Transforming society justlyThe unbridgeable structural chasm of inequality created by the rich and powerful 1.   As the churches around the world set aside this Sunday as Social Justice Sunday, in our reading from Luke 16:19-31 the Lukan Jesus creates a parable about the unbridgeable structural chasm that divides the rich person from poor Lazarus who […]

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam.  He called his parents from San Francisco. “Mum and Dad, I’m coming home, but I have a favour to ask. I have a friend I’d like to bring home with me.” “Sure,” they replied, “We’d love to meet […]

In our reading this week, Luke 14:25-33, we are confronted by the most disturbing and misunderstood injunctions of Jesus: To follow you must “hate” family and even life itself, that you can only follow if you take up your cross, and finally, you can only be a follower if you sell all your possessions. William […]

Jesus is teaching in a worship service in a synagogue on the Sabbath. And as we read in our text: And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus interrupts the service to […]

Father Frank Brennan“It is not just about migrants”.Reflection for Migrant and Refugee Sunday, 25 August 2019 At our national borders, we expect our political leaders to maintain security and order while admitting migrants and refugees in generous and manageable numbers. … We all have the right to determine who enters our homes and who dines […]

We might wonder why anyone would want to be a disciple, because so much is demanded.  As disciples we commit ourselves to values and principles that are not cherished by everyone.  We can be misunderstood for our beliefs, even ridiculed.  In fact our lives may actually be a reproach to those who do not share […]

Old Testament Lectionary The particular focus in [this passage] concentrate on worship practises which are failing to be lived out in the people’s everyday lives. What is the point of sincere piety on the Sabbath and remembering all the festivals when one fails to care for the needy or acts unjustly to the community around. […]

William LoaderFirst Thoughts on Year C Epistle Passages from the Lectionary (abbreviated) Colossians 3:5 turns to the logical consequences of beginning this new life: the old must die. … there is still the need to give attention to well grooved habits and behaviours which conflict with the new life. … It also headed the list […]

by Rev Samata Elia Genesis 18:20-23In God’s confidence: God has declared his promise to make Abraham a great nation and Abraham had not portrayed that confidence. He had shown himself to be a man of integrity, compassion, and hospitality. Abraham gains God’s confidence so much that the Lord reveals his intention of taking action against […]

Luke 10:38-42 1. Over the last few Sundays, we have heard that Jesus means freedom in every area of life. What does it mean that Jesus means freedom when, in the words of Paul in Galatians 3:28, there is neither male nor female, that all are equal? 2. Bill Loader offers us the following insights: “The first […]