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A Skinny Fairtrade Latte in the Food Court of Life - Page 155

  • Anniversary of Call

    It's one of those God-things that my ordination took place exactly six years (less one day) from the day I heard, unequivocally, God call me to this path.  In the old days, 21 was 'the coming of age', so maybe my call is now all grown up?

    No reflection this time, just the passage of scripture through which God spoke so powerfully...

    2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:8

    But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

    In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

    As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

  • A Celtic Advent - Day 23

    Today's reflection centres on the Eucharist, and comes with ideas about symbolism that are new to me!

    It asserts that in the Passover, the matzoh represents the Messiah, and the cup of wine represents the blood of the sacrificial lamb (being the cup of Redemption not, as I have previously understood being the final cup, the Cup of Blessing). Having done a little bit of checking, I think this is not correct, though may reflect a Messianic reimagining of the symbolism.

    Not inspired to write much today, so here's the prayer from the book:

    As we draw near to the place of at-one-ment: give us tears to see the wonder of your presence, give us tears to see the wasting of your land, give us tears to see the wounding of your Son, Amen.

  • A Celtic Advent - Day 22

    Today's reflection invites us to look at the created world around us, and to think about how our lives are interconnected with it.  If we could/would 'see' God in the world around us, how would that affect thety way we treat it? A timely reminder when our television screens are so often full of images of plastic-ridden oceans, scorched earth and starving wildlife.

    You don't need me to bang on about any of this, it's stuff we all know fine well.

    Today's prayer:

    Great Creator of life, may I see you in all things, may I 'take a long and thoughtful look at what you have created, and see what my eyes can't see: your eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of your divine being.' In my continued connection with you, may I bear the fruit of the Spirit, and live a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Amen.

  • Fifteen Years...!

    Fifteen years ago today, I made my ordination vows.

    Since then I must have prepared around 750 Sunday services, including around 250 bespoke Communion Liturgies, before I start on the midweek and 'special' services etc.. I have conducted something like 150 funerals, around 15 weddings, about 10 infant blessings and precisely 9 Baptisms!

    I have led carol services in pubs and care homes.
    I have conducted marriages in a cow shed, a library, a couple of castles and a hospital ward.
    I have led communion on hillsides and in people's homes.

    I have held the hands of people who were dying.
    I have prayed with people who were frightened of surgery.
    I have sat wih a ninety year-old whose grandson had been murdered in front of his teenage daughter.
    I have been asked by Roman Catholics, agnostics and atheists to conduct their funerals.

    I have had my theology challenged, changed and informed by people who are LGBTQI+
    I have been told that my ministry is in-valid, defective and even demomic
    I have sometimes gone home from church on the brink of tears feeling an utter failure
    I have sometimes been so full of joy I thought I might burst!

    Fifteen years on, there is nothing else I would do, no one else I would be.

    As the saying seems to go, 'for what has been, thank you, for what's to come - yes!'

  • Forty Days of Photos - Day 21

    Photo credit KF.

    Today has been all about people- and a bit of yummy food along the way.  Which is a pretty good metaphor for Advent.

    Clerical collar and Christmas jumper - one of those strange combinations that perhaps expresses more than first appears.

    Today was my care home chaplaincy day, followed by a festive lunch with a group from church and then a visit to someone from our vulnerable adults group who is in hospital. All of life, then, in the space of a few hours.  The overtly sacred and the seemingly silly.  The prayers at bedsides and the telling of terrible cracker jokes. And along the way, some table fellowship.

    A reminder that life goes on, that Advent is simulatneously special and ordinary - and that that is all OK.