We’ve now almost reached the mid-way point of Lent. We’re in an in-between space, a time traditionally when fasting is beginning to pall and to take its toll. Today’s readings speak about the dryness of this mid-point of the Lenten journey; spiritual dryness that longs for refreshment and joy. The psalmist puts it so well. …
Today we take the next step on the Lenten journey that takes us from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week, Good Friday and the cross and then on towards the hope of resurrection. One of the key features of Lent is the opportunity we have for confession and repentance, the opportunity to own who we are …
Lent manages to take me by surprise every year. We get through Christmas, pack away the nativity figures and settle into Epiphany and the new year, and suddenly Lent appears on the horizon. For some people, the arrival of Lent means willpower time; giving up red wine or chocolate for as long as the strength …
The Feast of the Transfiguration marks the end of the Epiphany season with its stories of miracles, and its deep sense that in this Jesus, God’s light is shining into the world. The Transfiguration up on the mountain top, revealed Jesus in all his glory to the Disciples, with people dressed in white, strange …
Today’s Gospel reminds us of that hard topic – forgiveness, and once again sets out Jesus’ standards for our everyday behaviour. To forgive those who have hurt us, or caused us pain is one of the most vexing demands of being a disciple of Christ. In so many things, following Jesus is loving and practical; …
The fishing imagery in the Gospel story is a bit remote for those of us who get our fish from the market and sushi from bars. But despite this, the message is clear; in the course of his ordinary working life, just getting on with his job, running his fishing business – Peter is confronted …
The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple that we celebrate today, is also known as Candlemas. For Anglicans in the northern hemisphere, this Feast, that dates back to the fifth Century, is a reminder of the coming of light in the darkness of winter as they look forward to the arrival of …
This weekend we mark Australia Day, a day when wecelebrate our nation’s history and heritage. Dorothy Mackellar’s poem evokes a real sense of what it means to live with the Australian landscape, of the way we have to hold together the rugged beauty and the terror of this country that’s our home. The heat, storms …
When I started to think about Jesus’ first miracle at the Wedding at Cana this week, the first image that came to mind was Rowan Atkinson’s parody of a Church of England Vicar telling this story. ‘On the third day there was a marriage ag Cana of Galilee and it came to pass that there …
As we move through the season of Epiphany, we continue to reflect on the meaning of the Incarnation: Emmanuel, God born for us. Although the nativity is a beautiful, warm fuzzy story, we need to take care that this doesn’t disguise the real truth of this season. God is with us, in our believing and …