Comprising the Parishes of St. George Damerham – All Saints Martin -St. Andrew Rockbourne – St. Leonard Whitsbury
If you or I were to compose a list of Beatitudes, I wonder whether we would have gone for the sort of mixed bag that Jesus chooses, especially when we know that some Bible translations translate the word Blessed as Happy? Yes, there are some easy crowd pleasers here: Blessed are those who mourn, for …
Continue reading “Thoughts for the week: 1st November 2020 (All Saints Day)”
Our reading from Matthew’s Gospel about Jesus’ meeting the Canaanite Woman is considered one of the most difficult of all the stories recorded of the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus’ response and retort at the woman request, a woman who had came to plead on behalf of a daughter who was suffering from demon-possession, …
Continue reading “Thought for the week: 16 August 2020 (9th Sunday after Trinity)”
Have you noticed anything novel lately? This morning saw the first service in the benefice at which all worshippers were asked to wear a face covering. And I want to think the congregation fo Whitsbury for embracing that new national church guidance. It was a strange experience, but we are all asked that going forwards …
Continue reading “Thought for the week: 26 July 2020 (Seventh Sunday after Trinity”
‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ The largest cargo vessel ever to dock in the UK arrived earlier this year. At 400 metreslong and 60 metres wide, the operation was months in the planning. If it were stood on itsbow the ship would be a quarter as tall again as the Eiffel …
Continue reading “Thought for the week: 19 July 2020 (Sixth Sunday after Trinity)”
We all love the Parable of the Sower and know it well; but let us again look closely at this parable; looking first at Jesus’ use of the word seed. We can not misunderstand what it represents, for Jesus himself gave an explanation in verse 18; he says, “it is the word of God”. It …
Continue reading “Thought for the week: 12 July 2020 (Fifth Sunday after Trinity”
‘Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’(From St. Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 10) The past week has seen riots, raves, crowded beaches and crowds of celebrating football fans. It might make you …
Continue reading “Thought for the Week: 28 June 2020 (Third Sunday after Trinity)”
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous… Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ (From St. …
Continue reading “Thought for the Week: 21 June 2020 (Second Sunday after Trinity)”
‘As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.You received without payment; give without payment’ ’(From St. Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 9) Jesus takes a message of transformative grace into the towns and villages of Galilee. And calls the Twelve …
Continue reading “Thought for the Week: 14 June 2020 (First Sunday after Trinity)”
‘those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,they shall mount up with wings like eagles,they shall run and not be weary,they shall walk and not faint.’(From the Book of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 40) In one sense it’s profoundly challenging to draw close to the nature of God. For God is beyond as, …
Continue reading “Thought for the Week: 7 June 2020 (Trinity Sunday)”
‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” ’ Now Jesus said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive;(From the Gospel of St. John chapter 7:37) I’m …
Continue reading “Thought for the Week: 31 May 2020 (Sunday after Ascension Day)”