bunch. The Gospel tells us some praised Jesus, ‘but some doubted’. But Jesus sends them anyway! By living out the Gospel, sharing the love and compassion of Jesus, learning to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit, discovering more and more of the love of the Father, we grow in our faith.

Jesus gathers us all together, diverse as we are, and tells us to go out into the world. Into His world. To His people. Whoever crosses our path this week, whatever words are spoken or unspoken. Whatever relationships need to be mended, each day is an opportunity and a gift. Let us ask Jesus to help us in His mission, to live out the reality of His love, and His call to everyone to believe and trust in HIm.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

The words God speaks are the life and sustenance of all that exists.

The life Jesus gives is the re-creation and renewed birth of all that is broken and worn.

The Spirit’s stirring in our souls is the inspiration for creativity, compassion, joy, and community.

Life-giving, life-restoring, life-fulfilling God; may our whole lives be worship.

In all things, may we seek to connect with and to reflect your love and your hope.

~ posted on The Minor Keys. http://theminorkeys.blogspot.ca/

Holy God, faithful and unchanging:

enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,

and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,

that we may truly worship you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Things to pray for

For all those taking exams at this time

For those preparing to be married, or recently married

For our mission as Christ’s people in our community