Sunday Reflections

  John the Baptist came in the days before Jesus proclaiming that he was a witness to a new light that was coming into the world. John 6-8. God sent a man named John to be a witness vouching for the light, so that by his testimony everyone could recognize it. He wasn’t the light. His job was to point...
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This Sunday we read a parable about the man going on a journey giving his slaves different quantities of money to use according to their ability. The ones who invest the money and make it grow are praised and the one who is fearful and buried his talents is punished - Matthew 25:14-29 I'm just back from a couple of...
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At Habitat Uniting Church, we just celebrated the Baptism of Laura and Peter Li. They grew up in China and have moved to Australia as students and are going to be married in the church. Unlike most Australian students who take religious freedom for granted and don’t give religion much thought at all. Peter and Laura were born in a...
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Just as water reflects the face, so one human heart reflects another - Proverbs 27:1 The words of the proverb continues to resonate when we are reminded of a very familiar story Jesus tells to a lawyer who asked him the classic question ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ in Luke 10: 25- 37. We are all connected...
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 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one’ – John 17: 20. Just before Jesus is arrested, he prays this prayer for the church. Right at the point of conflict – Jesus prays for unity. Today, to mark the anniversary...
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As the days grow steadily shorter and the leaves of change on the trees turn beautiful shades of gold, orange and crimson, winter approaches. Called out to the park by the autumn sunshine, kids throw leaves in the air and watch them fall. Well-groomed people power-walk, crunching, whooshing through and charging on. Autumn leaves feature in these inner eastern suburbs...
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On Good Friday in church, the last thing we hear is that Jesus is buried in a borrowed tomb. We hear that the Roman emperor Pilate told his soldiers “Take a guard and go make the tomb as secure as you know how.” The political authorities put their seal on the stone and post a guard. Jesus is dead and...
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I overheard a conversation between a 6 year old boy and his father on their way home from school. It went something like this: Boy: We found out today that Jesus was killed on a cross but after that he rose and was born again. Father: Yes that is the story of Easter. Boy: I know, but the weird thing...
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When we listen in on ancient conversations people have about their quest, the dialogue often starts with God calling. God calls out to Abraham, with an invitation to become the father of God’s people. We hear God sending Abraham on a quest to build a nation graced with God’s blessing. ‘I will be your God and you will be my...
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I’ve got some questions for you: Good King Wenceslas looked out 'on the Feast of Stephen'. When is the 'Feast of Stephen'?    What did the shepherds watch by night?    To whom did the Angels say 'The First Noel'?    What stood in 'Once in royal Davids city'?    Who travelled across 'Field and fountain, moor and mountain'?  ...
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