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Every Sunday, across the world, Christians share an agreed three year cycle of Bible Readings in Sunday worship, this is called the Common Lectionary. We offer materials including prayers bible study and worship resources for each one of these Sunday's via our Lectionary Bible Notes Section.

Introduction

Whenever we hear news of a plane blown from the sky or another form of terrorist attack we immediately hear about calls for revenge. With social media we now receive immediate updates from each side through their official Twitter pages. It seems that we have instant attack and counter attack and news reporters are on hand to give us a blow by blow account of how the ensuing conflict is played out in loss of human life. Since there are so many parts of the world in military conflict with corresponding death and destruction, there is scarcely a day in which we do not hear about war and threats of wars. Never before were the words of Jesus so poignant

'When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.'

Jesus knew what it was to live in a time of occupation of your country by another military power. He saw firsthand the cruelty, the crucifixions, the divisions of the people between those who collaborated and those who joined the resistance, the betrayals by family and friends and the harsh consequences in torture and crucifixions. Yet in spite of this Jesus never stopped believing in the the fact that God held all creation in his control. God's kingdom would not be stopped by any human power and although life seemed cheap, even the sparrow was precious in God's eyes.

The message of Jesus today is watch out, do not be alarmed. We are to be alert and watchful. We are to rely fully on God, and we are to live out the teaching of Jesus even as bombs, literal or figurative fall around us. We continue to care for our neighbours as ourselves, look after the widows, orphans, and those on the margins. as the world of Twitter and Social media brings events right into our own lives we go about God's business, refusing to panic. This is not a time for fear, Jesus bids us remain unafraid, and to confront the hatred, the suspicion, and the darkness of this present age. Now more than ever people need to hear the good news and need to find communities of faith where they are welcome.

These are not just the words of a motivational speaker. Jesus tells his followers that there is no need to worry, this is not because we need positive thinking, rather because he will be with us. We will encounter strife, but at such times Jesus calls us to trust and stand firm. Jesus calls us to have endurance and trust that he abides with us. When times of testing come, Jesus promises to give us the strength that we need. This is not a case of enduring through thick and thin and pushing ourselves along, this is a reminder that we are never alone.

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Lectionary Material for every Sunday in Years A, B, C

 

 

Each morning and each evening
let the peace of the Father, be ours.
Each day and each night
let the peace of the Son be ours.
Each dawn and each dusk
let the peace of the Spirit be ours.
Let the blessing of the three in one be ours;
both now and for ever. Amen.
Carmina Gadelica