February: A Month of Light, Love, and New BeginningsAs February unfolds, we find ourselves moving further into the promise of lighter days and the hope of new growth. Winter may still hold a chill in the air, but beneath the surface, life is stirring. Snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils are beginning to pierce through the earth, their delicate heads reaching for the sun. It's a reminder that even in the coldest of seasons, new life is emerging, and God's creative power is at work in the world around us.In the Bible, we are reminded of God’s light shining into the world, a light that dispels darkness and brings hope. The Gospel of John opens with the words: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). In these words, we are called to see the presence of Christ as a beacon of light in our lives, a light that shines even when circumstances feel cold or uncertain.As we enter February, we can take joy in the increasing daylight. The days are growing longer, offering us more opportunities to step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and connect with the beauty of creation. Just as the bulbs emerge from the soil, our hearts too can begin to bloom with renewed hope and energy, ready to share love and kindness with others.This is a month where we can embrace the power of community. As the days lighten, so too does our ability to reach out to one another in love. Let’s take inspiration from the early spring flowers and cultivate kindness, warmth, and support in our relationships. Whether it’s a simple word of encouragement, a heartfelt gesture, or an act of service, every small act of love reflects God’s light in the world.So, as we move through February, let’s remember that the increasing light not only signals the change of seasons but also calls us to shine brighter in love, kindness, and community. In doing so, we reflect the very heart of God, whose light never fades.God BlessReverend Emma
The shortest day in 2024 was 21st December and since then the days have been getting longer and we’ll get more daylight each day until we reach the longest day in June. During these sometimes gloomy months bulbs that start flowering early, such as snowdrops, crocus and hyacinths, grow away in the dark, pushing their way through the cold soil, until they reach the light and give us the joy of seeing their flowers.The sun gives us light and warmth for free, but often in the winter we have to rely on electric lights and central heating, and may be worrying about the increased costs. A good way to keep warm and reduce loneliness is to meet up with others – invite a neighbour or friend round, or go along to a café for a hot drink and a chat. Mental health studies have shown that it is good for us to be connected with other people. And faith is good for us too – some MRI scan results indicate that in terms of brain function, talking to God resembles conversing with a friend.Thinking of light, I’m reminded of an amazing and thought-provoking painting of Jesus by artist Holman Hunt called ‘The Light of the World’, depicting Jesus standing outside a door and knocking to be let in. He is waiting in the dark with a lantern in his hand, but there is no door handle on the outside - the decision needs to be made by the person whose life and heart is being touched by Jesus. In the Bible we can read that Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ So, whether it’s enjoying the early Spring flowers, having coffee with a friend, snuggling up in the warmth of your own home with a good book or TV programme, or having a chat with God, I pray that you look forward to longer days as the sun shines higher in the sky, and also that you feel the constant warmth of Jesus’ love in your life. Revd Anne Mason (You can see the painting in St Paul’s cathedral.)
Epiphany 3 Year C – Luke 4:14-21 Today, we come to the last Sunday of Epiphany, a season of revelation, as first Jesus identity is revealed to the Magi, as they follow the star, and kneel to worship the King of Kings, then at Jesus baptism, in front of the crowds gathered around John the Baptist, as Jesus comes up out of the waters, the heavens open, a dove descends and a voice from heaven declares, this is my son, my beloved, in whom I am well pleased. Next in this season of Epiphany comes what John records as Jesus’ first miraculous sign, performed at the wedding in Cana, as water is turned into wine, whilst the miracle is performed at a wedding feast, with presumably many guests, it is only the disciples, Mary and the servants who drew the water from the well, who knew what had happened, and as our reading last week ended we heard the words, Jesus thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.And so this morning, we come to our passage from Lukes gospel, Jesus is back in his home town, Nazareth, and as he gets up to read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah is given to him and he finds the place to read where it is written.The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.To proclaim the year of the Lords favour.And rolling up the scroll, he says ‘today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.And all who heard him were amazed.Jesus is proclaiming, I am he, the promised Messiah, today, in front of his own people, the folk in Nazareth, he tells them, look, these words are my words, and with them he ushered in the Messianic age, the year of the Lords favour, not a calendar year, but the period when salvation would be proclaimed.But if we had read on just a few more verses, we would have seen how, amazement turns to incredulity, as people asked ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’ and ultimately rage … by verse 28 we hear ‘When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was build, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.’With these words from Isaiah, Jesus proclaims his Kingdom Manifesto, • Proclaiming good news to the poor• Freedom for prisoners• Recovery of sight for the blind• To release the oppressed• To proclaim the year of the Lords favour.These are the headlines, a bit like the ones we get when we draw near to a general election.On Thursday I was in Bishop William Ward school leading a collective worship on the theme of Justice for the poor, as part of the worship, I asked the children to cast their minds back to the last general election, back in the summer and see if they could remember any of the things being promised by the political parties in the run up to the election. Unsurprisingly, they struggled … it wasn’t a particularly fair question.But knowing that the school had its own election on election day last year, where Year 5 pupils had form different parties and had their own election pledges, I then wondered if they could remember any of those pledges. Which they could, things like, planting trees, a litter pick, non-uniform day and a teacher swap. Not only could they remember the promises, but crucially they could remember them happening, once the successful party was elected, the trees have been planted, the litter pick and non-uniform day have taken place and indeed they did all swap teachers for a day. The promises made … were kept.the challenge any political party might face when coming into power of course, is that whilst they might have their ideals, when faced with the reality of the situation, policy change is a much slower process than they might have hoped for and any changes made, take much longer than the promises suggested.Today in our passage from Luke, Jesus sets out the headlines, throughout the next three years, as Jesus continued his ministry of preaching and healing, he revealed how they were to be lived out in our everyday lives. This kingdom Manifesto didn’t just apply to Jesus, it applies to all who follow him. And so as Jesus preached, he taught us and showed us, how to love our neighbours as ourselves, to love our enemies and pray for them, to forgive as God forgives us, and that whatever we do for the cold, the hungry and the naked we do for Jesus himself.Jesus taught us that, in the words of Micah, we should have mercy and love Justice.This week, President Trump has been inaugurated. As part of the inaugural celebrations, there was a special service in the National Cathedral in Washington, where the Episcopal Bishop Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde said the following.‘Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives. the people who pick our crops and clean our office building, who labour in poultry farms and meat-packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hosptials, they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbours. They are faithful members of our churches, and mosques, syngagogues, gurdwara and temples.I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honour the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and walk humbly with each other and our God, for the good of all people, the good of all people in this nation and the world. Amen.’It was a hard hitting, brave sermon, it just left me speechless, WOW. Of course, it didn’t go down too well with the President himself.But Bishop Mariann was imploring the president to live up to the Kingdom Manifesto, that Jesus revealed as he stood up in the synagogue that day. Jesus was not afraid to stand up against those in power to defend the needs of the poor, to seek for justice for the last and the least.As Christians, we are called to live out our lives, with Jesus’ kingdom values and that means having a desire to see justice for all, particularly the poor … we are to be good news for the poor. To speak out boldly when we see people being oppressed and to act to make a difference.Yesterday afternoon, at Forest Church, I finishes the service with a prayer of St. Brigid, whose feast day is the 1st February. The words seem to speak into our reading today, and so as a draw to a close, let me use this prayer.I should like a great lake of ale for the king of kingsI should like a table of the choicest food for the family of heaven.Let the ale be made from the fruits of faith, and the food be forgiving love.I should welcome the poor to my feast, for they are God’s childrenI should welcome the sick to my feast, for they are God’s joy.Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place,And the sick dance with the angels.God bless the poor, God bless the sick and bless our human race.God bless our food, God bless our drink, all homes, our God embrace. Amen
