Fifth Sunday of Easter: 10th May 2020
Today is Mother’s Day and we acknowledge and give thanks for all mothers and women who nurture and care with compassion and kindness and who show us the Father’s love through words deeds and actions.
Sentence of the Day:
Jesus himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, being dead to sin, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2.24
A call to worship:
Jesus said: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -- John 14:6
Lord Jesus Christ, we come to worship the Father in your name,
Jesus said: "If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." -- John 14:7
Lord Jesus, may we meet with you in this hour, and know God our Father and your Father
Collect, Prayer of the Day:
Everliving God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life:
give us grace to love one another,
to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Ministry of the Word: Silence may follow each reading.
Acts 7: 54- 60
54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen
55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.
Hear the word of the Lord
Psalm 31: 1-5, 17-18
1 To you, Lord, have I come for shelter: let me never be put to shame.
2 O deliver me in your righteousness: incline your ear to me and be swift to save me.
3 Be for me a rock of refuge, a fortress to defend me:
for you are my high rock and my stronghold.
4 Lead me and guide me for your name’s sake:
bring me out of the net that they have secretly laid for me, for you are my strength.
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit: you will redeem me, O Lord God of truth.
17 All my days are in your hand: O deliver me from the power of my enemies
and from my persecutors.
18 Make your face to shine upon your servant: and save me for your mercy’s sake.
1 Peter 2: 11-25
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. 13 For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, 14 or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. 17 Honour everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honour the emperor. 18 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh.
19 For it is to your credit if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, where is the credit in that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
22 ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’
23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. Hear the word of the Lord
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Chapter 14, beginning to read at verse 1: Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ
1 ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ 5 Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6 Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ 8 Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’
9 Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: I recently heard of a bumper sticker that said: Don’t follow me- I’m lost!
Very appropriate for me, I sometimes do not have much sense of direction.
It brought to mind an experience from some years ago that I had during my time of studying and living in Canberra.
On the day on which I was to have my first Greek exam, I left home early as I wanted to make sure I had time to prepare myself and calm my nerves ready for the exam.
As I drove along the road that I normally took to St Marks college, I noticed a line of cars waiting to turn onto the main road but the traffic was all stationary so I quickly took a left turn to the next road through, only to find the same situation.
There had been an accident on the main road into town and finally after a slow crawl to the corner we were directed to turn away from the city and travel in the opposite direction.
Finally, I found a street to pull over into and I rang my friend to ask if there was another way?
She said if I could follow the side road that I had just turned into and wind my way up… around several streets…and then down again. By doing so I should bypass the accident site.
Well of cause, it was not that simple. There were many forks in the road and which way should I choose. I decided that the best thing to do as to pray, especially since it was the day of my first Greek exam, I certainly didn’t want to be late.
Just at that moment, along came a guy on a motor bike, something within me said follow him, which I did. I had no idea if he was heading home to his house or like me, he was blocked off from his usual route and knew another way.
Well as it turned out, I followed him and he led me across all the back streets, after many turns and bumps, we came out onto the road that I wanted, and I got to the Uni in plenty of time to sit my exam.
Divine guidance?
Good fortune? …Chance?
Now today I found myself presented with a thought, and questions-
who do I follow?...... well simple answer- Jesus of cause, then
How do I follow Jesus? And How do I know God’s guidance?
I heard a great teaching on the book of Acts this morning. I don’t know if you are having the same experience, but during this ‘strange time’ we are in and as we adjust to a different way of being and doing – for now at least- I have been listening to more than ever to reflections and inspirations from fellow Priests and other spiritual teachers. I’m trying to make the most of my alone times. To see this time as a positive chance to refresh and renew especially Spiritually.
This morning as I had my prayer time and opened my ipad to do morning prayer, there appeared on the screen a reflecion from Rev’d Ron Bundy, who is a retired Priest/ locum in Southern Queensland Diocese. Ron has been doing a teaching series on the book of Acts and I am amazed each time I listen how he brings new insights that I hadn’t heard before. Today Ron was speaking about the disciples who in chapter 13 had time of prayer and fasting. Now this prayer and fasting wasn’t just a brief event- you don’t fast for just twenty minutes- no, you take time to fast and pray and listen. It made me wonder how much we stop, really pause and spend time with God to just listen and notice what he is doing within us and around us.
We pray for God’s guidance and then expect some immediate beacon in the sky saying OK Do this or do that. But how do we follow and how do we listen and what do we notice God doing in our midst? Do we hear the still small voice leading us even if sometimes in bizarre ways (I think of that motor bike put in my path that day!)
Even in this time of isolation God is at work. He’s nurturing, sustaining and with us as we seek our way back to the correct route. Perhaps we can let go of some of the things we’ve got ‘stuck’ in doing- bad habits, thoughtless ways, inward looking, the list could go on…. Perhaps this Covid time is an opportunity to stop, to fast and pray and take time to really think about what is important in life and faith and what is not.
We can be glum and downcast and think negatively about this time when life as we knew it changed, when the things we wanted to do perhaps we could not do… OR we can look for the life, look for the rays of sun and the beams of hope. We can hold fast to our faith and the one in whom our faith is put.
‘Every significant journey changes us in some way. We are hardly ever aware of this while we are in the midst of it. We may have hints of these changes but it is only later, in looking back that we gasp in amazement at what was being formed and shaped in our lives. Only then do we recognize how a new attitude, a stronger dedication, and a fuller passion stretched us into the fullness of life. Then we are able to identify the journey’s ability to propel us into unexpected growth.’ (Joyce Rupp, Walking in a relaxed manner, P.22)
‘Of cause our significant journey can alter us in negative ways we do not want….so much of what we learn from our noteworthy journeys depends on what we experience and how we go about responding.’
I pray that you will continue to see God’s hand upon you as he leads and guides you through the twists and turns of life and that peace fills your heart and the Spirit of God will continue to inspire you and draw you into God’s presence. Amen
As we worship and praise God and thank him for his goodness, we acknowledge our needs before him as we pray:
Everliving Father, we give you thanks that you sent your Son to be our way, our truth, and our life: we bring to you our prayers for all your people.
We pray for your world: ravaged by the Corona Virus. For those who are sick and those who are grieving the death of loved ones, and those who have lost their livelihoods.
We ask for strength for doctors and nurses and all those who serve others by putting their lives in danger every day.
We pray for our political leaders who work tirelessly to protect us from the pandemic, and for the scientists striving to develop a vaccine to fight Covid-19.
Righteous God, dwell in us, that our lives may proclaim your works.
We pray for your church: we pray for Bishop Murray, for all parish priests in this diocese and all who proclaim your name and care spiritually for others. We ask you to strengthen them during this time of isolation; help them to be able to continue pastoring their flocks so that no-one will be lost or forgotten.
Faithful God, dwell in us, that our lives will proclaim your works.
We pray for our community: for our families, our friends. Keep us safe and help us to remember all those who are lonely and without friends.
We especially give you thanks for our mothers who gave us life, cared for us, and loved us, and for all whose lives shine with your spirit of forgiveness and love.
Loving God, dwell in us, that our lives may proclaim your works.
We give you thanks for your followers of every age: for Stephen and all who have given their lives up for you.
Lead us in your way and into your truth, that we may be brought to the place of everlasting life, which you prepare for all your people.
Everliving God, dwell in us, that in our living and at our dying we may proclaim your works.
Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord who taught us to pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Song: I will sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me,
how He left the realms of glory for the cross on Calvary.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me,
sing it with His saints in glory, gathered by the crystal sea.
I was lost: but Jesus found me, found the sheep that went astray,
raised me up and gently led me back into the narrow way.
Days of darkness still may meet me, sorrow’s path I oft may tread;
but His presence still is with me, by His guiding hand I’m led.
He will keep me till the river rolls its waters at my feet;
then He’ll bear me safely over, made by grace for glory meet.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me,
sing it with His saints in glory, gathered by the crystal sea.
Words: F.H. Rawley (1854-1952) Music: R.H. Prichard (1811-87)
Words © Harper Collins Religious CCL.33904
Diocesan Prayer for during this time of Isolation
Ever present God,
be with us in our isolation,
be close to us in our distancing,
be healing in our sickness,
be joy in our sadness,
be light in our darkness,
be wisdom in our confusion,
be all that is familiar when all is unfamiliar, that when the doors reopen
we may with the zeal of Pentecost
inhabit our communities
and speak of your goodness
to an emerging world, for Jesus’ sake. Amen
Blessing:
God of hope, who brought love into this world,
be the love that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought peace into this world,
be the peace that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought joy into this world,
be the joy that dwells between us.
God of hope, the rock we stand upon,
be the centre, the focus of our lives always. Amen.