Trinity 10 BCP – 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 & Luke 19:41-47Just a couple of months ago, I reached the top of ‘Monte do Gozo’ after nearly 40 days of walking from Saint Jean Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees.Having walked nearly 500 miles, with one goal in mind, it was from the top of ‘Monte do Gozo’, which literally translates as ‘Mount of Joy’ that I got my first glimpse of the towers of the Cathedral in Santiago.It is hard to put into words the joy I felt, when I spotted those towers.Joy – that yes, after such a long walk, I had made it, the goal was within touching distance.But actually, alongside the joy, there was a mix of other emotions, the biggest being the sense, that I didn’t actually want this to all be over, I wanted to carry on walking, why couldn’t it have taken me just a little longer to get to this point.As I looked around at others on the journey, it was clear we all shared this same sense of joy at reaching the outskirts of Santiago, of nearly being at destination.But most of us, also didn’t really know how we felt, it was with a huge mix of emotions, that we walked the final kilometres.In our gospel reading this morning, we sit at the beginning of Holy week, Jesus has literally just entered Jerusalem to triumphal shouts of Hosanna and waving of palm branches.Now he stands on the mount of olives where spread out before him, Jesus sees the splendour of the city of Jerusalem. A sight which would stir many a pilgrims hearts to joy, is one which brings Jesus to tears, not tears of joy, but tears of anguish.As he weeps over all those who have had the chance to hear his message of ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near,’ or his call to ‘come and follow him,’ but have instead chosen the path of rejection. Jesus weeps for the people, and for this fine city, which within the next 40 years will be left in ruins.As Jesus reaches the closing stages of his journey to the foot of the cross, it is not joy that he feels, but rather despair.But these are not tears for himself, for all that lays before him … No, these are tears for those how have not yet responded to his call, those who have not seen that he truly is the messiah, the one who has come to save them.And those tears continue to flow today.As we look around us, in our towns and villages, and in the world, we see those who have rejected the message of Jesus, and our tears are mixed with the tears of Jesus.His tears, continue to flow, for those whom he loves so much, that he gave up his life for them on the cross, and yet who have turned their backs to him.How do we turn the tears of despair, into tears of joy? How are we called to share the good news of Jesus with others, in a way, that causes them to repent and rejoice, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand? As we weep with Jesus, may we also be bearers of hope and joy, sharing the good news we have, in his everlasting love for us all. Amen
August Magazine Article August is an unusual month. For many families it is the season of summer holidays, when school corridors fall silent and the familiar rhythm of term time is set aside. It is a month that invites us to pause, to rest, and to enjoy the gift of longer days before life begins to gather pace once more. There is something deeply symbolic about this time of year. We lay down the old term, with all its achievements, disappointments, busyness and routine, and begin to look towards the new one. Even long after leaving school, many of us still think of September as the real beginning of the year. We are so shaped by the pattern of school life that the turning of the academic calendar still feels like the perfect moment to start afresh, to learn something new, or to take up a challenge we have been putting off. Our faith reminds us that new beginnings are part of God's work in our lives. The prophet Isaiah records God's promise: "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19). God is always inviting us to look forward with hope, trusting that each new season brings fresh opportunities to grow in faith, love and service. As we enjoy the slower pace of August, may we also prepare our hearts for whatever September brings. May we return to our daily routines refreshed, thankful for the gift of rest, and ready to embrace the new things God has in store for us. God Bless Reverend Emma
