Hello one and all
Today is the start of Christian Aid week and, as the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic continue, I’ve attached the information Rev’d Hermione Morris has kindly sent round for use at home. Further details are available from the Christian Aid website and you’re invited to register to receive daily prayers and reflections. A daily prayer forms part of what Hermione’s sent and I hope we’ll use it each day as we think of the plight of others as well as ourselves and of the effect the Coronavirus is having on charities, churches and many voluntary organisations as well as the national economies.
Meanwhile, these perplexing times continue and, in the Gospel reading for today, it’s clear that the disciples were bewildered too. Jesus asks his disciples to trust him, giving them words of comfort:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” St John 14: 1, NIV
He talks of going ahead of them and Thomas gets anxious:
“Lord, we don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered: I am the way, the truth and the life.” St John 14: 5,6 NIV
“Lord, we don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered: I am the way, the truth and the life.” St John 14: 5,6 NIV
These verses are often read at funerals because of the consolation and hope they can bring to all who mourn a loved one or experience loss of any kind. In the face of the deaths and suffering of so many people, the current loss of liberty and such uncertainty about the future as the pandemic continues, we may be anxious, too. Jesus’s words of trust were uttered as he faced his own death and his resurrection enabled those frightened disciples to understand them in a new way and become people of hope. As we continue with a new way of life and face the uncertainties ahead, may we rediscover the trust of which Jesus spoke to his followers then and know his words still to be the means of hope today.
With my prayers,
With my prayers,
Christine