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Mammon or God? : a reflection for Day 34 of Lent

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“…Jesus said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” But when he heard this, he became sad, for he was very rich.” (Luke 18.22-23)      Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem.   The number of people thronging around Jesus is increasing (Lk. 11.14, 29; 12.1; 13.22; 14.25), and so is the tension between Jesus and the obstinate members of “his generation”.   Besides announcing imminent judgment, Jesus is feasting and telling stories.   Jesus’ “gospel” is bad news for the self-sufficient, smug and vengeful and good news for the poor, desperate and trusting.      In Luke 18.18, a “certain ruler” approaches Jesus with a question.   Thus begins the first of two episodes which sit close to one another in the narrative, showing the different reactions of two rich men to the ch...
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A trick to “manage” job loss: a reflection for Day 33 of Lent

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  “…his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly, for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.” (Luke 16.8)        Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem.   The number of people thronging around Jesus is increasing (Lk. 11.14, 29; 12.1; 13.22; 14.25), and so is the tension between Jesus and the obstinate members of “his generation”.   Besides announcing imminent judgment, Jesus is feasting and telling stories.   Jesus’ “gospel” is bad news for the self-sufficient, smug and vengeful and good news for the poor, desperate and trusting.      As chapter 16 of Luke’s Gospel begins, Jesus is once again telling a parable – in this instance, an infamously ambiguous and intractable story that has occasioned much spilling of ink. [1]   The Pharisees remain in the picture, if slightly out of frame (Lk. 16....
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Coming back from death – the joy of being found: a reflection for Day 31 of Lent

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  “…we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” (Luke 15.32)      Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem.   The number of people thronging around Jesus is increasing (Lk. 11.14, 29; 12.1; 13.22; 14.25), and so is the tension between Jesus and the obstinate members of “his generation”.   The tenor of Jesus’ teaching is often severe.   Jesus’ “gospel” is bad news for the self-sufficient, smug and vengeful and good news for the poor, desperate and trusting.      As was the case in the preceding chapter, Luke 15 opens with some Pharisees grumbling about Jesus’ kingdom-activity (15.1-2; cf. 14.1-6).   There is another link with chapter 14 – in both chapters, Jesus is participating in a communal meal.   However, there is also a sharp contrast between the two meals – while Jesus dined in the home of a Pharisee in ...
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Banquet of the blind, lame, crippled and poor: a reflection for Day 30 of Lent

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“…when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14.13-14)        Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem.   The number of people thronging around Jesus is increasing (Lk. 11.14, 29; 12.1; 13.22; 14.25), and so is the tension between Jesus and the obstinate members of “his generation”.   The tenor of Jesus’ teaching is often severe.      Once again, we find Jesus being a dinner-guest in the home of a Pharisee (Lk. 14.1; cf. 11.37).   A “blessing” pronounced by another guest – “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” (14.15) – is situated between two parables told by Jesus which compare the kingdom to a (wedding) banquet (Lk. 14.7-24; cf. 13.22-30).   Both parables have the same punch-line, which is an admonition for t...
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Fire and water; flashing swords and falling stones: a reflection for Day 29 of Lent

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“I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze!  I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” (Luke 12.49-51)        Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem.   The number of people thronging around Jesus is increasing (Lk. 11.14, 29; 12.1; 13.22), and so is the tension between Jesus and the obstinate members of “his generation”.   The tenor of Jesus’ teaching is often severe.        Jesus uses many different metaphors to describe the fate which awaits him in Jerusalem.   He refers to it as an exodus (Lk. 9.31), a baptism (Lk. 12.50; cf. Mk. 10.38-39), casting fire on the earth (Lk. 12.49) and “finishing his work” (Lk. 13.32).   Again, Jesus’ fate is tied up with that of the nation; indeed, his demise ...
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“Who is the Church for?”: a sermon for the FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT (22 MARCH 2026)

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  ·         Biblical texts : Exodus 29.42-46; Psalm 133; Ephesians 4.1-16 Introduction      What am I doing here?   Who are these people?   What is going on?   These are normal questions for someone who is visiting a church for the first time, or perhaps finding themselves inside a church for the very first time.   These are also good questions for those of us who are long-time church goers.   Have we perhaps forgotten why we’re here?   We need to constantly be reminded of what the Church is for and why we’re a part of it.   For those of us who are new to (this) church, you may well wonder what is going on and why .   As you look around, you will probably think to yourself – these are not the type of people I usually hang around with.   As the old expression goes, “Birds of a feather flock together”.   And yet, in church – if things are working properly – you wil...
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