Sun 22 Aug 2010 |
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Clouds of Everyday Saints |
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Who do you think of when you think of saints? When people think of the saints, they most often think of people like Paul or John, and the other apostles; or they think of people like St. Francis, or St. Teresa. The word Saint derives from the word Sanctus - which we translate as the word "holy”. To me there are two kinds of saints, “Capital S Saints” are the big names, widely and historically recognised in some way, that form that fabric of our literary and historical history as Christians; and then there are “Every day Saints”, ordinary everyday people, probably like you. For when we get down to it - these wonderful folk are only bright examples of something that is very common, they are bright examples of a deep and abiding faith in Christ Jesus, a faith that has issued forth in action. Every day Saints are all around us - people who are holy in their everyday lives striving to do what is best for the Kingdom of God in their day to day lives. In the bible, in our faith, saints are normal people, normal people who differ from most others in this world, not because of the degree of their moral perfection, but because of the degree of their faith and how, because of their faith and how they live it, draw others to give praise to God and inspire them to want to believe in and follow the Christ whom they believe in.We are saints.... We are all called to be saints...Someone who leads their lives in quiet dignity, including giving hope much needed hope that life does have meaning and other good things even though it can be difficult at times. So keep as eye out, cast though you memory too, where are the everyday saints in your life? It have been your Sunday School teachers or it might be the person sitting in the pew next to you. And you might be surprised to find out that there are people who think that it is you, for by the grace of God, we are all capable of living a faithful holy life. This is a part of God’s blessings to us.God’s Blessings to you this week, Coral. A Reflective Prayer .Holy Shepherd, lead us from fear and despair into your land of promise. Come to our aid and restore us to live with faithfulness to your wise ways. Amen. Seasons of the Spirit Resource |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 22 August 2010 12:21 |
Thu 29 Jul 2010 |
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The Back Story. |
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| During the week, I was reminded of the expression that goes – “There is a story behind every story.” We see this in the stories of Jesus, where he meets people and he doesn’t assume the stereotype position. For example, the woman at the well, he knows there is more to her story than meets the eye. Rather than react to her in culturally defined ways, rejecting her as a woman and a Samaritan. Jesus chooses to make up his own mind about her and so is able understand her and to meet her at her point of need. It reminds us that should we be told stories about people, we need to do more than react in limited ways. We need to continue to develop our ability to discern, our grace to think that – “there may be more to this” – and not come to any hasty judgements. So that we can reflect that there may be more to this story than meets the eye. Ask can ourselves – “What is the story behind the story”. Or as one old hymn reminds us, “there is always more truth and light to break forth ....” So then we can live as people of God, who are patient enough with each other to strive to understand more of the story than we first understood. After all, part of our faith journey is always to ask for wisdom, to ask how we can be people of love who have the faith that Godly insight will come to us. God’s Blessings to you this week, Coral.
A Prayerful ReflectionHoly God, Grant us the love and the wisdom, to see you more clearly, to love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly. So to be the best possible ‘me’, we can beday by day by day. Amen. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 22 August 2010 12:16 |
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Thu 29 Jul 2010 |
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Deacon's Chatter - Invisible Neighbours? |
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Written by Coral Cogs Smith
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| Every morning, when we came out of the warm youth hostel that we were staying at, near Piccadilly Circus, in London, a homeless man would be sleeping on a mattress of cardboard boxes in a sleeping bag in a nook at the side of the theatre next door with that was running the musical “Grease”. Dave wondered if he was the same guy who was there four years ago when he was last in London. In Paris, outside the pastry shop, towards the gutter, a young Muslim woman would quietly sit cross legged, her eyes looking at the sidewalk, a cup on the ground before her. The Chinese beggar in Beijing, who has lost his arm, would carefully arrange the rags under his knees and feet before kneeling with his hand and stump stretched out before him, flattening himself as much as possible into the ground. There was a cup before him, too. One of the things that was difficult to work out about what to do in a foreign country is begging. Local advice was often conflicted, after all, is it really necessary or were they “professional beggars”. I didn’t know either, sometimes I would give a few coins and sometimes not. It was very hard to discern. After two months of travelling, particularly in the crowds of Beijing where there many people demanding my attention to buy this or that. I found that after awhile I was filtering people out and actually not seeing them anymore. Filtering out the sales people, the beggars and the large crowds around me, who were often pressing so close, yet they were becoming increasingly invisible to me as individuals. When I realised this, it surprised me, even embarrassed me, and made me think. This highlighted for me that it often happens that we get used to situations and we fail to see what is under our noses. And so it becomes time to pull back and see it with new eyes. And, perhaps, even ask ourselves the question is there some way that our local neighbours become invisible to us? Do we see them and their situation clearly? Interestingly, when we do, we may find ourselves looking at the individual as God sees them, with caring eyes. A Reflective Prayer .O God of justice and mercy, give us hearts of love and care that lead our hands in works of compassion. From your great love for us, inspire us to love our neighbours, so that your reign might flourish. Amen. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 22 August 2010 12:20 |
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