Sunday Reflections
Easter 3
Acts 3.12-20, Ps 4, 1 John 2.15-17, 3.1-6, Luke 24.36b-48
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that time of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3.19
“Tremble and do no sin: commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still.” Ps 4.4
“For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful men, the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does - come not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2.16
Reflection and repentance go together. It is when we reflect of our day, our actions, feelings, motivations, goals, frustrations and hurts; that we begin to know ourselves and our gods. Why am I so stressed about this? Why did that hurt me so much? Why do they make me so angry? Without reflection we simply follow our impulses and the world’s pulls. We chase the things we think will make us feel good, the goals that we think will satisfy us and the things we believe will make us important or superior. When we strive for these things our focus is on ourselves.
The call to repentance is a call to turn – from focusing on me and what I want, to focusing on God and what is good, true, loving and just. Does that mean then that we can’t be successful or have any fun? Actually no! When we turn to Christ, God fills our hearts “with greater joy than when the grain and new wine abound.” (Ps 4.7) And we find a peace and security that is far beyond any the world has to offer. (Ps 4. 8)
Reflection and repentance are the tools that bring us closer to God. They bring us “refreshment”, soul transformation, and “Christ, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus.” (Acts 3.20) So make the time to ponder, to question yourself, to pray; and allow the Holy Spirit to work in you what is good and pleasing to God.
Carolyn Rutherford
The Second Sunday of Easter 7 April 2024
Acts 4.32-37; Psalm 133; 1 John 1.1-2.2; John 20.19-31
So, the Easter Bunny has been, and all the eggs and chocolates are eaten and Easter is over!
Well, no.
Easter is a season in the church that lasts for 50 days until the Festival of Pentecost. After 40 days we remember the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, and on Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Our faith in the resurrection and our belief in eternal life is based on our faith in God through Jesus Christ. We believe in a God who cares for us and who is absolutely trustworthy forever. Thomas demonstrates for us that it is right, normal and human to have doubts and questions about our faith. We need assurance from God, and to see evidence of his presence among us.
Some people think that once we become Christians and begin our pilgrimage of faith, that we will no longer have doubts and questions.
However, there are many occasions when we are faced with a situation in which we really need assurance from God. We have doubts about many things. Doubts about the existence of God, doubts as to whether it pays to lead a good life, doubts about the Bible, doubts about life after death, doubts about ourselves, doubts about other people.
We need not be ashamed to have doubts. Everybody has doubts at some time or other. We need to realise that our doubting may prove to be positive and healthy when rightly handled, a real growing point which will lead to stronger faith in the end.
Rev'd Susan.
Acts 3.12-20, Ps 4, 1 John 2.15-17, 3.1-6, Luke 24.36b-48
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that time of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3.19
“Tremble and do no sin: commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still.” Ps 4.4
“For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful men, the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does - come not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2.16
Reflection and repentance go together. It is when we reflect of our day, our actions, feelings, motivations, goals, frustrations and hurts; that we begin to know ourselves and our gods. Why am I so stressed about this? Why did that hurt me so much? Why do they make me so angry? Without reflection we simply follow our impulses and the world’s pulls. We chase the things we think will make us feel good, the goals that we think will satisfy us and the things we believe will make us important or superior. When we strive for these things our focus is on ourselves.
The call to repentance is a call to turn – from focusing on me and what I want, to focusing on God and what is good, true, loving and just. Does that mean then that we can’t be successful or have any fun? Actually no! When we turn to Christ, God fills our hearts “with greater joy than when the grain and new wine abound.” (Ps 4.7) And we find a peace and security that is far beyond any the world has to offer. (Ps 4. 8)
Reflection and repentance are the tools that bring us closer to God. They bring us “refreshment”, soul transformation, and “Christ, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus.” (Acts 3.20) So make the time to ponder, to question yourself, to pray; and allow the Holy Spirit to work in you what is good and pleasing to God.
Carolyn Rutherford
The Second Sunday of Easter 7 April 2024
Acts 4.32-37; Psalm 133; 1 John 1.1-2.2; John 20.19-31
So, the Easter Bunny has been, and all the eggs and chocolates are eaten and Easter is over!
Well, no.
Easter is a season in the church that lasts for 50 days until the Festival of Pentecost. After 40 days we remember the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, and on Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Our faith in the resurrection and our belief in eternal life is based on our faith in God through Jesus Christ. We believe in a God who cares for us and who is absolutely trustworthy forever. Thomas demonstrates for us that it is right, normal and human to have doubts and questions about our faith. We need assurance from God, and to see evidence of his presence among us.
Some people think that once we become Christians and begin our pilgrimage of faith, that we will no longer have doubts and questions.
However, there are many occasions when we are faced with a situation in which we really need assurance from God. We have doubts about many things. Doubts about the existence of God, doubts as to whether it pays to lead a good life, doubts about the Bible, doubts about life after death, doubts about ourselves, doubts about other people.
We need not be ashamed to have doubts. Everybody has doubts at some time or other. We need to realise that our doubting may prove to be positive and healthy when rightly handled, a real growing point which will lead to stronger faith in the end.
Rev'd Susan.
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