Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.     Luke 12 : 33 - 34

Reading for this week : Luke 12 : 32 – 40

Thought for the week

Our Gospel reading this week features a master returning from a wedding celebration, expecting his servants to be ready to let him in and to serve him, no matter how late the hour.

We are in the wedding season at St Ed’s and St Peter’s, and it is a real privilege to be involved in the wedding day of so many couples and their families. Days that have involved weeks of preparation and anticipation.

Jesus speaks of us being ready to receive Him when he returns. He will one day come again to the earth in glory. He will come as Saviour and Judge, and all truth will be revealed.

In the meantime we are called to be ready. In Revelation Jesus says of Himself, ‘See I stand at the door and knock’. We make ourselves ready now by opening the door to Jesus now. To receive His love and listen to His voice. Receive His promise of forgiveness and new life. We are called to lay aside our fears and anxieties, and receive Him into our lives. The true joy of belonging to Him.

Rev Paul

Prayers for this week

Lord God, your Son left the riches of heaven and became poor for our sake:

when we prosper save us from pride,

when we are needy save us from despair,

that we may trust in you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer (based on Psalm 145:15-16, Isaiah 55:1-3, John 6:35)

Lord, the eyes of all look to You in hope;

and You give them what they need.

You open Your hand and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled— to eat of the Bread of Life,

to drink from Your life-giving streams, to taste Your goodness and live.

May the time we spend together in Your presence nourish our hearts and minds;

may it strengthen our relationship with You,

and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples.

For You alone are God, the Source and Sustainer of life.