Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” Matthew 21 : 23

Readings this week :  Ezekiel 18 : 1 – 4, 25 – end; Philippians 2 : 1 - 13; Matthew 21 : 23 - 32

Thought for the week :

We are all good at reluctance from time to time. At excuses, or finding something more interesting when tasks need to be done or we cannot summon the energy or enthusiasm to go somewhere or do something. I hear myself saying sometimes, to our children and even to myself, “You’ll enjoy it once you get there”.

Jesus knows this in us. How we feel sometimes. Our hearts might be saying no, even though our minds say yes. In our Gospel reading Jesus has been talking to the Pharisees. People set in the ways, who cannot see the grace and freedom of the Lord in their midst. Yet for all of us, we cannot see the good things sometimes, even though they are on our doorstep or standing before us!

Jesus has come into our lives to offer us freedom, forgiveness and eternal life. He is the Good News, who has brought the best news we can ever hear or know, who is Himself.

Yet how reluctant we are sometimes to receive from Him. To surrender everything to Him. To discover more of His love. To grow in His grace and freedom. What do we need to receive from Jesus today? What holds us back? What areas of reluctance do we need to lay aside?

Rev Paul

Prayers for this week

Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:

pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,

and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Gracious God, you call us to fullness of life:

deliver us from unbelief and banish our anxieties

with the liberating love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

People to pray for :

For the Armenian people, and all who are oppressed and forgotten.

For Christians in minority situations all over the world