Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”    Mark 9 : 35

Bible reading : Mark 9 : 30 - 37

Thought for the week

In our Gospel reading Jesus speaks of welcome. Actually He speaks about welcoming those who, in Jesus’ time, were the people of lowliest status. Those who were thought of more as servants and the doers of menial tasks.

Yet Jesus tells us that by welcoming the lowliest, we welcome Jesus Himself, and consequently the Father who sent Him.

Apparently the word ‘welcome’ (from Old English) means ‘wished – for guest’. This is the challenge. To welcome, especially the one without status, is to treat every human being as a guest, one we are truly delighted to meet, to share what we have with another human being, made in God’s image.

In our time, when we have spent months keeping our distance from each other, it is a timely reminder that as people we are all precious. Everyone matters to God.

Many people serve us each day in our lives. It is good to thank them and appreciate them. Children are in our lives as family, neighbours or friends. We even have refugees arriving in our city soon. We have this challenge. To receive Jesus in the face of a stranger, in the voice of those who go unheard. To share Jesus’ limitless love.

Rev Paul

A Prayer For Refugees

Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.