Scripture:‘When He had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place they called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples saying "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt. Untie it and bring it here." If anyone asks you, "Why are you untying it?", just say this: "The Lord needs it".’ (Luke 19, 29-34)Reflection:What a strange 3 years Jesus' disciples had had! They were lads who had been called away from their jobs, walked thousands of miles following Jesus as he did all manner of weird things. They watched him calm storms, walk on water, multiply bread and fish, cast out demons, and heal broken bodies.They had become friends who argued from time to time, probably shared inside jokes, didn't understand a lot of things, but they had come to a place of trust in Jesus where they simply accepted yet another of his strange requests without question - essentially to go and 'borrow' someone else's donkey! . They had no idea if the owner would be around, how he might react or what they would have to do - the whole thing was tinged with thrilling possibility!You could say one thing about the disciples and their life lived with Jesus - it was never boring. Yes, it was filled with as much beauty, awe and wonder, as it was with sadness, confusion and despair, but those of us who remember a time in our lives defined by the latter, will know that it makes the former even sweeter. These men re-told the story of their life lived with Jesus in the Bible, still the best selling book of all time, and not once is there any hint of regret on their behalf about the life they chose. It was the journey to end all journeys. The same journey is available to each one of us today - tinged with thrilling possibility and never boring! Vicki Young
Scripture:'Hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.' (Romans 8.24-25)Reflection:Reflection:These words came from an activist: patience for St Paul was not a passive thing! He and his correspondents needed hope in the face of persecution and experience of injustice and violence, just as much as we need hope in our troubled times. He was convinced that love can and will win through. ‘Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (v39). He urged us to pray without ceasing. A Collect for this Sunday runs: Heavenly Lord, you long for the world’s salvation: stir us from apathy, restrain us from excess and revive in us new hope that all creation will one day be healed in Jesus Christ our Lord. David Harmsworth
Scripture:'When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.' (Matthew 5.1-4)Reflection:Jesus says God’s blessing is upon: Those who are “poor in spirit”….those who a feeling at their lowest but turn to God; you will be blessed. Those who “mourn” the things they do wrong, and turn to God for help; you will be blessed. And it continues: God’s blessing is upon those who are “meek” (humble, thinking of others); those seeking a right relationship with God; those who show mercy to others; those who work for peace; those who get into trouble for “doing the right thing”.Read these “Beatitudes” (blessings) when you get home today – Matthew 5:1-12 – and know that God wants to bless you; has blessed you; and will continue to bless you. So today: accept all of God’s love for you. Be open to God’s Word speaking to you. Be open to God’s blessings. Then go and be a blessing to someone else today, this week…. all your life.Revd David Commander
