Harvest and the senses

Psalm 104: 1-12    Mark 7: 31-37

  

Reflection


Today we have an opportunity to rejoice in Creation.

 

Roger has brought so much into the chapel to help us think about how all our senses respond to God’s wonderful creation outside and around us.

 

Take a moment to take in what you can

See..

Smell…

Touch…

Hear..

And we look forward to our lunch when we can taste.

 

Through our senses we can celebrate the wonders of the world around us.

 

The writer of Psalm 104, which we heard, speaks about the whole of creation as God’s dwelling place –

 

 

‘you stretched out the heavens like a tent, you set your chambers on the waters. The clouds are your chariot, the winds your messengers’.

 

This world is the place God created and the space in which God lives and is encountered. When we sense the wonders of creation we cannot help but marvel at the creator who made it and who lives in it all.

 

But more than that, the Psalm describes how God creates with care, forming creation so that all of life can be safe in it and enjoy it.

‘you set the earth on its foundations… you set a boundary for the waters.. you make springs gush forth, giving drink to every wild animal..’

 

And even the birds find a nesting place in the branches – where they can sing with praise to the creator who is known in creation and whose love is shown in creation.

 

Everything we look at or smell or touch, hear or taste can remind us that God is near and that God cares for us.

 

There are many time in the Gospels when Jesus heals those who cannot see.. or in today’s story, someone who cannot hear.. or speak.

Jesus knew that a life lived with impaired senses is not life in all its fulness.

But as he heals the man who is deaf & cannot speak clearly, he also helps everyone around to see more clearly. Jesus helps them all to see the kingdom of God.

 

And when they see what God has done, they want to speak about it.

 

The senses help people know God through God’s creation, to enjoy God’s love – no wonder people want to speak out about it.

 

Today we have been enabled to see, hear smell, touch and taste something of God’s creation.

In sensing the wonders of creation we are drawn into an awareness of the love of the creator. All these good gifts are gifts of love from the God who made us and loves us.

 

As we thank God our hearts are filled with gratitude and praise.. and often we are drawn to want to share that blessing with other, in an outpouring of love, gratitude and sharing.

 

Today we add to what the pastorate has already give to PATCH, with our gifts of imperishable food and toiletries.

Patch – Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship – operate in a number of towns in the county and are supported by Asda, Aldi, Morrisons, Lidl & Tesco, as well as relying on gifts from churches & chapels, schools and others.

Those of us who’ve met the volunteers in the storehouse can tell you how grateful they are for the gifts. They help people who are referred to them from social workers, citizens advice and others, or people can self-refer if they give them a phone call.

The gifts which are distributed make a real difference to people’s lives.

 

So we give thanks to God for all these gifts, offered today

& we pray that our gifts will help others to live life more fully.

May these gifts speak to others of our gratitude

May they speak of God’s grace

And may God be glorified in all creation & in our lives. Amen.                               

 

 

 

 

 

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