The Jesse Tree
In St Mary’s Priory, Abergavenny, is a medieval wooden sculpture known as the Jesse Tree depicting the history of the Jewish and Christian faiths. As we decorate our church Christmas tree we consider some of these anchor points of our faith.
Bible Sunday 2018
To find life in all its fullness is to follow Jesus, and to do that is to follow the word of God as revealed in the Bible.
Can you drink the cup I drink?
James and John ask Jesus whether they can sit at his right and left hand in his kingdom, and he responds by asking ‘can you drink the cup I drink?’ Such a simple question, like the questions that are asked at baptism, yet revealing that accepting Jesus is not to accept the easy path through life.
Amos on Social Injustice
This morning’s readings, from Amos chapter 5, calls on Israel to act justly, and Jesus talks about the difficulties of the rich young man. Rana looks at these readings from three angles: A call to review your theology A call to challenge our economic systems A call to transform yourself
Baptism – An Outward Sign of an Inward Blessing
With two candidates for baptism today, Rana looks at what we mean by a sacrament – an outward sign of an inward blessing.
Who is the greatest?
On the way to Capernaum the disciples argue amongst themselves about which of them is the greatest. Rana looks at the place greatness and ambition have in life today.
Who do you say I am?
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
Gathering the Crumbs
The story of the Syrian woman who asks Jesus to heal her daughter poses difficult questions about who the good news is intended for. Barry unpacks more of this story from Mark’s Gospel.
Rules, Rules, Rules!
Rules are necessary although sometimes they seem restrictive. Mairwen looks again at the Ten Commandments and the effect they had on Israel and have for us today.
Learning to think spiritually
In the last of this section on John’s Gospel we look again at Jesus the Bread of Life and at how Jesus was trying to get his audience to look beyond the physical and see their own spiritual needs and their need of a deeper, persistent connection with God, through Jesus.
Jesus the Living Bread
Revd Bashir Masih Gill, a pastor at one of South Korea’s Megachurches, speaks to us about our need to feed daily on Jesus the Word of God.
Jesus the Bread of Life
Jesus as the bread of life is a well known phrase. Here Rana explores some of the themes of sharing and justice associated with it, and how Jesus is just as essential to us as the very food we eat.