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God resists a partial judgment
God resists a partial judgment
by Andrew Pratt
God resists a partial judgment, spinning justice in the air, mercy breathes in word and action when the Spirit's breath is there. Here the wicked face comeuppance, here the weak are heard at last, where each human word and action counts for more than prayer or fast. Verses 3-4 fo…
He touched the ones that others would despise
He touched the ones that others would despise
by Andrew Pratt
He touched the ones that others would despise, he lifted up the poor to help them rise, he stemmed the hypocrites within their pride and drew the little children to his side. He stopped the ones who'd stone a woman dead, then offered care, forgiving her instead. He called his fri…
Looking to the gospel’s centre
Looking to the gospel’s centre
by Andrew Pratt
Looking to the gospel’s centre, put away all selfish pride, knowing love is God's whole answer for the ones we would deride. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: MERTON (Monk), ALL FOR JESUS Metre: 8.7.8.7 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 11/8/2013 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.s…
New Testament Wisdom for Everyone - It's Easy To Get Lost
New Testament Wisdom for Everyone - It's Easy To Get Lost
by SPCK - N T Wright
4 THE PATH OF THE DISCIPLE IT’S EASY TO GET LOST 2 Peter 2: 1-10a ‘I told you it was easy to get lost.’ Our host stood on the doorstep with a wry smile on his face. We had assumed we more or less knew the way. We have a good sense of direction. We had even been there before; sure…
The cry of the poor should bring grief to the people
The cry of the poor should bring grief to the people
by Andrew Pratt
The cry of the poor should bring grief to the people, yet balm is not found, there is mourning instead. The harvest is past and the summer is ended, the winter is coming, dread raises its head. Verses 2-3 follow Metre: 12 11 12 11 Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO Andrew Pratt (born 1948…
When ever disaster brings death and destruction
When ever disaster brings death and destruction
by Andrew Pratt
When ever disaster brings death and destruction, when people are suff'ring and questions arise, we should not assume some divine retribution condemning the people that we might despise. God's judgement is subtle, each person is counted, each one is significant, folded in grace. G…
Once crimson poppies bloomed
Once crimson poppies bloomed
by Andrew Pratt
Once crimson poppies bloomed out in a foreign field, each memory reminds where brutal death was sealed. The crimson petals flutter down, still hatred forms a thorny crown. For in this present time we wait in vain for peace, each generation cries, each longing for release, while w…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - The lion and his pride
Four Gospels, One Jesus - The lion and his pride
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
The lion and his pride The role of the disciples A lion must have his pride – and a rabbi, his disciples. However, are Jesus’ disciples his ‘pride and joy’? On the one hand, they are the people Jesus calls to share his roamings and his battles; on the other hand, their attention …
One Day at a Time: Meditations for Carers - 4. Fight the good fight
One Day at a Time: Meditations for Carers - 4. Fight the good fight
by SPCK - Dorothy M Stewart
ONE DAY AT A TIME Meditations for Carers 4. Fight the good fight 2 Timothy 1.7, GNB It’s strange. Before we became carers, we probably had a lot of faith and even pride in our country’s health and social services. We assumed there was a safety net there to catch the needy. Until …
Great Christian Thinkers - 47 St. Anselm
Great Christian Thinkers - 47 St. Anselm
by SPCK - Pope Benedict XVI
St. Anselm The Benedictine abbey of Sant’Anselmo (St. Anselm) is located on the Aventine Hill in Rome. As the headquarters of an academic institute of higher studies and of the abbot primate of the Confederated Benedictines, it is a place that unites within it prayer, study, and …
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - Proper 2 Year B
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - Proper 2 Year B
by SPCK - N T Wright
Proper 2 2 Kings 5.1–14 1 Corinthians 9.24–27 Mark 1.40–45 Naaman’s wife’s maid knew more about Elisha’s healing powers than the king of Israel. All the king could do was tear his clothes and rage against his Syrian counterpart, suspecting that a request for healing was a disgu…
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - The Third Sunday of Easter Year B
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - The Third Sunday of Easter Year B
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
The Third Sunday of Easter Luke 24.36b-48 Gaze on the reverence with which the scrolls of the Torah are handled in a Jewish synagogue. They are given pride of place, all eyes turned towards them as the doors of the Ark open and there they are, clothed in fine cloth with tinkling …
Lectionary Reflections Year A - Proper 9 Year A