Author: stmelangell_l5nfea

Reflection on the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III

“It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” Rev. 21:6

“The Queen was just so magnificent.” One of the crowd outside Buckingham Palace.

”What a woman!” Kim, USA.

What momentous times we are living through! In the same week that the Queen’s 15th Prime Minister flew up to kiss hands at Balmoral and begin her term of office, so Charles III has been proclaimed King after the sudden death of Queen Elizabeth II just two days after she had asked Liz Truss to form her Government. The Queen had appeared to be frail but was still smiling and at work so the sense of shock is, for many people, profound. However, it has been clear for some time that the Queen was not in the best of health, unsurprisingly at 96 after a lifetime of such dedicated service and hard work. Having come to the throne not long after the end of World War Two, both she and the peoples of the United Kingdom have lived through so many changes and, as President Biden said in his tribute to the Queen, “In a world of constant change she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride.”  

The Queen was a steadying presence but also a realist promoting change when necessary, such as shaking hands with Martin McGuinness after the assassination of Lord Mountbatten and in accepting that the Wales’s should divorce which would have been unthinkable for the Royal Family not so long ago. That change will continue as the new stamps and coins needed will have the head of the King facing the opposite way to the Queen’s to signify the change of direction that has taken place and the many stories and anecdotes that have been shared about her have indicated the great constancy, respect and love in which the Queen was held. The laughter and sorrow that has been evoked have mingled and many have been moved to tears, not least at St Paul’s Cathedral as a piper played the Lament Flowers of the Forest whilst walking slowly down the aisle. After so protracted and uncertain a time over Covid, the war In Ukraine and the energy and cost of living crisis, the Queen’s death may be releasing some long pent up emotions, not least for those who were not able to say goodbye or be with their loved ones during the pandemic as we now must say goodbye – God be with ye – to this greatly loved monarch. 

The Queen’s steadfastness, diplomacy and sense of humour have been much lauded and, whilst many were touched by the laughter many of the memories evoked, sometimes that was unintentional as when the Bishop of London referred in a live interview on Radio Four to the Queen being anointed under a golden canapé! She quickly corrected it to canopy, but that far-off Coronation will soon be followed by that of King Charles III and he has already facilitated further change with cameras being allowed in to the proclamation ceremony, seen for the first time on TV as was his mother’s Coronation. 

That change was also evident in King Charles’ first address to the nation when he spoke formally and personally as both a son mourning his mother and a new monarch honouring his predecessor. The complexity of what he said was highlighted when he used part of a quote from Shakespeare’s Hamlet where, at the end of the play, Hamlet has taken on the responsibilities of kingship, but is dying. His old friend Horatio holds him in his arms and pays tribute to him as Prince of Denmark when he says, “Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet Prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.“ This phrase would have had various resonances as it is part of the musicSong for Athene which was sung at the funeral of Charles’ first wife Diana, Princess of Wales and, at a heartbreaking time when his grief for the Queen was clear to see, King Charles is also leaving his years of service as Tywysog Cymru, Prince of Wales, being the longest serving heir apparent. It’s a sign of the times in which we live that the complexity and subtlety of these veiled references were missed by many who linked this quote when they heard it with the comedy series Blackadder, when it was used in Series Two.

Amongst the other titles that King Charles III has now assumed is that of the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and it was said of the Queen by the historian Hugo Vickers that her lifelong motto was, “Do your best every day and say your prayers at night.” That’s not a bad philosophy for any of us to adopt as we face such change and uncertainty and as we each acknowledge the influence of Queen Elizabeth II in our own lives – the only monarch many of us will have known until now. As we now prepare to give thanks for her example, the New Elizabethan Age and the Queen’s legacy as we commend her to God at her funeral, so we pray for the reign of King Charles III as it is heralded with all the challenges facing him and us personally, nationally and internationally. As we do, let us do our best every day and say our prayers not just at night but throughout the day as we thank God for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and prepare for that of King Charles II as we proclaim God save the King!

Every Blessing/Pob Bendith

Christine

Reflection for the twelfth Sunday after Trinity and the energy crisis.

“What king, going out to wage war….will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one….with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then…. he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace.” Jesus, in Luke 14:25-33, NRSV.

‘Energy crisis is price to avoid world war says Zelensky’ – Sunday Times.

As the warfare between Russian and Ukraine continues, the weaponising of gas and energy supplies is adding to the turmoil already being faced with Russia accused of psychological warfare having turned off the Nord Stream supply. The sale of oil and gas to Europe adds £700million a day to Russia’s income and, with diminished gas supplies from Russia after EU countries imposed a price cap, fears have been sparked that this is just the start of what is to come as the battle lines are extended. 

In this context, what Jesus says in today’s Gospel is significant. As crowds continue to follow him, he suggests that his followers should hate their families and take up their cross if they want to be disciples of his. Given his command to love God, neighbour and self, this may seem shocking but Jesus is not denying the importance of family. He exaggerates to make the point that, for the sake of the Kingdom, there are times when all else needs to be sacrificed for it. Given the urgency of the need for gas and oil supplies as winter draws near, much will need to be sacrificed today in order to pay massively increased bills or find other ways of keeping warm or cooking food. For many, this will be sacrificial and risky as they consider what is really important to them and what they can afford.

Jesus uses the story of a tower being built with the need to estimate the cost of it beforehand in case it cannot be completed. He also speaks of a king going to war and first sitting down to consider the numbers of troops he has and whether or not they are sufficient to defeat the enemy before calling for a peace treaty. Inevitably, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky come to mind, not least because these two powerful leaders share the same first name – which means ruler of great power. If only they were both willing to use their great power to initiate plans for peace!

Jesus also tells his followers that they must be willing to give up their possessions and, willing or not, many people are having to consider changes of lifestyle and belongings as the worldwide challenges continue. It’s a costly business but Jesus does not ask anything of his disciples that he did not ask of himself during his ministry and in dying in so awful a way but also bringing about ‘the means of grace and the hope of glory’ (General Thanksgiving, Book of Common Prayer). In these dark times, with the police warning of increased crime and social unrest, grace giving light from within and light illuminating from above is needed more than ever. As Jesus urges his followers to make difficult choices, take up their cross and follow him it may be that, because of the challenges being faced today, the means of grace and the hope that accompanies it will be discovered afresh. As the old Puritan Hymn Polished Piety puts it:

‘My soul is like a rusty lock:

Lord, oil it with Thy grace

And rub it, rub it, rub it Lord

Until I see Thy face.’

With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian.

Reflection for the eleventh Sunday after Trinity and the cost of living crisis.

 “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Jesus in Luke 14: 1,7-14.

 “We need more than charity, we need social and financial justice, like taxing energy companies who have billions in profits. It feels like I haven’t been given the chance that my preceding generations had. When is it our time for my generation to have a chance?” Francisco Salvatierra, Cardiff teacher.

As one of the first women to be ordained in the Church of England, one of the biggest changes I’ve noticed over the last 32 years is what happens at wedding receptions. When I began, these were usually on the traditional basis of a top table for the bride and groom, best man, bridesmaids and parents with someone at both ends left with only one person next to them. As divorce, step parents, blended families and IVF have become more of a consideration, so circular tables have become common because they help to avoid the complex issue of who has precedence and who sits next to whom. Not that this always solves the social complexities at a meal – after a funeral I had taken, by the time I reached the wake only one seat was left in the room. I wasn’t sure whether it was free or someone had gone to the cloakroom so I asked, “May I sit here?” Back came the unenthusiastic reply: “If you must!”

In the time of Jesus, meals were much more regimented than today and the Gospel is set in the context of a feast on the Sabbath. Jesus has been invited to eat with a leader of the Pharisees and is being watched closely after his recent controversial healing of a disabled woman on the sabbath. However, although the seating plan is for the host to decide, Jesus notices the guests vying for position or finding the best places for themselves – and he immediately speaks out. He tells the parable of guests invited to a wedding, suggesting that they should not choose a place of honour but invite others to take it and may then be elevated by the host rather than demoted by him. Jesus warns that, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (v.11) and he lived this out himself at times such as Maundy Thursday when he washed the disciples’ feet as a servant would do.

Jesus then directly addresses the host, telling him that when he gives a banquet he shouldn’t just invite people he knows who make him feel comfortable and who can return his invitation or enhance his social status. He should invite the poor, the disabled and the blind and the host will be blessed for doing so, says Jesus – he can’t gain from it because they can’t repay him socially. The blessing is not in this life but at the resurrection and the parable is about the heavenly banquet and the values of God’s kingdom, not of this world. 

This week, due to the financial complexities of the war in Ukraine, massive rises in energy costs have been announced with a typical annual bill rising by 80% in October from £1,971 to £3,549. Those on pre-paid meters, often the poorest, will find their bills rising even more to £3,608 and there are concerns that this huge cost will result in lives being put at risk, increased pressure on the NHS and hard choices having to be made by millions of people. Organisations, charities and food banks are offering advice and help but Chancellor Nadim Zahari has warned that even those on incomes of £45,000 may need support and that the UK is in “a national economic emergency that could go on for….two years.” This is reflected in many other countries too with the social and economic order that has made lives affordable or comfortable already being completely overturned, causing great anxiety for many before winter has even begun. Russia supplied 40% of the EU’s natural gas last year and the terrible irony of its energy provider Gazprom recently burning off huge volumes of gas is not lost on anyone. 

The words of Jesus may seem to offer little comfort in light of all this – who welcomes being humbled? – but the cost of living crisis is already overturning what many people have taken for granted. The long term rethinking it will involve may have hidden blessings too if people consider the welfare of others as well as themselves and choose to offer practical support such as the school uniform recycling schemes springing up. It may also enable some consideration of the eternal values of which Jesus speaks, just as the pandemic made people realise other working possibilities and ways of living. All are invited to the heavenly banquet but will the invitation be accepted and do we even hear the call? As George Herbert puts it in his poem ‘Love bade me welcome’:

“And know you not, sayes Love, who bore the blame?

My deare, then I will serve

You must sit down, sayes Love, and taste my meat;

So I did sit and eat.”

With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian. 

Reflection for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity and the railway dispute. 

‘Just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” ‘ 

From Luke 13:10-17, NRSV.



”What we can’t have is imposition of change and detrimental changes to our members‘ lives.” Mick Lynch, General Secretary, RMT.

“That would involve conversation rather than confrontation.” Dan Panes, Rail Delivery Group, of the current railway negotiations.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus has been teaching in the synagogue on the sabbath when a woman who has been unable to stand up straight for eighteen years appears. Jesus does not ask anything of her, other than to come to him, and when she does, he simply tells her that she is set free and lays hands on her. She immediately stands up straight and begins to praise God – there is no need even for her back gradually to adjust to its new position. The change is immediate and obvious to all present.

Although the crowd present rejoices at what has happened, the synagogue leader is indignant, criticising Jesus for healing on the sabbath, which was not permitted. Jesus, however, calls him a hypocrite and suggests that, if donkeys can be untied to be taken to water that day, so the woman should be set free. He gives her a name, though not her own name, by calling the woman a daughter of Abraham and indicating that she is included and not shunned because of her disability. The woman was probably given help by the synagogue and was able to be present but its leader still criticises Jesus for what he does. Nor is he acting unreasonably  according to the Torah, under which the sabbath was to be regarded as a day of rest from work after six days of labour. Neither does Jesus dismiss this, but says that, since the care of animals is justified, so the woman’s right to being set free from restriction is also justified on the sabbath. Those who disagree with him are shamed as the crowd rejoices and God’s kingdom breaks through the rules and restrictions that have been imposed. As both the woman and the crowd praise God, so God’s healing work is shown through Jesus, whether or not it is the sabbath, and comes to those most in need of it – in this case, a lowly, unnamed and disabled woman. 

The condition she is suffering from could be physical but Jesus indicates that she has been bound by a spirit and so her ailment may be spiritual. Just as the woman was unable to stand up straight then, so the weight of the past can sometimes be more than we can bear today as regret, anger, grief and other emotions can also prevent us from being upright. We can be frozen with fear or inactivity too – sometimes, the weight of what we bear can crush us for longer than the eighteen years the woman bore.

That can be seen in the rumbling and ongoing disagreement about the railways, which faced many continuing challenges after nationalisation in 1948 and the Beeching Axe and consequences in the sixties. Struggling after the pandemic, revenues are now 30% lower than they were and the difficulties of establishing a working agreement are clear as strikes continue and negotiations are convened without yet a breakthrough. Like the situation in the synagogue, the same events can be interpreted very differently as the comments of Mick Lynch and Dan Panes show. Meanwhile the public continues to be inconvenienced as the disagreement and conflict continues.

The situation on the railways is only one aspect of disagreement about change and sometimes confrontation is necessary or unavoidable. Many individuals and families are now having change imposed on them, from the rising cost of living to having to consider different possibilities through not achieving the necessary exam results after studying during the chaos of Covid. However, there is always the possibility that the change, though a confrontation initially, may eventually lead to conversation with hope prevailing. That was so for the disabled woman when Jesus spoke to her – what did she feel when singled out by Jesus so publicly and told to make her halting way to him in front of so many other people? As national and international events continue to confront us all, may conversation begin to straighten out the confrontation – when it does, we can all be sure we’re on the right track! 

With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian.

Reflection for the ninth Sunday after Trinity and the weather.

”You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” Jesus, in today’s Gospel Luke 12:48-56, NRSV.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

The Brits are known for their frequent talk of the weather, which is reflected in the language used too. People talk of a storm in a tea cup, being on cloud nine, saving for a rainy day, feeling under the weather or being long winded. That’s partly because the weather in the UK is unpredictable as Britain is at an intersection of Arctic winds from the north, tropical winds from the south, wet winds from the west and continental winds from the east. This creates very varied weather conditions, in contrast to those Jesus is referring to in today’s Gospel.

In Galilee, clouds to the west would indicate rain whilst a southerly wind would bring sultry heat. With fishermen amongst the disciples, they would know this and yet Jesus implies that they are unable to read the signs of the times or see what is happening all around them. Jesus’ ministry is evolving in the context of the Roman occupation, the machinations of Herod Antipas, the resentment of the people, the quarrelling of the religious leaders and the hostility he is facing. He warns of disaster, of fire, division and judgement – his message is not political, but it has political consequences and the Prince of Peace now warns that even families will be divided in their response to him. Jesus calls the crowds following him hypocrites – why, he asks, can’t they see what’s happening?

Given that, today, exceptionally hot weather is causing extensive wild fires and drought, with social unrest being experienced due to the cost of living, strikes and political strife, what Jesus says is pertinent. Every generation has to read the wider signs of the times and respond to them – division and disagreement has always resulted, as well as change and progress. What matters is the response to it and how it is handled. Today, with climate change being contested, the cost of utilities rocketing, the potato and grain crops being affected by lack of rain and even some cheese suppliers warning they may be unable to fulfil their orders, there is a need not only to read the signs of the times but do something about them. In this context the words of Jesus, who called himself the Good Shepherd, need to be heeded. And so a familiar weather saying takes on a new resonance:
Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight; red sky at morning, Shepherd’s Warning.

With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Guardian.

Adlewyrchiad am y nawfed Ddydd Sul ar ol y Drindod, a’r tywydd.

Yr Iesu yn Luwc 12:48-56

“54 Ac efe a ddywedodd hefyd wrth y bobloedd, Pan weloch gwmwl yn codi o’r gorllewin, yn y fan y dywedwch, Y mae cawod yn dyfod: ac felly y mae. 55 A phan weloch y deheuwynt yn chwythu, y dywedwch, Y bydd gwres: ac fe fydd. 56 O ragrithwyr, chwi a fedrwch ddeall wynepryd y ddaear a’r wybr: ond yr amser hwn, pa fodd nad ydych yn ei ddeall?”

“Does dim ffasiwn beth a tywydd drwg, dim ond dillad anaddas.”

Mae’r Prydeinwyr yn enwog am son am y tywydd a mae hyn i’w weld yn yr iaith.
Sonwyd am storm mewn cwpan de, bod ar y nawfed gwmwl, safio am ddiwrnod gwlyb, teimlo pwysau’r tywydd neu bod yn hirwyntog.

Mae hyn yn rhannog gan fod y tywydd ym Mhrydain yn anodd i’w ragweld gan fod Prydain ar groesffordd rhwng gwyntoedd Arctig o’r gogledd, gwyntoedd y tropics o’r de, gwyntoedd gwlyb o’r gorllewin a gwyntoedd sych o cyfandiroedd y dwyrain.
Creuwyd amgylchiadau newidiol yn y tywydd, mewn cyferbyniad i’r rhai mae Yr Iesu yn son amdanynt yn efengyl heddiw.

Yn Galilea byddai gwyntoedd o’r gorllewin yn dod a glaw tra fod gwynt o’r de yn dod a gwres orboeth.

Gyda pysgotwyr ymhlith y Disgyblion byddynt yn gwybod hyn, ond mae’r Iesu yn awgrymu eu bon’t yn ddall i arwyddion yr amseroedd nac yn medru gweld yr hyn sy’n digwydd o’u cwmpas.

Mae gweinidogaeth yr Iesu yn datblygu yng nghyd-destun meddiannaeth y Rhufeiniaid, cynllwyniau Herod Antipas, drwgdeimlad y boblogaeth, ffraeo rhwng yr arweinwyr crefyddol a’r anhawsterau y mae Ef yn eu gwynebu. Mae E’n rhybuddio am drychineb, tan, rhannu a beirniadaeth – tydi Ei neges ddim yn wleidyddol ond mae ganddo ganlyniadau gwleidyddol ac mae’r Tywysog Heddwch yn rhybuddio am gweryla ym mhlith teuluoedd o herwydd eu ymateb iddo.
Mae E’n galw’r torfeudd sy’n ei ddilyn yn ragrithwyr – pam na fedrant weld be sy’n digwydd?

O weld fod y tywydd poeth ar hyn o bryd yn achosi tannoedd gwyllt a sychder, gydag anrhefn cymdeithasol oherwydd costau byw, streiciau ac anghydfod gwleidyddol, mae’r hyn mae’r Iesu yn ei ddweud, o bwys.
Mae gofyn i bob genhedlaeth ddarllen arwyddion ehangach yr amseroedd ac ymateb iddynt – mae rhannu ac anghytundeb wastad yn dilyn, yn ogystal a newid a gwelliant.
Be sy’n bwysig ydi’r ymateb iddo a sut mae’n cael ei drin.

Heddiw, gyda Newid Hinsawdd yn cael ei amau, costau byw yn codi’n fawr, cynnyrch tatws a chnydau’n yn llai oherwydd diffyg glaw a hyd yn oed marchnatwyr caws yn rhybuddio y byddent yn methu cyflawni archebion, mae angen nid yn unig i ddarllen arwyddion yr amseroedd ond i wneud rhywbeth ynglyn a hwynt.
Yn y cyd destun yma, rhaid sylwi ar eiriau’r Iesu, a alwodd ei Hun y Bugail Da, felly mae geiriau cyfarwydd ynglyn a’r tywydd yn dod ac adlais newydd;
“Awyr coch yn y nos – llawennydd y bugail, awyr coch yn y bore – rhybudd y bugail.”

Gyda fy ngweddiau, Pob Bendith,
Chris, Gwarcheidwad.

Reflection for the eighth Sunday after Trinity and the Commonwealth Games.

”Do not be afraid…. Be dressed for action….. You also must be ready.” Jesus, in today’s Gospel Luke 12:32-40, NRSV.

“I’ve not had an easy road. My appendix ruptured five weeks ago, I fractured my foot two weeks ago and I still managed to walk away from the Commonwealth Games with three gold medals. I really am glad I’ve had the opportunity to make a difference.” Joe Fraser, gymnast.

Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus urging his followers not to be afraid, words of encouragement given at the end of a series of teachings to his disciples and the crowds following them. He has urged them to consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air in reminding them of God’s care for creation and so his words telling them not to be afraid are about trusting God for what they need in whatever lies ahead. 

Jesus gives very practical advice initially – his followers are to sell their possessions and give alms to the poor, an indication that they were not themselves poor and owned things that could be sold. At a time of looming economic crisis and possible recession today, when some families are already saying they won’t be able to pay their way this winter, this is a timely reminder that difficult decisions may lie ahead for many people who may be in need of support from those around them. Jesus talks of the treasure in heaven and, when many may be downhearted, his words remind us that we, like those first disciples, also need to trust in our relationship with God as well as those around us.

Jesus goes on to say that his followers are to be dressed and ready for action – he makes the point by mentioning servants awaiting the return of their master, the time of which is unknown. The middle watch was from midnight and the last before dawn, so these are good, faithful servants who are ready for his return and the master is so pleased that he makes them sit down and serves them a meal himself. How topsy turvy are the values of the kingdom of heaven!

His disciples are told by Jesus that, like those hard workers, they must also be ready for an event that he is clearly anticipating and for which he wants to prepare them. Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection are clearly part of this but the Bible also speaks of his return as King and Lord. Many are wondering whether we are nearing that time with such terrible events happening in our changing world today but Jesus also reminds his followers not to be afraid but to be ready whilst waiting for what will happen.

Do not be afraid, be dressed for action and ready – that was evident in the challenges facing the gymnast Joe Fraser. He has won three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games despite a ruptured appendix and a broken foot – he was ready and determined to continue to do his best and make a difference despite the setbacks he was facing. Despite the challenges we are facing, we are asked to do the same and, in case it’s thought this is age related, remember George Miller, the Scot who has just won a gold medal in the Games for mixed bowls at the age of 75!!  

As Francis Thompson puts it in his poem The Kingdom of God:

“O world invisible, we view thee,

….upon thy so sore loss

Shall shine the traffic of Jacob’s ladder

Pitched betwixt Heaven and Charing Cross.

Yea, in the night, my Soul, my daughter,

Cry, – clinging Heaven by the hems;

And lo, Christ walking on the water

Not of Gennesareth, but Thames!”

With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian.

Adlewyrchiad am yr Wythfed Ddydd Sul ar ol y Drindod, a Gemau’r Gymanwlad.

““Peidiwch ag ofni, fy mhraidd bychan, oherwydd bod eich Tad yn hapus i roi’r Deyrnas ichi..
Gwisgwch ar gyfer gweithredu..
Fy’n rhaid i chi hefyd fod yn barod.”

Yr Iesu yn Luwc 12:32-40

“Tydi’r ffordd ddim wedi bod yn hawdd, rhwygodd f’apendics pum wythnos yn ol a thorrais fy’nhroed pythefnos yn ol ac er hynny medrais gerdded i ffwrdd o Gemau’r Gymanwlad gyda thri Wobr Aur. Dwi’n wirioneddol falch ‘mod i wedi cael y cyfle i wneud gwahaniaeth.” Joe Fraser, mabolgampwr.

Mae efengyl heddiw yn cychwyn gyda’r Iesu yn erfyn ar ei ddilynwyr i beidio a bod ac ofn, geiriau cefnogol wedi eu rhoi ar ddiwedd cyfres o ddysgeidiaethau i’w ddisgyblion a’r tyrfaoedd yn eu dilyn.

Mae O wedi erfyn arnynt i ystyried y lilis yn y caeau a’r adar yn yr awyr i atgoffa nhw am ofal Duw am y Creawd, a felly Ei eiriau am peidio ag ofni ac i ymddiried yn Nuw, beth bynnag a ddaw.

Mae’r Iesu yn rhoi cyngor ymarferol i gychwyn, mae ei ddisgyblion i werthu eu heiddo a rhoi elusen i’r tlawd – arwydd eu bon’t ddim yn dlawd eu hunain ac mewn sefyllfa i fedru gwerthu eu heiddo.
Mewn amser anodd economaidd heddiw gyda rhai teuluoedd yn honni na fyddent yn medru talu eu ffordd y gaeaf yma, mae hyn yn atgoffa ni a mi fydd yna ddewisiadau anodd o flaen nifer o bobol a bydd angen cefnogaeth arnynt gan eu cymdeithasau.
Mae’r Iesu yn son am Drysor yn y Nefoedd a, tra fydd llawer yn digaloni, mae Ei eiriau yn ein atgoffa fo’n rhaid i ninnau, fatha’r disgyblion cynnar, ymddiried yn Nuw ac yn ein gilydd.

Mae’r Iesu yn mynd ymlaen i ddweud fo’n rhaid i’w ddilynwyr fod wedi gwisgo ac yn barod, ar gyfer gweithredu – mae E’n crybwyll hanes y gweision a fuont yn barod ar gyfer dychweliad eu meistr, ar amser anhysbys iddynt.
Roedd y Golwg canol, ar ol hanner nos a’r olaf cyn y wawr, felly mae rhain yn weision da a ffyddlon sy’n barod am ei ddychwelud a mae’r meistr mor falch ei fod yn mynnu iddynt eistedd ac yn paratoi bwyd iddynt. Mor “wyneb i waered” mae gwerthoedd Teyrnas Nef!

Dywedodd Iesu wrth ei ddisgyblion eu bod hwythau, fel y gweithwyr caled, gorfod bod yn barod ar gyfer digwyddiad yr oedd Ef yn ei ddisgwyl ac yn ceisio eu paratoi ar ei gyfer.

Yn rhan amlwg o hyn mae dioddefaint, marwolaeth ac atgyfodiad yr Iesu, ond mae’r Beibl hefyd yn son iddo ddychwelyd fel Brenin ac Arglwydd. Mae sawl un yn ystyried y bon’t yn nesau at y cyfnod yma gyda digwyddiadau mor erchyll yn ein byd newidiol heddiw ond mae’r Iesu hefyd yn atgoffa ei ddilynwyr i beidio ac ofni ond i fod yn barod ar gyfer beth bynnag a ddaw.

Peidiwch ac ofni a byddwch wedi gwisgo ac yn barod – roedd hyn yn amlwg yn yr heriau oedd yn gwynebu mabolgampwr Joe Fraser. Mae o wedi enill tri medal aur yng Ngemau’r Gymanwlad er diodde pendics rhwyg a toriad yn ei droed – roedd o’n barod ac yn benderfynnol o wneud ei orau a gwneud gwahaniaeth er yr anhwylusderau yr oedd yn eu gwynebu.
Er gwaetha’r heriau rydym yn gwynebu, mae gofyn i ni wneud yr un peth ac, rhag ofn i rhywun feddwl a wnelo hyn ac oedran, cofiwch George Miller, yr Albanwr sydd newydd enill y fedal aur yn y mabolgampau am bowls cymysg, yn 75 mlwydd oed!

Fel y dywed Francis Thompson yn ei bennill The Kingdom of God:
“O world invisible, we view thee,
….upon thy so sore loss
Shall shine the traffic of Jacob’s ladder
Pitched betwixt Heaven and Charing Cross.
Yea, in the night, my Soul, my daughter,
Cry, – clinging Heaven by the hems;
And lo, Christ walking on the water
Not of Gennesareth, but Thames!”

Gyda fy ngweddiau; pob bendith,
Chris, Gwarcheidwad.

Reflection for the seventh Sunday after Trinity



“Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” Jesus in Luke 12:13-21.

“I am devastated by the judge’s finding…..as for the rest of her judgement, she got it wrong.” Rebekah Vardy, after the failure of her High Court case against Colleen Rooney.

Today’s Gospel is particularly pertinent, given the rising cost of living and how to provide in later life for such astonishing circumstances as the spectacular increase of petrol, utilities and food. Shell has just posted profits of £9.4 billion, electricity prices are forecast to rise by 77% in October and increasing costs have been termed ‘potentially catastrophic’ for some families by Martin Lewis, known as the Money 

Saving Expert. None of the much-needed stored grain blocked by Russia has yet left Ukraine, although this may eventually happen, and so Jesus’ parable of the rich fool who has so much grain he needs bigger barns for it has many resonances today. 

It may seem odd to call the farmer a fool – his land has produced an excellent yield and so he and his workers must have taken good care of it and worked hard. The difficulty lies in his attitude: “What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops…I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.” The farmer goes on to reassure himself that he will then have ample goods stored up for many years and can relax, eat, drink and be merry. Jesus calls him foolish, but not because he has wealth and is saving for the future and his golden years – those are wise things to do. It’s because he’s only concerned for himself and his own needs, unaware that his life will be taken that night and that his plans won’t actually come to fruition. Jesus warns against greed of all kinds and counting on the abundance of possessions but the farmer in his parable appears to have given no thought to the needs of anyone else or what God might ask of him, and he doesn’t seem to be thankful in any way. His wealth and possessions won’t save him and the grain might well have gone mouldy before he and his family could use it all. It’s in that respect that the farmer’s foolish – Jesus criticises him for storing up treasures just for himself and not being generous towards God. 

Jesus’ words are a timely reminder that our lives and possessions are not our own, although we often act as if they are. All of us are affected by the circumstances in which we live and many of those who have planned for what they thought was a secure retirement are now faced with uncertainty and unprecedented economic consequences of the warfare in Ukraine, supply difficulties  and climate change. That’s so for people of all ages as such chaotic circumstances affect us all – but that’s the point. This affects everyone and none of us is alone in it, although we may feel as if we are. The farmer was foolish because he didn’t consider the needs of anyone else and this parable reminds us that we must – in that respect, how can we be wise and not foolish ourselves? Whose needs do we need to consider today as well as our own? In this parable Jesus reminds his followers, then and today, that God is the ultimate judge of our time and actions – and no matter what she thinks of High Court judges, not even Rebekah Vardy will be able to disagree with his judgement! 

With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian.

August is not just the eighth month of the year but also the time when many families take their holidays due to the closure of schools, colleges and universities. However, it was originally the sixth month of the year – January and February weren’t named in the Roman calendar as they were considered to be inactive or dead months. This changed when, in 46 BC, Julius Caesar developed the Julian calendar, named after himself as was the month of July. August is actually named after Augustus Caesar, the first Roman Emperor, whose name comes from the Latin word augustus meaning venerable or noble. That’s reflected in Mis Awst, the Welsh name for that month. 

For similar reasons, September was originally the seventh month but then became the ninth month and Pope Gregory XIII made further changes in 1582 when the Gregorian calendar began. Since then, different ways have developed of calculating time more accurately and the sensational images from the James Webb Space Telescope have been able to reflect images as far back in time as 13.5 billion years ago. How time flies! 

It won’t be long before September is upon us, heralding the end of summer and the beginning of autumn as well as the start of the new academic year and the reaping of the harvest, reflected in its Welsh name Mis Medi. Time is so precious and there is a link, often forgotten, between some holy days when a day off was given which became a day of rest or celebration – a holiday. With chaos at the airports and strikes on the railways, having a break over the summer may not be straightforward but being mindful of the significance of the calendar and time itself is important – may the weeks ahead be blessed while time marches on!

Christine, Guardian. 

When possible, Morning Prayer is said daily at 9am, Pilgrim Prayers at noon and Evening Prayer at 5pm, in addition to the following:

Services of reflection will be held at 3pm on Sundays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th of August as well as on Sundays 4th, 11th (Education Sunday), 18th and 25th September.

Holy Eucharist will be held at noon on Thursdays 4th, 11th (Clare), 18th and 25th of August as well as 1st, 8th, 15th,22nd and 29th (Michael and All Angels) of September.

A Julian Group will take place at 10.30am in the Centre on Wednesdays 17th August and  21st September.

Madonna, Monacella, Melangell and Me – a day of reflection about the Saint and her life will be held at the Centre from 10.30- 3.30 on Wednesday 24th August.

For further details, please get in touch via admin@stmelangell.org or the Centre on 01691 860408.

Diolch – thank you!