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Third Sunday after Trinity

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Readings:

Jeremiah 28:5-9

Psalm 89

Romans 6:12-23

Matthew 10:40-42

 

Collect

Almighty God,

you have broken the tyranny of sin

and have sent the Spirit of your Son

into our hearts whereby we call you Father:

give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,

that we and all creation may be

brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

The three verses that make up today’s Gospel reading come at the end of chapter 10 – a chapter that is all about the commissioning and ‘sending out’ of twelve of the disciples, who now become ‘Apostles’, from the Greek, meaning those who are ‘sent out’.

(The word disciple, from the Greek, meaning to learn/be taught)

So, we see that the disciples are taught by Jesus.

They learn from him and are then sent out.

Remember Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus:

hen it can be said by Jesus, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me”.

This reflects the legal principle governing a Jewish emissary in the Jewish legal system – a man’s emissary/agent is like himself.

The one sent, therefore, is to be welcomed as the sender himself would have been welcomed.

The apostles, then, are sent by Jesus, who is sent by God – their status could not be higher!

This passage is given alongside a passage from the Book of Jeremiah that questions the legitimacy of certain prophets – are they truly sent by Yahweh?

For Jeremiah, the time for peace is not yet.

We are reminded of the two sides of prophecy – warning and judgement on the one hand with hope and consolation on the other.

All of this for the Sunday closest to 29th June – that is, the day the Church remembers the Apostles, Peter and Paul (Patronal Festival day for Albury).

For reflection:

When Jesus asked Peter to follow him, he did not first ask Peter

to confess his sins and failings, or to give an account of his life to date,

he simply said, “Follow me”!

When Peter began to sink, he reached out his arm  - and Jesus was there.

29th June, known as Petertide is a traditional time for ordinations –

an anniversary for David!

and we are reminded today that those who are ordained are called to take their place in this apostolic succession.

This year, the ordinations that were meant to happen this Petertide will now happen on 10th October. Bishop Andrew asks us to please do remember all of this year’s ordinands in our prayers.

Moving along the week, we come to 3rd July – and St Thomas’ Day!

St Thomas the Apostle has traditionally been linked with India - and in India the cross of St Thomas can be seen on churches:

Each part of the St Thomas cross can be used as a symbol that can then be used to teach the faith.

So, the base of the cross might be said to represent the throne of God,

the lotus-type flower to represent the burning bush of Moses,

the branches around the flower might represent the 7 candles of the menorah,

or the stem of Jesse as in the prophecy in Isaiah,

the steps might be the steps of calvary,

the arch might be a rainbow that represents the covenant made with Noah between God and humanity,

the cross represents Jesus and its arms that terminate in trefoil buds might speak of new life and the fruits of the Spirit,

the dove represents the Holy Spirit and the cross might also tell of the Trinitarian aspect of God…………….

With imagination, think how much could be taught about the Bible and the Christian faith without books or words and how important at times and in places that might be.

 

 

How about looking carefully at the cross yourself and see what you can find in its symbolism?

What Bible reference and teaching can you find there?

Let us pray:         

                         

Lord, you have freed us from the slavery of sin,

and called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Help us to work for the freedom of all who are captives,

and for the bringing in of your kingdom.

 

We pray for your church,

that it may be a holy church, a serving church.

May we reveal your love through our care for and acceptance of others.

We pray for the work of the church among the poor and the oppressed

that in you we may come to the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Guide the leaders o nations and communities

into the way of peace and goodwill.

We pray for those who strive to bring peace

and for all who seek to bring unity and harmony to our world.

We remember before you all prisoners of conscience,

all who are in prison through injustice and tyranny.

We pray for the work of Amnesty International.

We pray for all who have lost their freedom through sickness and immobility.

We pray for the world weary, the heavily burdened,

the worn out and the broken,

that all may know in their hearts the glorious liberty of the children of God.

We give thanks for all who are now victorious,

all who have left behind the restrictions of this life

and are walking before you as children of God.

May we, with them, know your abiding presence.  Amen.

 

 

 

Here is a prayer you could say, with Shere parish, joining in with them as they light a candle on Sunday evenings:

As I light this candle:

Creator God, surround my home with the warmth of your love.

Fire of the Spirit, burn within me.

Light of Christ, shine from me. Amen.

 

The sacred Three be over me, the blessing of the Trinity.
Keep protection near, and danger afar.
Keep hope within, keep doubt without.
The sacred Three encircle me, the blessing of the Trinity.
Keep peace within, keep evil out.
Keep light near, and darkness afar.
The sacred Three indwelling me, the blessing of the Trinity.
Amen

 

Merciful Father,

accept these and all our prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

THE PEACE

The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.  Amen.

 

THE BLESSING

The good and gracious Lord grant you to know

the glorious liberty of the children of God;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.

 

 

Stephanie Sokolowski            27/6/20

 

Please note that the above is not referenced.

It is sent to congregation members for personal use only!

 
   
   

 

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