Submitted by Glen Ashworth on 3 February 2012 - 10:52am
Paul the missionary states that he became 'all things to all people' for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor 9:22). He became like a slave, a Jew and a Gentile in order to win them to the faith. Even though Paul was a travelling missionary, we have the same opportunities right here. There are a great variety of cultural and religious perspectives that we can interact with on a daily basis - neighbours, work colleagues, club mates, friends.
Submitted by Glen Ashworth on 20 January 2012 - 9:48am
As we see in today's gospel reading, Jesus' call to follow him contains the statement that he would make Simon and Andrew fish for people. Of course Jesus is using imagery here but the call to follow Jesus is a call to do what he is doing. Verse 15 tells us what Jesus was doing - “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”. Part of our calling, our following of Jesus, is to tell people that the kingdom of God is near and by our lives demonstrate that truth.
Submitted by Glen Ashworth on 31 December 2011 - 10:36am
In today's Old Testament reading the Psalmist contemplates the greatness of God as seen in what he has made and wonders why God would care about humankind. This is all done in the context of worship, showing clearly that it is God who is creator over the universe and it is humankind that has been given authority over part of this creation, the earth. Although the contrast between God and man is great, we have been included into his greatness through the privileged position he has given us.
Submitted by Glen Ashworth on 16 December 2011 - 10:03am
The annunciation is certainly dramatic but it explains an even more miraculous occurrence. Mary will be pregnant without the normal conception process and the angel says that the baby will have a kingdom with no end (Lk 1:33). This is an incredible event and one that only appears in Luke and begins his account of Jesus. However, Luke does not fail in all of this to record Mary's response. A theme particular to Luke is that of discipleship and Mary surely stands out in this regard.
Submitted by Glen Ashworth on 2 December 2011 - 9:07am
Today's gospel reading starts, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ..." (Mark 1:1). It then goes on to quote some Old Testament passages which speak about John the Baptist's ministry and also begins to say some things about the greater one that will follow him, namely Jesus Christ. The good news begins with John's baptism in the wilderness, which heralds the arrival of the one who brings God's salvation. However, with the link to the Old Testament, this is an event that has been prophesied for centuries and has been writ in Israel's own history.
Submitted by Glen Ashworth on 11 November 2011 - 10:36am
That we understand talents as abilities today comes directly from the understanding of this parable. Jesus talks about a man who went away and entrusted to his slaves varying monetary amounts of his property. When he returned he settled accounts with them and rewarded them according to what they had done with what they had been given. The one who had not put his talent to use at all was called wicked and lazy and was throwing out into the darkness. The parable highlights the nature of the talents we have and why the man acted as he did.
Submitted by Glen Ashworth on 11 November 2011 - 10:36am
That we understand talents as abilities today comes directly from the understanding of this parable. Jesus talks about a man who went away and entrusted to his slaves varying amounts of his property. When he returned he settled accounts with them and rewarded them according to what they had done with what they had been given. The one who had not put his talent to use at all was called wicked and lazy and was thrown out into the darkness. The parable highlights the nature of the talents we have and why the man acted as he did.
Submitted by Glen Ashworth on 4 November 2011 - 10:51am
Ever been left waiting for someone and then have them arrive at an inopportune moment? The parable of the ten bridesmaids is an example of such a situation that we sometimes find ourselves in. However, Jesus uses it to describe something of the nature of the kingdom of Heaven and its entry into human history. Just as the bridegroom was delayed in coming to the wedding feast, so too may the return of Christ take longer than expected.
Submitted by Glen Ashworth on 7 October 2011 - 10:35am
Continuing on in Philippians, Paul calls the church to join in imitating him. He then states that there are 'many (who) live as enemies of the cross of Christ' (Phil 3:18), others who are living in a way opposite to the example Paul himself has set and wants them to follow. They are 'enemies of the cross' in that they continue to look to earthly things for their salvation.
