Category: Sermon

“Have you believed because you have seen me?” Jesus says to our twin brother, Tom. With the eyes of his heart, Tom saw the God become man.

God sustained us in the past and will take us through the present and into the future too. But, but, he may do it in a completely new way.

What do we get told? “There I told you so! You never listen to me or take any notice! You’ve got your comeuppance!

As we’ve seen in response to Ukraine from everyday people in Poland and other European countries – there is enough of that love to go around.

Who are you? What kind of Christian are you? Indeed, what kind of person are you? And how often do you think about it?

Here we are at the Transfiguration. The earthly Jesus, the Chosen One, shares the company of two men who are now residents of heaven.

In Luke, we’ve had Jesus the Son of Man, Jesus as King, Jesus the bringer of good news to the poor. Today he is the man who calmed the sea.

This is what Jesus often describes; so much so that the good news can be seen as an ongoing story of the reversal of fortune for many.

In the year that King Uzziah died. Or in the year that George VI died. Or JFK. Or Diana. Or in the year that someone you loved died. 

Jesus first miracle was performed at the wedding at Cana. And, on the face of it, it’s an odd choice. So, what we are to learn from this? 

In our reading from Matthew, the Magi, whether they were wise men or wise women, took great risks and made great effort to seek out Jesus.

No stars or shepherds, no angels, no baby in a manger; but it is the Christmas Story, and it brings enough blessings to last a lifetime.

Perhaps we all need to be more expressive in our greetings and relationships to reflect the good news and the blessings we have received.

Or maybe, she had the confidence and strength now to be the person who she needed to be. Strength to be a sanctuary for someone very special.

If our welcome is to work, if it’s to change things for people and yes, bring them back again, it has to be accepting and affirming of all.