Thought for this week

It is so lovely to see the East Window at St Ed’s back where it belongs. We praise the Lord that this has been possible. If you have spent some time looking closely at it you may well have commented on how bright the colours are. We are seeing new shades and tones that were previously covered by dirt and now are exposed in all their glory.

In our gospel reading we are again with Jesus in the Upper Room as he and the disciples share their last meal together before he dies. Jesus, in prayer for the disciples, prays that the clarity and brightness of God’s love, both for him and the disciples may shine through them and in them, holding them together in unity.

Like the window, full of different colours so each of them were different but made up a whole.

Today, in our diversity, we reveal God’s glory. May we rejoice in our diversity and also in our oneness in Christ that we and all the world may become ever more aware of God in Christ’s presence with us and all people.

Rachel.

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. John 17 : 20 - 23

Prayer for this week

O God the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before, Amen 

Risen, ascended Lord, as we rejoice at your triumph, fill your Church on earth with power and compassion, that all who are estranged by sin may find forgiveness and know your peace, to the glory of God the Father.

Readings this week

Acts 16 : 16 - 34

Revelation 22 : 12 – 14, 16 – 17, 20 - end

John 17 : 20 end