Sunday's coming!

This week's wrestling is with the parable of the tenants in the vineyard: Matthew 21:33-46. The other lectionary readings help us to remember that in the Hebrew Scriptures 'the vineyard' was God's Promised land, inhabited by God's chosen people. I think we have to beware an anti-semitic reading of this that says 'God throws out the Jews and put new 'tenants' in his vineyard: us! So what do we learn about this owner of the vineyard? He is persistent - almost to the point of stupidity. The first slaves are beaten, killed and stoned. So what does he do? Sends more! - and they are 'treated in the same way'. Isn't THIS the point at which we expect the owner to bring in the bailiffs & clear the place out & either put in new tenants or sell & get out of wine-production altogether. But no, our persistent/foolish owner sends his son, saying 'they will respect my son'. But it comes as no surprise to find that these lawless t...

This week I am not preaching on Sunday - but I will, instead be preaching on Saturday, at the induction of my friend, Rachel, to be warden of the URC's St Cuthbert's centre on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. see here for more details My part is to reflect on the passage about Jacob's ladder: Genesis 28: 10-17 Here is a first draft of what I'm likely to say: “Way way back many centuries ago: not long after the Bible began, Jacob lived in the land of Canaan, a fine example of a family man…” Except that in the reading we just heard we catch up with Jacob long before Andrew Lloyd-Webber & Tim Rice get hold of him. This Jacob is not a fine example of anything – except perhaps a rather slimy, cheating piece of work. Jacob is the younger twin, the second-born, and not the one who is supposed to inherit the lion’s share of his father wealth and blessing. But first he tricks his brother Esau into promising him all his rights as first-born (by catching Esau when he...

I realise it's only Monday - but struck by an item of news about modern day 'slavery' and inspired by a reflection by Anna Carter Florence on the hardship of waiting here I've just sat down and written a first draft of the sermon. The parable of the workers in the vineyard: it’s NOT FAIR! This last week a disturbing story emerged of workers allegedly held in slavery on a traveller site in Leighton Buzzard. In 21st century Bedfordshire, grown men were picked up in vans and promised labouring work and somewhere to live at £40-£80 per day. But when they got to the caravan site they were put in small sheds or rundown caravans with too little food, had their identity papers taken and their heads shaved and were made to work with no pay – whilst being told that of they tried to run away they would be beaten up. And all this in a neighbouring county to ours. At first I could scarcely believe it – and then as news of the case grew it became clear that this is not the...

OK -back on track with the lectionary: Matthew 18: 21-35 and here's a first draft... Forgiveness Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness ‘How many times should I forgive?’. What a good question. She let me down again – should I forgive her again? He really hurt my feelings this time with what he said - how can I forgive him? The crime is so awful, the implications so enormous – where is the place for forgiveness? in the story of the Twin Towers & 9/11, or the death in custody of Baha Musa, or the shootings carries out by Raoul Moat. What difference would it make to this world if we really took forgiveness seriously? How many times should I forgive? So Jesus tells one of his parables. A parable about forgiveness.. or maybe unforgiveness. A slave owes his king 10,000 talents. A talent was about a year’s wages for a labourer. This is a huge sum. Even if the man lives on nothing and gives all that he earns to the king it would take him 10,000 years to pay him back. This...

Yes, I'm cheating: having not preached last week I'm using last week's lectionary readings as they fitted so well with the baptism that I'm conducting. Thought that after holidays I could be allowed to cut myself some slack!I also shortened them slightly for the sake of the 2 grandfathers who are reading them and the congregation, most of whom will be the 'baptism party'. Sermon notes for Sept 4th (baptism) Romans 12:9-13 Matthew 16:21-26 I was delighted to hear the first reading – the one from Paul’s letter to the Romans this morning, especially at Harry’s baptism. Here’s the Bible my Godparents gave me the day I was baptised – aged just under 3 months. You can see that like it’s owner it’s showing signs of wear & tear! And here inside my Godmother, Marjorie, wrote (verses from Romans ch 12). It might seem an odd present for a tiny baby: I remember as a child being a bit jealous of my brother – who had a silver egg cup and spoon as a Baptism pre...