![A Downpour of Love]()
January 31, 2022
One of our readings this week comes from the gospel of Luke. We hear how Joseph’s son has grown up. The wee boy that had sat at his father's feet in the carpentry shop hearing the worries of farmers as they waited for their ploughs to be fixed or the stories of husbands getting chairs mended, or the secrets shared as people worried over prices and priorities. That wee boy, whose craftsmanship as a carpenter but also as a listener had helped to sustain life in the village, was now a man in his own right, and when he spoke in the synagogue, Luke writes how well all spoke of him and how amazed they were at the gracious words he spoke. Here was someone who had heard and understood the concerns and complaints, the doubts and despairs of customers, who had smiled at their old jokes and joined in their celebrations and now was able to understand scripture not as a dry text of rules, but as real hope and light in the lives of what we might call ‘ordinary' people.
He was one of their own, welcomed and celebrated and given thanks for. If only Jesus had left it there, if he had been content to promise and celebrate but had he done that, the job would only have been half finished.
![We Belong to One Another]()
January 24, 2022
You’ve got to love a new box of crayons. I am much more tempted to sit down and colour when there is a new box to break in. What is it though, about a new box that creates such excitement? Well, first every crayon is nice and sharp, perfect for staying in the lines. Second, all the colours are there. It is a complete and total set. So no matter what you decide to create, from a beautiful butterfly to a rainbow or sunset, every colour is there for the choosing.
Missing colours can wreck a lot of things. In fact, missing colours would change the world. Just think about it, if yellow was missing, would we have the sun? If green were not there, what colour would the grass be? Every colour has a purpose. After all that’s the way that God designed the world — with colour.
Variety. Distinctiveness. Diversity. Each one of us is different, yet put together in the same box so that the artwork of God can be created. This is the wonder of the church which is called Christ’s body. This week we hear a letter from Paul to the church in Corinth about being part of the body of Christ. God has placed each person in it with uniqueness of personality, strengths, talents, and gifts. Many members, but one body. Many colours, but one box.
January 14, 2022
This week we hear the story of Jesus being baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist, from the gospel of Luke. At the beginning of the passage Luke tells us the people were filled with anticipation. They were seeking, searching, longing for the Messiah, their saviour.
John in turn gives them hope in his witness of who is to come and what the Messiah will bring, for John understands his role and God's purpose for him. John intimates through his narrative that this coming Messiah will be judge and Saviour and will demand justice where there is none. Later when Jesus is baptized by John, he receives the Holy Spirit and God's approval, the prophesy is fulfilled and Jesus' ministry begins in earnest.
