Shipley Church Self-Service

Sunday 11th October 2020

Thought for the Week – Many are called but few are chosen

This Sunday’s reading is another parable in which Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God is open to everyone who believes in him. But some who will choose to refuse his call or fail to respond properly to it, will be left out. For many reasons the Jewish people, who thought of themselves as God’s chosen people, did not accept him as their Messiah. The symbolism of today’s story of the wedding banquet, to which people who were invited refused to come, is not unlike the labourers in the vineyard (Sunday 20th Sept) when “the last could be first, and the first last”, depending on their readiness to accept him. (Matthew 22: 1-14)

The Law according to the Old Testament was a great and imposing system of ritual and religious observances. Jesus’ coming swept away all those ceremonies by affirming the whole of religion and godliness is fulfilled in one word, Love. Whereas, in today’s difficult circumstances, we have to observe “The Rule of Six” and “Social Distancing”, our religious guidelines, according to St Paul, are to Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice! We are to think on what is true and honourable, just and pure. Quite a positive challenge to us all. (Colossians 1,4:1-9)

Hymn for  today

Jerusalem the golden,

With milk and honey blest,

Beneath thy contemplation

Sink heart and voice oppressed.

I know not, ah, I know not

What joys await us there,

What radiancy of glory,

What bliss beyond compare.

Prayers

We pray that, as a contrast to the misery and pollution that’s around us, the beauty of the earth may be restored, and the rare and unmatched peace and glory of the coming of God’s kingdom may be revealed to us.

Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.