“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Matthew 10 : 40

This week’s Gospel reading:

Matthew 10 : 40 - 42

Thought for the week

Jesus speaks about the reward for those who give a cup of cold water to a disciple. It seems such a small thing, although in recent days cold water has been very welcome.

Yet it is an act of compassion, and common humanity. It also shows how Jesus holds His disciples so dearly, how they are so greatly valued. His disciples are His people. The carriers of His mission. The ones who carry His name in the world. The bearers and bringers of the Good News.

We are Jesus’ disciples when we believe in Him and live our lives for Him. Maybe we need to be reminded frequently of how Jesus treasures us and stays with us. Not through any merits of our own, but because we are His people in his world.

A cup of cold water can feel like a life – saver on a hot day. How humbling that through Jesus’ love for the whole world, He calls us to bring His love to those who are hurting, who are broken, who need healing. People like us, who can take Jesus’ life to other people like us!

Jesus who has won for us forgiveness and new life through the Cross. He has done it all. Yet He goes on loving us, so the world may hear and believe.

Rev  Paul

Prayers for this week

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:

increase and multiply upon us your mercy;

that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal;

grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,

who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Gracious Father,

by the obedience of Jesus you brought salvation to our wayward world:

draw us into harmony with your will, that we may find all things restored in him, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Things to pray for

For people who are facing significant changes in their lives

For those pursuing their vocations

For grace and wisdom for our leaders