“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Luke 16 : 31

Reading for this week : Luke 16 : 19 – 31

Thought for the week

Of the many different thoughts and themes that were highlighted at the Queen’s funeral, maybe the greatest was the theme of eternity. The Archbishop ended his address with “Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: “We will meet again.”

Our Gospel reading today of the rich man and Lazarus emphasises how we live our lives in the day to day now is reflected in eternity. Jesus speaks often of eternity, and of hope.

The Archbishop spelt out clearly Jesus did not speak first and foremost to the disciples of how we follow, but who we follow. Believing in Jesus is the most radical, life – changing and life – bringing decision we can ever make, affecting not only ourselves and our eternity, but how we treat those around us in this life.

It is right that we should each be challenged, even stopped in our tracks, to consider our own lives and eternity. Jesus has stepped into our lives and calls us to believe in Him as ‘The resurrection and the Life’. With Him eternity is an invitation to receive forgiveness for the past, grace for the present, and new life. We are each called, and invited.

Rev Paul

Prayers for this week

God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church in the burning fire of your love: grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that, always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Amen

God of life  God of hope  God of all

Lift us  on your love  like eagle's wings

Sustain us  Guide us  Heal us

Then send us  forth into  the world

That we  may love  as you love.

Amen.

~ written by Terri, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/