News (Page 355)

Lectionary reflections for Sunday 11th October 2020

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time                     Year A                         11th October 2020 Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 25 v1-9.                       A prayer of thanks to God. Philippians 4 v1-9.                 Paul encourages the Lord’s followers. Matthew 22 v1-14.                 The great banquet Actions have consequences. Matthew’s telling of the great banquet story contains some verses that are difficult to reconcile with…

Guttenberg

Secrecy, lawsuits, and technological advances are part of a news item some have called “the greatest achievement of the past 1,000 years.” This isn’t a recent story of spy satellites or computer programmes. It’s the story behind Johannes Guttenberg’s first ever printing press—in 1455.   Guttenberg had tried to keep his invention top secret until it…

Smart Speaker – Bad Manners

As a young child I was taught the important concept that “manners maketh the man” and consequently my parents taught me important words when I was little like, please and thank you, sorry, excuse me and I beg your pardon. I was taught to respect my elders, to hold doors open for people, to not…

Dont lose heart

My wife and I have recently been able to visit our grand son ( and his parents!) in Liverpool. We are so grateful we were able to as recent restrictions ,and todays announcement of more stringent ones, mean we don’t know when we will see them in the flesh again.  But God has reminded me…

Virus as a Summons to Faith

A number of individuals have written books reflecting on our Faith and our response to the current Pandemic as Christians.  In today’s thought for the day may I suggest one very helpful book. Written by Water Brueggemann and entitled,      “Virus as a Summons to Faith”. In this book written in just six weeks Professor Brueggemann…

Imitators of Christ

I have recently become more aware, that I am looking and sound more and more like my mother. It’s something we might look forward to or dread! My son is often referred to as a spitting image of his dad – indeed I have photos of each of them aged about 5, and it is…

The power of personal testimony

Imagine the pride and sense of achievement if you were only one of a dozen people to do something really impressive, something  that no-one else had ever done. James Irwin walked on the moon ! How’s that for a lifetime achievement ! All the more surprising is that James always wanted to be in the…

God, knows us.

Continuing my thoughts on the works of the Italian renaissance artist, Piero della Francesca brings me today to a small painting displayed in the tiny Tuscan village of Monterci ,close to the artist’s home of Sansepocro  For many years the fresco painting, Madonna del Parto was to be viewed in the small chapel of the…