The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. Luke 17 : 5 - 6
Reading for this week : Luke 17 : 5 - 10
Thought for the week
The impact of Hurricane Ian in America has begun to emerge. Images of devastation. Stories of terrified people. Emergency Services barely able to cope. As always in these situations there are so many occurrences of strangers helping one another. Of Emergency personnel risking their lives. Untold acts of bravery and sacrifice.
In our Gospel reading Jesus urges and encourages His disciples in acts of faith and obedience. Not in ways that are necessarily recognised or even appreciated, but to live out our faith in ways that mean living out the Gospel, revealing the power of Jesus’ forgiveness, compassion and hope, often in ways and in prayers that are unseen and unknown by the world.
Just as a mustard seed is immersed in the soil, and grows, so Jesus urges His believers to be immersed in obedience and to live lives of faith.
It is great to be thanked, appreciated, and even recognised from time to time. Yet as always Jesus challenges and turns everything upside down. Living in His love and lives that fulfil His Kingdom promises are truly abundant lives. So we are called to trust, believe and pray, and let the world know Jesus is alive.
Rev Paul
Prayers for this week
Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Blessing based on 2 Timothy 1: 1-14 :
As you go from here, may God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Do not let your faith or your witness grow cold. Remember: God’s gift of faith is like a flame;
when the embers of that flame have cooled, you must fan them again to keep them ablaze.
So remember what you have been taught and what you have experienced.
Live in such a way that all who know you may see the light of God reflected in you.
And may the grace of God, the love of Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit be with you and among you in the days ahead. Amen.