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The Rock and The Way

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This sermon was preached at our Sunday morning service on 30th August. The Gospel was Matthew 16:21-28 , and the New Testament reading was Romans 12:9-21 .  In writing this sermon, I was reminded of a hymn I wrote a few years ago. I nearly quoted it in the sermon, but removed it in the end. It's here  if you wish to read it.   Last week, Huw talked to us about when Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, and then how difficult the disciples must have found it when Jesus instructed them to keep quiet about it. I have been thinking about that this week. And I’ve also been wondering about Jesus’ motivation. To tell you the truth, I have never understood why Jesus wanted his heavenly identity to be kept so under wraps. Well, this week, we finally find out why.   Poor Peter. I’ve never known someone get it so spectacularly right, and then so catastrophically wrong within such a short space of time. Last week , he was top of his game. Jesus asked his disciples w...
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What is Heaven Like?

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This sermon was preached at our Sunday morning service on 26th July 2026. The gospel was Matthew 13:31-33,44-52   Do you ever sometimes get that ‘aha!’ moment? When someone’s been trying to explain something to you for ages, and then it finally twigs? I remember back in school being taught quadratic equations in maths. Lesson after lesson, the teacher taught us what we needed to do, and – whilst I was in class – I vaguely understood. As soon as I left the room though, it was like I tucked my understanding back under the desk alongside my chair. I distinctly remember (long after the rest of the class) the feeling when I finally understood what it was that I needed to do to solve these monstrosities; that sudden click when it all became clear. Of course, I can’t remember any of it now…   At the end of our gospel reading this morning, Jesus asks his disciples a question: Have they understood what Heaven is like? We’ve had three Sundays’ worth of gospel passages from Matthew...
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Last Night (Ariadne’s Thread)

  Last Night (Ariadne’s Thread) When the sun goes down and does not rise I will savour this sunset most of all gold and ruby and Tyrian purple blending into Cretan sapphire sky But more precious than these: fingers intertwined knees pressed together feet swinging as one above the tide your tired head against my forearm I hope that we can rewind this thread of memory— on that day when Ariadne lays down her spindle— with my hand held in yours and my own tired head resting on your arm Then may I return to these treasured hues, the comfort of skin as well as sun, and hold on to these moments  when I could keep you warm and safe and I will smile, knowing then that my last sunset is not yours. Dedit oscula nato non iterum repetenda suo Ovid's  Metamorphoses  (Book VIII)
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