For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.          Matthew 25 : 35 - 36

Bible reading : Matthew 25 : 31 - 46

Thought for the week

This year has seen records broken for online shopping and deliveries. At one stage almost every vehicle on our road was a courier’s van, in a rush, with a schedule. And parcels were never handed over, but left at a distance. All done remotely. As Christmas comes this is likely to be the pattern.

Yet Jesus highlights a very different way of being. The very hands – on involvement that is true compassion. Jesus speaks of so much that we are no longer allowed to do. Involving closeness, contact, physical presence, personal selflessness. Feeding the hungry. Giving the thirsty a drink. Receiving strangers in our homes. Clothing people. Caring sacrificially for the sick, and visiting those in difficult places. Maybe the most important word Jesus uses is ‘stranger’. Showing care for those we don’t know. Jesus highlights all the things we’re not supposed to do now.

Yet we can still have hearts of compassion. All the charities have struggled to keep going. Poverty is still very much with us. Our prayers are much needed. Jesus calls us still to show compassion. To find imaginative ways to look beyond ourselves, to the needs of the ‘stranger’. To share Jesus’ love. The One who is the King of love.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

God the Father,

help us to hear the call of Christ the King

and to follow in his service,

whose kingdom has no end;

for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, one glory. Amen.

Additionally

Nativity scenes display We are holding a Nativity scenes display at St Peter’s Ringland from Monday 21st December to Wednesday 23rd. The church will be open 10.00am to 3.00pm each day.