Sermons And Gubbins

This sermon was given on Sunday 18th April at both our Zoom and our physical service. The Gospel reading was Luke 24:36b-48 . My office at home is at the back of our house. It has French doors that lead into our garden, and it's been lovely - in those times I've not been staring at my laptop screen - to look out to see the changes in the plants and trees over the last few weeks; to see signs of spring appearing and the garden bursting into life. Each day I look and see new vibrancy and colours, more birds and butterflies; new signs of life.  And it's the same in the country as a whole; as covid restrictions have gradually lifted over those same few weeks, it's been incredibly emotional to see signs of life return in our public spaces as friends and family meet again after months of corporate winter. There's been a great deal of joy as lives begin again to interconnect and the virtual becomes corporal and physical and real. But... And there is always a 'b...

This story was written in lieu of a sermon for our Zoom service on Sunday 26th April; the second Sunday after Easter. The gospel story was Luke 24:13-35 - The Road to Emmaus . In the story, only one of the disciples is named - Cleopas. In this reimagining of the tale, I have assumed the other to be his wife - the same woman mentioned who was present at Christ's crucifixion in John's gospel . I have tried to find parrallels between that initial time after Jesus' death, and the situation in which we all find ourselves today. I hope you enjoy reading it. A statue of St Mary Cleophas I t was a much nicer day than it should have been. You’d have thought given everything that had happened, the sky would be dark and the rain would be lashing down – you know, the kind of rain that stings you as you try to rush your way through it, trying your vainest best to make your way home before you are almost literally soaked to the bone, and your skin is red and cold from the ...